just thinking about Bird's game vs Oakland

that was one of the most amazing performances of any Cal freshmen ever

there has been Jason Kidd, Shareef, and Ryan Anderson who have had huge games as freshmen, but rarely have they had them within the first few games of the season

Looking at his box score I'm not sure if anyone other than the above 3 stars have had a better game during their entire freshmen season. If you think I'm wrong, think about how many players have hit 6 of 8 threes in any season?

I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but as I've said in another thread, it wasn't just his box score, it was his clutch 3 at the end + the 2 ice free throws

I love bird.

But let's not get carried away. Kidd absolutely dominated from game 1. I don't care what the box score read for kidd, he was a man playing a boys game.

HoopDreams;842225101 said:

---

just thinking about Bird's game vs Oakland

that was one of the most amazing performances of any Cal freshmen ever

there has been Jason Kidd, Shareef, and Ryan Anderson who have had huge games as freshmen, but rarely have they had them within the first few games of the season

Looking at his box score I'm not sure if anyone other than the above 3 stars have had a better game during their entire freshmen season. If you think I'm wrong, think about how many players have hit 6 of 8 threes in any season?

I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but as I've said in another thread, it wasn't just his box score, it was his clutch 3 at the end + the 2 ice free throws

---

We need Bird and others to keep knocking down 3's so that it is Zone Be Gone to open up the lanes for our basket attackers.

ducky23;842225266 said:

---

I love bird.

But let's not get carried away. Kidd absolutely dominated from game 1. I don't care what the box score read for kidd, he was a man playing a boys game.

---

Jason was the best point guard in West Coast basketball, all time, probably even before he came to Cal.

Ducky, you have said it well.

Go Bears!

I'm not saying Bird is a better player than Jason

I'm saying that besides the 3 players that it was possibly the best game for a Cal freshmen (and that even for those 3 players it might have been the better than any of their first 3 games)

As for Kidd, I doubt he scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and hit the game winning shot (and free throws) in any of his first 3 games (although I'm sure he had more assists and played better defense)

If any player had a better game in his first three games, I guess it would have been Shareef.

ducky23;842225266 said:

---

I love bird.

But let's not get carried away. Kidd absolutely dominated from game 1. I don't care what the box score read for kidd, he was a man playing a boys game.

---

Did you see Jason at Cal from his first game?

My memory is hazy about specific games, but Jason;'s impact on games was immense from the start.

It is not take anything away from Jabari and his wonderful game last night to say Jason was a much more developed and valuable player from the start.

And Shareef scored about 33 in his first game in a Bears uniform.

Go Bears!

HoopDreams;842225300 said:

---

I'm not saying Bird is a better player than Jason

I'm saying that besides the 3 players that it was possibly the best game for a Cal freshmen (and that even for those 3 players it might have been the better than any of their first 3 games)

As for Kidd, I doubt he scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and hit the game winning shot (and free throws) in any of his first 3 games (although I'm sure he had more assists and played better defense)

If any player had a better game in his first three games, I guess it would have been Shareef.

---

No question it was Abdur-Rahim who I believe scored over 30 in EACH of his first three games.

ducky23;842225266 said:

---

I love bird.

But let's not get carried away. Kidd absolutely dominated from game 1. I don't care what the box score read for kidd, he was a man playing a boys game.

---

There really is no comparison that can be made. Kidd would transform this team into a national power with his passing and ability to drive, rebound, run the break, ...

One of the things I love about Bird, though I admit this is based on his on court demeanor as opposed to other evidence: I had the feeling that he was increasingly frustrated with how the game was being played (something that Justin was not really conveying) and that he felt he had to take it in hand. AND he did so without playing out of control, doing crazy drives or stuff like that. This guy is known for acrobatic dunks, which we have so far not seen very much of, but he is also, obviously, capable of lights out shooting. He is playing in a very mature way for a freshman.

SFBearz;842225357 said:

---

No question it was Abdur-Rahim who I believe scored over 30 in EACH of his first three games.

---

Yep, and I saw them in person at Harmon.

I can't believe people have forgotten how awesome his lone freshman season was. Heading into conference play, he was averaging close to 25 PPG and 10 RPG. Shareef was unstoppable.

And that was on a team that had black holes and ballhogs like Jelani Gardner, Tremaine Fowlkes, and Ed Gray. Fowlkes and Gray were good, but they weren't really known for their passing.

I certainly haven't forgotten how great Shareef's freshmen year was. I certainly haven't forgotten how great Kidd's freshmen year was.

I'm not saying Bird > Shareef
I'm not saying Bird > Kidd

I'm saying he had one of the top freshmen games of any Cal player in their first 3 games that I recall, and gave about 10 disclaimers to that statement even

However I'm sure this post won't make it any more clear either

I surrender

Richard_Lee;842225881 said:

---

I can't believe people have forgotten how awesome his lone freshman season was. Heading into conference play, he was averaging close to 25 PPG and 10 RPG. Shareef was unstoppable.

---

The fact that Bird is being mentioned in the same sentence as Kidd and Shareef is pretty damn impressive! No need to make any comparisons, I'm happy to just enjoy having a great young player with a lot of talent and potential!

Amen.

He's lost on "D". Three pointers shot over him & drives baseline right by him.
Jabari can block a shot near the rim (usually from behind) but cannot keep in front of his opposition. I was shocked when I watched Bird. He's lackadaisical

Both Jordan Mathews & Sam Singer are much stronger defensively. GO BEARS!

Schroeder71;842226889 said:

---

Both Jordan Mathews & Sam Singer are much stronger defensively. GO BEARS!

---

Interesting in that Monty said in the post game interview that he wanted to play Mathews and Singer more against Oakland's zone, but couldn't afford the defensive liability. He must not agree.

Schroeder71;842226889 said:

---

He's lost on "D". Three pointers shot over him & drives baseline right by him.
Jabari can block a shot near the rim (usually from behind) but cannot keep in front of his opposition. I was shocked when I watched Bird. He's lackadaisical

Both Jordan Mathews & Sam Singer are much stronger defensively. GO BEARS!

---

Not a fair assessment.

He does have trouble getting around screens, and got burned by a Denver backdoor bounce pass when he thought he had his man well covered, but he's no longer "lost." He's learning rapidly and making the effort. His athletic ability and effort could make him our best defender before the season is over.