Maravich's coach in college was his dad so he could shoot as much as he wanted to without taking shit from the coach. Maravich only made the NBA all star team 5 times in his NBA career Bird made it 12 times out of 13 seasons (injured in the 88-89 season)and his shooting % was only .441% compared to Bird's .496%. Maravich the "shooter" couldn't compare to Larry Bird shooting free throws Maravich .820% Bird .886%
pistol taught magic everything he knew and could score better than jordan!!!! scored 57 a gme for three years in college when count college 3s!! shitty coach n NBA teams only reason pistol not haev more rings than magic or kobefag or jordan, plus jordan enjoyed weak time of league
How bout all you retards stop arguing because if you might remember Pete's last season was with the Celtics in 1979-80 season; and what was Larry's rookie year? Yeah that's right the 1979-80 season. But Pete didn't play as much because of his knee, and being tired of the game. What now haters ... on both sides
(Presonally My favorite player has been Pistol Pete ever since I saw the movie "Birth of a Legend" in the first grade. But I still absolutley love Bird and his whole era of players)
The difference between Bird & Pete: Pistol Pete never had a winning season his entire NBA career until his last year, when he played with Bird. Bird never had a losing season, even as a rookie, he took his team from 2nd worst to 1st during the season without Parish, McHale and DJ. Pistol Pete is all flash, no substance. Pete was just showing off when he made a behind the back pass, Bird was winning games with behind the back passes. That's the difference between Larry & Pete
the difference is. Pete was a showman. He could show up to the game after drinking all night partying and would put on a show. That is why people went to see his games. To see him electrify the crowd. Even if they lost. His teammates disliked him. And would miss passes to attempt to make him look bad. Larry bird on the other hand made his teammates and didn't care who scored as long as they won. Complete opposite players.
The Pacers played the Lakers for the NBA championship in 2000. Larry Bird was the Pacers coach and he screwed us, the Pacers, by playing his buddy Chris Mullin over Jalen Rose. Mullin was a good player in his day with Golden State, but he was an old, washed up player with the Pacers. All Mullin did was get beat defensively and brick three pointers. Jalen was in his prime and could have helped slow down Kobe. Shame on you Bird!!!
@jason60152 this isn't even a seriousquestion. Bird ws one ofthe best players ever. Pete was a freak show who had little value to a basketbal team. Its a joke that ignorant people think that highly of Pete.
@45arther Larry Turd is overrated.Pete can take over the game like no other.Give me Steve Nash over Larry Bird to start a franchise.Larry Bird got lucky because he had a good team.
@jason60152 lol..good on. thas why when bird came into the league on an awful celtics team and turned them arunnd right away. And this after leading Indiana State with nobodye lse to the finals after going unbeaten. While Pete never led hs teams anywhere ever. I would take Nash over Pete but laughable to say Nash over Bird. Ignorant Really.
@45arther Nash makes his team better, Bird doesn't.Bird couldn't win championships without Kevin Mchale.I would even take Jason Williams in his prime over Larry Bird.Pete,Nash and Williams are 3 white guys I can say are better then Bird.I hate when people say Bird is the best white basketball player ever.Bird is a legend but his game was boring and Magic Johnson owned him.
@jason60152 LOL. Williiams. LOL Magic owned him.. LOL. He didn'tmake hs teaates better..LOL His gam was boring..I guess I got taken by a troll. Good job man.
@2323giggity When Bird arrived Boston went straight to the top. When Bird left, Boston went to the cellar for 22 years. When you said there was nothing to special about Bird it makes you look foolish.
@BigTimePride bird was a good player but by no means could he ever carry a team by himself. Just did'nt have that in him, with his teamates , yes he was good, but not great. so if your not great , then you are not that special either. JORDAN KOBE they are great, they can do it by themselves as they have shown time and again, also lebron blows dog=== so take your ''big time celtic pride '' and cheer for your team and i'll cheer for mine. the basketball god has spoken-later dude
@2323giggity You're making a complete idiot of yourself. Bird would make the top 5 on just about everybody's starting list except for maybe your list. Newsflash...when MJ came to Chicago they went nowhere for 7 years until they got Pippen. Shaq carried LA for Kobe's first 3 titles and when Shaq left Kobe failed to make the finals. Then he had to wait for Gasol to win the next title. Like I said, when Bird came to Boston he took them to the top. When he left they went to the cellar for 22 years.
@BigTimePride MAN, you have got to be the biggest jerk i have ever heard, you don;t know hog jowl's from horse shit. Take your precious celtics and stick'em up your ass, and why the fuck would they want to trade rondo, he made them last season. Bird is in my list of top 50 players ever at # 28, to slow and sometimes very lazy--- the true basketball god has spoken
@2323giggity Bird's lifetime record vs Jordan 33-11. Bird's playoff record vs Jordan 6-0 for 2 sweeps. How many rings did you say Jordan won without Pippen? Oh, I thought you said Jordan could carry a team by himself? How many rings does Kobe have without Shaq or Gasol? Dang, I thought he could carry the team by himself too. Your ranking Bird at 28 is possibly the dumbest sports comment I have ever seen.
@BigTimePride Your basketball knowledge is showing through-- you are as sharp as a bowling ball, . You don't know what you don't know, get an education on the sport and what greatness truly is. then and only then will you be able to go on the court young grasshopper and impress your celt friends , but you still won't impress anyone else. If you are still reading this then you have a serious problem, try watching Jordan highlights they always cheer me up ,you Boston fool, -rondo?
@2323giggity I don't need to watch Jordan highlights. I got to see him lose numerous times against Bird's Celtics. One particular game I atteneded the Bulls were in foul trouble so they had Jordan cover Bird for the quarter. Both of them scored on each other but Bird was outplaying him with his rebounds and passing just like he did to everyone else. That's kind of a shocker considering you said Jordan could carry a team by himself.
@2323giggity You mentioned Bird was slow and lazy. It's funny because I was at the game in the garden and watched Bird absolutely destroy Scotty Pippen and Pippen was a better defender than Jordan or Kobe.
@BigTimePride hahahahahahaha man get a life . JUST FACE IT, BIRD ISN'T THAT SPECIAL, and quit reading all your bull out of some celtic book. why do you avoid the rondo trade, because you know they should keep him and i just heard lakers got chris paul and traded odom and gasol--WOW-- are you near tv can you confirm that trade. you love Boston and i love LAKERS, so i'll see you in the finals, if you get by chicago, the true basketball god has spoken
@2323giggity Paul is a great addition for LA but the Lakers are going nowhere without Gasol & Odom. You had better hope they land Howard or it will be another failure season for your pretty boy Lakers.
I avoid talking about the Rondo trade because it makes me sick. He's the key that makes the engine run in Boston. Hopefully the trade don't happen. As for Lakers you're right...I hate them! As for Bird, he sure gave you Lakers fans plenty of fits over the years & every other fan base as well.
@BigTimePride well they [david stern ] squashed the trade to LA, and said that paul has to stay in new orleans , he cannot be traded. so i know boston also wanted to get him and now they can't either, what is up? I'll tell you whats up, stern is trying to make sure that there are no more power house teams , and why, so his new favorite player and his hope to be the new ambassador of the NBA, CAN WIN A TITLE and who might that be you ask? You know who, it's Lebron-- I HATE HIM
@2323giggity Lebron gonna still get a ring.How can you like Bird and not Lebron? Kobe Bryant got enough rings.Let Lebron get one.I wanted to see Chris Paul go to the Lakers because the Heat and the Lakers would be a epic finals game.Kobe going for 6 and Chris Paul,Bosh and Lebron trying to get they first ring.Lebron is better then Bird you can't argue with that.They both small forwards too.Better matchup then Nash and Williams becuase they both point guards.
@jason60152 You think Lebron is better than Bird? Did you watch him in the Finals? Lebron choked bad. He couldn't even post up Shawn Marion. Bird would've destroyed Marion. Every single small forward list that we see has Bird rated the greatest SF of all time.
@BigTimePride Lebron almost averaged 20 points in the finals.He didn't choke just tried to get his teammates involved.Shawn Marion can't guard Lebron for real.C'Mon man!! Even Shawn Marion said that Lebron is the best small forward ever.Bird can't take over the game the way Lebron does.Bird never had 2 seasons where he averaged over 30 points a game.
