No way. Rodman may have some funny wiring in his head, but Bird wanted no part of a young Dennis Rodman's defense. Bird played well against Rodman in his rookie year (1987) , but after that, it was lights out, culminating in Celtic playoff losses to the Pistons in 1988 and 1991. During those early years, Rodman was the most intense defensive wing player I have ever seen...
Bird would be a serious player in any era. As a 6’9” forward, he was light years ahead of other players at his position. He did things that other forwards did not do.
Nope. He could play today for sure because of his mindset and skills but it's deeper than that. If Bird was born in this era of course He'd be like a great player. It's all in the mind
the way the nba called today he would dominate he would constantly be at the line and would be encouraged to shoot more 3s... not only would he be good in todays league as was in the 80s but he would be arguably better....
@@masterlucky379 Absolutely, specially with todays rules. He was the best 3 pointer shooter of his time. But on the 80 players and coaches liked to play closer to the rim.
Nah, Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
Jokic literally have multiple game saving blocks what is this guy talking about?? And Bird made multiple all NBA defensive selections he was far from bad defender. Was way better defender than magic
They never point out Bird’s conditioning. He was the best conditioned athlete on the floor every game, he never got tired or slowed down late in games. The dude probably jogged more miles daily than anyone in the league. Conditioning is a skill.
Larry Bird made 3 all defensive teams, these guys need to do their homework since this is their job smh. Jokic isn't a great defender but he's adequate and can play good defense depending on the situation.
@@anthonytaylor7928I also didn’t think he was until I actually watched this year. His positioning and size make him an average to above average defensively especially in the playoffs
To me Bird made everything about the game look easy. Not too many players like that right now. He had that special ability that when he did things, you weren't quite sure what he was doing, you had to see the play in slow motion replay cause its subtle, and his fluidity just made it look way easier than it would be for someone else to try and do the same move/play.
Bird may have made things look easy, only because of the competition he was playing. He was way better than the majority of the NBA at that time. There were only 2 hands full of superstars then too. Imagine going outside and dominating the people in your neighborhood, See what I’m saying? It’s all about who you’re playing against. Different eras. I’ll admit the last 6-8 years of the NBA have been trash tho.
Larry was the best player of his era . Not the fastest, nor the most athletic. But THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER OF HIS TIME. . Even my 2 idols Ishia homas and Dominic Wilkins said it clearly.
@@GainsMarathon You obviously never watched 80's NBA live. "There were only 2 hands full of superstars " ???!!! Pleeeasee : Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Kevin MacHale , Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwown, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, James Whorty, Bob Mcadoo, The Doctor Julius Erving, Karl Malone, Stockton, Drexler, Barkley, Ishia, Michael Cooper, Robert Parish and my all time favorite Dominique Wilkins. All these players would dominate today's weak and SOFT (with capital T) NBA divas. (NaI’msaying?)
@@ShakaZuluX ok maybe 3 hands full lol. But Compared to how many players total in the NBA? 😂 Yea I agree they’ll be good in todays era, but not all would be able to shoot the 3 consistently. todays era does suck. But not 90s-2015. Imho
Which why Arvydas Sabonis was jokic and was the best European player ever he the reason they made the dream team and the nba made him wait until he had injuries to let him in!
Are we not taking into consideration the 3 times Bird was named to NBA All-Defense 2nd Team? Are we not considering that BIRD ranks 33rd all time in defensive win shares? The guy wasn't a lockdown 1 on 1 defender but his impact on defense was obviously better than average when he was healthy. Injured his back prior to 1986 and couldn't keep the pace, but for this first handful of years he was a defensive PLUS. A congenital back condition notwithstanding, the guy gets panned on defense way too much by people who remember a slow guy with bad achilles heels who also had to lay on the floor because his back wouldn't allow him to sit on a bench.
Color people mad 'cause Bird was better offensively and defensively than Magic. Its hard to play defense card when Bird was way better defender than Magic
Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
Why do they keep getting analysts to talk about Jokic, who have clearly never watched him outside of a highlight package? Jokic is not an all-NBA defensive player, but he's solid. He's also pretty good at getting steals.
I'm from Detroit so I know what it is. Dennis can't talk about Jordan because they played together. So Larry is the next hated, Larry was super sweet. I think Larry has the edge because of his attitude.
Huge Nuggets fan for 40 years, but I was a Bird fan before I moved to Denver from Indiana in 1983. Channel 4 out of Indianapolis aired all of Bird's games his senior year at ISU. I watched nearly all of them, and I watched Larry every opportunity I had when NBC aired Boston's games in the 80s. My take about this Bird-Joker comparison: As much of a generational talent as Jokic is, Larry Bird was better. Bird was Cirque du Soleil; Joker is Barnum & Bailey. Both world-class wonders, but Bird added the element of magic.
Prime bird is arguably the goat.he dominated the toughest mofos in his era what do you think he will do in the cookie players today.birds mentality and greatness is just on another level.
Larry bird would be an even better player in today’s game. It’s that simple. In fact, in an era where so much emphasis is placed on the 3 and spacing, with no hand checking, increased pace and extra possessions, I believe Larry Bird would actually prove to be a better shooter than Steph. And even though he’d never admit it, I think bird himself would agree. Dennis Rodman, who couldn’t shoot to save his life and depended on hand checking and the kind of physical defense that’s no longer allowed, is actually the one who wouldn’t be cut out for todays NBA.
Every time people talk about eras they leave out the most important thing that it takes to be a superstar. THE MIND. If Bird played today he’d be 10 times better then he was. Because that mind would have the access to everything people in this era has.
Yep! Bird, MJ, and all those greats would have lit up this current NBA with these new soft rules. No hand checking. No elbows in the paint. Flagrant fouls weren't called in that era like today. You got beat the fk up driving towards the basket.
@@alvinjohnson2402 yeah but the question was what would these older players be like in this era. If add the soft rules, would the old school players be as good of a defender if he wasnt allowed to be physical? Pretty much rely on sliding your feet and keep your arms raised and no reaching in.
@alvinjohnson2402 Anyone can look like a better defender than they are when they're allowed to be physical, hard foul, and hand check. What about when they actually have to try and stay in front of someone? I doubt that EVERYBODY in the 80s or 90s was a lockdown defender. There's players in this era who have proven to be good to great defenders without the need to hand check or hard foul.
The legends weren't afraid to mix it up and get physical. Bird in his prime was as tough as they come. He would have a field day with today's soft stars who can't handle contact and who cry for calls.
I'll say this again... The only 2 players that I would somewhat comfortably put ahead of Bird are LeBron and Jordan. I have Bird ahead of probably everyone else. That being said, Jokic has incredible potential to move up the all-time list.
