Boston sports fans: Has Tom Brady surpassed Larry Bird as

[GiantsRule 0]

As great as Brady is, and as historic as this season is, Boston still doesn't seem to have the overall love and admiration that Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics commanded in his years of dominance and beyond. It's rare you see a town clinging to an athlete for so long after he retired, but until this year, it's been well over a decade since basketball mattered in Boston yet Bird is always touted as the greatest thing to hit Beantown since the baked bean.

 

So I'm asking the LONGTIME Boston sports fans. Do you think Brady has now passed Bird as the greatest legend in this town? Or no matter what Brady does for the rest of his career, will he always play 2nd fiddle to Bird's greatness?

 

NOTE: This question is posed to the Boston fans that didn't arrive with the Patriots first title in 2001 or the Red Sox long-awaited title in 2004. It's also not for anyone that recently bought a Celtics jersey thinking that "C's have a great shot for their first-ever title." The reason I'm targeting this poll is because I want to know if the old schoolers who have always clung to Bird as the standard barrier for Boston sports excellence feel the torch has been passed and that Brady has the same (or better) aura that Bird had.

[ElwayFan 0]

That's a tough one, but I think by the end of his career (especially if he wins 1-2 more SB) he will at the very least be on par with Bird if not greater.

[GiantsRule 0]

That's a tough one, but I think by the end of his career (especially if he wins 1-2 more SB) he will at the very least be on par with Bird if not greater.

 

Actually, skillwise, Brady may already be better than Bird. But in terms of popularity and legendary status, I don't think he's there yet and may never get there no matter what he accomplishes.

[Ambroc 0]

You forgot a couple Boston Sports icons that may be in the same tier (if not higher) as Bird.

 

Bobby Orr: Some, if not most, Boston hockey fans think Orr was the best player ever, over the Great One.

 

Teddy Ballgame (Williams): The best pure hitter the game has ever seen. Baseball, believe it or not, has always been King in Boston...or until lately.

 

As for your question: Too early to tell. A couple more SBs and Brady might make the top. As pathetic as sports in Boston has been over the years, there once was a Celtics team that won a whole bunch of World Championships. Also, I don't think it is rare for towns to cling to an athlete for so long after he is retired. I am sure you can think of a few NY icons that just can't seem to die in the public's imagination.

 

 

As great as Brady is, and as historic as this season is, Boston still doesn't seem to have the overall love and admiration that Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics commanded in his years of dominance and beyond. It's rare you see a town clinging to an athlete for so long after he retired, but until this year, it's been well over a decade since basketball mattered in Boston yet Bird is always touted as the greatest thing to hit Beantown since the baked bean.

 

So I'm asking the LONGTIME Boston sports fans. Do you think Brady has now passed Bird as the greatest legend in this town? Or no matter what Brady does for the rest of his career, will he always play 2nd fiddle to Bird's greatness?

 

NOTE: This question is posed to the Boston fans that didn't arrive with the Patriots first title in 2001 or the Red Sox long-awaited title in 2004. It's also not for anyone that recently bought a Celtics jersey thinking that "C's have a great shot for their first-ever title." The reason I'm targeting this poll is because I want to know if the old schoolers who have always clung to Bird as the standard barrier for Boston sports excellence feel the torch has been passed and that Brady has the same (or better) aura that Bird had.

[drobeski 3,061]

different sports tardski, we should really wait until Bradys career is over before making the comparison, besides as great as brady is, in basketball a single player can have more of an impact to a teams greatness than any player on any position on a football team......see...jordan, shaq, labron, magic..etc.

 

Bball they play both ends of the ball.....

 

dont get me wrong when its all said and done brady will if not already is the greatest player ever at his position in his sport and already has legendary status...but its just not possible to compare.

Russell was the greatest Bball player this town has ever seen anyway, not taking anything away from bird

[Super Cubs 155]

He is most likely on the same level with Byrd with the 30 year olds and younger that never really got to see the greatness that is Larry Byrd. But to the rest of us he'll remain a close #2.

[ICEMAN 58]

Even with all of the Super Bowls, winning streaks, awards etc... that Tom Brady has, I would say that there has always been a certain aura of Greatness around Larry Bird that goes way beyond numbers and titles. For everyone over 35 years old, Bird will always be the apex of greatness in this town. Some of the over 50 crowd might say Orr, but I think the majority would go with Bird. I think that what Brady has is consistant quality, but Bird was something different entirely. Every time that he touched the ball, everyone that was watching held their breath. Something truly great was about to happen and you never wanted to miss it.

 

ICEMAN

[GridIronAssassin#1 0]

Then how much longer until Carl Yaz Yastremski gets passed up?