@jason60152 Are you in denial? Did you watch the Finals? Hear the post game interviews? Lebron choked plain & simple & it's not the first time he has choked.
Btw..Their scoring average is very comparabe. However, Bird was the better shooter (higher FG%), better passer (best passing small foward ever), better rebounder, better FT shooter, better 3 pt shooter & a way better clutch player. Bird would've destroyed Shawn Marion.
@BigTimePride You act like Shawn Marion doesn't have any defense. SMH. Lebron is a better dunker than Bird,better ball handler than Bird,better defense then Bird,more triple doubles then Bird,and a better shot blocker and he still has a lot more years ahead of him.You must forgot Magic Johnson said if another guy can average a triple double in the league right now it is King James.Once King James win a couple rings then you will witness his true greatness.
@jason60152 Bird is 5th all time in triple doubles behind only Oscar, Magic, Wilt & Kidd. A better dunker? 2 points is 2 points doesn't matter how you make them. Lebron is a good ball handler but so was Bird (prob equal). I agree Lebron is a better shot blocker & he has the edge as the individual defender but Bird was the better help defender. Bird was also better with clutch defensive plays. Btw.. Bird averaged a triple double in the 86 Finals. James has a ways to go to be up there with Bird.
@jason60152 I can understand Lebron getting his teammates involved, but when the big game is on the line he needs to be the guy making the big shots and he simply chokes under the pressure. Bird also got his teammates involved but when the game was on the line he would nail game changing daggers throughout his entire career.
@2323giggity I don't blame you and other Lakers fans for being ticked off. I heard a bunch of the owners flipped out and that gave Stern a great excuse to try stopping the trade. I agree he loves Lebron and wants him to win a title. It's sickening the way certain guys in the league are catered to. I also heard that Howard is very interested in playing for the Nets so that doesn't look good for LA. Stern might not allow it to happen anyways. I'm so happy the Lakers are headed for the cellar haha
@BigTimePride nice one, but we are a long way from the cellar= still got pau and odom, if he stops blating about it. Cannot wait til xmas and first games, LA vs CHICAGO i think, should be a good one and a good early season test. How about the celts, who do they play first? Stay in touch dude your alright, it's good to talk bball with another great fan of the game. i never meant what i said about bird and the celts--NOT- GOTCHA ON THAT ONE- FOR THE CELLAR JOKE. --later man
@2323giggity Celts play NY on X-Mas day.Looks like Boston will get David West. Could be a nice pick up if he's healthy. We traded Big Baby to the Magic for Brandon Bass. I heard the CP3 deal still might happen & that will send Odom to the Hornets and Gasol to the Rockets. The Lakers would need to upgrade the frontcourt but they could use Bynum as trade bait. If the Lakers get Howard & CP3, I'm gonna go into a great depression haha. You're alright as well
@BigTimePride Well both our teams are off to a bad start, mine more so than yours. Big games for both teams tonight though.You have to beat the Heat, so yes I will be rooting for the celts. LA needs a win tonight bigtime, can't wait til Bynum's suspension is lifted [2 more games] and Pau isn't playing to well either at the moment, but we are LA so we will get it together . YOUR CELTIC'S HAD BETTER WIN TONIGHT--- good luck, talk to ya later
@2323giggity Well, the Celtics looked decent without Paul Pierce but Miami was clearly the better team. That rookie pg for Miami was a huge pick up for them. He took over the game & was nailing daggers down the stretch. He looks much better than a rookie! Consdering it's early in the season the Celtics have fresh legs & were able to make a run at the end of this game. However, as the season wears on the Celtics are going to wear down. Btw..Congrats on your 1st win. LA needed that win bad.
@jason60152 How many rings did Magic with without Kareem? You're a fool if you think Nash or Williams was better than Bird. Btw...McHale wasn't even a starter when Bird won his first ring.
@BigTimePride Magic still won a ring his rookie season.Also Kareem got hurt and Magic had to play center in the playoffs.If Nash or Williams in they prime had Bird's team they would win at least won one ring too.Bird had a better career then Williams but Williams was more fun to watch and the coaches hated on his and 1 style of play.
@jason60152 If Nash or Williams played for Boston in the 80s in place of Bird, which guy is going to grab all those crucial rebounds? Which guy is going to nail those daggers in the end? How about the clutch steals? Nash is a great player & he can pass/score but that's about it. Williams is a flashy player, but he couldn't carry Bird's jockstrap. Neither one of them could do everything Bird could do. If you need 15 rebounds Bird could do it. If you need 40 points or a clutch steal etc..it's Bird
@jason60152 Btw...Magic wouldn't have made it to the Finals during his rookie season without Kareem. In LA, Kareem was the "go to" guy when they needed shots down the stretch. In Boston, it was Bird. You switch Parish and Jabbar and Boston wins 6 or 7 titles.
@45arther Bird wasn't the only reason for that change. You are making it into a 1 man show, and its not! It takes a supporting cast to make a team great! Larry was a great player, but your making him out to be the only reason they went 61-21 that year. Wrong! Speaking of pete, need i remind you he was on that same team your speaking of, and in his final year in the nba at that. Guess the celtics and "larry" needed some help from a guy "who had little value to a team" huh? Ignorant ppl
@passion8kaos Bird was the primary reason for the jump from 29 wins in 79 to 60 wins in 80. Did the C's have some talent besides him? Yes. But it was Bird that maximized the talent. I have a hard time seeing the 80 C's even having a winning record w/o Bird.
@passion8kaos Boston didn't pick Pete up until halfway through the season after the Jazz released him. The Celtics were already on top before he got there. You can try to dismiss Bird as the reason for the Celtics huge turnaround, but the fact is Bird put them on top.
@jason60152 You can have Pistol on your team and when he plays against Bird's team Pistol will be packing up his guns and going home because he got beat. Bird was a better shooter at 53% vs Pete's 44% and Bird pulled down 13.3 rebounds a game to Pete's 6.4. Bird also was a great passer = 4.6 assists per game to Pete's 5.1 Bird wanted to win and did. Pete just wanted to put on a show.
Maravich brought the no look passes, outlet passes (second only to Wes Unseld), dribbling tricks to the NBA, without him, you wouldn't see people worshipping LeBron or something like that
If Maravich had a more stable life off the court (he battled some depression I think and he turned to Christianity after he retired and was fine) and a better team, he would've done amazing things
It's amazing he did a that with one ventricle in his heart, but one day he died from it, undiagnosed previously
Hahahahahahahahahaha, only one ventricle? Hahahahahahahahaha. He probably wouldn't have made it past infancy with only one ventricle. He only had one functioning coronary artery, not one ventricle; there is a huge difference.
The claim that Maravich was a better shooter than BIrd is flat out wrong. Percentage-wise he isn't even close to Bird, a fact made more remarkable when you consider that Bird took waaay more low percentage three-pointers than Maravich. Bird's NBA FG percentage is more than 7% points better than Maravich's and his college percentage is 10% points better than Maravich's, and college basketball is where the vast majority of Maravich's fame was earned.
@masanf yeah college basketball where Pete's father let him shoot whenever he wanted. Pete never even got close to a NCAA tourney. Its a joke to call him the best ever even in college. In pro he rarely made an all start team, yet some kids on youtube are calling him the best. God I hate ignorance.
@45arther I know, these idiots on here think that just because they are white, they must be the same player, what a joke. Bird had a better points, rebounds, assists, steals & blocks per game. Bird was a better shooter with 50% fg and ft% than Pete so what exactly does Pete do better than Bird? I know, he commits more turnovers per game than Bird. Pete belonged with the Globetrotters, not the NBA.
A friend of mine told me he went to a one of pete's camps (which he really popularized summer camps) but he was doing a demonstration to the crowd and the campers on how to shoot, and the proper technique for 30 mins, and for those 30min pete didn't miss a shot.
@cikular You obviously dont know much about basketball. Yeah pete was the better ballhandler, and had some fancy layups but hes a fucking pg/sg.. Bird is a sf/pf what do you expect? Skill isnt all about ballhandling and fancy layups.