@@rasheeddozier6083 I think you misunderstood what I meant. I'm saying that out of the players who have played during the 3pt line era (players who have played since 1980 when the 3pt line was added), I would place Bird as the 3rd greatest player of that era (of the past 40+yrs). I'm not saying that Bird is the 3rd greatest 3pt shooter in NBA history. So if you are asking if I would put Bird's 3pt shooting ability above Steph, KD and Klay's 3pt shooting ability, well that's not what I was saying at all. However I would say that Bird was a greater overall player than Steph, KD and Klay. Like I said, the only 2 players who I would somewhat confidently say are greater than Bird since 1980 are LeBron and Jordan, that's it. I'd probably put Bird ahead of every other player in the 3pt line era.
Lol it’s something about these bulls players they say the dumbest things between Scottie Pippen ranting about Jordan greatness now we got this foolishness. People that watch Larry bird play know he can play in any era.
@@stevenhornostaj5676 And is the joker fast? You people say the dumbest things, the NBA has always been about skills. If you’re a great skill player and you have athleticism that’s a plus. But basketball is always been a skill sport. And Bird is one of the most skilled players ever.
Not sure why Larry Bird is being compared to Jokic. It is actually funny that Jokic actually compares well to Kevin McHale who is Bird's teammate in play style.
Man Bird was elite at EVERYTHING!!! Defense, passing, and shooting. His skill set would easily translate to todays NBA. Not to mention the intangibles. Bird was a KILLER on the court. Bro was NEVER afraid of the moment compared to so many players in the league today. He would be a plug and play superstar on any team
The most skilled NBA player of all time is a tie between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Jokic is only about half as skilled as Larry Bird was, and that's all it takes to be the league MVP at this time in NBA history.
Prime Bird is undoubtedly a top 7 player in the league today. Imagine him taking 6+ 3s a game, getting to the ft line more, and not getting hand checked.
Bird would be consider MVP every year in today s league, and bird was a great post player, and he would have it easier in today's league in post, bird would kill this league without shooting 3s
@@mississippimade6483 who's gonna guard him? He's a 6'9" forward that can shoot. He's like Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum except can pass, rebound and play down low better than both of them
Larry Bird would average close to 47 points a game. If Larry Bird was dominant in the 80s, then he can definitely dominant the NBA today, especially when the NBA is soft and nobody really plays defense. You're talking about a guy that won 3x championships with Boston, you're talking about a guy that won 3 straight 3-point contests in a row. How many legends can say that
Look... yall IQ prolly 90-110, and that might be a stretch. The dude called me a casual.. he is a hypocrite. I ain't even judging him. I'm just saying.. dont attack, come with facts I forgot what to say, but... Larry Bird was like none other. It's the reason why the white boy with no athletic ability, according to modern NBA standards, dominated. I watch and I see... but its deeper than that
@@jalilcook5113 if he 'just got in the way' he wouldn't be considered the best player in the world. he'd be considered the best 'offensive' player in the world. no. he's the best all around player. sure, he doesn't 'rim defend.' but rim defending is 1 out of 20 diff't ways you can defend
I'm still shocked Larry Bird was only 7th in the recent all-time players list. The knock against him is winning only 3 titles, but look at the competition. Showtime Lakers, which was a stacked team. 2 all time great players on the same team! If not for Bird, those Lakers win 7 titles. If not for Magic, Bird wins at least 5 titles.
@@tyronthompson3903 still though, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, Cooper Bird had about 8 healthy seasons. Had he had more seasons he would've won some more titles. Maybe in 1990. In 91 that would've been a great ECF Celtics vs Bulls. Larry Bird was injured working a tractor that didn't operate right and it injured him in 1987.
Rodman would be an offensive liability today, and he’d foul out of every game if he played like he did back then. Bird is maybe the most well rounded player in NBA history. He would be a superstar in any era
Larry Bird can go into ANY Black Barbershop in America, and get respect. He can come to any cookout. He was THAT GUY on the basketball court. Lol 🙌🏽 - Signed 06/27/2023
Nikola jokic finishes at the rim like nobody I've ever seen. Them shots he was hitting smothered during this playoff run. Crazy. Definitely earned my respect.
He was one of the best players in his generation. So if he plays on Europe, the rest of the guys in the league would have played in China the WNBA?? He still played against the best competition at the time. I hate when ppl do this and say guys wouldnt play now, you know why? Because they played the way the game was played for their era...they did what they had to do to be the best and were
Not a comment on this debate so much as a correction on saying Jokic can't defend. He clearly showed throughout the post-season that he can defend and rim-protect. Let's also remember he plays in an era of position-less basketball where everything gets switched. And while Bird was absolutely a sufficient rebounder.. he's not Jokic on the boards. Do not equate Bird being able to rebound with Jokic.
If Jokic had to deal with legit centers and Bigs like in Bird's era, I don't believe he'd get as many rebounds(maybe 9-10/game). Jokic wasn't guarded by a 7foot player the whole playoffs except Rudy(weak). Jokic is a good rebounder in an era where there aren't that many great rebounders, and he's taking advantage like he should.
Bird out-rebounded Moses Malone in a Finals. Moses is arguably the best rebounder in post-merger history - led league 6x. Agree Jokic is better mainly because he is a center and is closer to the rim most often. And he's taller.
bird was a better rebounder than joker period.... he played on a team with parish and mchale and still usually led... in a league where the middle was clogged... he literally fought for boards and held his own in the finals vs moses.... joker is good but he gets SO MANY BOARDS completely alone and no one near him. apples and oranges
Old players love to call this era soft when they wanna prop themselves but when they wanna discredit their peers they switch up and say the modern nba is too skilled for them
This era is soft because of many reasons... but if we are speaking specifically basketball look at the rules now and look at what they were then. Night and Day.
Old timers are stuck in the past and they think they were facing the best, they played in the toughest era, played against the most skilled players etc. The most of it is the myth. The arguably best player in the 80"s couldn't shoot the ball. Magic Johnson in today's game would have been liability . Rodman is just the realist here and people can't take the truth.
Being masterful in the art of shooting the basketball translates across all eras. A player like Larry bird can play in any version of the league and find success at the highest level 🤷🏽♂️
RODMAN knows BIRD (3x NBA CHAMPION, 3x NBA MVP, 3x 3-POINT SHOOTOUT CHAMPION) is a great player and schooled him many times (BOSTON vs DETROIT in 80's), can't guard him, can't stop him from scoring, at the same time trash talking him. RODMAN was deliberate in his comment, no one's talking about him anymore, and wants to be relevant.
Jokic leads all centers in steals and has some pretty impressive game winning blocks. LOL teams shot 35% from the field when Jokic was the primary defender. He is actually one of the highest rated defenders in the league (top 5)
Bird became a star when Basketball was a local American back yard sport. He did not have to encounter players like Jokic and Giannis. There is a much tougher competition nowadays.
But at the same time players today benefit from newer fitness, coaching, and equipment advancements. If players from today played back then they might be injured constantly. If bird played today he might benefit from having a whole personal training and medical staff. It's simply impossible to know.
things are always different, but my point is that the pool of talent players are recruited from nowadays is so much greater. it simply takes a lot more to dominate the world of basketball in 2023 than in the 1980s.
