Tag: Rick Barry

Rick Barry on who had the better career — Larry Bird or Magic Johnson

Whatever you do, do not ask Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry who his GOAT is.

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Whatever you do, do not ask Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry who his GOAT (greatest of all time player) is. In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Eric Jay Santos, Barry was asked whether he thought Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird or Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson had the better career.

The former Houston Rockets star did not mince his words in his reply. “I played against Bird and Magic when they were rookies,” he recalled of the forever-connected 1980s superstars. “They’re both great. They’re different positions, so who the hell cares? Everybody tries to compare Bird to Magic.”

“Bird’s a three and Magic’s a point guard. This GOAT stuff is the biggest (expletive) in the world,” he added.

“There’s no such thing as a GOAT in a team sport. You need to have conversations about positions, and I wish they would stop comparing players from different eras.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry reveals he nearly retired a Boston Celtic

“I would’ve been a backup to (Larry) Bird and played with all those guys. It would’ve been fun,” shared Barry in a recent interview.

Hall of Fame NBAer Rick Barry very nearly ended up joining the Boston Celtics late in his playing career according to the man himself in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s Eric Jay Santos.

“I reached out to them because I wasn’t happy with what was happening in Houston,” Barry said of the contract dispute that eventually led to his retirement.

But the Celtics elected to cut back their roster by one player, which Barry blames for spoiling the possibility.

“I was going to play with the Celtics, but they cut the rosters back from 12 to 11 players,” he explained. “I was really looking forward to it.”

“I probably could’ve played (for) two (or) three more years,” continued Barry. “It would’ve been great to go play with the Celtics like so many other players did.”

“Bill Walton did it. Tiny Archibald did it. Look at the guys who went there later in their careers to do it, and I would’ve been able to do that,” suggested the Hall of Fame forward.

“I would’ve been a backup to (Larry) Bird and played with all those guys. It would’ve been fun.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Eight ACC players selected for Portsmouth Invitational Tournament

Two recent Notre Dame players could have an NBA shot.

There are several avenues for NBA hopefuls to make it to the league. One of the better-known ones is the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which is open only to recent college seniors. This is the oldest amateur tournament in the country, so it carries some weight.

The tournament doesn’t generate NBA draft picks every year, but Tyrese Martin ended a four-year drought when he became a second-round selection in 2022. [autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] was drafted after taking part in the 2015 tournament. Other notable tournament alumni include Jimmy Butler, Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Stockton, Dave Cowens, Earl Monroe and Rick Barry.

This year, eight recent ACC seniors have the opportunity to compete in the tournament. While there aren’t any guarantees for what happens afterwards, it’s a great way to get noticed by scouts. Here are the players who represented the ACC during the past season and will get a good look by folks who know the professional game well:

It was James’ 14th 50-point game of his …

It was James’ 14th 50-point game of his career, tying Rick Barry for the sixth-most in NBA history. James has won 12 consecutive games when scoring 50-plus points. He’s the first player in NBA history to score 50-plus times multiple times after turning 35. “The thing that stands out to me is that the league has never seen a player at this stage of his career do what he’s doing,” Vogel said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that needs to be recognized. It’s just unbelievable, the level that he’s playing at.”

All of us would be way better, plus the …

All of us would be way better, plus the fact we know how to play [grin]. We actually knew how to run a pick and roll properly. We understood the game. A lot of these players don’t understand the game. As good as some of them are, they’d be a lot better if they knew how to use that incredible God-gifted talent that they have. But they don’t, because they weren’t taught the game properly. Rick Barry, Basketball News

Barry’s point is simple – the three is …

Barry’s point is simple – the three is a great weapon, but it can’t be your entire game plan. “There’s more emphasis on three-point shooting, there’s too much emphasis on one-on-one stuff. They still sometimes abuse the three-point shot.” The three-point shot used properly is a great weapon, but it shouldn’t be your primary weapon. The Warriors lost a championship because they did nothing but shoot three-point shots in Game 7 against Cleveland when LeBron had that amazing block. Go to the damn basket, get to the free-throw line, put some points on the board! Rick Barry, Basketball News

To remind you, Berry is a Warriors …

To remind you, Berry is a Warriors legend. The title the Dubs won in 1975 with Barry as their leader is still considered one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history. That makes this comment even more dramatic. That was one of the worst…was probably THE worst last four minutes and forty seconds of NBA Finals Game 7s in the history of the league. One three-point shot by Kyrie Irving, one of two free throws by LeBron James – that was it. It was horrible. Rick Barry, Basketball News