@cikular Respect for Pete but Bird is much better. Bird = better shooter, better rebounder, just as good of a passer, better defender and better will to win. Pete was better ball handler but thats about it. Pete didn't win and Bird did win at every level. Bird better leader and really did make his teammates better. Pete was fun to watch but Bird is who you want if you want to win the game.
Pete was more spectacular, and had more habilities.bird have more champion DNA in his personality, no more(and this is very much).but i prrefer Pistol without pistol Magic don´t exist and nash,kidd, Williams, Rubio...is the necesary evolution.
If Maravich had been on a team like the Celtics that preached team play, I think he'd probably be mentioned in the same breath as Larry, Magic, etc. Kind of like if Bill Walton hadn't had all those leg & foot problems....
But why didnt maravich ever win a championship? I cant think of any top pg's in his era except maybe walt frazier? Probably why he'll never be considered on larry's level
(Cont.) also issues in his personal life that if he didn't have he would have been the greatest ever maybe... His mom shot herself and died, he had problems with alcohol that messed him up a lot... In other words, Pete was his own downfall... He lived his life haunted by things from his life... He even wanted to just die at some points... The good thing is he finally pulled himself together after he left basketball and before he died... just couldnt save his career
Pete is possibly the most talented player in history, when he was healthy and on his game no one could stop him and if you dont believe that you can ask the people that played against him in his 68 point game.... However people will always point to the stats and base it on that. Pistol was injured almost his whole career in the NBA... When he finally established himself as the best player in the league with the New Orleans Jazz he went and hurt his knee... He was never the same again. There were
@IxToxicXx I just watched a YT video yesterday where Bill Walton was talking about Pete. he mentioned some guy who had gone through every play sheet of every game Pete played in college to find out the distance of every shot. With that, he was able to calculate how many of his shots would have counted as 3-pointers by today's standards. By his figures, Pete would have averaged 57-points per game. No one will ever do anything like that again. Look here: watch?v=zk-JJX2SRHc
This comparison is really ridiculous! Bird was a better shooter, scorer, rebounder, passer, defender, winner. Pistol could probably school him on growing a better stache, but that's it. We really have to compare them because they're both white? No comparison.
@jan279 The highlights would suggest that he is, the numbers say otherwise. Not old enough to see any of his games. Maybe passer is too limited, maybe I should say Bird was the better playmaker
@jan279 No. Not even close. Cousy was the best passer. Bird could be more creative than anyone else on the court, and he always did whatever it took to win, without resorting to being a crybaby (such as Bill Laimbeer). If Maravich had been a "genius" he would have found ways to make his teammates better, instead of grabbing the headlines for himself.
Pistol was great, a wizard. From an "All around player comparison" there is no comparison to Bird...Not even close...Pistol did not nearly impact the NBA like did the NCAA. Bird was a WAY more complete player.
why vs? it should be how the NBA evolved. Look at the how the game has changed. Each time a new hybrid is born a new one takes its place. One day the NBA will have to raise the basket or widen the floor cause these cats have raised the level of play to where they will run out of places to go. Passing, shooting, not to mention the quickness, jumping the kids have now. Luv don't hate the new breed
Bird's all around game makes him the easy choice here. Pistol is great, amazing to watch and sad that he doesn't get the attention he deserves. But if you're building a team Bird is who you want. Pete put up bigger scoring #'s but was not as good a shooter as Bird. Look at the shooting %. Want unbaised proof? Freethrow % is equal distance and unguarded, Bird was better. His career proved it, he made his teammates better.
larry has to get the edge. they play different positions so it is hard to truly compare but if I am a GM and need to build a franchise...I'd take Bird. You have more versatility with a 6'9" forward who can shoot, pass, rebound, defend over a 6'5" guy who can shoot and pass. Pete wasn't known for his defense
I would never argue with L. Bird. But can you imagine Pete playin with Parrish, Mchale etc. I think the best he ever had on his team was Lou Hudson. And he was mad about Pete's contract and would resist Pete. Of course he had L Bird at the end of his career. Give Pete some players. And I would put him among the top 20 or 25 of all time. Maybe higher if I had time to think about it. He was unstopable.
Can you actually compare a guy who played with 3 fellow hall of famers and a few all-stars compared to a guy who didn't? One was ahead of his time, flashy, had teammates confused when he would sling a bullet behind his back with his lefthand off their head in traffic, the other was mostly fundamental. Bird was a winner, but Pistol was far too ahead of his time to be appreciated.
I'd take Bird unless it was one on one... Pistol would beat most player. Creativity and insanity works...
pete maravich was the ultimate scorer on a losing team, a phenomenal passer as well but bird was fortunate that a dynasty was build around him..both good relentless scorers.
Larry Bird - Had a winning record and made the playoffs every year he played, Pistol Pete - Had a losing record every year he played in the NBA, except his last, which happened to be the 1980 Celtics with a rookie Bird, 'nuff said.
yes but pistol was a pioneer and most of his career there was no 3 point line.larry bird was also a great player but had a better team aswell..............im not sure who was a better shooter but pisol was a better ball handler and was very creative........so really you cant judge who was better. they both have their own special characteristics which make them great.
@markmustb1 Mark any and all fancy passes done by Brid in his prime he learned from watching LA Laker highlights when Magic was playing no offense to Pete.Bird said this himself in a recent documentary on HBO but if Bird had been playing when Pete was in his prime I think he would have picked some MAJOR POINTERS from the top showman in NBA annuals.
I think Pistol Pete was where NBA skills all began. Fakes... finger rolls... He was a great skilled-ball player. The only thing that he didn't have what Bird, Magic, Jordan have is the ability to win. Pistol Pete was so focused on his wizardry that sometimes winning becomes a 2nd priority. So Skill for Skill... Pete had an edge... but since it's about who is better in the game of basketball particularly the NBA... I think Bird is overwhelmingly better. period. As an icon, I like Pete better.
The biggest issue is that Bird was a forward and Pete a guard. So I dont know how you compare the 2. But I will add that maravich scored 800 more points then Bird during his college career so there no comparison in that dept for college. Bird played a longer career NBA. But lets add that Pistols whole career the MVP was given to centers. 6 of them were Kareem, in Pistols 10 yr career. They both averaged 24 points per game. Pete led NBA record season pts scored 76 -77 yr.
I don't remember seeing PP play much defense. Though defense certainly wasn't LB's strength, I think his anticipation and overall basketball IQ made him a better defensive player and a superior player, overall, to anyone who's played the game. He did what needed to be done when it needed to be done in order for his team to win. AND he did it night in and night out for a lot of years. He made everyone around him a better player.
maravich is the most overrated player ever. his teams were never even any good. great players make teams good. bird did everything better then maravich. he was a better scorer,rebounder,defender,passer. bird won 3 mvp's to maraviches zero. bird was first team all nba basicaly for his entire career. pete was named once or twice. to com-pare these 2 is a joke. bird is one of the top 5 players ever, maravich was lucky to be top 50.
@MarkCoupons yea those were some of the dumbest statements Ive ever heard. People talk about winning games so much. Fuck that! Watching Pistol Pete is like watching an artist at work..
lol, you were born w/o all 46 of your chromosomes if you think a 6'5'' wizard with a ball wasnt athletic. and youre wrong, pistol is the best human to ever pick up a ball.
Yeah, I don't get where people suddenly (WRONGLY!!) decided that Pistol somehow wasn't an athletic player. Look @ those shots & passes that he pulls off: it takes an ATHLETIC player to be able to do that IMO.
Pete was the first street baller of the NBA. He had some nasty moves that Bird coudnt even top... hell most NBA players today cant pull the stuff he did. However Bird was the better package.
They played together, I believe for 1 season only. He was already a shell of his former self. That year, Boston also had Nate "Tiny" Archibald - another great. After the season, Pistol retired. Still, Pistol's era was the 70s. Bird's era was the 80s.
@Rictof They were teammates for one year. Both were great, but Maravich not nearly as great as Bird. Didn't love the game as much by the time he got to the NBA, didn't have the work ethic either. Quit because he no longer wanted to practice hard. Nothing wrong with that, he was burned out.