LMAO what a joke take. Bird did not encounter players like Giannis or Jokic? Bird was up against MJ, Magic, Dominique Wilkins, Barkley, Moses Malone, Dr. J, Kareem, Dennis Rodman, Isaiah Thomas, etc. So you're saying these guys are scrubs compared to the players of today? Lol 😂
Rodman always had an ax to grind with Bird. He blasted LeBron too. I guess JJ Redick and Tim Legler would never make the NBA in this era. They're not better than Bird.
These guys are supposed to be knowledgeable and lived that era and can’t inform the people that Bird made 3 all defensive second teams from 1981 to 1984 and led the league multiple times in defensive winshares. He had some of the quickest hands ever and before the injury he was not very slow.. They act like he was Luka defensively. They remember Bird’s defense from 89 to 92 and define his defensive prowess overall. Nevertheless both great players..
Birds numbers would be even crazier today with the rule changes... Bird has alil bit more but both dominated in their time... Joker isn't finished yet... Both Hall R Of Fame players, salute...
"he was actually a good defensive player, and let us not look at the stats which prove Jokic is a lot better defensively" It's ok for ESPN to give intellectually challenged people a job, but not on commenting.
Rodman could do one thing well on dominating teams -- rebound the basketball.....because he was allowed to expertly play off his man and cherry pick underneath the hoop, simply because of the star power around him.
Jokic is a prime prime prime example of the fact that the play style of these older generation of guys would still be effective today, is Jokic constantly doing side step 3s? Step backs? Crossing people up? Shooting a ton of 3s? No. Jokic posts people up, passes the ball, bullies them in the post, shoots hook shots, can shoot the 3 if he needs to, bird did all of these things, magic did all of these things, maybe not shoot as much but if it was today he would’ve, shaq would still be dominant, mj would still be the best, bird would still be up there, it’s disrespectful to say they wouldn’t be great because of the style that the game was played back then, nobody is doing what kareem did now, but they’re dominating a different way now, and you see Jokic still playing that old school style and absolutely dominating everyone, so come on now
@@jdankerdakeFinally, someone who understands how ridiculous the "X player would average 40 if they played today" statement is. No one would average 40.
Wow. He's big and just gets in the way. What a statement to make about Jokic. It seems that both these men are not great defenders... but that's a general statement that can be said about the vast majority of players in the league.
If unathletic 6'8 Bojan Bodgdanovic can play in today's league and average 20+ Bird can. Bird is cooking these boys. What can Bojan do that Bird can't? Both are good three-point shooters, Bird is a better mid-range shooter, better post-scorer, better passer, and a better rebounder than Bojan.
In reality rodman would be the one struggling for minutes with how the game is played today Power Forwards who can't shoot, hit free throws or playmake at a high level don't get PT
You dont know a lick of ball, I want to call you names cause thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Rodman failing to get minutes? A PF who cant shoot? Wait a sec where have we seen that again, oh Draymond. Quit the internet and throw your phone out
@@Original94 he'd be unplayable in 4th quarter In the 90s you couldn't zone like you can now he'd be left open and all his teammates would be seeing multiple bodies on every possession And if they put the ball in his hand he couldn't playmaker well enough to break the defense plus you could just hack a shaq him and send him to the line
I think all this goes to show is how bad Larry Bird used to give the best defender in the league that WORK, that 30 years later he's still salty af about it LOL
During the 1987 ECF, after a game 6 win, Dennis Rodman said Larry Bird is overrated because he’s white. Bird proceeded to drop 37/9/9 on his head in a game 7 win. I guess Rodman forgot about that
exactly! why I like Rodman was a player, but quotes like those is why I can't take him seriously when he talks, especially about my fellow Hoosier State native like Larry Legend
That's RIDICULOUS by Rodman! The only question is how much better would Bird be in (as SAS would say-tissue paper defenses). The gym and rim are the same-the physical nature of the game was FAR MORE difficult back in the 80's.
I'll agree with most of this except the fact that teams couldn't double on or off the ball in the 80s only when they drove to the paint, also the athleticism of today's era is on another level but bird would be a far better player in this era. Luka and Jokic are proof of that.
Bird dropped a 47pt triple double in 86, scoring 10 of his 21 field goals with his left. His reason? He said he was saving his right hand for the Lakers. Celtics beat the Lakers 2 nights later and Bird dropped 22/18/7. Case closed.
Foxie, you're ill-informed about Jokic's defense. Did you watch the 2023 playoffs and Finals? Jokic was literally dominant on defense - steals, lighting quick hands, blocks, rim protector. Jokic a non-defender has become an old, inaccurate narrative.
Nah, Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
@@poocrayon4588 I remember, that it was him and Isaiah Thomas who made the comment about being just another player if he was black. But you can't deny that Rodman has been about self-promotion, do you remember him dressing in a wedding dress.
Rodman just said that Bird would play in Europe today but the guy he compared him to is the NBA MVP and finals MVP. If Bird is so bad, why consider him to the reigning MVP?
@@MrKohulann30 From what I saw. He at times selectively play defense because he’s too concerned about foul trouble. But a real defender plays ball until he has to back down due to foul trouble. But I digress 😎
You can't just pluck a player from one era and then drop them in this era and say "ok, go play". You have to look at it from the point that if that player grew up in this era, taking into account the modern training and how the game is played now, would he still be the same caliber of player as he was in the past? That's the only way you can look at it to be fair.
Fundamentally yes - shoot, pass, rebound, post, defender. There are nuanced things he can't do like be 7 feet tall and 280 pounds. His size gives him some of that dominance.
A lot of people have to admit that Larry Bird would be a great shooter regardless of era, but he was left open quite a bit. No one guarded the 3-point line. They also gave him a lot of possessions where the mid range was simply open for him. Jokic creates space while Larry Bird was given space by the opponents due to the league being more inside-oriented. Hot take, Jokic is making all-defense team in the 80s. I just don’t think that the defense was really that good in that era. Larry was great for his era, but so is Jokic. It can go either way, but for people to act like Jokic skill-wise isn’t on par with Bird is crazy to me.
Jokic playstyle is just a overgrown Larry Bird that prioritizes passing over head hunting on offense. Both are two of the best players to ever touch a basketball.
They played with plumbers and bus drivers. They had drafts with 180 players the league was watered down with a lot of garbage moving 3 MPH. Nowadays only 58 get drafted and weak players are starting to get filtered out of the league quicker. The league had a scattering of stars and decent role players now there are a ton of stars and a ton of great role players. I have Bird only slightly ahead of Jokic.