[GiantsRule 0]

different sports tardski, we should really wait until Bradys career is over before making the comparison, besides as great as brady is, in basketball a single player can have more of an impact to a teams greatness than any player on any position on a football team......see...jordan, shaq, labron, magic..etc.

 

Bball they play both ends of the ball.....

 

dont get me wrong when its all said and done brady will if not already is the greatest player ever at his position in his sport and already has legendary status...but its just not possible to compare.

Russell was the greatest Bball player this town has ever seen anyway, not taking anything away from bird

 

You really are this board's biggest douche. Congrats. You keep getting older (and fatter) and still can't yank your head out of your ass.

 

Wasn't ripping on Boston sports at all here. Nor was I downplaying Brady's ability (we're talking popularity; not greatness). Was just asking the longtime fans if Brady will still be talked about 10,15,20 years later the way Bird still is today.

 

Besides, you shouldn't be in this thread anyway. I said it's for non-bandwagon fans only!

[GiantsRule 0]

You forgot a couple Boston Sports icons that may be in the same tier (if not higher) as Bird.

 

Bobby Orr: Some, if not most, Boston hockey fans think Orr was the best player ever, over the Great One.

 

Teddy Ballgame (Williams): The best pure hitter the game has ever seen. Baseball, believe it or not, has always been King in Boston...or until lately.

 

As for your question: Too early to tell. A couple more SBs and Brady might make the top. As pathetic as sports in Boston has been over the years, there once was a Celtics team that won a whole bunch of World Championships. Also, I don't think it is rare for towns to cling to an athlete for so long after he is retired. I am sure you can think of a few NY icons that just can't seem to die in the public's imagination.

 

Actually, I set this up as a poll with Brady, Bird, Orr, Williams, and other as the choices. For some reason, it didn't show up when I posted and since the site is about 5 minutes away from its usual Sunday crashing escapades, I didn't feel like going back and trying again.

 

See ICEMAN's great response in this thread for the type of answer I was hoping for. Brady is fantastic. But he just doesn't have that aura of legendary status that Bird did.

[donhaas 19]

Did Bird need an outstanding kicker, the tuck rule, and cheating to barely, barely sneak by three of the worst super bowl opponents in the history of the game???

 

Did Bird have Don Majkowski's career stats until Moss joined his team?

 

Did Bird classlessly shoot 3-pointers up by 40 in the fourth quarter to try and make up for those lifetime of Don Majkowski-like stats?

 

Was Bird ever handed an MVP for throwing for a miserable 125 yards in a super bowl?

 

Is Bird a bastard factory?

 

 

 

I think Patriot fans need to ask themself a few simple questions and the answer becomes clear.

[drobeski 3,061]

You really are this board's biggest douche. Congrats. You keep getting older (and fatter) and still can't yank your head out of your ass.

 

Wasn't ripping on Boston sports at all here. Nor was I downplaying Brady's ability (we're talking popularity; not greatness). Was just asking the longtime fans if Brady will still be talked about 10,15,20 years later the way Bird still is today.

 

Besides, you shouldn't be in this thread anyway. I said it's for non-bandwagon fans only!

If that was your question then it doesnt get any stupider than that.

Ofcourse they will be talking about his legenday status 10, 20 years down the road dummy, the whole country will be stupid, brady will be the measuring stick of NFL QB greatness.

 

Who ever said there was no such thing as a dumb question lied.

[GiantsRule 0]

Did Bird need an outstanding kicker, the tuck rule, and cheating to barely, barely sneak by three of the worst super bowl opponents in the history of the game???

 

Did Bird have Don Majkowski's career stats until Moss joined his team?

 

Did Bird classlessly shoot 3-pointers up by 40 in the fourth quarter to try and make up for those lifetime of Don Majkowski-like stats?

 

Was Bird ever handed an MVP for throwing for a miserable 125 yards in a super bowl?

 

Is Bird a bastard factory?

I think Patriot fans need to ask themself a few simple questions and the answer becomes clear.

 

Funny stuff. I agree with a few of these things (tuck rule and the BS MVP in the Pats first SB win). Also, one of Bird's legendary acts was when he was one steal short from an ultra-rare quadruple double and sat out because he cared more about the win than an individual accomplishment. That's something you won't ever see Brady doing (although it's more Belichick in that case than Brady).

 

But the Rams were working on a dynasty in 2001 and the Eagles should have been in the Super Bowl at least two other times during the Pats dynasty. Only Carolina was a questionable "quality opponent".