@vantalge this is s rediculous comparison. Bird is a ton better then maravich. That people are even comparing them is rediculous. Check how many times Bird was NBA first team and how many times Maravich was.
Maravich was a guy who looks good in high light videos. Bird is one of the 6 greatest players ever. Stupid comparison.
@45arther HA! who do you think Bird's idle was? where do you think he got the idea of behind the back passes, between the leg shit, practicing all day?! I get tired of people like YOU that don't know what their talking about!
@trevdawg62 you are the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. That i get tired of. YOu are comparing one of the greatest players ever with a guy who make the all nba team how many times. tell us.
i was areound when maravich played. not a big deal in the pros.. hot dog that had little value to a basketball team. tired of idiots
@Rictof love pete maravich, but Larry bird is one of the top 10 players of all time! scored as much as pete, had many great passes like pete, way more steals, handled the ball like a guard at 6'9" and was a much better rebounder. Plus he won 3 championships, Pete never came close.
Larry also made the players around him better were pete was a more selfish player.
@Rictof Pete was more versatile with ball handling, passing they were equal(pistol was a combo guard passed by default b/c of his size)...but rebounding, scoring, defense, FT's, 3's it was bird all day. Pistol had the talent I just don't think he had the killer instinct and the application in big moments like bird did. Plus he died so early..can't really asses who's better for certain.
Pete Maravich more versatile than Larry Bird? You have got to be kidding me. Bird averaged 24.3 points per game, 6.3 assists per game and and 10.0 rebounds per game for his career. Maravich averaged 24.2 ppg, 5.4 apg and 4.2 rpg. In what way was Maravich more versatile than Bird?
Maravich was flashier than Bird, and that is about it.
Maravich is one of my Top 3 Favorite Players of All-Time, but I'd take Bird over him anytime. Bird's all-around game is superior to Maravich's; especially on the defensive end. Maravich wasn't much of a rebounder. Also, Bird was a better clutch player who made things happen.
2nd team all-defense 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984
ranked no lower than top 6 for def. reb. per season
ranked no lower than top 10 for total reb. per season
ranked no lower than top 10 def. rating per season
Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 Boston vs. Detroit. Larry Bird steals the inbound pass, and passes to Dennis Johnson for the winning basket. A memorable moment in Celtics folklore.
@JustMeAbe 3 championships - 5 times in the NBA finals total. 3 league MVP's in a row. Multiple time finals MVP. dozens of buzzer beaters. Pete and larry both great, but larry was able to get his team to the big stage and perform there as well!
wow look at Larry Bird getting in fights left and right. Pete was a much calmer player, not to mention he was twice as good a Bird.
ChuckyDuckable 4 days ago
Don't forget, Pete also never had a 3 point line, also, Pete was the greatest ball handler od all time, not to mention the best assists man.
mickeygarlock 2 weeks ago
Maravich's coach in college was his dad so he could shoot as much as he wanted to without taking shit from the coach. Maravich only made the NBA all star team 5 times in his NBA career Bird made it 12 times out of 13 seasons (injured in the 88-89 season)and his shooting % was only .441% compared to Bird's .496%. Maravich the "shooter" couldn't compare to Larry Bird shooting free throws Maravich .820% Bird .886%
geocgeo 3 weeks ago
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You know your good when they let you wear your nickname on your jersey instead of your last name!!!!!!
M16OnDaScene 1 month ago
pistol taught magic everything he knew and could score better than jordan!!!! scored 57 a gme for three years in college when count college 3s!! shitty coach n NBA teams only reason pistol not haev more rings than magic or kobefag or jordan, plus jordan enjoyed weak time of league
bootiack 1 month ago
@bootiack Pistal scored better than Jordan in college but Jordan scored better than Pistal in the pros.
jason60152 3 weeks ago
How bout all you retards stop arguing because if you might remember Pete's last season was with the Celtics in 1979-80 season; and what was Larry's rookie year? Yeah that's right the 1979-80 season. But Pete didn't play as much because of his knee, and being tired of the game. What now haters ... on both sides
(Presonally My favorite player has been Pistol Pete ever since I saw the movie "Birth of a Legend" in the first grade. But I still absolutley love Bird and his whole era of players)
Asa23447 1 month ago
No defense. Great offense. Magical offense. But NOOOOOOO defense.
unclebobunclebob 1 month ago
If Maravich had stayed alive, and had a team like bird or jordan he would have been the best player of all time.
cbboarder5 1 month ago
The difference between Bird & Pete: Pistol Pete never had a winning season his entire NBA career until his last year, when he played with Bird. Bird never had a losing season, even as a rookie, he took his team from 2nd worst to 1st during the season without Parish, McHale and DJ. Pistol Pete is all flash, no substance. Pete was just showing off when he made a behind the back pass, Bird was winning games with behind the back passes. That's the difference between Larry & Pete
MerkinMuffly 1 month ago
pistol pete is more fun to watch them bird just shot 3s
wilzusuki 2 months ago
@wilzusuki Bird just shot 3s? You know nothing about basketball: watch?v=rgPpTvX86n8
MerkinMuffly 1 month ago
the difference is. Pete was a showman. He could show up to the game after drinking all night partying and would put on a show. That is why people went to see his games. To see him electrify the crowd. Even if they lost. His teammates disliked him. And would miss passes to attempt to make him look bad. Larry bird on the other hand made his teammates and didn't care who scored as long as they won. Complete opposite players.
strawhatmd 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The Pacers played the Lakers for the NBA championship in 2000. Larry Bird was the Pacers coach and he screwed us, the Pacers, by playing his buddy Chris Mullin over Jalen Rose. Mullin was a good player in his day with Golden State, but he was an old, washed up player with the Pacers. All Mullin did was get beat defensively and brick three pointers. Jalen was in his prime and could have helped slow down Kobe. Shame on you Bird!!!
JayGatsbyOdysseus 2 months ago
PETE RULEZ STAY SERBIAN! ;)
DFxCOMPxPRO 3 months ago
If you switched them and put Bird on Pete's team and Pete on Bird's team, Pete would have 3 rings and MVP's, and Bird would just be a great player
sabbathgodsofmetal 3 months ago
Larry Bird is better.
USLbeast 3 months ago
@USLbeast Give me Pistol Pete over Bird.Pistal Pete is the best college player ever!!
jason60152 3 months ago
@jason60152 this isn't even a seriousquestion. Bird ws one ofthe best players ever. Pete was a freak show who had little value to a basketbal team. Its a joke that ignorant people think that highly of Pete.
45arther 2 months ago
@45arther Larry Turd is overrated.Pete can take over the game like no other.Give me Steve Nash over Larry Bird to start a franchise.Larry Bird got lucky because he had a good team.
jason60152 2 months ago
@jason60152 lol..good on. thas why when bird came into the league on an awful celtics team and turned them arunnd right away. And this after leading Indiana State with nobodye lse to the finals after going unbeaten. While Pete never led hs teams anywhere ever. I would take Nash over Pete but laughable to say Nash over Bird. Ignorant Really.
45arther 2 months ago
@45arther Nash makes his team better, Bird doesn't.Bird couldn't win championships without Kevin Mchale.I would even take Jason Williams in his prime over Larry Bird.Pete,Nash and Williams are 3 white guys I can say are better then Bird.I hate when people say Bird is the best white basketball player ever.Bird is a legend but his game was boring and Magic Johnson owned him.
jason60152 2 months ago
@jason60152 LOL. Williiams. LOL Magic owned him.. LOL. He didn'tmake hs teaates better..LOL His gam was boring..I guess I got taken by a troll. Good job man.