Average NBA salary in 1985 was $300K which is like $850K today. Why exactly would a plumber play in the NBA? It’s ok you’re young and make things up on the internet, it’s what you do when you’re uneducated and have an ego because you need things to be the bestest ever just ever today or you’ll be sad. 😂 Anyway I love Jokic and he’s nowhere near Larry Bird for me, not yet and it’ll be tough to get close to Larry’s peak but who knows. Larry’s peak is comfortably top 5 and I hated that dude when I was a kid. But sometimes you stop being a clown and educate yourself and change your mind. 😜 Here’s a scattering of stars as you put it: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, James Worthy, Isaiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone, Dr J, Charles Barkley, Bobby Jones, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Sydney Moncrief, Bernard King, George Gervin, Alex English, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Tom Chambers, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Mark Price and so on. You have the 🐐, Larry, Magic, Kareem, Dr J, Moses, all considered in the top 20 all-time by most. That’s 30% of the top 20 filled with guys who were at their or near their peaks in the 80’s. You casual asf ❤️🤡
@@jubjubhenry5612 I was gonna comment on this guy's idiotic disrespectful comment saying bird is only slightly better than jokic but after that beat down I don't think I need too 🤣🤣🤣. Well said some people just don't know what they're talking about
Rodman isnt wrong. Just like the 90's are weak AF and those players would be bench riders in today's game. Slug ball, big man centric and couldnt play zone nor double. But it was so tough because they fouled each other hard lmao. MJ and 90's fans are in shambles right now, love it
26pts, 12Reb, 9ast, 1.3 stl, 0.9 Blk…. That’s the Jokic stat sheet this season… Only player to put out 2k points, 1k rebounds and 500 assists in a season and he’s 40 rebounds shy of repeating that again…. The most productive seasons we’ve ever seen, back to back and y’all don’t want to give him the MVP? Crazy… Shai and Luka are killing it don’t get me wrong, I’m a Denver fan so I’m biased a bit but Jokic is definitely outclassing them in every other category right now other than ppg….
*_"Pass me the ball, im OPEN!"_* Bird while being guarded by Rodman
😂😂😂😂
No way. Rodman may have some funny wiring in his head, but Bird wanted no part of a young Dennis Rodman's defense. Bird played well against Rodman in his rookie year (1987) , but after that, it was lights out, culminating in Celtic playoff losses to the Pistons in 1988 and 1991. During those early years, Rodman was the most intense defensive wing player I have ever seen...
he took a title from Jordan that's all we gotta say
Lml Rodman ain’t have ish on Bird talking all that smack 😂😂
@@SapphicTwist you trippin
They should've bought Mad Dog on to the show. We would've witnessed an aneurysm on live TV
Lmfao rofl
😂😂
Tmrw mad dog Wednesdays
True 😂😂😂😂😂
You don't know what an aneurysm is
Bird would be a serious player in any era. As a 6’9” forward, he was light years ahead of other players at his position. He did things that other forwards did not do.
Nope. He could play today for sure because of his mindset and skills but it's deeper than that. If Bird was born in this era of course He'd be like a great player. It's all in the mind
Bird will dominate this era.
the way the nba called today he would dominate he would constantly be at the line and would be encouraged to shoot more 3s... not only would he be good in todays league as was in the 80s but he would be arguably better....
@@masterlucky379 Absolutely, specially with todays rules. He was the best 3 pointer shooter of his time. But on the 80 players and coaches liked to play closer to the rim.
The funniest thing about this whole situation is Larry Bird used to cook Dennis Rodman (who was a great defender).
Scottie Pippen too. And both of them were guarding him AFTER he had that initial back injury in 1985.
Bird is what Jokic would be if he was a forward and Jokic is what Bird be if he was a center…at least that’s how I see it
Exactly
Yes
True
Spot on.
thats very close but Jokic is a better passer
Rodman just trolling 😂. He gave ESPN a segment lol.
Nah, Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
He is broke. That's why.
😂True 😂
Jokic literally have multiple game saving blocks what is this guy talking about?? And Bird made multiple all NBA defensive selections he was far from bad defender. Was way better defender than magic
Jokic is not a good defender but he’s not terrible either
@@montagehq9872your brain is like 4 yrs behind but it’s ok. Here’s an update from the future, Jokic just won a ring playing good defense
He's just a racist towards white people. Thats accepted and even ENCOURAGED in todays USA.
@@mikaelsmith22He didn't win with defense. Stop lying.
@@Jonathan-pp3du the team held Minnesota, phoenix, and Miami under 90 multiple times what are you talking about?
4:50 Legs shows up, that’s all you should watch
The only guy worth listening to on this D- panel.
'He had a good first step'.💀
This crew was super dead i felt asleep on them...but Legs is worth listening to always
Ty brother
@@joshdaking2324 Bird didnt have a good first step?
They never point out Bird’s conditioning. He was the best conditioned athlete on the floor every game, he never got tired or slowed down late in games. The dude probably jogged more miles daily than anyone in the league. Conditioning is a skill.
Steph took notes from Bird
Naw Rodman was sorry
I agree he was near the top but Rodman was definitely more conditioned than anyone. It's well documented.
@@JP-jd8wrlol
Is that why his back went out and he had to retire early?
Larry Bird made 3 all defensive teams, these guys need to do their homework since this is their job smh. Jokic isn't a great defender but he's adequate and can play good defense depending on the situation.
No jokic is not a good defender
@@anthonytaylor7928I also didn’t think he was until I actually watched this year. His positioning and size make him an average to above average defensively especially in the playoffs
@@anthonytaylor7928 some people can't read properly I guess 🤷♂
Imagine if white folks took hoops seriously. Jokic just broke the legend of Wilt Chamberlain with his side hustle.
@@greatnesspersonified3305and his IQ …
Jokic has multiple game saving blocks in his career, Foxworth clearly hasn’t watched him much
To me Bird made everything about the game look easy. Not too many players like that right now. He had that special ability that when he did things, you weren't quite sure what he was doing, you had to see the play in slow motion replay cause its subtle, and his fluidity just made it look way easier than it would be for someone else to try and do the same move/play.
Bird may have made things look easy, only because of the competition he was playing. He was way better than the majority of the NBA at that time. There were only 2 hands full of superstars then too.
Imagine going outside and dominating the people in your neighborhood, See what I’m saying? It’s all about who you’re playing against. Different eras. I’ll admit the last 6-8 years of the NBA have been trash tho.
Larry was the best player of his era . Not the fastest, nor the most athletic. But THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER OF HIS TIME. . Even my 2 idols Ishia homas and Dominic Wilkins said it clearly.
@@GainsMarathon You obviously never watched 80's NBA live. "There were only 2 hands full of superstars " ???!!! Pleeeasee : Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Kevin MacHale , Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwown, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, James Whorty, Bob Mcadoo, The Doctor Julius Erving, Karl Malone, Stockton, Drexler, Barkley, Ishia, Michael Cooper, Robert Parish and my all time favorite Dominique Wilkins. All these players would dominate today's weak and SOFT (with capital T) NBA divas. (NaI’msaying?)
@@ShakaZuluX ok maybe 3 hands full lol. But Compared to how many players total in the NBA? 😂
Yea I agree they’ll be good in todays era, but not all would be able to shoot the 3 consistently. todays era does suck. But not 90s-2015. Imho
@@ShakaZuluX Bird is in no way in the same conversation as the Joker.
The irony here is that the top players in Europe ( Giannis, Luka, Jokic ) said that europe is tougher than the NBA.