[drobeski 3,061]

Did Bird need an outstanding kicker, the tuck rule, and cheating to barely, barely sneak by three of the worst super bowl opponents in the history of the game???

 

Did Bird have Don Majkowski's career stats until Moss joined his team?

 

Did Bird classlessly shoot 3-pointers up by 40 in the fourth quarter to try and make up for those lifetime of Don Majkowski-like stats?

 

Was Bird ever handed an MVP for throwing for a miserable 125 yards in a super bowl?

 

Is Bird a bastard factory?

I think Patriot fans need to ask themself a few simple questions and the answer becomes clear.

Did Brady need a punt returner to win any one of his 3 superbowl victories ?

[GiantsRule 0]

If that was your question then it doesnt get any stupider than that.

Ofcourse they will be talking about his legenday status 10, 20 years down the road dummy, the whole country will be stupid, brady will be the measuring stick of NFL QB greatness.

 

Who ever said there was no such thing as a dumb question lied.

 

I wouldn't expect a braindead moron like you to "get it.' It's no wonder you think it's a dumb question. Nobody has explained it to you yet.

 

Perhaps DBZ or Boston can bust out the flash cards and diagrams so you'll get it.

[ICEMAN 58]

Is Bird a bastard factory?

 

Actually, yes.

 

ICEMAN

[GiantsRule 0]

Actually, yes.

 

ICEMAN

 

No sh!t. Bird was probably the biggest superstar douche in sports history, let alone Boston.

 

At least Brady has shown to be modest and respectful towards his peers.

[footballallyear 0]

Longtime fan of all 4 Boston sports (late 1960s) Ok here it is.

 

In the 70's it was Orr and Havlicek period.

 

In the 80's Bird took the town by storm and is still revered as the basketball Jesus.

 

In the 90's no one emerged

 

2000's Brady comes along with no hype for a cinderella story and has IMHO equaled Bird in Hero status..he'll pass him with two more SB's

 

Why does Brady need more titles?...Well Bird was highly toughted and lived upto the reputation. Some may not remember that Red drafted him a YEAR EARLY and waited for him to come out. Bird then took a 20 win franchise and won 60 games..the greatest turnaround in NBA history...So Bird had the advantage of busting onto the scene AND proving he WAS the real deal. Brady on the other hand did well in 2001 and did win the title in a cinderella story, but it took the masses a few more years and title to accept the fact that he was a bonified superstar.

 

Rank now:

1. Bird

2. Brady

3. Orr

4. Williams (no titles but fought in TWO WARS and is still the last player to bat over .400)

[GiantsRule 0]

In the 90's no one emerged

 

It needs to be said that Nomar (aka NOMAH) Garciaparra probably was headed towards that legendary Boston sports star status in the late 90s. His popularity was insane. He was constantly mentioned as one of the holy trinity of shortstops (Jeter & A-Rod being the others) in the media. Chants of "NOMAH" were audible everywhere in town - other sports events, bars, concerts, you name it. Before his injuries and marriage, had "Hall of Fame" written all over him. Unfortunately, he developed an attitude, lost favor with the fans, and hasn't been the same since he was shipped out of town.

 

Also, while so many Pats' fans try to act like Drew Bledsoe was this albatross around the Patriots' necks for almost a decade, they forget that he's the one that dug them out of the NFL basement and made them a legitimate playoff threat year after year. He was one of the most popular players in the league (and obviously Boston) but was tossed aside and ridiculed by too many fairweather fans once Brady emerged and he went on to play elsewhere. How much did Drew and his fans love each other? He took out a full page ad in the Boston Herald after getting traded to Buffalo thanking everyone for their support and admiration during his career in New England. What a scumbag, eh?

[donhaas 19]

But the Rams were working on a dynasty in 2001 and the Eagles should have been in the Super Bowl at least two other times during the Pats dynasty. Only Carolina was a questionable "quality opponent".

 

"Working on a dynasty"?? They barely beat one-hit wonder Tennessee for their only super bowl win... and Tennessee came up one yard short.

 

I guess Baltimore and Tampa were also "working on a dynasty", too? At least they completely dominated their super bowl games.

 

Don't get me started on Philadelphia.

 

 

Great dynasties like Dallas and s.f. used to stomp their super bowl opponents.

 

N.E. had a good team, but they benefited from playing in a watered-down, parity-filled NFL.... and with that... they barely won....

 

stick them, say, in the NFC in the 90s and they never make it out of the first round of the playoffs (against Dallas, sf, gb) and we are never having a Brady/Bird discussion... because Brady's lifetime stats without the titles his team won just aren't that good....