45arther 2 months ago
@45arther YOU GOT SCHOOLED BY THAT DUDE-- AND RULED ON--- there was nothing to special about bird- he was good but thats all
2323giggity 2 months ago
@2323giggity When Bird arrived Boston went straight to the top. When Bird left, Boston went to the cellar for 22 years. When you said there was nothing to special about Bird it makes you look foolish.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride bird was a good player but by no means could he ever carry a team by himself. Just did'nt have that in him, with his teamates , yes he was good, but not great. so if your not great , then you are not that special either. JORDAN KOBE they are great, they can do it by themselves as they have shown time and again, also lebron blows dog=== so take your ''big time celtic pride '' and cheer for your team and i'll cheer for mine. the basketball god has spoken-later dude
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity You're making a complete idiot of yourself. Bird would make the top 5 on just about everybody's starting list except for maybe your list. Newsflash...when MJ came to Chicago they went nowhere for 7 years until they got Pippen. Shaq carried LA for Kobe's first 3 titles and when Shaq left Kobe failed to make the finals. Then he had to wait for Gasol to win the next title. Like I said, when Bird came to Boston he took them to the top. When he left they went to the cellar for 22 years.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride MAN, you have got to be the biggest jerk i have ever heard, you don;t know hog jowl's from horse shit. Take your precious celtics and stick'em up your ass, and why the fuck would they want to trade rondo, he made them last season. Bird is in my list of top 50 players ever at # 28, to slow and sometimes very lazy--- the true basketball god has spoken
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity Bird's lifetime record vs Jordan 33-11. Bird's playoff record vs Jordan 6-0 for 2 sweeps. How many rings did you say Jordan won without Pippen? Oh, I thought you said Jordan could carry a team by himself? How many rings does Kobe have without Shaq or Gasol? Dang, I thought he could carry the team by himself too. Your ranking Bird at 28 is possibly the dumbest sports comment I have ever seen.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride Your basketball knowledge is showing through-- you are as sharp as a bowling ball, . You don't know what you don't know, get an education on the sport and what greatness truly is. then and only then will you be able to go on the court young grasshopper and impress your celt friends , but you still won't impress anyone else. If you are still reading this then you have a serious problem, try watching Jordan highlights they always cheer me up ,you Boston fool, -rondo?
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity I don't need to watch Jordan highlights. I got to see him lose numerous times against Bird's Celtics. One particular game I atteneded the Bulls were in foul trouble so they had Jordan cover Bird for the quarter. Both of them scored on each other but Bird was outplaying him with his rebounds and passing just like he did to everyone else. That's kind of a shocker considering you said Jordan could carry a team by himself.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@2323giggity You mentioned Bird was slow and lazy. It's funny because I was at the game in the garden and watched Bird absolutely destroy Scotty Pippen and Pippen was a better defender than Jordan or Kobe.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride hahahahahahaha man get a life . JUST FACE IT, BIRD ISN'T THAT SPECIAL, and quit reading all your bull out of some celtic book. why do you avoid the rondo trade, because you know they should keep him and i just heard lakers got chris paul and traded odom and gasol--WOW-- are you near tv can you confirm that trade. you love Boston and i love LAKERS, so i'll see you in the finals, if you get by chicago, the true basketball god has spoken
2323giggity 1 month ago
@BigTimePride YUP, WE GOT CHRIS PAUL AND I HEAR THAT NEXT TO SIGN IS DWIGHT HOWARD, hey boston can you say DYNASTY IN LA---- hahahahahahahaha
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity Paul is a great addition for LA but the Lakers are going nowhere without Gasol & Odom. You had better hope they land Howard or it will be another failure season for your pretty boy Lakers.
I avoid talking about the Rondo trade because it makes me sick. He's the key that makes the engine run in Boston. Hopefully the trade don't happen. As for Lakers you're right...I hate them! As for Bird, he sure gave you Lakers fans plenty of fits over the years & every other fan base as well.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride well they [david stern ] squashed the trade to LA, and said that paul has to stay in new orleans , he cannot be traded. so i know boston also wanted to get him and now they can't either, what is up? I'll tell you whats up, stern is trying to make sure that there are no more power house teams , and why, so his new favorite player and his hope to be the new ambassador of the NBA, CAN WIN A TITLE and who might that be you ask? You know who, it's Lebron-- I HATE HIM
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity Lebron gonna still get a ring.How can you like Bird and not Lebron? Kobe Bryant got enough rings.Let Lebron get one.I wanted to see Chris Paul go to the Lakers because the Heat and the Lakers would be a epic finals game.Kobe going for 6 and Chris Paul,Bosh and Lebron trying to get they first ring.Lebron is better then Bird you can't argue with that.They both small forwards too.Better matchup then Nash and Williams becuase they both point guards.
jason60152 1 month ago
@jason60152 You think Lebron is better than Bird? Did you watch him in the Finals? Lebron choked bad. He couldn't even post up Shawn Marion. Bird would've destroyed Marion. Every single small forward list that we see has Bird rated the greatest SF of all time.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride Lebron almost averaged 20 points in the finals.He didn't choke just tried to get his teammates involved.Shawn Marion can't guard Lebron for real.C'Mon man!! Even Shawn Marion said that Lebron is the best small forward ever.Bird can't take over the game the way Lebron does.Bird never had 2 seasons where he averaged over 30 points a game.
jason60152 1 month ago
@jason60152 Are you in denial? Did you watch the Finals? Hear the post game interviews? Lebron choked plain & simple & it's not the first time he has choked.
Btw..Their scoring average is very comparabe. However, Bird was the better shooter (higher FG%), better passer (best passing small foward ever), better rebounder, better FT shooter, better 3 pt shooter & a way better clutch player. Bird would've destroyed Shawn Marion.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride You act like Shawn Marion doesn't have any defense. SMH. Lebron is a better dunker than Bird,better ball handler than Bird,better defense then Bird,more triple doubles then Bird,and a better shot blocker and he still has a lot more years ahead of him.You must forgot Magic Johnson said if another guy can average a triple double in the league right now it is King James.Once King James win a couple rings then you will witness his true greatness.
jason60152 1 month ago
@jason60152 Bird is 5th all time in triple doubles behind only Oscar, Magic, Wilt & Kidd. A better dunker? 2 points is 2 points doesn't matter how you make them. Lebron is a good ball handler but so was Bird (prob equal). I agree Lebron is a better shot blocker & he has the edge as the individual defender but Bird was the better help defender. Bird was also better with clutch defensive plays. Btw.. Bird averaged a triple double in the 86 Finals. James has a ways to go to be up there with Bird.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@jason60152 I can understand Lebron getting his teammates involved, but when the big game is on the line he needs to be the guy making the big shots and he simply chokes under the pressure. Bird also got his teammates involved but when the game was on the line he would nail game changing daggers throughout his entire career.
BigTimePride 1 month ago 2
@2323giggity I don't blame you and other Lakers fans for being ticked off. I heard a bunch of the owners flipped out and that gave Stern a great excuse to try stopping the trade. I agree he loves Lebron and wants him to win a title. It's sickening the way certain guys in the league are catered to. I also heard that Howard is very interested in playing for the Nets so that doesn't look good for LA. Stern might not allow it to happen anyways. I'm so happy the Lakers are headed for the cellar haha
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride nice one, but we are a long way from the cellar= still got pau and odom, if he stops blating about it. Cannot wait til xmas and first games, LA vs CHICAGO i think, should be a good one and a good early season test. How about the celts, who do they play first? Stay in touch dude your alright, it's good to talk bball with another great fan of the game. i never meant what i said about bird and the celts--NOT- GOTCHA ON THAT ONE- FOR THE CELLAR JOKE. --later man
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity Celts play NY on X-Mas day.Looks like Boston will get David West. Could be a nice pick up if he's healthy. We traded Big Baby to the Magic for Brandon Bass. I heard the CP3 deal still might happen & that will send Odom to the Hornets and Gasol to the Rockets. The Lakers would need to upgrade the frontcourt but they could use Bynum as trade bait. If the Lakers get Howard & CP3, I'm gonna go into a great depression haha. You're alright as well
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride Well both our teams are off to a bad start, mine more so than yours. Big games for both teams tonight though.You have to beat the Heat, so yes I will be rooting for the celts. LA needs a win tonight bigtime, can't wait til Bynum's suspension is lifted [2 more games] and Pau isn't playing to well either at the moment, but we are LA so we will get it together . YOUR CELTIC'S HAD BETTER WIN TONIGHT--- good luck, talk to ya later
2323giggity 1 month ago
@2323giggity Well, the Celtics looked decent without Paul Pierce but Miami was clearly the better team. That rookie pg for Miami was a huge pick up for them. He took over the game & was nailing daggers down the stretch. He looks much better than a rookie! Consdering it's early in the season the Celtics have fresh legs & were able to make a run at the end of this game. However, as the season wears on the Celtics are going to wear down. Btw..Congrats on your 1st win. LA needed that win bad.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@jason60152 How many rings did Magic with without Kareem? You're a fool if you think Nash or Williams was better than Bird. Btw...McHale wasn't even a starter when Bird won his first ring.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@BigTimePride Magic still won a ring his rookie season.Also Kareem got hurt and Magic had to play center in the playoffs.If Nash or Williams in they prime had Bird's team they would win at least won one ring too.Bird had a better career then Williams but Williams was more fun to watch and the coaches hated on his and 1 style of play.