That's just cus of growing up there , and maybe a little more physical , but they only play 34 games before playoffs in the toughest European League
Which why Arvydas Sabonis was jokic and was the best European player ever he the reason they made the dream team and the nba made him wait until he had injuries to let him in!
@aerodynamic8264 Grewup Blazer fan Loved Sabonis, but he said he didn't join cus of all the injuries he had , wasnt until he felt healthy he came over
@@DatsjoeYT alright chief settle down
They said it is harder to score in Europe. NBA has better athletes, pace, longer games, more games,... making it harder to play.
Are we not taking into consideration the 3 times Bird was named to NBA All-Defense 2nd Team? Are we not considering that BIRD ranks 33rd all time in defensive win shares? The guy wasn't a lockdown 1 on 1 defender but his impact on defense was obviously better than average when he was healthy. Injured his back prior to 1986 and couldn't keep the pace, but for this first handful of years he was a defensive PLUS. A congenital back condition notwithstanding, the guy gets panned on defense way too much by people who remember a slow guy with bad achilles heels who also had to lay on the floor because his back wouldn't allow him to sit on a bench.
Yeah Bird was an incredibly smart defender.
True and Jokic literally have multiple game winning[ or saving] blocks. This guy is just another casual
Color people mad 'cause Bird was better offensively and defensively than Magic. Its hard to play defense card when Bird was way better defender than Magic
bird would be one of the worst defenders in the league from 2000+
@@Adj8llkshut up
This is how I know I'm right, I disagree with Dennis Rodman. Funny stuff 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jokic is not a bad defender this notion that he is straight BS
He is a bad defender
Imagine if white folks took hoops seriously. Jokic just broke the legend of Wilt Chamberlain with his side hustle.
This might be the most ridiculous comment Ive ever heard from a legit NBA legend. He buggin 🤦🏽♂️
Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
Joker is better at basketball
Few months ago Pippen said MJ was a horrible player before he teamed up with him😂😂😂
If bird was in the nba today he wouldnt come close to cracking the top 10. Take Luka. He’s far more skilled than bird ever was
Have you heard of trolling? Rodman is a well known clown
Why do they keep getting analysts to talk about Jokic, who have clearly never watched him outside of a highlight package? Jokic is not an all-NBA defensive player, but he's solid. He's also pretty good at getting steals.
I'm from Detroit so I know what it is. Dennis can't talk about Jordan because they played together. So Larry is the next hated, Larry was super sweet. I think Larry has the edge because of his attitude.
Bird was a straight killer man. He was so dangerous with the shot. He was probably the most clutch shooter.
Huge Nuggets fan for 40 years, but I was a Bird fan before I moved to Denver from Indiana in 1983. Channel 4 out of Indianapolis aired all of Bird's games his senior year at ISU. I watched nearly all of them, and I watched Larry every opportunity I had when NBC aired Boston's games in the 80s. My take about this Bird-Joker comparison: As much of a generational talent as Jokic is, Larry Bird was better. Bird was Cirque du Soleil; Joker is Barnum & Bailey. Both world-class wonders, but Bird added the element of magic.
As a person from Indianapolis I can validate this statement about Bird
Just can’t put him above Larry I just don’t see it.
Who did Barnum and Bailey play for
Ur mom@@coachhbosoccer
Didn’t Jokic have a crazy block in the playoffs last year? Signature defensive play.
Joker had three game saving blocks last year. Possibly four.
I don’t remember anyone else having any.
Dude has his defensive moments. But not the defensive player Bird was. Overall, they all had the pros and strengths
Prime bird is arguably the goat.he dominated the toughest mofos in his era what do you think he will do in the cookie players today.birds mentality and greatness is just on another level.
Larry bird would be an even better player in today’s game. It’s that simple. In fact, in an era where so much emphasis is placed on the 3 and spacing, with no hand checking, increased pace and extra possessions, I believe Larry Bird would actually prove to be a better shooter than Steph. And even though he’d never admit it, I think bird himself would agree. Dennis Rodman, who couldn’t shoot to save his life and depended on hand checking and the kind of physical defense that’s no longer allowed, is actually the one who wouldn’t be cut out for todays NBA.
Bird is no Joker. Case closed.
It's crazy how Bird has lived in Rodman's head rent free for decades.
“Because I disagree with Dennis Rodman” 😂😂
Every time people talk about eras they leave out the most important thing that it takes to be a superstar. THE MIND. If Bird played today he’d be 10 times better then he was. Because that mind would have the access to everything people in this era has.
Yep! Bird, MJ, and all those greats would have lit up this current NBA with these new soft rules. No hand checking. No elbows in the paint. Flagrant fouls weren't called in that era like today. You got beat the fk up driving towards the basket.
@@alvinjohnson2402 yeah but the question was what would these older players be like in this era. If add the soft rules, would the old school players be as good of a defender if he wasnt allowed to be physical? Pretty much rely on sliding your feet and keep your arms raised and no reaching in.
@alvinjohnson2402 Anyone can look like a better defender than they are when they're allowed to be physical, hard foul, and hand check. What about when they actually have to try and stay in front of someone? I doubt that EVERYBODY in the 80s or 90s was a lockdown defender. There's players in this era who have proven to be good to great defenders without the need to hand check or hard foul.
The legends weren't afraid to mix it up and get physical. Bird in his prime was as tough as they come. He would have a field day with today's soft stars who can't handle contact and who cry for calls.
@@alvinjohnson2402 Michael Jordan is a better version of Demar DeRozan with championship 🤷🏾♂️
I'll say this again... The only 2 players that I would somewhat comfortably put ahead of Bird are LeBron and Jordan. I have Bird ahead of probably everyone else. That being said, Jokic has incredible potential to move up the all-time list.
Bird over Kobe,wilt,Kareem,Shaq, KD....? Bruh I can keep going lol
@@rasheeddozier6083
I should have clarified that I'm talking about the 3pt line era (since 1980). Yes I would put Bird over Kobe, Shaq and KD.
@@justsayin669 gotcha 😎... Even at the 3 u taking him over curry Klay KD ?? Just curious
@@rasheeddozier6083
I think you misunderstood what I meant. I'm saying that out of the players who have played during the 3pt line era (players who have played since 1980 when the 3pt line was added), I would place Bird as the 3rd greatest player of that era (of the past 40+yrs). I'm not saying that Bird is the 3rd greatest 3pt shooter in NBA history. So if you are asking if I would put Bird's 3pt shooting ability above Steph, KD and Klay's 3pt shooting ability, well that's not what I was saying at all. However I would say that Bird was a greater overall player than Steph, KD and Klay. Like I said, the only 2 players who I would somewhat confidently say are greater than Bird since 1980 are LeBron and Jordan, that's it. I'd probably put Bird ahead of every other player in the 3pt line era.
@@justsayin669 well said 💯
Lol it’s something about these bulls players they say the dumbest things between Scottie Pippen ranting about Jordan greatness now we got this foolishness. People that watch Larry bird play know he can play in any era.
Why you look so angry Tiger???
