By Eric Jay SantosShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWith the landscape of the NBA changing over time, there is speculation about whether the basketball greats of the past would excel in the modern era. The current style of play has been interpreted as moving at a faster pace with a heavier focus on three-point volume.
During a recent appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, five-time All-Star Reggie Miller suggested that Larry Bird would dominate any era of the NBA.
“Larry Bird could play in any era, generation and dominate… Larry Bird would dominate in today’s game, and he gets to shoot 15–20 threes. Are you kidding me?”
...Larry Bird’s Career
Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the No. 6 pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. He quickly emerged as a franchise player for the organization, being named Rookie of the Year and leading the Celtics to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in the same season.
Bird soon became one of the biggest superstars of the 1980s, winning three NBA championships with the Celtics and securing three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards. His rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers was the focal point of the decade.
In addition to his basketball IQ and court vision, the 12-time All-Star was known for his three-point shooting skills. He is a three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion, having dominated the introductory editions of the annual event.
Bird’s career began to decline around 1988 due to various injuries, such as back problems. The Basketball Hall of Famer announced his retirement in 1992, after 13 seasons in the NBA.
Bird later became the head coach of his hometown Indiana Pacers, having Miller as one of his top players. Bird was named the 1998 Coach of the Year and was selected as an All-Star Game coach.
Bird continued to experience success at the executive level for the Pacers, being named the 2012 Executive of the Year. He is currently working as a consultant for the organization.
Considering his accumulated success across various roles and dominant playing style from the 1980s, Bird presents as a figure that could adapt to any era of the NBA.
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