jason60152 1 month ago
@jason60152 If Nash or Williams played for Boston in the 80s in place of Bird, which guy is going to grab all those crucial rebounds? Which guy is going to nail those daggers in the end? How about the clutch steals? Nash is a great player & he can pass/score but that's about it. Williams is a flashy player, but he couldn't carry Bird's jockstrap. Neither one of them could do everything Bird could do. If you need 15 rebounds Bird could do it. If you need 40 points or a clutch steal etc..it's Bird
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@jason60152 Btw...Magic wouldn't have made it to the Finals during his rookie season without Kareem. In LA, Kareem was the "go to" guy when they needed shots down the stretch. In Boston, it was Bird. You switch Parish and Jabbar and Boston wins 6 or 7 titles.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@45arther Bird wasn't the only reason for that change. You are making it into a 1 man show, and its not! It takes a supporting cast to make a team great! Larry was a great player, but your making him out to be the only reason they went 61-21 that year. Wrong! Speaking of pete, need i remind you he was on that same team your speaking of, and in his final year in the nba at that. Guess the celtics and "larry" needed some help from a guy "who had little value to a team" huh? Ignorant ppl
passion8kaos 2 months ago
@passion8kaos more trolng? Pete played 24 games with th Celtics. Nw you wnt to give him credit..LOL.
It ws Bird son and everyone new it..
45arther 2 months ago
@passion8kaos Bird was the primary reason for the jump from 29 wins in 79 to 60 wins in 80. Did the C's have some talent besides him? Yes. But it was Bird that maximized the talent. I have a hard time seeing the 80 C's even having a winning record w/o Bird.
FavreianVengeance 2 months ago
@passion8kaos Boston didn't pick Pete up until halfway through the season after the Jazz released him. The Celtics were already on top before he got there. You can try to dismiss Bird as the reason for the Celtics huge turnaround, but the fact is Bird put them on top.
BigTimePride 1 month ago
@jason60152 You can have Pistol on your team and when he plays against Bird's team Pistol will be packing up his guns and going home because he got beat. Bird was a better shooter at 53% vs Pete's 44% and Bird pulled down 13.3 rebounds a game to Pete's 6.4. Bird also was a great passer = 4.6 assists per game to Pete's 5.1 Bird wanted to win and did. Pete just wanted to put on a show.
mrho4speed 3 weeks ago
the pistol never had a solid team to play with and be contenders like LB... simply tragic!
wornoutshoes11 3 months ago
Maravich brought the no look passes, outlet passes (second only to Wes Unseld), dribbling tricks to the NBA, without him, you wouldn't see people worshipping LeBron or something like that
asktheNBAguru 4 months ago
If Maravich had a more stable life off the court (he battled some depression I think and he turned to Christianity after he retired and was fine) and a better team, he would've done amazing things
It's amazing he did a that with one ventricle in his heart, but one day he died from it, undiagnosed previously
asktheNBAguru 4 months ago
@asktheNBAguru
Hahahahahahahahahaha, only one ventricle? Hahahahahahahahaha. He probably wouldn't have made it past infancy with only one ventricle. He only had one functioning coronary artery, not one ventricle; there is a huge difference.
masanf 4 months ago
Larry Bird was a overall better basketball player than Maravich
Pistol Pete was the most talented player EVER in the NBA (talent, not result)
Bird was a great SCORER
Maravich was a great Scorer AND Shooter (there's a difference)
Bird played with the 3-ball for most of his career
Maravich retired in 1980 due to injury, in 1980, the 3-ball was introduced, but in limited playing time, he hit 10 for 15
Bird was clutch, Maravich was crafty
asktheNBAguru 4 months ago
@asktheNBAguru
The claim that Maravich was a better shooter than BIrd is flat out wrong. Percentage-wise he isn't even close to Bird, a fact made more remarkable when you consider that Bird took waaay more low percentage three-pointers than Maravich. Bird's NBA FG percentage is more than 7% points better than Maravich's and his college percentage is 10% points better than Maravich's, and college basketball is where the vast majority of Maravich's fame was earned.
masanf 4 months ago
@masanf yeah college basketball where Pete's father let him shoot whenever he wanted. Pete never even got close to a NCAA tourney. Its a joke to call him the best ever even in college. In pro he rarely made an all start team, yet some kids on youtube are calling him the best. God I hate ignorance.
45arther 2 months ago
@45arther what are you a lebron fan--- FUCK YOU----- PISTOL WAS GREAT !!!!!!!
2323giggity 2 months ago
@45arther I know, these idiots on here think that just because they are white, they must be the same player, what a joke. Bird had a better points, rebounds, assists, steals & blocks per game. Bird was a better shooter with 50% fg and ft% than Pete so what exactly does Pete do better than Bird? I know, he commits more turnovers per game than Bird. Pete belonged with the Globetrotters, not the NBA.
MerkinMuffly 1 month ago
A friend of mine told me he went to a one of pete's camps (which he really popularized summer camps) but he was doing a demonstration to the crowd and the campers on how to shoot, and the proper technique for 30 mins, and for those 30min pete didn't miss a shot.
Speedrtr 5 months ago
In my opinion Larry Bird had a better career and he was a more complete player but Pete Maravich is the most talented basketballer in history.
PhillyDippy5 6 months ago
EAT A DICK WMG.
FavreianVengeance 6 months ago
Respect for bird but pete is better more skills
cikular 7 months ago 8
@cikular You obviously dont know much about basketball. Yeah pete was the better ballhandler, and had some fancy layups but hes a fucking pg/sg.. Bird is a sf/pf what do you expect? Skill isnt all about ballhandling and fancy layups.
lololsdadsa 2 months ago
@cikular Yea I'd say Pete had more skills. But what Bird could do at the forward spot is heads and shoulders above the rest.
FavreianVengeance 2 months ago
@cikular both have more skills than kobe and far better players
bootiack 1 month ago
@cikular Respect for Pete but Bird is much better. Bird = better shooter, better rebounder, just as good of a passer, better defender and better will to win. Pete was better ball handler but thats about it. Pete didn't win and Bird did win at every level. Bird better leader and really did make his teammates better. Pete was fun to watch but Bird is who you want if you want to win the game.
mrho4speed 3 weeks ago
Pete was more spectacular, and had more habilities.bird have more champion DNA in his personality, no more(and this is very much).but i prrefer Pistol without pistol Magic don´t exist and nash,kidd, Williams, Rubio...is the necesary evolution.
esTebanLRD 7 months ago
Pete was more spectacular, and had more habilities.bird have more champion DNA in his personality, no more(and this is very much).
esTebanLRD 7 months ago
pete beat bird on on one bird cant dunk
wilzusuki 8 months ago
If Maravich had been on a team like the Celtics that preached team play, I think he'd probably be mentioned in the same breath as Larry, Magic, etc. Kind of like if Bill Walton hadn't had all those leg & foot problems....
generalbullmoose 8 months ago
But why didnt maravich ever win a championship? I cant think of any top pg's in his era except maybe walt frazier? Probably why he'll never be considered on larry's level
sicknero1 8 months ago
@sicknero1 he actually did win a championship. with the celtics
mandalorian40 8 months ago
@mandalorian40 pistol pete never won a ring. the celts won it the year after he retired.
eDub5750 7 months ago
@sicknero1 you take Larry Birds worst teammate and he would be the best player pete ever played with.
taxidriver2929 7 months ago 5
@taxidriver2929 Just look real hard someone Pete played with must have been better than Greg Kite.
Paniro123 6 months ago
@taxidriver2929 Must be frustrating to be the most talented basketball player and having the worst teammates you can ever imagine.
