RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Larry Bird is the greatest forward in history; most experts agree with that assessment. I grew up watching Magic and Bird duel over the years, and while both are no doubt among the very top handful of players in history, Bird's numbers and stats overall are superior to Johnson's - averaging about 5 pts per game more over a career, and other stats as well which are superior. Realizing that comparing a guard to a forward is difficult in an overall rating, I still do not concur in placing Magic over Bird in a NBA All-Time greatest list, nor do I believe the stats show that either. For some reason(s); however, most such ratings do show Magic one or two postions higher than Larry. Perhaps it's because people often tack on total championship rings, etc. as an attribute, in this case 5 for Magic and 3 for Bird. I've never agreed with that analysis at all, as basketball is much a team sport, with many uncontrollable breaks - such as Len Bias's death in 86 who was the Celtic's new blood line. No doubt Boston would have complied at least 5 championships with Len along - is Dan Marino lesser for being with a medicore team for his career, and no ring? If Jordan had been with the Clippers for his entire career, and averaging 30 pts per game, he would have NO NBA rings - that is a fact. How about Ewing and the Nicks? Bottom line - Bird was a greater player overall than was Magic. One can only make a credible statistical case with Jordan, Wilt, Russell, and perhaps Oscar as greater overall players. AND - to rate Dr. J #2 on the all time list, just isn't credible considering stats. He's great no doubt, but Bird fed him his lunch on several occasion when Dr. J was in his prime, early 80s, in fact. My opinion, for what it's worth.

One of the best players ever. He did it the right way. Unless you were a Laker fan, or Indiana Hoosier fan, you can't not like Larry Bird.

Mister shot!

Definitely a great clutch player. Let's get some things straight. He had a great rotation of some solid big men, that combined made a formidable center player. Dennis Johnson is highly UNDERATED, Ainge was really good, and his whole team gave their all for him. Now, he played the SF then, he could not compete at a dominant level these days. And these days are not that far removed from his time. He was horizontally and vertically challenged which would give him problems with the best SF's of all time, which keeps him at a five. Your game in my opinion needs to be able to stand the test of at least 25 years in order to be considered the best. or a top 10. And i'm sorry my white friends he just doesn't Pete Maravich was individually better. In fact, he would not be able to hold Lebron, Carmello, or even Tayshuan Prince for that matter....let's get aside from emotional attachments and really think. Very very good LB.

Larry Bird is the greatest basketball player ever. During Bird's retirement ceremony, Magic read the words on a gift he had given to Larry: "to the best player EVER." Enough said about Bird's greatness. Moreover, I am getting a bit tire of reading that Larry had little athletic ability. Nonsense! Bird had fantastic stamina, great eye-hand coordination, lightning quick hands, a strong physique and hands, and many other attributes that soared above those possessed by the majority of the greatest NBA players ever. Athletic ability is a lot more than jumping ability!

In my book, Bird is tied with Bill Russell as the second-best of all time, behind only Jordan.

larry bird was a great shooter and a great player but he was not the gratest player ever.

Trailer trash with mustache full of dandruff. What a joke. tkhis guy couldnt guard me one on one. I would dunk it in his face, and slap him around like Julius Erving did. He beat the crap out of him. Bird could shoot and that was it.

Larry Bird was the best ever. Could do anything and everything, but most importantly he would pass/give it to the "open man" -that is why I give him the edge over Jordan. As a shooter, he was unconscious. it was sick to watch him shoot the lights out,....and if the game was on the line: Watch out. He was going to win the game. Two Players: Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird Down 2, seconds left. A 3 to win. -Who do you go with. My answer along with most others....Larry Bird. He could nail a three and tell he was going to do it. Besides, everyone else in the whole arena would know who was getting the ball. (the fans, the opposing coach, the opposing team) As I heard it said by Magic Johnson "Its one thing to know where its going, its another thing to stop it. -I fear no one but Larry Bird...because if you keep it close, and you give him a chance, he going to win the game." MJ -you are # 2 in that regard. You are the best besides Bird. Complete package, better athleticly, but Bird had a few more intangables. -that made him better.

