Bird, Magic and the rest of the ’92 Dream Team was the greatest team ever assembled
So last week, in an interview while the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team was practicing prior to their trip to London, Kobe Bryant made a statement that raised eyebrows throughout the world. When asked how this current edition of “The Dream Team” would fare against the original squad back in ’92, he basically said it would be a tough game, but this team would pull it out against Magic, Michael, and the crew. To say that statement threw countless fans, players, and even the original “Dream Teamer’s” themselves for a loop is a major understatement. Since Bryant made that bold prediction last week, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Larry Bird have all responded, basically laughing off the notion that the 2012 team would even have a chance and could compete on the same floor as the 1992 team. Barkley, never at a loss for words on just about any topic, made it even a little clearer. He said, of the players that are on the team now, only three would have even made that team back in ’92….Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. Like most of what has ever come of Charles’ mouth, this was just as bold as what Kobe said last week. But Charles is absolutely correct. This team this year is very talented, and may be the best U.S. Olympic Team SINCE ’92, but in no way, shape, or form would they beat the ’92 team if both played at their best. Let us not forget, the ’92 team defeated its opponents that summer by an average of 44 points per game. 44 points! Every single player from that team, except Christian Laettner, is in the Hall of Fame. So let’s just put that discussion to bed, because the original “Dream Teamers” are the gold standard, and second place is not close. Very recently, a discussion between myself and a couple of friends was born mainly because of all of this “Dream Team” news. The topic came up of who is the better all-time player, Kobe Bryant or Larry Bird? After a few beverages, and several opinionated statements were made, we had a few very opposite ideas on who the better player has been. Personally, I will admit, I have “hated” both guys during their playing days, and for very different reasons. But, after thorough analysis and personal memories of seeing both guys play, I know which NBA legend is better and why.
Kobe Bryant should, and will, go down as a better player than Larry Bird. To be honest, I am not a fan of Kobe, as he has been one of my most “hated” players ever. Why, you ask? A few reasons. I think he has tried too much to look, act, and be like Michael Jordan. He tries too often to look cool, whereas Jordan just was cool. The whole incident in Eagle, Colorado several years ago was a real black eye for him as well. However, I can separate these things and look at what an unbelievable talent he is, and one of the greatest players of all time. I recall vividly seeing Larry Bird play countless times too, and realizing how special he was back in his day. I hated Larry because I was sort of a 76ers fan back when they had Dr. J, Moses Malone, and a very young Charles Barkley. Boston always seemed to get the better of Philly then, and it was usually “Larry Legend” who did the honors of nailing a back-breaking 3-pointer down the stretch. But over the years, my “hatred” for Bird has softened, and seeing old clips of him winning 3-point contests makes me smile a bit. He was an all-time great and like Kobe, will be remembered as a true legend of the NBA.
So why should Kobe Bryant go down as a better player than Larry Bird? Let’s look at some numbers and accolades, why don’t we? Can you believe Bryant has been in the NBA for 16 seasons already? And he is still one of the best players in the world today. He will be 34 next month, and realistically has probably 3 or 4 good years left in him. Larry Bird played 13 years for the Celtics, as a bad back caused his somewhat early retirement. Bird averaged 24.3 pts/game, and Kobe has averaged 25.4. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists, while Kobe has averaged 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Bird was an 88% free throw shooter, while Kobe is an 84% free throw shooter. Bird made 49.6% of his field goals and 37.6% of his 3-pointers, whereas Kobe has made 45.0% of his field goals and 33.7% of his three’s. I will concede that Larry is probably the better shooter between the two, and as a bigger player, the better rebounder as well. But as far as accolades and accomplishments, Bryant has the edge big-time here. Defense is the other half of the game, and Kobe has been one of the best ever here. He has been named to the All-Defensive First Team 9 times, while Bird only made the second team 3 times. Kobe is a 13-time All-Star, while Bird was a 12-timer. You wanna talk playoffs? Bird averaged 23.8 pts/game while Kobe has averaged 30.0. Both players have been named the NBA Finals MVP twice. Bryant has been named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times, while Bird was named 9 times. Larry played in 8,976 games, while Kobe has played in 11,616 games. Kobe has 5 rings, Larry has 3. Kobe has 29,484 career points, 7th all-time. Bird has 21,791 career points, 34th all-time. Kobe should move past Julius Erving and Moses Malone on the all-time scoring list next season, into 5th place. Did I happen to mention that back in 2006, Kobe scored 81 points against Toronto? Larry’s most points ever in one game was 60.