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong. I love Brady. He has the skills to finally beat out 3-years-younger Drew Henson about 8 games into the season.... and with massive talent around him, he's able to be on a team that barely eeks out victories against questionable talent... and now with Moss and classless fourth quarter stat padding, he has been able to Culpooper some stats that he could only previously dream about...

 

He's just no Larry Bird

[JT 137]

He is most likely on the same level with Byrd with the 30 year olds and younger that never really got to see the greatness that is Larry Byrd. But to the rest of us he'll remain a close #2.

 

By the rest of us, you mean the three other people (all in Somalia or Assbackwardstan or some other 4th world nation) who don't know his name is Bird?

[edjr 6,898]

No and he never will. Not in my eyes.

 

No one will ever touch Bird in my eyes, I don't care what they do. I don't care if Brady wins 7 superbowls. I mean, yes I'll care, but he won't pass Bird.

[edjr 6,898]

Even with all of the Super Bowls, winning streaks, awards etc... that Tom Brady has, I would say that there has always been a certain aura of Greatness around Larry Bird that goes way beyond numbers and titles. For everyone over 35 years old, Bird will always be the apex of greatness in this town. Some of the over 50 crowd might say Orr, but I think the majority would go with Bird. I think that what Brady has is consistant quality, but Bird was something different entirely. Every time that he touched the ball, everyone that was watching held their breath. Something truly great was about to happen and you never wanted to miss it.

 

I agree with this 100%

 

Bird was just so c0cky it was incredible. Athletes of today just aren't allowed to brag or be cocky and that sucks. Remember the 3 pointer during the 3 point competition? Bird went into it saying "who's playing for second" then he raises his finger on the very last shot to win it and it goes in.

[GiantsRule 0]

No and he never will. Not in my eyes.

 

No one will ever touch Bird in my eyes, I don't care what they do. I don't care if Brady wins 7 superbowls. I mean, yes I'll care, but he won't pass Bird.

 

This type of thinking is more common than some might think. Which is why I posted this thread. Was curious what the hardcores thought considering Brady's dominance.

[edjr 6,898]

This type of thinking is more common than some might think. Which is why I posted this thread. Was curious what the hardcores thought considering Brady's dominance.

 

I grew up with Bird. I was 9 in 1981. Sports was all we had as kids. There was nothing else to do. There are way too many other things that make sports not as important.

[pittnthat 0]

Did Bird's coach mike up the point guard of the other team so Larry would know what play was coming? Cause Brady had that benefit when Belicheat miked up his own d line to steal signals. So i think ya gotta go with Bird as Brady will be looking 4 his first title next year as it will be the Pats first without help.

[redtodd 7]

That is an excellent question.

 

I think Brady is extremely close to surpassing Bird. If he wins it this year, he will because Brady will be argueable the best QB ever.

 

For fans my age (33), Bird was the top sports guy in town when I was a kid. He was easily the best sports figure in Boston in the 80's and, unlike the other teams, he was winning championships.

 

I never got to see Orr or Williams play, so I can not put them on the same pedestal.

[edjr 6,898]

That is an excellent question.

 

I think Brady is extremely close to surpassing Bird. If he wins it this year, he will because Brady will be argueable the best QB ever.

 

For fans my age (33), Bird was the top sports guy in town when I was a kid. He was easily the best sports figure in Boston in the 80's and, unlike the other teams, he was winning championships.

 

I never got to see Orr or Williams play, so I can not put them on the same pedestal.

 

 

I personally put Cam Neely up there, not in Bird's class, but not too far behind. No he didn't win a title, but WOW was he a focking beast on the ice.

[PatsFanatic 0]

Did Bird's coach mike up the point guard of the other team so Larry would know what play was coming? Cause Brady had that benefit when Belicheat miked up his own d line to steal signals. So i think ya gotta go with Bird as Brady will be looking 4 his first title next year as it will be the Pats first without help.

 

The real question is "whats the over/under on the number of times you were dropped on your head as a baby?" - 10 is probably a good over/under. Your going to hate the Patriots even more after they beat the Steelers today.

[redtodd 7]

I personally put Cam Neely up there, not in Bird's class, but not too far behind. No he didn't win a title, but WOW was he a focking beast on the ice.

 

Agrred. Neely is one of my favorites of all time. He was robbed of a key period of his sports career. Bird still has him beat by a little.

[pittnthat 0]

Good luck on your 1st title.

[BirdBradyBobbyOrr 0]

Absolutely NOT! Sorry but Brady will have to win 8 to pass Bird.

 

Bird played against Magic, Kareem, Dr J, Olajuwan, Isaiah, those great Bucks teams, and great Seattle teams and so many great players, to win during those years shows how great Magic and the Lakers and Bird and the Celtics truly were.