A warrior through and through. The guy could shoot, pass, defend, the whole enchilada. Used his teammates and pulled them up to his level.

I would put him at #1 of the all time greatest players of all time. What's weird is that when you see him dressed casually, he doesn't look like someone who would strike people as a basketball player. He looks like a golf player. But when you see his skill on the court, it's a whole different ball of wax.

Larry Bird was the best basketball player during the best era of basketball. He was the game's greatest clutch player, position-rebounder, intuitive passer, and spur-of-the-moment inventor. Number 33 made countless shots from absurd angles often while off balance and with either hand. While not being blessed with superior athletic skills, Bird's work-ethic and will to win made him and, by extension, his teammates far better players than nature had ever intended that they become. His rivalry with Magic Johnson featured two sides of a coin with Bird's side reflecting a blue collar work-ethic that featured substance over style. Both he and Magic were highly successful and, with each feeding off of and countering the other's energy, the league soared to heights never before reached nor later exceeded. His jaw dropping performances and miraculous play are the stuff of legend. Larry Legend. The best who ever played the game.

I have had to listen to the comparison for years and years now about who the best 10 NBA players of all time are. It is crazy to compare two players such as Michael Jordan to Wilt Chamberlain. And here's why: How do you rank them? One-on-One? Guarding one another during a Five-on-Five game? You tell me when Chamberlain gets on the block that he couldnt score ALL DAY LONG on Jordan? Well of course, one-on-one, Chamberlain wouldnt be as agile as Jordan and not nearly the ball handler of a GUARD(for God's sake). The facts are that you can't compare players that didn't play the same position throughout their respective careers. I just used Jordan and Chamberlain as ridiculous examples, but the same would apply to Bird VS. Jordan, or Magic VS. Bird. Although these three players played many times against each other in the same era, you can't tell me that just because Jordan scored 63 points in Boston Garden (Bulls lost that game by the way and got SWEPT out of the playoffs by Bird's Celtics, or has everyone forgotten that?) that he was better than Bird. What is the magic formula for judging the best players of all time? It can't just be stats. I rarely see the all-time scoring leader, Kareem, at the top of anyone's list. It can't be NBA championship rings, otherwise, Bill Russell would ALWAYS win. The first thing is that one can not compare two different positions to each other. Jordan WAS NOT better than Bird. Jordan WAS better than ANY OTHER Shooting Guard. So, if we are going to rank players, let's do it by position. Center 1. Bill Russell 2. Wilt Chamberlain 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4. George Mikan 5. Hakeem Olajuwon Power Forward 1. Kevin McHale 2. Bob Pettit 3. Tim Duncan 4. Karl Malone 5. Charles Barkley Small Forward 1. Larry Bird 2. John Havlicek 3. Elgin Baylor 4. Julius Erving 5. Dominique Wilkins Shooting Guard 1. Michael Jordan 2. Bill Sharman 3. Clyde Drexler 4. George Gervin 5. Sam Jones Point Guard 1. Oscar Robertson 2. Magic Johnson 3. Jerry West 4. Bob Cousy 5. Walt Frazier

Bird was "THE Man". There has never been a better conditioned athlete who seemingly always came through in the clutch. Everybody knew who was going to get the ball, but very few could stop it. Go ahead and foul him, but you might as well put two points up on the scoreboard. Bird was not only a great scorer, but he was an unselfish passer, and a tenacious rebounder. If I had a young man who had some talent and an inclination toward basketball, I'd show him film of Larry Bird. He was the most complete player and firey competitor that I've ever seen.

Growing up, I hated this Indiana redneck because he ruined many a season of basketball for me. . .but Bird was a fearless competitor who backed down from no one. One of the most painful 5-stars I've ever given. . .

Larry Bird was not even the best forward ever let alone the 'best player' ever. Elgin Baylor would have eaten him for lunch. Even former Celtic Tommy Heinsohn said that Baylor was by far the best forward ever to play the game (and both Wilt and Oscar said he was the best *player* ever). Heinsohn followed by saying that of all the forwards that could be compared to Elgin Baylor (Bird and Dr. J were the 2 he metioned), he felt that Bayor was by far the better defensive player. --Vic.

