tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post8018605271843050020..comments2009-07-17T00:45:25.120-07:00Comments on The (Old) Sports Guy: The dumbing of our athletesGuy MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621018065400828882noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-84783479285593680022009-06-02T17:28:14.426-07:002009-06-02T17:28:14.426-07:00Same with Nash. He looks like a slow-footed doofus...Same with Nash. He looks like a slow-footed doofus in the NBA, but he's the fastest high school player I ever saw. <br /><br />Could Bird do it all? He couldn't dribble all that well--Magic was much more capable on that front, no?Cinemaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742365356939303431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-9201960806270982572009-06-02T17:02:50.367-07:002009-06-02T17:02:50.367-07:00It is interesting that they both appeared to be un...It is interesting that they both appeared to be unathletic. I suspect if we suited up for a pick-up game with them they would appear quite athletic. It is just next to NBA athletes that they are not. The same was often said of Gretzky. Can't skate, can't shoot, but what a hockey player. The three of them had great vision.Little Jackie Showershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286577349847656455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-75645107097720660522009-06-02T12:29:49.785-07:002009-06-02T12:29:49.785-07:00Magic was probably my favourite player of all time...Magic was probably my favourite player of all time. But I don't think you could say he was more athletic than Bird. If so, only marginally. They were equally unathletic. And I think they're perfect examples of two guys you can't honestly assess as one being better than the other. They were both incredibly good, brought out the best in each other, could do everything. Some people say Bird was better, some say Magic. It comes down to whether you were a fan of the Celtics or Lakers. i.e. playing favourites.Guy MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10621018065400828882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-90419859393584364312009-06-02T09:08:17.778-07:002009-06-02T09:08:17.778-07:00I say that cuz only Magic was a Kobe/Lebron/Jordan...I say that cuz only Magic was a Kobe/Lebron/Jordan type who could do it all. He could play any position on the floor, beat you as a point guard, a shooting guard, a power forward or a centre (if playing against a smaller team, anyways). He was more athletic than Bird and appeared to play with considerably more enthusiasm, if not tenacity.Cinemaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742365356939303431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-48873319474829258692009-06-01T20:40:22.684-07:002009-06-01T20:40:22.684-07:00The whole Magic v. Bird question would be a lot ea...The whole Magic v. Bird question would be a lot easier to call if Johnson hadn't retired so young.Cinemaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742365356939303431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-63358548273815411872009-06-01T00:04:57.058-07:002009-06-01T00:04:57.058-07:00I think you're both right. It's fun to compare, b...I think you're both right. It's fun to compare, but really they are so close to be equal that it would come down to game by game probably. It's kind of like the Magic vs Bird thing. They were both great and on any given night one was better than the other.Little Jackie Showershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286577349847656455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-10876821684556187822009-05-29T17:59:21.814-07:002009-05-29T17:59:21.814-07:00Nope, no stand on such a ridiculous question. It's...Nope, no stand on such a ridiculous question. It's impossible to tell. They're on two different teams in two different conferences with two different styles, so if one guy has a slight edge in points and the other in steals (or whatever), it means next to nothing. They're both great. Leave it at that.<br /><br />Standard wisdom (which I usually abhor) will always default to championships. But there are too many variables for me to buy into that line of thought.<br /><br />But I ask you, why the need to figure out who the better player is? It's not like we're comparing George Gervin and Gheorghe Muresan. These two guys have very similar abilities and talents. They're both outstanding. Why not leave it at that? <br /><br />Anyone other than Dan want to weigh in? Otherwise we can just take it off-line and into the alley.Guy MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10621018065400828882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6347151902269827126.post-51662701920497678162009-05-29T17:25:48.858-07:002009-05-29T17:25:48.858-07:00What's the point in asking the question? Well, I d...What's the point in asking the question? Well, I dunno, maybe so we could analyse the available data to figure out who is the better player? Well you warned me this column was coming, so I guess I should have been prepared, but your dubious dodge of my question leaves me wondering if you are a poseur. I mean, come on, just how much of a basketball geek are you if you won't answer a simple question about the relative value of these two great players. Just because Lebron and Kobe are both superb doesn't mean that there is no value in discussing their differences, and their relative values (who will contribute more wins/season over the course of a career.) When I look at their numbers, it seems that Lebron has an ever so slight edge offensively--a few more rebounds and assists than Kobe--but Bryant has a better defensive reputation, which is evident in his higher steal totals, but apparently James is closing the gap on the defensive side of things. But, in the words of Rod Steiger in the movie In the Heat of the Night, "I'm not an expurt" and would welcome the feedback of those who are more expert in this matter than I. So stop dodging, and take a stand you pussy.Cinemaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742365356939303431noreply@blogger.com