JJ Redikk "Stephen Curry plays against more physicality defense than Birds era". Dominique Wilkins responds

[Jplaya2023]

nique was not chasing bird up, down, and across the three point line on and off ball all game from the tip off til the last buzzer

that's not the game they were playing

He wasn't? Who was Bird's primary defender on the Hawks? Kevin Willis? Doc Rivers? Tree Rollins?

Was the hawks defensive game plan was to let larry roam free? Boston offensive scheme wasnt heavy 3pt shooting

 

[In The Zone '98]

They definitely fouled harder.

But if every game was 125-115 anyway. What's there to brag about?

Mike had 69 in a playoff game. Did they forget to punch him the face that game??

 

[nyknick]

Redikk trying to be the new Skip

The inevitable progression of every sports commentator whether it's a reporter or a former athlete.

Tim Legler might be the only one that didn't turn into a complete hot take merchant

 

[Flex Luger]

This back in the day vs today debate is so tiresome and boring

 

[Legal]

this is like the third or fourth time JJ's comments got taken out of context - then presented to someone else haphazardly to create a 'debate' lol.... its probably purposeful at this point but either way

they were not chasing guys around the perimeter like that in bird's era at all.

It's entirely on purpose. Framing shyt like this is going to get way more engagement than saying something like "Offenses prioritize the three point shot in a way they didn't in the 80s, so defenses are way more aggressive in defending perimeter shooters."

 

[RhodyRum]

It's entirely on purpose. Framing shyt like this is going to get way more engagement than saying something like "Offenses prioritize the three point shot in a way they didn't in the 80s, so defenses are way more aggressive in defending perimeter shooters."

But it was JJ who decided to spice up his banal point to obviously get more engagement

 

[42 Monks]

He wasn't? Who was Bird's primary defender on the Hawks? Kevin Willis? Doc Rivers? Tree Rollins?

Was the hawks defensive game plan was to let larry roam free? Boston offensive scheme wasnt heavy 3pt shooting

cmon now. a floppy was some next level Xs and Os shyt back then

naming names is not the same as describing the schemes in play. you will not find clips of bird being held and bumped through multiple screens off the ball while the score is still 0-0 like how defenses have to do curry and the noteworthy shooters of this generation.

hell, bird wasn't even seeing the same defenses that reggie was either. its not some heresy to speak on.

It's entirely on purpose. Framing shyt like this is going to get way more engagement than saying something like "Offenses prioritize the three point shot in a way they didn't in the 80s, so defenses are way more aggressive in defending perimeter shooters."

only because people aren't even used to that kind of discussion in basketball anymore lol

espn got folks so looped up in hell nah/yes damnit talking head bs that commentary outside of that just looks weird these days... clipping half the discussion and passing it around to make others flip out is just procedure now

 

[SchoolboyC]

Of course they're guarding it differently if the offense is using that shot at a more voluminous rate.

My overall point is that it's completely obvious to the point that it doesn't need to be said, and it sure as hell doesn't need to be couched in a way that disrepects old guard legends, ESPECIALLY old guard legends who not only saved the league but helped propel it into another stratosphere.

JJ took something that an 8 year old could figure out, seasoned it with some generational culture war nonsense, and all just to raise his own profile with ridiculous hot takes. In other words, he took a can of Chef Boyardee, sprinkled in some oregano and paprika, and now wants to be regarded as a Master Chef for cooking an unnecessarily stupid dish.

I don’t see how saying that Steph Curry is a better 3-pt shooter than Larry Bird and that the degree of difficulty on his 3-pt attempts is higher because of the way he’s guarded is “disrespecting the old guard” but we can agree to disagree

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

Redikk trying to be the new Skip

Exactly which he has credibility, skip doesn't lmaoo

 

[klientel]

you can’t have this discussion with old heads.

They still think fouls are good defense.

“Back then we played DEFENSE!!!”

Then they show a clip of Charles Oakley dragon punching a nikka in mid air

 

[Legal]

cmon now. a floppy was some next level Xs and Os shyt back then

naming names is not the same as describing the schemes in play. you will not find clips of bird being held and bumped through multiple screens off the ball while the score is still 0-0 like how defenses have to do curry and the noteworthy shooters of this generation.

hell, bird wasn't even seeing the same defenses that reggie was either. its not some heresy to speak on.

only because people aren't even used to that kind of discussion in basketball anymore lol

espn got folks so looped up in hell nah/yes damnit talking head bs that commentary outside of that just looks weird these days... clipping half the discussion and passing it around to make others flip out is just procedure now

Exactly. Ages ago, a statement like this would be backed up with a quick telestrator session breaking down an average highlight show the difference in how defenses worked. Now, it's just throwing folks out there to die on the hill of "But the old NBA was the best! "

 

[Raw Sauce]

JJ is lowkey turning into one the league's premiere madmakers in retirement

If he can keep this pace up he might even get into the NBA Madmaking HoF

 

[Lil Bape the PostGod]

I just YouTube searched Larry bird vs Wilkins and some “Epic game 7 “ highlight video comes up …nikkas was just letting shooters shoot…they had like 4 feet of space in between them each time they had the ball..

They just clogged the paint more

So yes..reddikk is right.. old nikkas
Mad for no reason

 

[Don Homer]

This back in the day vs today debate is so tiresome and boring

it's gatekeeping, and it's gross

 

[Professor Emeritus]

Brehs can’t post videos to back up these claims

That's what I'm saying.


I typed "Bird highlights 1986 Finals" and this is the first single-game video that came up. It's a great clip because he shows a wide variety of plays, makes and misses both. I have to say the physicality is.....not impressive.







And for the posters saying, "Maybe it wasn't physical on the perimeter but it was brutal inside"....Bird seems to be getting away with some pretty close post-ups without any physicality. And when players go inside, there's a lot of hands swiping at the ball but there are also a lot more open layups than you would want.