Second greatest NBA player of All-Time.

the 3rd best

Larry Legend !

He's not THE best player ever. He was slow-footed, had average speed and couldn't jump out of a gym. But he made up his flaws with intuitiveness: made some of the most brilliant passes, can hit those clutch 3's and had a deadly jump shot.

only doing this because he is not the number player of all-time. come on guys.

I read some comments saying Bird lacked defense; is that why he made two all-defensive teams in one of the deepest eras in basketball history? He had it all, and in his early days in the league he could even throw down some nasty reverse dunks. People forget now, but his back problems took away a lot of his athleticism. If I had to compare his athletic ability to a player today, I would say Chris Bosh. Bosh even dunks the same as Bird did in the early days.

He told you he was going to win and then he did it. You can't compare that. Even Jordan had his doubts sometimes.

Probably #2, led his team to numerous championships, should be given a lot of credit. Not a complete player, lacked defense, and lacked the aspect of the miraculous dunk.

2nd best player ever

his lack of defense was kept quite by the team and the league.it is well known that the problems with mchale where caused because birds lack of defense.

prob wouldn't be held in such high regard if he wasn't white, its sad but prob true.

Clearly one of the best ball-players in history. Enough said.

Larry Legend was basketball. Everyone has seen a million replays of him hitting that shot from behind the backboard, not to mention the replay of that inbound steal. He is the most undeniable superstar of all time.

My favorite NBA player who was the star of my favorite NBA team, The Boston Celitcs, for so many years. Best clutch shooter of all time, he made miracles happen on the floor.

My favorite player of all-time, Larry Bird is the epitomy of a player who was probably not gifted physically. Nevertheless, what he lacked in physical talent, Larry Legend made up for by his brutal work ethic. Practice was a drug he craved, and satisfied to no means. The 'Hick from South Lick' was a coach's dream and opponents' nightmare. Here was this great player who could play both offense and defense. And as a shooter, Bird was a sniper. But what defined him most was his legendary rivalry with the equally great Magic Johnson. Both men raised their bar of play, especially against each other. In return, they not only made themselves great, but succeeded in making the NBA great.

he was good... but white man cant jump

definitely one of my forwards on my all-time team.

Best clutch player ever

I'm an old-school LAKERS SHOWTIME fan (not kobe/shaq version - they're a joke & their 3 championship rings are a farce!!!) THANKS DETROIT! But anyways...back to the 80's....BIRD was INSANE....hated him then (can't blame me). He shot the ball like he was unconcious. Mentaly, Bird was INDOMITABLE!!!He was 'FUNDAMENTAL' in the era when everyone was fundamental. ROOKIE B-ball fans today have NO COMPREHINSION of how good the BIRD-MAN was!

Did more with less than any player in history..

just below magic as the greatest player of his generation but could never beat magic except once but he gets much love from this brother.

Bird and Jordan are both 5s, without a doubt. However, Bird was the better shooter, rebounder and passer and an equally good defender.

i believe i can fly

He is the greatest of all times

Loved watching his team attitude and accountability on the court as a player and off the court as a quiet role model; something missing since current players seem possessed of huge egos prompted by unseemly amounts of money at too early a chronological age!

The difference between bird and jordan is defense, Larry cant guard marv albert.

he deserves a five for sure but he is too closely rated to the almighty MJ.

Larry Bird is one of the top 5 best basketball players of all time. C'mon what couldn't he do??? Besides jump, big deal. Basketball isn't solely based on jumping it is based on SCORING baskets. The best set shooter of all time, and the best...well you know.

He was one of the best forwards of all time. Didn't he do those HORSE commericals with MJ?

A great player and a great role model.

Not only could he shoot well from as far away as 4-point land, his passing, concept of team defense and toughness were as good as anyone who ever played. When his career was almost over, I saw him, bad back and all, dive for a loose ball and bounce off the floor. He was relentless.

