Greatest Of The Three Point Era: Small Forward

[benji]

I think one aspect of those players is when they got bored, like Magic, etc. they'd just do crap to try and mix up how the team operated. Bird would get more frustrated with his teammates than anything the defense threw at him. Because he expected them to adjust when he would do things like get triple teamed like that or randomly drive on the entire defense.

A lot of players today follow in the Iverson "get bored" = take crazier shots pattern. When they put themselves in those situations they're looking to score on it. Bird and Magic were looking to see what developed from them doing it.

Although they also trusted their teammates more. You can tell LeBron is still somewhat broken from playing with the Cavs because he'll still hold the ball back rather than give it to a 95% open Bosh or Miller/Jones at times.

Of course Kobe doesn't need teammates so he's exempt.

[rise]

When are we starting the power forwards and centers?

[benji]

After we get around to the shooting guards!

The playoffs got in the way a bit.

[The X]

After we get around to the shooting guards!

The playoffs got in the way a bit.

Shooting guards have been done already, or at least all the important people have posted in it

[Andrew]

Always love reading those stories about Bird. Proof that you don't need tattoos or chest thumping to be a badass, not when you can play with a smirk and swagger like that. Telling Xavier McDaniel exactly where he was getting the ball for the gamewinning shot, doing just that and then calmly nailing it in his face is another one of my favourites.

Shooting guards have been done already, or at least all the important people have posted in it

I've yet to post my list. The thread was made when I was having connection issues and doing the research on Basketball Reference was painful since I could barely stay connected for more than a few minutes at a time. I've been meaning to get back to it though.

[shadowgrin]

The playoffs got in the way a bit.

There'll be plenty of discussion time during the lockout.

[shadowgrin]

Hijacking this thread to make it about the greatest small forward of the three-point era. LeWho?


lol at the Clipps' tactics. Too bad about their owner though, they deserve better.

phpBB [video]

Bird being bored and not losing like that team from South Beach.

phpBB [video]

boring for Bird so he decided to challenge himself by finishing EVERY basket (other than a jumpshot) with his left hand. He ended up scoring 22 points with his left hand, nearly half his total!

Despite all this, Bird still scored 47 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out 11 assists (21-34 FG). For good measure, he hit the game tying shot to send the game to OT, and then made the game winning shot.

[Sauru]

bird is the best sf to ever play the game

i put pippen second and lebron 3rd. talk to me when you got a ring and dont get to the line for flailing like a pussy

[NovU]

Is he also the best white ever to play the game? Cuz I sorta like Dirk's hair. No homo.

[shadowgrin]

Dwyane Wade with Dirk's hair. That enough to make NovU go ghey?

[Andrew]

I just can't imagine Bird fading in clutch situations as LeBron still does from time to time.

Going back to this in the wake of the Finals, I just can't imagine Bird ever shying away from taking over in the fourth quarter or being less than his best as LeBron was against the Mavericks. With his numbers, his obvious talent and his ability to dominate the game, it wouldn't be completely unreasonable to rank LeBron atop this list, but until he can consistently be that player when his team needs it the most, I'm firmly sticking with Bird in that spot.

[NovU]

Dwyane Wade with Dirk's hair.

Oh such healthy, shiny and silky looking hair... Anyone would look double the awesome with such hair.

[Blacksmurf313]

bird is the best sf to ever play the game

i put pippen second and lebron 3rd. talk to me when you got a ring and dont get to the line for flailing like a pussy

Take Lebron out and put in Chris Mullens.

[_Steve_]

My list is quiet similar to Andrew's list with a few exceptions. I forgot about Adrian Dantley. And I think James Worthy deserves to be on that list. Also in my opinon LBJ should be behind Bird, at least now. He truly has the potential to get on the first place, but we will see...

1. Larry Bird
2. LeBron James
3. Scottie Pippen
4. Julius Erving
5. Dominique Wilkins
6. Tracy McGrady
7. Grant Hill
8. Paul Pierce
9. James Worthy [85-92]
10. Detlef Schrempf [89-96]
Did a great job to make basketball popular in germany. Had excellent years with the Pacers/ Sonics including his final appearance in '96. Was a really good shooter.