Comparing Larry Bird to Luka Doncic rookie year

[dirkdiggler41]

Please, don't troll this thread. It took me a long time to make those gifs


Larry Bird - 23 years

Win record previous season 29 - 53
Win record rookie season 61 - 21

36 minutes
21 points, (47% 2p, 40% 3p, 83% ft, 49 effectiv fg%)
10 rebounds
4.5 assists
2 steals
3 turnovers

36pts/7rebs/4asts vs. Clippers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL71xgjs4I0

28pts/20rebs/8asts vs Knicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akfn9wN7JjQ



Luka Doncic - 19 years

Win record previous season 24 - 58
Win record rookie season 18 - 22

32 minutes
19.5 points (43% 2p, 37% 3p, 74% ft, 51% effectiv fg )
6.5 rebounds
5 assists
1 steal
3.5 turnovers

32 Pts, 4 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Clippers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu6E9TzHjWw

23 Pts, 12 Asts, 6 Rebs vs. Nuggets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nn44z3__F0

There has been a lot of comparisons to Bird over the years, most of them being white players who can shoot. Everything from Dirk Nowitzki, Bargnani and Adam Morrison. Watching Luka play I would say he comes the closest. They both can shoot and create for others, but where they are very similar is in their confidence and basketball IQ. Because of that, they seem to play very alike, at least close enough to argue that Doncic is the closest we have had to Larry Bird. When you look at the pumpfakes, the patient, the floater you have to admit there is a comparison.


These gifs are from the game footage I posted above

https://media.giphy.com/media/1BgNCE1vr53lkQd6U6/giphy.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/1dMnV1OqOTMEKdkxyi/giphy.gif






https://media.giphy.com/media/uWXDU2YwpX64aUUFjP/giphy.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/2A59XCS8VhOKeNgRDa/giphy.gif






https://media.giphy.com/media/SiNHGEWaLbyaAGsRxw/giphy.gif


https://media.giphy.com/media/4WFEo7LSIFjx2Hz4n3/giphy.gif

[dirkdiggler41]

https://media.giphy.com/media/3XAQ9BcJQ5rjkZnugr/giphy.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/RMcw3SvMe90Ifqer9r/giphy.gif





https://media.giphy.com/media/1n9BkRwZFKHyc1JauA/giphy.gif

https://media.giphy.com/media/woYSiHyij3Gnfiyoaw/giphy.gif

[Haymaker]

Good post. What Luka needs to work on is to establish his leadership. Their demeanor is not comparable at all. I know, Bird was already a man, Luka is 19 years old, but Bird came into the league and became the alpha male in Boston, his teammates respected him because he was serious and had a no-nonsense attitude about him. Luka seems to be having a little fun with his sudden fame and success. Someone needs to reel him in and tell him that it's not all fun and games. He needs to lock in and leave his skin in that gym to get better every day. Teams will scout him and will plan for him, taking away his game with defensive schemes so he needs to expand his game every chance he gets.

[Marchesk]

Nice comparison gifs. They do look kind of similar.

I'm surprised Bird averaged that many steals as a rookie.

[Xiao Yao You]

That was the first year of the 3 point shot outside the ABA. Bird didn't shoot that shot in college or high school.

[Marchesk]

That was the first year of the 3 point shot outside the ABA. Bird didn't shoot that shot in college or high school.

Makes you wonder what kind of shooter Bird would be if he had grown up in the 2000s.

['Toine=MVP]

Makes you wonder what kind of shooter Bird would be if he had grown up in the 2000s.

I think it's pretty safe to assume he'd be the best other than Steph. Maybe even better than Steph.

This thread is a pretty big insult to Bird. Luka is ok. Doesn't really play like Larry.

[jongib369]

Fake passes might as well be porn for me

Luka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPrRgTm7Tv0&t=1m40s


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx4aVMADEKI

Bird
http://rs304.pbsrc.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/VS/Comparision%20n%20Similarity/MJ/n%20Larry%20Legend/-1.gif?w=480&h=480&fit=clip


https://makeagif.com/gif/larry-bird-was-faking-everybody-easily-passing-skills-were-lit-G-VDRB

[superduper]

How does Luka have a higher eFG when Larry has higher efficiency from everywhere?

[dirkdiggler41]

How does Luka have a higher eFG when Larry has higher efficiency from everywhere?