Bird couldn't play in today's NBA. He's too slow
@@stevenhornostaj5676 luka is a perfect example of why ur wrong
@@Venom272X Luca is a beast and much bigger
@@stevenhornostaj5676 And is the joker fast? You people say the dumbest things, the NBA has always been about skills. If you’re a great skill player and you have athleticism that’s a plus. But basketball is always been a skill sport. And Bird is one of the most skilled players ever.
Not sure why Larry Bird is being compared to Jokic. It is actually funny that Jokic actually compares well to Kevin McHale who is Bird's teammate in play style.
Man Bird was elite at EVERYTHING!!! Defense, passing, and shooting. His skill set would easily translate to todays NBA. Not to mention the intangibles. Bird was a KILLER on the court. Bro was NEVER afraid of the moment compared to so many players in the league today. He would be a plug and play superstar on any team
He wasn't elite on defense.
@@Jonathan-pp3du tell that to his multiple All Defensive Team selections. You don't make all defensive team without being an elite defender
Absolutely.
@@Jonathan-pp3duthis isnt 2k. Its real life.
The most skilled NBA player of all time is a tie between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Jokic is only about half as skilled as Larry Bird was, and that's all it takes to be the league MVP at this time in NBA history.
Hakeem Olajuwon would have something to say about that or he is in this debate
Prime Bird is undoubtedly a top 7 player in the league today. Imagine him taking 6+ 3s a game, getting to the ft line more, and not getting hand checked.
@SilverSurfer87 👆 facts
Bird would be consider MVP every year in today s league, and bird was a great post player, and he would have it easier in today's league in post, bird would kill this league without shooting 3s
Lol cap bird was slow and unathletic who is he gne guard in todays game
@@mississippimade6483 who's gonna guard him? He's a 6'9" forward that can shoot. He's like Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum except can pass, rebound and play down low better than both of them
@takuanfuan7 he's a better shooter than klay imo and that's not a knock on klay bird was just that good
Jokic has multiple game winning blocks. These casual commentators
No he doesn't
@@cojack636 yes he does .go look it up
Larry Bird would average close to 47 points a game. If Larry Bird was dominant in the 80s, then he can definitely dominant the NBA today, especially when the NBA is soft and nobody really plays defense. You're talking about a guy that won 3x championships with Boston, you're talking about a guy that won 3 straight 3-point contests in a row. How many legends can say that
Nope
@@jaylebron777 casual 🤣🤣
@@jaylebron777 👆 this guy sounds like Dennis rodman not giving any explanation to his idiotic comments
@@jaylebron777 he asked a question how many legends can say that and you said "nope." I've never heard of a legend named nope. What's his last name?
Look... yall IQ prolly 90-110, and that might be a stretch. The dude called me a casual.. he is a hypocrite. I ain't even judging him. I'm just saying.. dont attack, come with facts
I forgot what to say, but... Larry Bird was like none other. It's the reason why the white boy with no athletic ability, according to modern NBA standards, dominated.
I watch and I see... but its deeper than that
Jokic has "no consequential defensive plays his entire life?" Really, Dominique? That's just absurd. Jokic defense STILL being under-appreciated.
jokic 7ft.. he’s just in the way.
@@jalilcook5113 true ballers know the effect he has on the game on the defensive end.
@@jalilcook5113 if he 'just got in the way' he wouldn't be considered the best player in the world. he'd be considered the best 'offensive' player in the world. no. he's the best all around player. sure, he doesn't 'rim defend.' but rim defending is 1 out of 20 diff't ways you can defend
@@jalilcook5113 That's the point of defense; being between the offensive player and the hoop.
Imagine if white folks took hoops seriously. Jokic just broke the legend of Wilt Chamberlain with his side hustle.
Rodman got beef with Celtics.. of course he gonna say that lol
Jokic had many excellent defensive plays even if it's not his forte. What is this guy yapping about?
I'm still shocked Larry Bird was only 7th in the recent all-time players list. The knock against him is winning only 3 titles, but look at the competition. Showtime Lakers, which was a stacked team. 2 all time great players on the same team! If not for Bird, those Lakers win 7 titles. If not for Magic, Bird wins at least 5 titles.
The Celtics were stacked too. Mchale Parish, Dennis Johnson
@@tyronthompson3903 still though, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, Cooper
Bird had about 8 healthy seasons. Had he had more seasons he would've won some more titles. Maybe in 1990. In 91 that would've been a great ECF Celtics vs Bulls.
Larry Bird was injured working a tractor that didn't operate right and it injured him in 1987.
Rodman would be an offensive liability today, and he’d foul out of every game if he played like he did back then. Bird is maybe the most well rounded player in NBA history. He would be a superstar in any era
Larry Bird can go into ANY Black Barbershop in America, and get respect. He can come to any cookout. He was THAT GUY on the basketball court. Lol 🙌🏽
- Signed 06/27/2023
Straight up... he was that dude!
Imagine if white folks took hoops seriously. Jokic just broke the legend of Wilt Chamberlain with his side hustle.
And Jokic couldn’t?? After the playoffs he just had?
@@yoceedub7987 Big Perk's cookout is prob still off limits to him for reasons known only to God.
Nikola jokic finishes at the rim like nobody I've ever seen. Them shots he was hitting smothered during this playoff run. Crazy. Definitely earned my respect.
He was one of the best players in his generation. So if he plays on Europe, the rest of the guys in the league would have played in China the WNBA?? He still played against the best competition at the time. I hate when ppl do this and say guys wouldnt play now, you know why? Because they played the way the game was played for their era...they did what they had to do to be the best and were
Bird is a legend then and any era
Not a comment on this debate so much as a correction on saying Jokic can't defend. He clearly showed throughout the post-season that he can defend and rim-protect. Let's also remember he plays in an era of position-less basketball where everything gets switched. And while Bird was absolutely a sufficient rebounder.. he's not Jokic on the boards. Do not equate Bird being able to rebound with Jokic.
Bird was a legendary rebounder. So is Jokić.
If Jokic had to deal with legit centers and Bigs like in Bird's era, I don't believe he'd get as many rebounds(maybe 9-10/game). Jokic wasn't guarded by a 7foot player the whole playoffs except Rudy(weak). Jokic is a good rebounder in an era where there aren't that many great rebounders, and he's taking advantage like he should.
Bird out-rebounded Moses Malone in a Finals. Moses is arguably the best rebounder in post-merger history - led league 6x. Agree Jokic is better mainly because he is a center and is closer to the rim most often. And he's taller.
Corrections are often needed when a former players speaks on a different sport.
bird was a better rebounder than joker period.... he played on a team with parish and mchale and still usually led... in a league where the middle was clogged... he literally fought for boards and held his own in the finals vs moses.... joker is good but he gets SO MANY BOARDS completely alone and no one near him. apples and oranges
Old players love to call this era soft when they wanna prop themselves but when they wanna discredit their peers they switch up and say the modern nba is too skilled for them
this era is soft........nothing need be argue
This era is soft because of many reasons... but if we are speaking specifically basketball look at the rules now and look at what they were then. Night and Day.
