@@thelordjignesh Bird was not nearly as ball dominant as Luka. Lukas' usage rating average for his career so far is nearly 10 points higher. Bird was a better shooter, better FT shooter, better rebounder and believe it or not a vastly superior defender.
I’m glad Paul said it bc I BEEN saying Luka game remind me of Paul pierce, not James harden. Paul was step back king with the travel. Real step backs, real footwork, dog mentality, plays at his own pace, can’t speed him up etc etc.
James harden’s handles are the reason that comparison is more appropriate. Their games are more comparable in my opinion. I like Paul Pierce as a personality but he kinds of over hype his game and where he ranks. His step back was nice but Harden took it to another level.
thing harden and luka do both though is STEP BACK 3s which pierce didn't have, he had that mid range killer step back that luka use also tho. Driving to the rim and passing to the open guy is comparable to lebron, luka somehow shoulders everybody and they go out of his way to get his shot off like lebron without the muscles lol
@@coreymccoy2231 LOL SO IF U DO GOOD AND SCORE A LOT U A STAT PADDER.... HE SHOOTS 48 49% FOR A CAREER WHEN U SHOOT AT THAT CLIP IT'S OK THE SHOOT A LOT....AND THEY WIN 2 WCF IN THE LAST 3yrs AINT EASY AND WITH 2 DIFFERENT ROSTERS.... AT 25 year 6...BRON JORDAN CURRY NONE HAD A RING YEAR 6 AND 25 SO WHERE IS THE STAT PADDING?
Not really. More than anything they're just being real about the comparison to Larry Bird. It's a bad comparison and people need to stop with it. Just stop. Larry is far above Luka at this point, and it's not likely he'll be at the same level. But almost no one ever will be. As Magic Johnson said at Bird's retirement ceremony: "There will never ever EVER be another Larry Bird!"
Bird came into the league and instantly made the Celtics a contender. They went from 29-53 the year before to 61-21 in Bird's rookie season, with the exact same team. (Parish and McHale did not arrive until Bird's second season). And Bird didn't have to dominate the ball like Luka. He could control the game without taking a ton of shots.
First of all, different league back then. Bird would not come in on the hornets and make them a 61 win team. So that’s just a stupid argument to make. Secondly, Luka is the best offensive talent in the world and arguably in history. Not saying it’s my argument, but you can make it. So of course he’s going to shoot more than Bird had to. Why would you want the ball being shot by someone less skilled? I’ll never understand this argument. Luka is 6’8 in shoes, stronger than most, craftier than everyone, and gets whatever shot he wants whenever he wants against anyone he wants. But yea let’s make him pass it to THJ to brick it just so we can say “well Luka doesn’t have to score to get his team to 61 wins” The mere fact he’s made the WCF twice in 3 years with the teams he’s had (he’s been the underdog in every single series of his career) should speak volumes but y’all casuals refuse to listen.
This is a correct take. Don't get me wrong, Larry was and is a Legend! Luka isn't a HOFer playing with 3 other HOFers for YEARS! He's taken what he's had and overachieved in the era of super teams. I give two shits about MVP media driven narratives when it's clear as day who the actual best players in the league are via the eye test and through statistical consistency and who the other 4 guys are on the court.
Who's idea is it to put Keyshawn in the show??? The man always talks shits, he don't have any idea what he's saying.. 😒better fire that man who put keyshawn in the show!
Paul had the worst game I've ever heard. "Let's not compare Luka to Bird because Bird is a top 10 all-time player, I think he's like LeBron James 🤦🏾♂️." Did he even hear himself speak SMH.
@@youngzeus87 I politely think Bird playing today in his prime would be wonderful. If it was the same league as today, I would take Bird over Luka. Give it a few years, Luka may eclipse Bird.
@@youngzeus87 luka is on the cusp of winning his first championship. Everyone knows he is a great passer. No disrespect to Bird to suggest Luka is perhaps a better assist man.
Key didn't even understand the conversation. AGAIN. Skip and Paul are talking about how they play/ed the game, and he's comparing accolades. Also, the hate he has for Luka is unprecedented. He's talking about how long it's taking him to win a championship, while Jordan (for example) didn't won until he was 27
When Bird finished #3 in MVP voting (like Luka just did) he had already won 3 times. And finished #2 other 3 times. No one EVER should compare Luka to Larry Legend.
Circumstances matter. When Bird was winning those MVPs, he had 3-4 Hall of Famers on his team and the MVPs almost always went to the best player on the best team back then... I'm not saying Bird didn't deserve it because he did, but he was also in the perfect situation to allow it to happen. Luka has never been in that situation or even close to it, but he absolutely dwarfs Bird's numbers across the board. Not counting their rookie years, Bird's best season isn't as good as Luka's worst season and Luka is by far the better playoff performer, both in overall numbers and clutch stats. The only thing Bird has on Luka is team success, which again, Larry played with several Hall of Famers at the same time. If Luka had 3-4 Hall of Fame teammates, he'd start racking up MVPs and titles, too.
