KEY POINTS

  • Luka Doncic is considered by former Boston Celtics great Cedric Maxwell as the Larry Bird of this era
  • Doncic needs the manpower support that Bird got with the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1985
  • Doncic has lots of years ahead to match or surpass the achievements of Larry Bird

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is undoubtedly one of the most polarizing young stars in the NBA today.

His meteoric rise to fame is well-documented, and the Slovenian guard has gotten comparisons to past hoop legends.

In the eyes of former Boston Celtics forward Cedric Maxwell, the 21-year-old reminds him a lot of teammate Larry Bird.

Most knew the three-time NBA champion for his savvy outside shooting although Bird did a lot of things during his prime.

But perhaps the most striking thing about Doncic is that he is not afraid to take the big shots. The two-time All-Star has been hitting game-winners for the Mavericks, the last of which happened just recently at the expense of Maxwell’s old team.

Doncic, who will turn 22 this weekend, delivered a dagger three-pointer to push the Mavs over the Celtics, 110-107, at the American Airlines Center a couple of days ago.

However, Maxwell already made the comparison even before Doncic’s late-game heroics against the Celtics.

Maxwell won two NBA titles with Bird during their Celtics’ days, perhaps the best person to assess who could replicate or be "The Great White Hope" of this time. As far as he is concerned, Doncic is that guy.

“This would be Larry Bird of the 2020s,” Maxwell said, “exactly how he would play now.”

This comparison is likely to be up for debate due to a lot of things. One is that both play different positions. The other is that both played with teams in different eras and supporting cast.

This calls to mind the likes of Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale to name a few.

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is mobbed by teammates as they celebrate his game-winning three-point basket against the LA Clippers at the buzzer in overtime
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is mobbed by teammates as they celebrate his game-winning three-point basket against the LA Clippers at the buzzer in overtime GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Kevin C. Cox

For Doncic, he is technically carrying the team on his broad shoulders. Kristaps Porzingis, someone who has surprisingly been mentioned in unverified NBA trade rumors, has yet to recall his old groove.

The lineup that Rick Carlisle, again another former Boston Celtic, may not be that talented compared to the Celtics team from 1979 to 1985.

There are similarities between the two players from different NBA eras. But the thing about Doncic is that he has a long way to go.

For the Mavs, it may be a matter of taking in the right players, not necessarily superstars.

Bird has three NBA titles to his credit as well as three MVPs. Will the Slovenian equal or overtake that feat? He has all the time in the world, and time is definitely on his side.

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