Bill argues in favor of the legendary Celtics player.
Of course, the most common topics of discussion when discussing the GOAT are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. That’s understandable given their length and spotless legacy, but what really sets them apart is their ability to maintain their greatness over an extended period of time.
Some were on the same path, but they lacked the energy to maintain that pace for more than fifteen years. Larry Bird is one of those guys. The legendary player for the Boston Celtics entered the NBA with a lot of momentum, but in his 30s, he began to fade and eventually retired in 1992 at the age of 35.
Bill Simmons, a podcaster and ardent Celtics supporter, recently provided an explanation of why Bird’s first ten years in the Association rank among the greatest in history, if not transcend it.
“I’ve always held this notion on Larry Bird. In NBA history, he had the best career start in his first nine years of play. Three championships, five Finals, three MVPs, two MVPs in the Finals…He was the fourth-best player in the league in his rookie season, but there was never a time after that when he wasn’t among the top three players in the league, according to Simmons.
All set to go
After four successful years playing collegiate basketball, Larry moved to Boston in 1979 and, at twenty-three, was immediately ready to play with the big boys. Bird would become a star, have an instant impact, and help the Celtics become title contenders.
“Bird was 25,10, and 6 over that nine years, and 50%,38%,88% you can’t do better than that for your first nine years as a basketball player,” Bill went on.
As Simmons claimed, Larry dominated the NBA for the following 10 years, winning three championships, three MVP honors, two Finals MVP trophies, twelve All-Star choices, and ten spots on All-NBA teams. All of that while averaging 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, solidifying his reputation as one of the most intelligent and talented players in NBA history.
Larry was the NBA’s face in the 1980
A lot of die-hard NBA supporters would contend that during the wild and prosperous 1980s Association, Bird was the best player in the league. Magic Johnson, the legendary player for the Lakers, was a formidable opponent for Larry. In fact, “The Hick from French Lick” acknowledged that Magic had once outperformed him
“Actually, I’ve always said that I go by success, and he’s won more championships, so I give him the nod,” Bird stated on “Late Night with David Letterman” back in 2012.
Given Larry’s achievements and the animosity he developed with Johnson as a result of the innumerable Lakers-Celtics games, it is both honorable and humble to hear him praise his greatest opponent on the floor. But that’s Bird, both in his profession and beyond. He was a killer who never had to blow his own trumpet because he was constantly regarded as one of the greatest.
.s.