PhillyDippy5 6 months ago
@taxidriver2929 That would be Pistol Pete who Bird played with in 1980.
MerkinMuffly 1 month ago
(Cont.) also issues in his personal life that if he didn't have he would have been the greatest ever maybe... His mom shot herself and died, he had problems with alcohol that messed him up a lot... In other words, Pete was his own downfall... He lived his life haunted by things from his life... He even wanted to just die at some points... The good thing is he finally pulled himself together after he left basketball and before he died... just couldnt save his career
IxToxicXx 9 months ago
Pete is possibly the most talented player in history, when he was healthy and on his game no one could stop him and if you dont believe that you can ask the people that played against him in his 68 point game.... However people will always point to the stats and base it on that. Pistol was injured almost his whole career in the NBA... When he finally established himself as the best player in the league with the New Orleans Jazz he went and hurt his knee... He was never the same again. There were
IxToxicXx 9 months ago 2
@IxToxicXx No "possiblys" about it. Nobody could do what Pete did, nor ever has.
gmdinformation 8 months ago
@gmdinformation and I agree... he's my inspiration in basketball
IxToxicXx 8 months ago
@IxToxicXx I just watched a YT video yesterday where Bill Walton was talking about Pete. he mentioned some guy who had gone through every play sheet of every game Pete played in college to find out the distance of every shot. With that, he was able to calculate how many of his shots would have counted as 3-pointers by today's standards. By his figures, Pete would have averaged 57-points per game. No one will ever do anything like that again. Look here: watch?v=zk-JJX2SRHc
gmdinformation 8 months ago
Battle of the Great White Hopes!! Both were way overrated!
92463mike 9 months ago
@92463mike If Larry Bird never hurt his back he would be considered the greatest player of all time.
ZNYNICK80 7 months ago
Pete - more talented; .Larry - better player
emmettk 10 months ago
In a one-on-one match, I believe Pete will win!!
jan279 10 months ago 4
They're both great, about the same
impassable 10 months ago
This comparison is really ridiculous! Bird was a better shooter, scorer, rebounder, passer, defender, winner. Pistol could probably school him on growing a better stache, but that's it. We really have to compare them because they're both white? No comparison.
neeks6 11 months ago
@neeks6 Better passer? Are you kidding? Pistol Pete is arguably the best passer in NBA history!!
jan279 11 months ago 2
@jan279 The highlights would suggest that he is, the numbers say otherwise. Not old enough to see any of his games. Maybe passer is too limited, maybe I should say Bird was the better playmaker
neeks6 10 months ago
@jan279 No. Not even close. Cousy was the best passer. Bird could be more creative than anyone else on the court, and he always did whatever it took to win, without resorting to being a crybaby (such as Bill Laimbeer). If Maravich had been a "genius" he would have found ways to make his teammates better, instead of grabbing the headlines for himself.
DeedsResearcher 10 months ago
@MrNotyag He played like he was by himself.
neeks6 11 months ago
Thehatcher5 Pete Maravich played by himself Larry bird doesn't compare to pistol and never will
flaburgastedbunny 11 months ago
pg pistol
sg jordan
sf bird
pf the big ticket
c wilt
BgTiket21 11 months ago
No comparison, Pete did it with half a heart muscle.
nourbutwatmi 11 months ago
Pistol was great, a wizard. From an "All around player comparison" there is no comparison to Bird...Not even close...Pistol did not nearly impact the NBA like did the NCAA. Bird was a WAY more complete player.
thehatcher5 1 year ago 2
Larry Bird will try to knock yo ass out
swiischeeseisnasty 1 year ago
Pete was the most talented basketball player that ever lived. It didn't translate to championships but I'm talking about pure basketaball talent.
morganjeffa12 1 year ago
WMG are you kidding?!?! he has the fucking song download!!!
trevdawg62 1 year ago
Pistol Pete or MJ?
jan279 1 year ago
@jan279 Are u kidding?
hottentot 1 year ago
@hottentot Huh? Is there anything wrong with what I said?
jan279 1 year ago
@jan279 Pistol.
MuffinManTF 1 year ago
pete maravich scored 44.2 ppg. without a 3 point line. holy crap
Akwon872 1 year ago
Chris Mullins was in their class too
tellthetruthg 1 year ago
why vs? it should be how the NBA evolved. Look at the how the game has changed. Each time a new hybrid is born a new one takes its place. One day the NBA will have to raise the basket or widen the floor cause these cats have raised the level of play to where they will run out of places to go. Passing, shooting, not to mention the quickness, jumping the kids have now. Luv don't hate the new breed
tellthetruthg 1 year ago
Larry Bird was really good at basketball but Pistol Pete was unworldly!
seandeyoung01 1 year ago
pete for sure
MrGetsTheGirl 1 year ago
Bird's all around game makes him the easy choice here. Pistol is great, amazing to watch and sad that he doesn't get the attention he deserves. But if you're building a team Bird is who you want. Pete put up bigger scoring #'s but was not as good a shooter as Bird. Look at the shooting %. Want unbaised proof? Freethrow % is equal distance and unguarded, Bird was better. His career proved it, he made his teammates better.
mrho4speed 1 year ago 3
larry has to get the edge. they play different positions so it is hard to truly compare but if I am a GM and need to build a franchise...I'd take Bird. You have more versatility with a 6'9" forward who can shoot, pass, rebound, defend over a 6'5" guy who can shoot and pass. Pete wasn't known for his defense
mekes12 1 year ago
They were both great but I think Larry has the edge. I'd take him on my team over Pete.
JacobReesor 1 year ago
I would never argue with L. Bird. But can you imagine Pete playin with Parrish, Mchale etc. I think the best he ever had on his team was Lou Hudson. And he was mad about Pete's contract and would resist Pete. Of course he had L Bird at the end of his career. Give Pete some players. And I would put him among the top 20 or 25 of all time. Maybe higher if I had time to think about it. He was unstopable.
vonvonvon24 1 year ago
Can you actually compare a guy who played with 3 fellow hall of famers and a few all-stars compared to a guy who didn't? One was ahead of his time, flashy, had teammates confused when he would sling a bullet behind his back with his lefthand off their head in traffic, the other was mostly fundamental. Bird was a winner, but Pistol was far too ahead of his time to be appreciated.
I'd take Bird unless it was one on one... Pistol would beat most player. Creativity and insanity works...
TexasPsychoK 1 year ago
bird would not back down.....
kingmawuli 1 year ago
pete maravich was the ultimate scorer on a losing team, a phenomenal passer as well but bird was fortunate that a dynasty was build around him..both good relentless scorers.
tmh1717 1 year ago
Like comparing apples and oranges ...
jsbruzina 1 year ago
Larry Bird - Had a winning record and made the playoffs every year he played, Pistol Pete - Had a losing record every year he played in the NBA, except his last, which happened to be the 1980 Celtics with a rookie Bird, 'nuff said.
MerkinMuffly 1 year ago
@MerkinMuffly how is that nuff said? Bird had good people on his team, pete had nobody, not 1 person can win a nba title all by themselves
blackeyejim 1 year ago 2
yes but pistol was a pioneer and most of his career there was no 3 point line.larry bird was also a great player but had a better team aswell..............im not sure who was a better shooter but pisol was a better ball handler and was very creative........so really you cant judge who was better. they both have their own special characteristics which make them great.
HunterAaronBall 1 year ago
@MerkinMuffly Larry Bird never had to play for an expansion franchise. Bill Walton said playing against the Jazz was liking playing 5 against 1.
ytubesound 1 year ago 2
I wisih that Pistol had played in the old ABA it would have been as if he was still in college.
dal4018 1 year ago
Probebly Pete would have beaten Bird in one on one game, but basketball is team sport and larry was so much more then one on one showman...
peskelj 1 year ago
larry jus copyed all of pistols moves pistol had 2 come up wit al of the thows fakes finger rolls passes driibilig
spneverfail 1 year ago
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ripcurlgurl855 1 year ago
I can see where Larry learned some of his tricks
The Last Great American sportsman
L A R R Y !!!!!!!!! L A R R Y
markmustb1 1 year ago
@markmustb1 Mark any and all fancy passes done by Brid in his prime he learned from watching LA Laker highlights when Magic was playing no offense to Pete.Bird said this himself in a recent documentary on HBO but if Bird had been playing when Pete was in his prime I think he would have picked some MAJOR POINTERS from the top showman in NBA annuals.
dal4018 1 year ago
I think Pistol Pete was where NBA skills all began. Fakes... finger rolls... He was a great skilled-ball player. The only thing that he didn't have what Bird, Magic, Jordan have is the ability to win. Pistol Pete was so focused on his wizardry that sometimes winning becomes a 2nd priority. So Skill for Skill... Pete had an edge... but since it's about who is better in the game of basketball particularly the NBA... I think Bird is overwhelmingly better. period. As an icon, I like Pete better.
