Quote:
Originally Posted by Najee
Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points per game while shooting a much higher percentage than Elgin Baylor (career average: 27.3, FG%: .431, compared to Bird's .496). Not only was Bird a better shooter than Baylor (not based on their field goal percentages, but actual skill), but Bird needed fewer shots to score comparably.
Like Pioneer said, Baylor played during a period where teams shot a lot more and made fewer shots (hence, low shooting percentages and high rebounding totals). Baylor's .428 field goal percentage in 1962-63 was actually close to the league average that season; Baylor's clip was like someone shooting 50 percent from the field. That season, Baylor averaged 33 shots per game to get his 38.3 points per game.
In Bird's best scoring seasons where he averaged 28.1 (1986-87), 28.7 (1984-85) and 29.9 points per game (1987-88), he never averaged more than 22 shots per game in a season. In all three seasons, he shot better than 52 percent from the field.
No one is diminishing what Baylor did, just being asked to choose between him and Bird. Factor in the team accomplishments, Bird would rate out ahead of Baylor, IMO.
|
Elgin still scored more. the fg% aint drastic enough to favor bird.
then you count how good they are defensively.
More points scored-Baylor
Better Defender-Baylor
Better Rebounder-Baylor
more effecient-bird
better passer-bird
both are damn good players but ill take the guy who gets the boards, scores more(fg% is an overrated stat. lebron has a higher fg% then kobe. is he better offensively?) and plays good man D.