who's better
2007-12-27 15:46:54 · 9 answers · asked by Sexy Beast 1 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Not close.
Gervin was a great, great scorer, but Bird could do everything and more. Bird was the greatest forward ever, and one of the top 3 players of all time.
Bird by a landslide
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"Basketball Jones".....Gervin only has more points if you count his ABA years, otherwise Bird has more NBA points.
Plus, the Iceman played 14 full seasons, while Bird played only about 11.
Gervin had a 20+ ppg scorer in Larry Kenon on his team for a few years, so not all of the burden fell on him. He was always somebody who looked to shoot first before passing. He was, however, an unbelievable scorer.
And don't think for one minute that Bird didn't carry the Celtics on his back. Parish and McHale are HOFers BECAUSE of Bird and his unselfish leadership. They aren't near as great as they were without Bird on their team.
The amount of points that Bird gave up, just so he could involve his teammates is staggering. He could score anytime he wanted to, and anyone who watched him play can testify to that.
2007-12-27 16:05:14 · answer #1 · answered by Hoopfan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is not easy, because you have to break down their styles of gameplay.
In terms of offensive skill, Larry Bird had a greater overall scoring ability. George Gervin was a better slasher and midrange shooter, but Bird had phenominal court vision. He could read the defense well and burn the opponent with efficient passing. As for the arc, Gervin played half his career with no 3 point line, while Bird took full advantage of the extra point.
As for freethrows, Bird had a .910 percentage in the height of his career, with Gervin not far behind. The reason why George Gervin racked up more career points than Larry Bird is because his role required him to carry the Spurs on his back, while Bird had backup in role players like Mchale and Parish.
To conclude, Larry Bird was a greater team player than George Gervin, who spent his career being the one great scorer on the roster. At the same time you can't take away from Gervin's great statistics.
2007-12-27 16:22:34 · answer #2 · answered by Basketball Jones 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Gervin was a great scorer, but Larry Bird was on a better team and could play a better floor game. It would be interesting if the 2 were on the others team.
2007-12-27 16:18:35 · answer #3 · answered by WestCoastin4Life 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Larry Bird
2007-12-27 17:02:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only thing that Gervin is better than Bird is the fingerroll.
He is the best ever at it.
Bird is better by a long shot.
2007-12-27 16:25:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jake 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
george gervin was an awesome offensive weapon but larry bird is a complete player and a killer who does everything for his team to win.
2007-12-27 17:13:16 · answer #6 · answered by m33p0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Larry Bird could decide a game in the last second.
2007-12-27 16:33:22 · answer #7 · answered by wazup1971 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bird definitely.
2007-12-27 17:15:12 · answer #8 · answered by iknowball 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both have great NBA careers
Larry Bird - the embodiment of Celtic pride, The Celtics all time leading scorer & a member of the original Dream Team (1992 Olympics).
George Gervin - "The Iceman" a proven scoring whose career included 4 NBA scoring title, 26,595 points in 14 seasons in the NBA and ABA.
Larry Bird is better due to his willingness to get the ball in an end game situation and take responsibility for his team to win or lose.
A quote from Larry Bird
"I get a charge when i tell somebody on the opposing team that i'm going to hit the last second shot, and then i do it. That's what i'm all about".
2007-12-31 14:14:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