BarkongKaraan 2 years ago
The biggest issue is that Bird was a forward and Pete a guard. So I dont know how you compare the 2. But I will add that maravich scored 800 more points then Bird during his college career so there no comparison in that dept for college. Bird played a longer career NBA. But lets add that Pistols whole career the MVP was given to centers. 6 of them were Kareem, in Pistols 10 yr career. They both averaged 24 points per game. Pete led NBA record season pts scored 76 -77 yr.
tfonz71 2 years ago
I don't remember seeing PP play much defense. Though defense certainly wasn't LB's strength, I think his anticipation and overall basketball IQ made him a better defensive player and a superior player, overall, to anyone who's played the game. He did what needed to be done when it needed to be done in order for his team to win. AND he did it night in and night out for a lot of years. He made everyone around him a better player.
Stoplightcity 2 years ago
maravich is the most overrated player ever. his teams were never even any good. great players make teams good. bird did everything better then maravich. he was a better scorer,rebounder,defender,passer. bird won 3 mvp's to maraviches zero. bird was first team all nba basicaly for his entire career. pete was named once or twice. to com-pare these 2 is a joke. bird is one of the top 5 players ever, maravich was lucky to be top 50.
arther1045 2 years ago
@arther1045
I love Larry Bird, but you're an IDIOT!
MarkCoupons 1 year ago
@MarkCoupons yea those were some of the dumbest statements Ive ever heard. People talk about winning games so much. Fuck that! Watching Pistol Pete is like watching an artist at work..
atl2maryland 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
pistol pete is amazing but if had been athletic he might have been the 2nd best. Jordan is the best to ever pick up a ball.
23EricMiller 2 years ago
lol, you were born w/o all 46 of your chromosomes if you think a 6'5'' wizard with a ball wasnt athletic. and youre wrong, pistol is the best human to ever pick up a ball.
pittsburghnc 2 years ago
Yeah, I don't get where people suddenly (WRONGLY!!) decided that Pistol somehow wasn't an athletic player. Look @ those shots & passes that he pulls off: it takes an ATHLETIC player to be able to do that IMO.
TheLegendfamily 1 year ago
@pittsburghnc than larry bird wasnt a human then, he must have been a machine.
abcsto 1 year ago
Maravich was a PG and Larry Bird was a SF? how the fk do you compare two different players? its like comparing Chris Paul and Dwight Howard!
FrostJeremin 2 years ago
okay maybe Chris Paul and LeBron , not Howard.
FrostJeremin 2 years ago
Pete was the first street baller of the NBA. He had some nasty moves that Bird coudnt even top... hell most NBA players today cant pull the stuff he did. However Bird was the better package.
willsmackyoudown 2 years ago
Agreed, Bird was the more dominant player once he stepped onto the court IMO.
TheLegendfamily 1 year ago
they played completely diff styles,its impossible to compare them
mrkleasure 2 years ago 3
Who's comparing the two?
I know they played in two different eras. But I would still take Larry Bird in his era over Pete Maravich in his era.
JustMeAbe 2 years ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
Are you CRAZY????!!!!!!!!
dal4018 2 years ago
Actually I believe they played on the same team for a little while. I think Pete was more versatile, just my opinion.
Rictof 2 years ago 20
They played together, I believe for 1 season only. He was already a shell of his former self. That year, Boston also had Nate "Tiny" Archibald - another great. After the season, Pistol retired. Still, Pistol's era was the 70s. Bird's era was the 80s.
JustMeAbe 2 years ago
I can see where this falls together. Thanks for the sports trivia :)
Rictof 2 years ago
@Rictof they did in bird's rookie season...u are right!
oswilt2000 1 year ago
@Rictof They were teammates for one year. Both were great, but Maravich not nearly as great as Bird. Didn't love the game as much by the time he got to the NBA, didn't have the work ethic either. Quit because he no longer wanted to practice hard. Nothing wrong with that, he was burned out.
vantalge 1 year ago
@vantalge this is s rediculous comparison. Bird is a ton better then maravich. That people are even comparing them is rediculous. Check how many times Bird was NBA first team and how many times Maravich was.
Maravich was a guy who looks good in high light videos. Bird is one of the 6 greatest players ever. Stupid comparison.
God I get tired of foolishness.
45arther 1 year ago
@45arther HA! who do you think Bird's idle was? where do you think he got the idea of behind the back passes, between the leg shit, practicing all day?! I get tired of people like YOU that don't know what their talking about!
trevdawg62 1 year ago
@trevdawg62 you are the one that doesn't know what he is talking about. That i get tired of. YOu are comparing one of the greatest players ever with a guy who make the all nba team how many times. tell us.
i was areound when maravich played. not a big deal in the pros.. hot dog that had little value to a basketball team. tired of idiots
45arther 1 year ago 2
@Rictof love pete maravich, but Larry bird is one of the top 10 players of all time! scored as much as pete, had many great passes like pete, way more steals, handled the ball like a guard at 6'9" and was a much better rebounder. Plus he won 3 championships, Pete never came close.
Larry also made the players around him better were pete was a more selfish player.
bird 24.3 pts. 10.0 reb. 6.3 assists.
Pete 24.2 pts. 4.2 reb 5.4 assists
zapfan1 10 months ago
@Rictof
Actually, you are wrong on the first of your conjectures... the second is opinion.
kingarthurup 7 months ago
@Rictof yeah they did. During Bird's early years. Pete wasn't that player during that time.
epics7 7 months ago
@Rictof Pete was more versatile with ball handling, passing they were equal(pistol was a combo guard passed by default b/c of his size)...but rebounding, scoring, defense, FT's, 3's it was bird all day. Pistol had the talent I just don't think he had the killer instinct and the application in big moments like bird did. Plus he died so early..can't really asses who's better for certain.
usnate1 7 months ago
Comment removed
masanf 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Rictof
Pete Maravich more versatile than Larry Bird? You have got to be kidding me. Bird averaged 24.3 points per game, 6.3 assists per game and and 10.0 rebounds per game for his career. Maravich averaged 24.2 ppg, 5.4 apg and 4.2 rpg. In what way was Maravich more versatile than Bird?
Maravich was flashier than Bird, and that is about it.
masanf 4 months ago
Comment removed
masanf 4 months ago
give me MAGIC any day
morals79 2 years ago
Maravich is one of my Top 3 Favorite Players of All-Time, but I'd take Bird over him anytime. Bird's all-around game is superior to Maravich's; especially on the defensive end. Maravich wasn't much of a rebounder. Also, Bird was a better clutch player who made things happen.
JustMeAbe 2 years ago 3
Better rebounder and better passer on the half-court.
Ariamaluum 2 years ago
Bird played Defense?
ALERT THE MEDIA!!!!!!
IwantJenniferConelly 2 years ago
top 30 all-time for steals
2nd team all-defense 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984
ranked no lower than top 6 for def. reb. per season
ranked no lower than top 10 for total reb. per season
ranked no lower than top 10 def. rating per season
Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 Boston vs. Detroit. Larry Bird steals the inbound pass, and passes to Dennis Johnson for the winning basket. A memorable moment in Celtics folklore.
JustMeAbe 2 years ago 14
@JustMeAbe 3 championships - 5 times in the NBA finals total. 3 league MVP's in a row. Multiple time finals MVP. dozens of buzzer beaters. Pete and larry both great, but larry was able to get his team to the big stage and perform there as well!
zapfan1 10 months ago