Greatest SF Of All Time

[bagwell368]

Larry Bird
Dominique Wilkins
Elgin Baylor
Rick Barry (not really a SF though)
Scottie Pippen
Julius Erving (not really a SF though)
John Havlicek (not really a SF though)
the rest

Wilkins sucked as I proved in spades last year to your chagrin, drop him off that list.

Barry was a selfish jerk - move down

How is Erving not a SF? What was he a PF? Please.

Havlicek was not a PF, and while he played some #2, he played it more on the offensive side, because any athletic #2 would blow by him.

[bagwell368]

Havlicek underrated? I don't think so.

He was this:

1. greatest sixth man in NBA history
2. very fine defender (but not against stud PF's or very quick SG's (after his first 5 years)
3. very long career
4. a very good passer
5. a volume shooter with meh FG% even in his day.

He's generally listed in the back end of the 20's all time, and that's about right. If you don't know the guys from his era, he's underrated, if you do, he fits in just fine.

[Pierzynski4Prez]

You can only compare guys against the guys they played against. Everything else is conjecture.

What is not conjecture is that Bird rose to the challenge - by the likes of Magic, Erving, Jordan, etc. and didn't fold and crap his pants like LBJ has in 3 of the last 5 years in the playoffs. Bird in 1980-1987 played at a level LBJ has not as of yet played at.

It's nice to be an athletic freak, it's better to be a better shooter, passer, and leader.

[MintBerryCrunch]

As of now it's Larry, but when all is said and done, it'll be Bron

[ZHawk1123]

Everyone just do me a favor and look at Larry Bird's statistics and achievements and then don't say anything.

[AP=MVP]

The LeBron super-team **** is such a joke. Bird had a top-3 all-time PF, a top-10 or 15 center, and one of the top defensive guards of all-time. Cleveland was not getting him help so he had to go somewhere else and why would you not want to play with 2 of your best friends in South Beach.

Lets look at all the top players in NBA history and their supporting cast.
Bird - Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton
Magic - Kareem, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo
Wilt - Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich
Dr. J- Moses Malone, Bob McAdoo, Charles Barkley
Kobe- Shaq, Pau Gasol, Karl Malone, Gary Payton
Jordan - Pippen, Rodman
Lebron - Wade, Bosh

Face it, the top players always have greatness around then too.

[AP=MVP]

^^^ With that being said my list is

1. Bird
2. LeBron
3. Baylor
4. Dr. J
5. Havlicek
6. Pippen
7. Barry
8. Nique
9. Big Game James
10. English

[Heatcheck]

For sure his defense is better, but his overall numbers aren't that much better for me to give him a significant edge. Bird also didn't join a super team to win his titles. Bird in his prime was a statistical monster...I honestly don't know if Lebron had a better year that this:


30 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 6.1 APG, 53% FG, 40% 3PT, 92% FT

.608 TS%, .556 eFG%, .243 WS/48

If Lebron won his title on a conventional "non superteam" I might agree with you. But since he decided to team up with Wade and Bosh I have to handicap him a bit...thats why I said 2 more titles and 1 MVP or 3 titles and no more MPV's.

You also have to take competition into account. Lebron didn't have to face any great rival in the finals yet nor has he had an opponent as great as the showtime Lakers or even the the 81 Sixers for that matter. The 80's were far more competitive than the current era and therefore the degree of difficulty in winning a title must be taken into account. The 2012 playoff match ups that the Heat went through to win their title would have been a cake walk for most of Birds Celtic teams in the 80's. In addition, Bird didn't have teammates as good as Wade and Bosh. Therefore Lebron's one title isn't worth as much as one of Larry's.

I give Lebron credit for being the slightly better individual talent statistically and defensively and have weighed that into my assessment that he would need either 2 more titles and 1 MVP or 3 titles and no more MVP's.

He was already on one.

[Heatcheck]

Larry Bird
Dominique Wilkins
Elgin Baylor
Rick Barry (not really a SF though)
Scottie Pippen
Julius Erving (not really a SF though)
John Havlicek (not really a SF though)
the rest

As one dimensional as it gets.

[Lakerfan In NY]

The LeBron super-team **** is such a joke. Bird had a top-3 all-time PF, a top-10 or 15 center, and one of the top defensive guards of all-time. Cleveland was not getting him help so he had to go somewhere else and why would you not want to play with 2 of your best friends in South Beach.

Lets look at all the top players in NBA history and their supporting cast.
Bird - Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton
Magic - Kareem, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo
Wilt - Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich
Dr. J- Moses Malone, Bob McAdoo, Charles Barkley
Kobe- Shaq, Pau Gasol, Karl Malone, Gary Payton
Jordan - Pippen, Rodman
Lebron - Wade, Bosh

Face it, the top players always have greatness around then too.

Only difference is they didn't call everyother an arrange to play together so they can win.

[SteBO]

Only difference is they didn't call everyother an arrange to play together so they can win.

True, but that hardly even matters at this point. LeBron's career isn't over yet and Bird was fortunate enough to be on a team that had HOF's galore.

[Chronz]

In terms of peak ability, Bird himself has wondered if anyone has ever won in the fashion Bron just did. But because I'm the type to not put much stock in peer review ill go ahead and assume hes just being modest.

But really people, long term wise, we all know, all Bron has to do is sustain this level of play a few more years and Larrys in the rear view, Bird didn't last long at all and he didn't take care if his body.

[Chronz]

Larry Bird
Dominique Wilkins
Elgin Baylor
Rick Barry (not really a SF though)
Scottie Pippen
Julius Erving (not really a SF though)
John Havlicek (not really a SF though)
the rest

As one dimensional as it gets.

Rick Barry, one dimensional?

[WaltonSystem]

I know it's a crazy thought kids but there was an NBA before MJ.. Don't be afraid to look into the past.

Right now 21 votes for LBJ being the BEST SF of all time? Cmon Son. I love LeBron's game but It's Larry by a lot right now, LeBron MAY pass him later but he has much to do.

[Heatcheck]

Rick Barry, one dimensional?

i didnt mean to bold barry, scuse me.