@@chili015 And when Bird was top 2 in mvp voting and even before as rookie leading a team that won 20 games the prior season into 60 win season he never had those players as all stars or hof potential. Bird MADE Celtics contender as soon as he join them. No one heard of McHale, Parrish and DJ in those early years prior to 84 champ. Even McHale was 6th man. Bird MADE them better.
@@mr.e347 - I never implied Bird wasn't the biggest reason for the Celtic's success... he absolutely was. He's one of the 10 greatest players ever, in my opinion. My point was if Luka were in a similar situation, he'd be getting similar accolades as Larry. You also have to consider this: Bird was 23 years old his rookie season, Luka was 19. So yeah, 23 year-old Larry was better than 19-year old Luka, that's not surprising. Luka led his team to the Conference Finals when he was 22 and didn't have an All-Star teammate... Bird wasn't even in the NBA at that age. In Bird's age-24 season, he averaged 21 points... Luka just averaged 34 points in his age-24 season and he's back in the Conference Finals again. If Dallas wins it all this year, Luka will have gotten his first ring at the same age as Larry. So yeah, it's fair to compare them.
People just need to stop comparing todays NBA players to legends in the past. It is a different league now, offensive players have way more freedom than they did before while defenders are becoming more and more limited. Just call a player great and leave it at that. Enough with the "youngest player to do this" "Most blah blah blah by a player under 25" and whatever. Times have changed, you can't compare players from different eras.
They have more freedom because they can shoot 3 pointers. Can't blame them for being better. All those "hand check rules" and other bs are just excuses.
@@jkepic25 And they practiced all their life and shoot so many threes now because the game has changed to have a major focus on that. And if you think things like hand check rules have no impact on an offensive player that just shows that you never actually played basketball at a competitive level before. Just look today at how many of the leagues top players can be disrupted simply by the refs allowing more physicality in the game.
@@d.rock2224 the last 2 months of the regular season and the entirety of the playoffs physicality has been allowed and stats for most players have gone way down and yet Luka is still putting up numbers. So just give him his props
@@jonnstewart2023 Some physicality has been allowed, nothing compared to the era Bird played in. And I am not taking anything away from Luka, he is an amazing player. I am talking about the comparisons as a whole, including the constant lists of points scored at a young age and what not. It is absolutely pointless to make those lists and comparisons and treat it like you can directly compare players because of that.
@@d.rock2224 what you're seeing right now is as physical as it can get, the reason why the 80's and 2000's seeems like better defense to you is because the offensive sets being ran were very inefficient and didn't get the best out of the superstars, for eg: i rewatched the knicks vs bulls series in 92 and ewing wasn't bad but his limitations were on show as a passer, partially cuz the game was pretty much just give it to him in the low past, just because you miss post ups and low spacing doesn't mean it's what's best for the teams to win
Bird is probably 6th all time behind only MJ, Bron, Kareem, Magic, and Kobe. So I don’t want to hear any comparisons until Luka has 2 rings and then we can talk. Luka is without a doubt more skilled and a better scorer, rebounder, and passer. He’s just better offensively than anyone else in today’s game and anyone before besides probably MJ. But he can’t compare to any top 15 player until he wins a ring or two.
LUKA HAS ONLY PLAYED WITH ONE HOF AND ITS KYRIE… BIRD PLAYED WITH A BUNCH OF FUTURE HOFs… Luka had Dwight Powell as his starting center since he entered the league lol
Based on the players archetype Magic = Pip = Hill = Lebron Bird = Luka Dr J = Jordan = Kobe= Ant Man If you've been watching the game throughout the eras....you could sees these comparisons
Seems that way but ESPN has the most racist analysts Stephen A Smith, Kendrick Perkins and Shannon Sharpe sometimes Keyshawn is just a clown who knows nothing about basketball or football he adds no type of insight about either sport he’s just on the show because he’s an ex football player and because he’s black that’s just the truth!
How “good” of a passer someone is so subjective. Not sure how you would measure who’s the “better” passer between Bird and Luka. Being able to make fancy passes is cool and all, but I care more about vision and passing versatility. I like bigger guys with incredible court vision, knowing where everyone is on the court, and being able to deliver the ball is difficult/tight windows. Magic, Bird, Kidd, LeBron, Jokic, Luka, etc. These are the guys I think of as top-of-the-heap passers. They just have the natural combo of IQ and skill. Bird and Jokic are different because they never played point guard. Their genius is more passing out of the post, playing inside out. But the IQ and skill is the same as those other guys.
If Luka played with the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks or Spurs they’d be all over how great he is. For whatever reason he’s scrutinized so much being in Dallas especially having success with Kyrie. Haters hate
Luka on pace to shatter all records by a point guard. Like, nobody will ever come close to his totals if he just stays consistent. You telling me you don't think he is only gonna get better??
