KEY POINTS

  • Luka Doncic has earned comparisons to Larry Bird and Steve Nash
  • Doncic doesn't put himself on the same footing as Bird
  • Nash pointed out one major difference between him and the Mavs shooting guard

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is not riding on the hype of Larry Bird comparisons.

In his third season in the NBA, Doncic has already taken the league by the storm. Like any other basketball superstars, he too has earned comparisons to an array of all-time greats, including Hall of Famer Bird.

Speaking to ESPN’s Rachel Nicols after the Mavs win over the Nets Saturday, Doncic revealed his thoughts about recently being hailed by ex-Celtics star Cedric Maxwell as the second coming of Bird.

While the pair has some obvious similarities, the Mavs shooting guard is certain that he still got a long way to go before he becomes worthy of the flattering compliment.

“I looked at it, I saw a lot of films [and] how he plays but you can't compare me to Larry Bird,” Doncic explained. “The thing he’s done to [the game], [I still got] more and more games to go."

"I just want to keep hooping, having fun out there playing basketball," he added.

Statistically, it seems that Doncic’s game indeed resembled Bird’s outing in their third year in the league.

To date, the Slovenian averages an impressive 28.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Bird was behind with 23. The Slovenian is also ahead in terms of assists with nine a game compared to Bird’s six.

However, the Celtics legend’s 11 rebounds per game topped the youngster’s eight while also appearing to be more efficient, shooting with 50% accuracy compared to Doncic’s 47.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic passes the ball against Brandon Clarke, 15, and Justise Winslow ,7, of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at American Airlines Center
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic passes the ball against Brandon Clarke, 15, and Justise Winslow ,7, of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at American Airlines Center GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / TOM PENNINGTON

Aside from Bird, Doncic, who is an MVP candidate this season, is also being likened to former Mavericks point guard and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash.

For Nash, he and Doncic may have both made their mark on the Mavs, but the “difference” in their physique makes it hard for him to acknowledge the comparisons.

“Luka [Doncic] is one of the most exciting talents we’ve seen,” Nash told New York Post after Brooklyn Nets’ Friday’s practice ahead of the Mavericks game. “Do I see some of myself in him? If I were 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, yeah. That’s a big difference when you’re 6-foot-2, 175 pounds.”

“That is such a weapon to be able to have that size, physicality, skill and feel for the game — and his personality,” the eight-time NBA All-Star added of Doncic. “He has a personality at such a young age to be able to take over NBA games. Very, very special repertoire or skill-set. He is a very, very unique player, even historically.”

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