Old timers are stuck in the past and they think they were facing the best, they played in the toughest era, played against the most skilled players etc. The most of it is the myth. The arguably best player in the 80"s couldn't shoot the ball. Magic Johnson in today's game would have been liability . Rodman is just the realist here and people can't take the truth.
Being masterful in the art of shooting the basketball translates across all eras. A player like Larry bird can play in any version of the league and find success at the highest level 🤷🏽♂️
RODMAN knows BIRD (3x NBA CHAMPION, 3x NBA MVP, 3x 3-POINT SHOOTOUT CHAMPION) is a great player and schooled him many times (BOSTON vs DETROIT in 80's), can't guard him, can't stop him from scoring, at the same time trash talking him. RODMAN was deliberate in his comment, no one's talking about him anymore, and wants to be relevant.
And I’d be seeing Dennis in the local REC league.
Jokic leads all centers in steals and has some pretty impressive game winning blocks. LOL teams shot 35% from the field when Jokic was the primary defender. He is actually one of the highest rated defenders in the league (top 5)
Bird became a star when Basketball was a local American back yard sport. He did not have to encounter players like Jokic and Giannis. There is a much tougher competition nowadays.
But at the same time players today benefit from newer fitness, coaching, and equipment advancements. If players from today played back then they might be injured constantly. If bird played today he might benefit from having a whole personal training and medical staff. It's simply impossible to know.
things are always different, but my point is that the pool of talent players are recruited from nowadays is so much greater. it simply takes a lot more to dominate the world of basketball in 2023 than in the 1980s.
@@krigry32 I think the greats are still going to be top tier. It's the benches that are going to struggle to play.
LMAO what a joke take. Bird did not encounter players like Giannis or Jokic? Bird was up against MJ, Magic, Dominique Wilkins, Barkley, Moses Malone, Dr. J, Kareem, Dennis Rodman, Isaiah Thomas, etc. So you're saying these guys are scrubs compared to the players of today? Lol 😂
Bird would probably be the best in the league right now if he played today and have won 3 straight MVPs
Rodman always had an ax to grind with Bird. He blasted LeBron too. I guess JJ Redick and Tim Legler would never make the NBA in this era. They're not better than Bird.
Larry beat Hakeem beat Kareem and Magic bet detroit. That entire detroit team was blue collar and should play in Europe in this Era
These guys are supposed to be knowledgeable and lived that era and can’t inform the people that Bird made 3 all defensive second teams from 1981 to 1984 and led the league multiple times in defensive winshares. He had some of the quickest hands ever and before the injury he was not very slow.. They act like he was Luka defensively. They remember Bird’s defense from 89 to 92 and define his defensive prowess overall. Nevertheless both great players..
Birds numbers would be even crazier today with the rule changes... Bird has alil bit more but both dominated in their time... Joker isn't finished yet... Both Hall R Of Fame players, salute...
Every major player from that era says Bird was one of the best. Only Rodman says otherwise. Dude still has a resentment against Bird obviously.
"he was actually a good defensive player, and let us not look at the stats which prove Jokic is a lot better defensively" It's ok for ESPN to give intellectually challenged people a job, but not on commenting.
Rodman could do one thing well on dominating teams -- rebound the basketball.....because he was allowed to expertly play off his man and cherry pick underneath the hoop, simply because of the star power around him.
Jokic is a prime prime prime example of the fact that the play style of these older generation of guys would still be effective today, is Jokic constantly doing side step 3s? Step backs? Crossing people up? Shooting a ton of 3s? No. Jokic posts people up, passes the ball, bullies them in the post, shoots hook shots, can shoot the 3 if he needs to, bird did all of these things, magic did all of these things, maybe not shoot as much but if it was today he would’ve, shaq would still be dominant, mj would still be the best, bird would still be up there, it’s disrespectful to say they wouldn’t be great because of the style that the game was played back then, nobody is doing what kareem did now, but they’re dominating a different way now, and you see Jokic still playing that old school style and absolutely dominating everyone, so come on now
Larry Bird would easily average 40 points in today's game. Let's stop comparing scoring stats across eras like they mean the same thing.
No he wouldn't. He wouldn't even be 30ppg scorer.
@@jdankerdakeFinally, someone who understands how ridiculous the "X player would average 40 if they played today" statement is.
No one would average 40.
Wow. He's big and just gets in the way. What a statement to make about Jokic. It seems that both these men are not great defenders... but that's a general statement that can be said about the vast majority of players in the league.
Dennis 🤡
I actually think the opposite. I think Bird would be even more dominant today.
Jokic is just a bigger size bird but if bird played in todays game he would kill people mentally.
If unathletic 6'8 Bojan Bodgdanovic can play in today's league and average 20+ Bird can. Bird is cooking these boys. What can Bojan do that Bird can't? Both are good three-point shooters, Bird is a better mid-range shooter, better post-scorer, better passer, and a better rebounder than Bojan.
In reality rodman would be the one struggling for minutes with how the game is played today
Power Forwards who can't shoot, hit free throws or playmake at a high level don't get PT
You dont know a lick of ball, I want to call you names cause thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Rodman failing to get minutes? A PF who cant shoot? Wait a sec where have we seen that again, oh Draymond. Quit the internet and throw your phone out
He'd have like 30 rebounds a game
@@Original94no he wouldn’t
@@Original94 he wouldn't
@@Original94 he'd be unplayable in 4th quarter
In the 90s you couldn't zone like you can now he'd be left open and all his teammates would be seeing multiple bodies on every possession
And if they put the ball in his hand he couldn't playmaker well enough to break the defense plus you could just hack a shaq him and send him to the line
They sleeping on Jokic’s defense. He had some key blocks against AD in this Lakers series
And Dennis Rodman would be Ben Simmons without the handles
I think all this goes to show is how bad Larry Bird used to give the best defender in the league that WORK, that 30 years later he's still salty af about it LOL
This.
Bird had the clutch gene tho
Rodman Would Be Playing In The WNBA In Today's Era.
During the 1987 ECF, after a game 6 win, Dennis Rodman said Larry Bird is overrated because he’s white. Bird proceeded to drop 37/9/9 on his head in a game 7 win. I guess Rodman forgot about that
Or, he remembers it. 😉
exactly! why I like Rodman was a player, but quotes like those is why I can't take him seriously when he talks, especially about my fellow Hoosier State native like Larry Legend
Jokic has had some clutch Defensive plays
umm didn't the three point line come into play the year Larry bird was drafted 😂😂 he adapted to that I rest my case
Bird' answers would be like " If Rodman played in this era he'd be in Taiwan".
That's RIDICULOUS by Rodman! The only question is how much better would Bird be in (as SAS would say-tissue paper defenses). The gym and rim are the same-the physical nature of the game was FAR MORE difficult back in the 80's.
No its not its just facts
I'll agree with most of this except the fact that teams couldn't double on or off the ball in the 80s only when they drove to the paint, also the athleticism of today's era is on another level but bird would be a far better player in this era. Luka and Jokic are proof of that.