 

Brady is pretty much the God of Butt Chins but Bird is better!

[ggroovy17 0]

I am a Detroit homer, but I have to say Brady will be the biggest Boston sports figure after it's all said and done. It's all about championships, and Brady winning 3 Superbowls is huge. As a team, the Boston Celtics championships will never be matched in history, but that was a great team...not just one individual.

 

Give Brady his props!!!!

 

Oh yeah, screw the Celtics this year, the Pistons will show why they have the best starting 5 in the league.

[hines86rules 0]

I am a Detroit homer, but I have to say Brady will be the biggest Boston sports figure after it's all said and done. It's all about championships, and Brady winning 3 Superbowls is huge. As a team, the Boston Celtics championships will never be matched in history, but that was a great team...not just one individual.

 

Give Brady his props!!!!

Never. No matter how many the Pats win, Boston is a Red Sox and Celtics city.

[mighty_thor 115]

I grew up with Bird. I was 9 in 1981. Sports was all we had as kids. There was nothing else to do. There are way too many other things that make sports not as important.

 

I was about the same age when Orr was in his prime that you were when Bird was in his prime. I do'nt think anyone will surpass Orr in my mind but I remember going to see Orr in person and the crowd literally stood up everytime he touched the puck. I have never had that electrictified feeling watching any other player. But I loved watching Larry Bird and I love watching Brady. I think because of my age at the time Orr was great, I will never put anyone over him. My dad revered Ted Williams. The mount rushmore of Boston Sports is Brady, Bird, Williams and Orr in no particular order. That is based on their popularity. Russel deserves a spot but he was never loved like those 4 are.

 

I actually like Brady better than I like Bird. But I am much more of a fotball fan than basketball fan.

[BMoney 0]

He is most likely on the same level with Byrd with the 30 year olds and younger that never really got to see the greatness that is Larry Byrd. But to the rest of us he'll remain a close #2.

 

 

another vote for larry focking byrd

 

is he walking yet?

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

I was about the same age when Orr was in his prime that you were when Bird was in his prime. I do'nt think anyone will surpass Orr in my mind but I remember going to see Orr in person and the crowd literally stood up everytime he touched the puck. I have never had that electrictified feeling watching any other player. But I loved watching Larry Bird and I love watching Brady. I think because of my age at the time Orr was great, I will never put anyone over him. My dad revered Ted Williams. The mount rushmore of Boston Sports is Brady, Bird, Williams and Orr in no particular order. That is based on their popularity. Russel deserves a spot but he was never loved like those 4 are.

 

I actually like Brady better than I like Bird. But I am much more of a fotball fan than basketball fan.

 

I've been a Bruins fan all my life, even though I was born and raised in Toronto. I started watching hockey right around Ray Bourque's rookie year, so I missed Orr by a few years. But from everything I've heard, he was truly a once in a lifetime player. :greenwithenvyfornothavingseenhimplaylive:

[TUM301 10]

Boston sports fan for 40+ years.

1=Bobby Orr

2-Bill Russell

3-Ted Williams

 

2`nd tier

1-Larry Bird

2-T Brady, when all said and done may reach top 3 but as far as over all fan fav I think Orr is untouchable. May be biased but would have Orr in

top 5 players of all time across all teams for the 4 major sports in the country

3-Papi/Yaz/D Flutie, yes Flutie stll one of the top 6 fan favs in N E.

[Thornton Melon 648]

Boston sports fan for 40+ years.

1=Bobby Orr

2-Bill Russell

3-Ted Williams

 

2`nd tier

1-Larry Bird

2-T Brady, when all said and done may reach top 3 but as far as over all fan fav I think Orr is untouchable. May be biased but would have Orr in

top 5 players of all time across all teams for the 4 major sports in the country

3-Papi/Yaz/D Flutie, yes Flutie stll one of the top 6 fan favs in N E.

 

 

If we're talking fan favorites, Bobby Orr is the most beloved Boston athlete ever, and it's not even close.

 

And if we're talking popularity, how come no one's mentioned Ray Bourque? He'd be in the top 5, IMO.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

I think that the jury is out. Some of it has to do with what happens after he is done playing.

 

I disagree with some others on certain players, but the players that stick around tend to hold a firmer grasp on generations that come after they are done playing.

 

Larry Bird left to go back to Indy, so he left some of that goodwill. Orr has stuck around and retains some of that goodwill. Williams sort of stayed around, but his was more generational. If Brady continues on this path and he wants to, he could own this town. I just don't know whether that is in his personality.