“Larry Legend” and “The Black Mamba”, in my opinion, both belong on the list of Top 10 greatest NBA players ever. But its Kobe Bryant’s longevity, generally better career accomplishments, and more championships that make him the better player between the two. The scary part is, he isn’t done yet either. As I said, I don’t especially like Kobe, but I can recognize what an impact he has had on this game. Simply put, when his career is over, Bryant will go down as one of the Top 5 greatest players in NBA history.
Denver Sports by J Simp
7 comments
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nelson
October 28, 2012 at 10:12 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
In this part, let say based on statistics, kobe is better than larry but larry don’t mind if ha had so many points or not.
He want to see the game better to watch I think. in total attempts in field goals kobe is better
steven wilkinson
October 16, 2012 at 8:42 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
hugo morales……thank you for making my day. i do not have to go to the trouble of looking for my daily idoit now. i found you so early! i do agree the Koby is a better all around athlete. except for the defense thing, i question the rest of the story. oh surrre, then obumbas a better president because he’s black. (chuckle chjuckle!)
Hugo Morales
October 16, 2012 at 7:23 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Kobe is much better, it’s not even remotely close. Larry Bird just got a lot of hype because he was white and played in Boston. Sad but true
J Simp
October 12, 2012 at 10:07 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Kobe is a far superior overall athlete than Bird was. Bird was, however, a fantastic player whose skill level was one of the best ever. Bryant though, has been a better defender, has had much better longevity, and his career stats are as good or better generally across the board. Bird was one of the best players during the NBA’s hey day, but Kobe has the edge when everything is considered…..and he is amazingly still one of the top 5 players in the league right now after all these years. Bird fell apart about ten years into his career because of a bad back. Not his fault of course, but it is what it is.
Gene
October 10, 2012 at 11:30 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Comparing stats is meaningless… different teams, different competition. The key difference between these two players is in how they contributed to their team’s success. Larry Bird’s motivation in everything he did on and off the court was to win. No question that Kobe loves winning and has the talent to be the better player… but also no question that his primary motivation at times is personal glory. Some say Kobe is the best closer of all time. Perhaps, but how many games were lost because he took too many difficult low percentage shots throughout the game to get the oohs and ahhs over his impossible makes? Kobe not only wants to win, he wants the win to be attributed to him. Can anyone really say that his biggest flaw is not selfishness on the court? That he couldn’t have been a whole lot better? The best is about who does the most to make a great team greater. If I could pick one of these two legends in their prime to anchor my team it would hands down be Larry Bird. The same is true for Magic and Jordan. All three were in a completely different class as players than Kobe. It’s not even close.
Quique
September 25, 2012 at 3:55 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sorry, Larry Bird, between 1984 and 1986, was the league MVP and two-time Finals MVP. The best among the likes of Magic, Jordan, Ewing, Barkley, Erving, Kareem, Olajuwon, etc etc. His career is shorter due to his physique and his style of play. Larry Bird is better wizard (which is not due to its size, but his intelligence and knowledge of the game), better rebounder, better leader, able to play in five positions. As for the number of championships, the Celtics rivals in his time were higher than Indiana, Sacramento, Philadelphia or New Jersey in the era of Kobe. As for the defense of Larry Bird, I refer to the fifth game of the conference finals in 1987, is the best example.
Sorry, but there is no comparison.
davies
July 16, 2012 at 4:21 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I like this news.Both of them are so big players. Larry is the past king and we can say kobye is actual king. peace
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