Larry took 1.7 3 pointers per game, while Luka is taking 6.4 a game. So Luka becomes more effective this way. Also, Luka takes more freethrows. In fact, Luka was second or third in freethrows attempt per game in the month of December. Another fun fact, he shoots 55% in the clutch for the season. That is pretty solid.

[ronniec]

That's a good comparison, good posting.

The big difference in between them is, Larry was already a "leader" when joining the team, and Luka is not.

Great to see a 19 year old having similar stats to Larry. Keep it up.

[jongib369]

That's a good comparison, good posting.

The big difference in between them is, Larry was already a "leader" when joining the team, and Luka is not.

Great to see a 19 year old having similar stats to Larry. Keep it up.
Idk about that. I hesitate to compare him to Bird because so far Idt he's as good as rookie Bird...But many people consider him the best player on the team, he's the leading scorer, they go to him in clutch moments, and he's like 3rd in the league in FG% in those clutch moments. If he isn't already he will be soon.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvjziPrXQAARrzO?format=jpg&name=small

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7cNOhsqV-8

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTvu5X1IqU

[Rocket]

I am not sure if he will ever be on Bird's level or not but Luka was a heck of a draft pick.

[Micku]

Larry took 1.7 3 pointers per game, while Luka is taking 6.4 a game. So Luka becomes more effective this way. Also, Luka takes more freethrows. In fact, Luka was second or third in freethrows attempt per game in the month of December. Another fun fact, he shoots 55% in the clutch for the season. That is pretty solid.

Free throws don't count with eFG if I can recall. That's TS%.

[ronniec]

Idk about that. I hesitate to compare him to Bird because so far Idt he's as good as rookie Bird...But many people consider him the best player on the team, he's the leading scorer, they go to him in clutch moments, and he's like 3rd in the league in FG% in those clutch moments. If he isn't already he will be soon.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvjziPrXQAARrzO?format=jpg&name=small

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7cNOhsqV-8

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTvu5X1IqU

They have a similar stats, and I don't mind (really) people comparing them.

Personally I don't think Doncic is on rookie Bird's level because of their presence.
Bird was terrorizing the league by his all round play, competitiveness; and Doncic is pretty much an offensive weapon and shooting machine.
When Bird entered the league, he was played like a veteran already and never looked like a "rookie".
Doncic, doesn't have that presence.

Anyway, Doncic is really really good, and he has a very good future ahead of him.

[dirkdiggler41]

They have a similar stats, and I don't mind (really) people comparing them.

Personally I don't think Doncic is on rookie Bird's level because of their presence.
Bird was terrorizing the league by his all round play, competitiveness; and Doncic is pretty much an offensive weapon and shooting machine.
When Bird entered the league, he was played like a veteran already and never looked like a "rookie".
Doncic, doesn't have that presence.

Anyway, Doncic is really really good, and he has a very good future ahead of him.

What are you talking about?? That is one of the many things people talk about, him not playing like a rookie.




I would love to hear klabze opinion on this subject!

[Rudeboy3]

Luka Legend :applause:

[Manny98]

Luka at 19 > Bird at 23

[ralph_i_el]

There's a huge age difference here. 19 v. 23

[dirkdiggler41]

Kblaze, what do you think?

[baudkarma]

Good post. What Luka needs to work on is to establish his leadership. Their demeanor is not comparable at all. I know, Bird was already a man, Luka is 19 years old, but Bird came into the league and became the alpha male in Boston, his teammates respected him because he was serious and had a no-nonsense attitude about him. Luka seems to be having a little fun with his sudden fame and success. Someone needs to reel him in and tell him that it's not all fun and games. He needs to lock in and leave his skin in that gym to get better every day. Teams will scout him and will plan for him, taking away his game with defensive schemes so he needs to expand his game every chance he gets.

Who says you can't have fun at basketball while at the same time working hard and earning your teammates respect? Larry Bird was serious and no-nonsense, but did Magic Johnsons teammates not respect him because he was smiling all the time?

As for leadership... Luka is 19 years old, playing for a new team, in a foreign country, and speaking a foreign language. He's not going to come in and immediately take over the Mavs locker room. I haven't seen any signs that his teammates and coaches don't respect the hell out of his ability and his work ethic. Leadership will follow naturally if that's his destiny.

[Phoenix]

Luka at 19 > Bird at 23

At what point does this retarded schtick become boring to you?