I wish the media would stop comparing players to these legends... Everyone acting like Luka is walking around saying this crap.... Its the media making this crap up just stop it please!!! Let them make they're own road
How is a guy with no MVPs, Finals Appearances, no championships, & no finals compares to a guy with multiple of each. No saying Luka ain’t great but we don’t need to crown him as a top 10 player all time
@Playmaker251000 lol bird had multiple of those things you said because he joined an already made team in boston. he didn't go on a process of rubuild just like luka did. do you think if bird doen't play besides those other 4 HoF he would get those trophies and finals mvps or maybe even the mvp's he had? no disrespect to bird and also magic. but thwy did not face what other players faced during their early years. they are both landed on an already great team. they did not took the path that mj and other superstars take joining some of the worst team
I don’t have an issue with general comparison, but the comments on this video is mostly ppl saying Luka is better. All I am saying is Luka hasn’t accomplished enough to say he is better.
Love this analysis, they ain’t hating, they’re saying Luka has the potential to be better than he is. If he starts playing defense, and makes his team better instead of b*tching at the refs, Luka can Win a Championship and be worthy of the comparison to Bird. 🏀
@@MISTERGIFT_ who said bird wasnt an elite passer? but better than LUKA?...... watch the damn tape and keep up with the yutes man... and lets even say that they are equal ok?... at some point volume has to be evaluated in some way and luka has 3/4 passes a game that 98% of the league can't even think... even id bird could do all the passes that luka can (wich he doesen't) Luka has WAY more volume
LUKA GOT AWAYS TO GO BIRD IS NO JOKE FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT DIDN'T WATCH HIM IN REAL TIME BUT LUKA IS THE CLOSEST PLAYER I'VE EVER SEEN TO BIRD
Defense Bird Luka a liability defensively Luka drives and kicks Bird created Bird is a Tier 1 NBA player Luka is a lesser Prime Jamse Harden we’ve seen it before
Luka is what Bird would be if he was drafted by a team like Portland, which means Drexler or Bowie/ Jordan obviously wouldn't be drafted by Blazers. Luka's game is more explicit, while Bird has more hustle and is for now more clinical. Luka is a better passer, because he could lead his competition in assist if he wanted to, I'm not sure for Larry, because pass first point guards were a thing back then.
I think Jokic is more Larry than Luka. Offensively sure, but like any comparison today they forget defense. Larry played the d lanes very well and actually made all defensive 2nd team.
Luka is kind of a combination of James Harden, Paul Pierce, but also likes to play in the post and has better vision so that makes him very complete player during half court offense coz he can score from three, from dribble, from stepback, midrange, from post and has a passing flair and great playmaking vision so basically you can't stop him from scoring or assisting and you can write that to your drunk grandma.
The only thing worse than how dumb this comparison is would be the fact that the arguments are incredibly deceptive. For one, Luka is in his 6th season shooting a career 34% from 3PT. That's not good. Want to know what's worse? Larry Bird's 3p% through the first 6 years which sat at a paltry 27%. Larry Bird did win 3 MVPs.....in years 5, 6, and 7. He was also 27 when he won his first. Luka is only 24 years old. Especially considering Luka is getting better and (slowly) maturing, are we not going to mention that? If we're looking at those MVP seasons to compare to Luka's best seasons points and assists per game favor Luka and the gap in every other statistical category isn't large enough (especially 3P%) to be insulted by the comparison. No argument that Bird was the better defender but he was also 2" taller and a forward rather than a guard. Bird would not be able to reliably guard todays guards. Maybe as a help defender but not on-ball. Not that I'm trying to defend how awful Luka is on that side of the ball but it's not something 80% of the NBA is good at to begin with. Luka is a fantastic player. Can we just leave it at that? He isn't Larry Bird but maybe that's a good thing because I often feel like Bird is a bit overrated and I understand how good he was. I'm old enough to have seen him play but I do think there's a difference between how good Larry Bird was back then and how good he would be today. Jordan's greatness I believe would translate. Same for Kareem. Same for Pete Maravich. Bird? I think Bird would be Jason Tatum today or, at best, a taller Luka.
15:45 Key: Bouncing the ball "like that" - with the hand ON TOP of the ball - requires A LOT more skills than putting the hand under the ball and carrying it, like ALL players of today do.
I think its a natural comparison but thus far its more of a compliment to Luka. Bird won chips. Bird redifined the small forward position. Luka is surely a Hall of Famer, but the day the comparison will truly be validated is win Luka wins multiple chips and Bird agrees to be seen with him publicly 😅😅😅
Why do people make these comparisons that disrespect Legends? There will never be another MJ, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Russell, Dream... This era is not that ERA nor could it ever hope to measure up to that era. AE asking for MJ comparisons to stop should be a lesson.
Better passer, better shooter than James ever was. I think Luka is a better passer than Bird, but I'm fine with expecting another 3-4 years of consistency to prove it. But he's an INFINITELY better scorer than Bird. Not as good a rebounder or defender though.