MJ is the best self promoter of all time. Bird is the best basketball player of all time.

1st, if me and another player of my same talent got to pick 4 guys my first pick is Larry. reasons: 1. his versatility to shoot, pass, rebound, make plays and come through in the clutch. 2. he will get the most out of everyone else on the team. 3. his intense will to win. Wilt falls short with numbers 1, 2 and 3. Michael falls short with numbers 2 and 3. (both played in watered down leagues) Majic falls down on number 3, if you think about it he came into the legue on the same team as kareem. This put two all time top ten greatest players on the same team. Then a (proven in college) rookie joined them. Not so with larry without him neither parish nor mchale would have elevated so high. D.J. was a proven veteran and ainge again a (proven in college) rookie even out with wilks and scott. My point is to point out how larry made his teamates better, namely parish and mchale, where as majic fans can't say the same. both mchale and parish are in the hall neither one was headed there until they joined larry. props to wilt, michael and majic but larry is the purest basketball player of all, remember basketball is a team game and those of us that got a chance to watch him when the league had the highest level of competition were so fortunate. It isn't until now for instance in lala land that teams are starting to recover from the watering down so that they can accumulate players to compete with those day's. thanks larry

Larry Joe Bird is the best player ever. I give him the edge over MJ because he's the best all around player and a player with the most heart. Someone mentioned he had 69 triple doubles, i've seen a clip where he runs 3/4 the court and dives headfirst into the tables for a loose ball. I've seen him make routine passes that were just mind bending, and i've seen him clutch shoot in every situation possible. Just because he couldn't dunk and wow the fans every time like michael doesn't mean he's less a player. Michael is no doubt the most popular because he's the most spetacular to watch. Yet Larry Joe Bird is the best because he is the best of the best.

The greatest shooting player ever, and a great role model and team player and leader, but he doesn't get the full five stars because his athletic skills were lacking. If he could drive to the paint then I would consider him the greatest player ever (except for MJ, but comparisons to Jordan aren't fair to anyone)

I like nba bicause of Bird & Detlef Schrempf.

Best all-time! Self-less egoless team player. Bird, please coach Indy again!

He was no saint, and no rocket scientist. Couldn't jump over the Sunday paper or run the 100 in less than 15 seconds. But, he worked harder than anyone in the league and made everyone around him play better, and he made his team better. He could shoot, pass, and rebound with anyone in NBA history. He is the most clutch player of all time and is one of the 3 best overall of all time. To say otherwise is ridiculous.

Best shooter in the history of the game, and will be the best shooter forever. There will never be another caliber of Bird.

The man, plus he was white, which is cool to see in the Assocation.

i dont see why everyone one likes him. all he is is a clutch player who sant jump over a pinecone.

His intense desire, and his smarts on the court make him one of the best ever. Too bad injuries kept him from playing longer. Goes to show that desire can take you a long way.

Larry Bird just played the game. He didn't dunk and he couldn't jump over the rim. He ran and he shot and he ran and he dove for the loose balls and he ran. He did not think he was bigger than the sport itself. He gave every ounce he had on the court, then gave somemore. Give MJ,Wilt,Magic,Oscar and the rest their props, but for me Larry Bird was the greatest of all time. Thanks for the many years of great memories!

Great Player all around.

He is a legend and what basketball should be about.

How could anyone give him less than 5 stars?

Larry Bird had Ainge, McKale, Parish, and Johnson. The only team that reminds me of this starting five is the Sacramento Kings, except Peja isn't Bird, and Webber isn't McKale. If Sacramento, as a whole, had more character, they would be the best team of all-time. He is one of the best pure shooters of all time, but he is no Danny Ainge. He is not the most athletic player, and there are tons more individuals, who are better than Bird, and I can name too many who are not included on this list. Bird is a great player, but because I don't think he's one of the best, I'm sorry Bird fans, he has to get the 1.

Larry Bird is a phenomonal player. Whilst Jordan whined that his " supporting cast " wasn't good enough, Larry took it upon himself to make his team better. One of the best of All-Time.

CLUTCH!!!!!