Maxwell: Luka Doncic Is 'Larry Bird Reincarnated

[slamtheking]

If we're to compare records, should we compare it their appropriate age? I do think Luka's reputation has taken a small hit due to the record but the guy is still insanely young.

ok, go back a year for Larry - senior year in college at Indiana State.  Takes a team with scrubs through an undefeated season until the title game against Magic who didn't have a team of scrubs. 

Larry was the greatest player I've had the privilege to ever watch play live.  I'm not old enough to have seen Russell or Wilt but Larry could do things night in and night out I've yet to see anyone else do except for fleeting moments.

Luka's a great talent.  He's not Larry Bird.

[liam]

If we're to compare records, should we compare it their appropriate age? I do think Luka's reputation has taken a small hit due to the record but the guy is still insanely young.

ok, go back a year for Larry - senior year in college at Indiana State.  Takes a team with scrubs through an undefeated season until the title game against Magic who didn't have a team of scrubs. 

Larry was the greatest player I've had the privilege to ever watch play live.  I'm not old enough to have seen Russell or Wilt but Larry could do things night in and night out I've yet to see anyone else do except for fleeting moments.

Luka's a great talent.  He's not Larry Bird.

Luka is still only 21....

[knuckleballer]

For the youngsters...  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=baBdnA7cui0

Luka doesn't do this.

[Donoghus]

It's awfully tough not to see glimpses of Larry in the kid.   His feel for game is rather remarkable for such a young age. 

[PAOBoston]

I remember debating people who literally thought Luka would not be good because he “didn’t do it against NCAA competition”. Oh the good times. Luka was a stud in Europe at like 17. He’s a stud in the NBA at 21. He’s going to win a bunch of MVPs.

[gouki88]

It's awfully tough not to see glimpses of Larry in the kid.   His feel for game is rather remarkable for such a young age.

There are definitely shades of him. The ball fakes, the passing reads and the confidence are all reminiscent. But there is lots different

[blink]

For the youngsters...  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=baBdnA7cui0

Luka doesn't do this.

I am not a youngster, but I still really enjoyed that video.  Bird was an insanely great passer.
tp!

[Kuberski33]

Max played with him. The style is certainly similar offensively and there's been no one who really plays with that same style since.

But Bird was also a great rebounder. Also he'd have dominated with today's rules - like he dominated with 1980's rules - more so than Luka. Luka's not one of the top 3 players in the league, but Bird in his prime was one of the top 2 players in the league.

[moiso]

He’s much more James Harden than Larry Bird.

Which isn’t a bad thing - James Harden should have multiple MVPs. But Larry was next level

I agree that Doncic is much more like Harden.  I see more Bird in Jokic than I do in Doncic.

[Csfan1984]

Killer instinct. Not super athletic but makes impressive plays and shots. Has dominate performances filling the box score. Can get a mean streak and take things personal. Doesn't back down or shy away from the moment. Demands the ball when he has a mismatch.

Lots of things are like Bird. Clearly Bird was superior and more polished Luka has a ways to go to fully match up.