The game is also far more skilled and versatile
Imagine Dirk, with his slowness, able to take down the prime Lebron James and his Heat. Bird is faster than Dirk and probably a better shooter.
Rodman sounds racist 🤷♀️
He praised Jokic..
Imagine if white folks took hoops seriously. Jokic just broke the legend of Wilt Chamberlain with his side hustle.
Bird dropped a 47pt triple double in 86, scoring 10 of his 21 field goals with his left. His reason? He said he was saving his right hand for the Lakers.
Celtics beat the Lakers 2 nights later and Bird dropped 22/18/7. Case closed.
I think Rodman was half right-- Bird would be a Dynamite player in a Turkish league *TODAY* at the age of 60 something.
Jokic made history in multiple categories. There is no comparison lol
Bird is a cut above Jokic though 😏🤷
Foxie, you're ill-informed about Jokic's defense. Did you watch the 2023 playoffs and Finals? Jokic was literally dominant on defense - steals, lighting quick hands, blocks, rim protector. Jokic a non-defender has become an old, inaccurate narrative.
I mean this isnt the worst take by an ex-Bull recently
That's because Scottie lost the plot when his wife left him for his old teammate's son.
Rodman has always been about self-promotion and that's all he's doing now.
Nah, Rodman has had something against Bird since the 80's. He also said Bird would just be thought of as another guy if he was black - and that was in the 80's in the prime of Birds career after he'd just won 3 MVP's and had 3 titles already.
@@poocrayon4588 Yeah Rodman just doesn't really care of Bird and people that fawned over him back then.. but Rodman was in his feelings.
@@poocrayon4588
I remember, that it was him and Isaiah Thomas who made the comment about being just another player if he was black.
But you can't deny that Rodman has been about self-promotion, do you remember him dressing in a wedding dress.
@@thomasgriffiths6758 lol yes I do
Rodman just said that Bird would play in Europe today but the guy he compared him to is the NBA MVP and finals MVP. If Bird is so bad, why consider him to the reigning MVP?
crazy how dominique disrespecting jokic
Relax. Jokic is a great player. But Larry Legend is just too advanced to even be compared to. But I digress 😊
@@vincente4570 never said he wasn't, i meant that he's talking as if jokic is a bad defender, he is actually underrated defensively tbh
@@MrKohulann30 From what I saw. He at times selectively play defense because he’s too concerned about foul trouble. But a real defender plays ball until he has to back down due to foul trouble. But I digress 😎
Dominique foxworth is or if not the most funniest entertaining individual on ESPN 💯.
MESSAGE TO DENNIS RODMAN: LARRY BIRD WAS A SUPREME NBA PLAYER!
🤣😂🤣😂😭
Larry Bird was the last player to win 3 mvps in a row 1984, 1985 and 1986
You can't just pluck a player from one era and then drop them in this era and say "ok, go play". You have to look at it from the point that if that player grew up in this era, taking into account the modern training and how the game is played now, would he still be the same caliber of player as he was in the past? That's the only way you can look at it to be fair.
Leggs violated Rodman 💀🤣
“There’s nothing Jokic can do that Bird can’t” is he for real 🤨
Fundamentally yes - shoot, pass, rebound, post, defender. There are nuanced things he can't do like be 7 feet tall and 280 pounds. His size gives him some of that dominance.
Joker played all 5 positions, he started as a point guard. I love Bird but he couldn’t touch Joker
A lot of people have to admit that Larry Bird would be a great shooter regardless of era, but he was left open quite a bit. No one guarded the 3-point line. They also gave him a lot of possessions where the mid range was simply open for him. Jokic creates space while Larry Bird was given space by the opponents due to the league being more inside-oriented. Hot take, Jokic is making all-defense team in the 80s. I just don’t think that the defense was really that good in that era. Larry was great for his era, but so is Jokic. It can go either way, but for people to act like Jokic skill-wise isn’t on par with Bird is crazy to me.
Bird created space by knowing how to play basketball. The point is to try and get open not get caught up in traffic
Jokic playstyle is just a overgrown Larry Bird that prioritizes passing over head hunting on offense. Both are two of the best players to ever touch a basketball.
Well said
They played with plumbers and bus drivers. They had drafts with 180 players the league was watered down with a lot of garbage moving 3 MPH. Nowadays only 58 get drafted and weak players are starting to get filtered out of the league quicker. The league had a scattering of stars and decent role players now there are a ton of stars and a ton of great role players. I have Bird only slightly ahead of Jokic.
Average NBA salary in 1985 was $300K which is like $850K today. Why exactly would a plumber play in the NBA? It’s ok you’re young and make things up on the internet, it’s what you do when you’re uneducated and have an ego because you need things to be the bestest ever just ever today or you’ll be sad. 😂
Anyway I love Jokic and he’s nowhere near Larry Bird for me, not yet and it’ll be tough to get close to Larry’s peak but who knows. Larry’s peak is comfortably top 5 and I hated that dude when I was a kid. But sometimes you stop being a clown and educate yourself and change your mind. 😜
Here’s a scattering of stars as you put it: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, James Worthy, Isaiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone, Dr J, Charles Barkley, Bobby Jones, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Sydney Moncrief, Bernard King, George Gervin, Alex English, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Tom Chambers, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Mark Price and so on.
You have the 🐐, Larry, Magic, Kareem, Dr J, Moses, all considered in the top 20 all-time by most. That’s 30% of the top 20 filled with guys who were at their or near their peaks in the 80’s. You casual asf ❤️🤡
@@jubjubhenry5612 I was gonna comment on this guy's idiotic disrespectful comment saying bird is only slightly better than jokic but after that beat down I don't think I need too 🤣🤣🤣. Well said some people just don't know what they're talking about
9:22 "This is how I know I'm right. Because I disagree with Dennis Rodman. Debate Over!"
😂😂😂👍👍👍
Rodman isnt wrong. Just like the 90's are weak AF and those players would be bench riders in today's game. Slug ball, big man centric and couldnt play zone nor double. But it was so tough because they fouled each other hard lmao. MJ and 90's fans are in shambles right now, love it
LeBron would be coming off the bench he can't shoot and can't take physical play he would be out of the league less than 8 years
What a fcking boor. Stfu and go dribble on your boyfriend
😂, you need help asap 😂
Man talk about not knowing the game of basketball
Ben Simmons can play in this era he can't shoot but he's starting and making over 100 million these idiots just be talking
26pts, 12Reb, 9ast, 1.3 stl, 0.9 Blk…. That’s the Jokic stat sheet this season… Only player to put out 2k points, 1k rebounds and 500 assists in a season and he’s 40 rebounds shy of repeating that again…. The most productive seasons we’ve ever seen, back to back and y’all don’t want to give him the MVP? Crazy… Shai and Luka are killing it don’t get me wrong, I’m a Denver fan so I’m biased a bit but Jokic is definitely outclassing them in every other category right now other than ppg….