Larry Bird wouldn’t make it in the modern NBA, according to Dennis Rodman: “He would be in Europe.”
Nikola Jokic, according to Rodman, is “way better” than Bird.
Only three players have shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line throughout many seasons, including three-time NBA champion and 12-time All-Star Larry Bird.
Dennis Rodman believes he wouldn’t be able to hang in the NBA now, though, for whatever reason.
“I believe Larry Bird would be playing overseas in Europe if he were still playing today.” In an interview with VladTV, Rodman remarked, “I’m just letting you know, man.” He would be in that area somewhere. His style was appropriate for Boston in the 1980s and other similar times, but in the modern world, “oh hell no,” there’s no way. I’m not disparaging him since, like myself, he was an excellent player at the time, but I’m saying that there’s just no way.
In 1986, Bird’s final MVP season, Rodman was a rookie. In three of their four playoff series between 1988 and 1991, the Pistons prevailed over the Celtics. The Bulls and Celtics never squared off in the postseason during Rodman’s Chicago Bulls’ three-peat.
Despite having five championships to Bird’s three, Rodman played a supporting role on teams that won titles under the leadership of Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Bird was the main player for the 1980s Celtics championship teams. Bird was chosen for the first team of the All-NBA nine times. Despite being selected for the All-Defensive first team seven times, Rodman was never named to the All-NBA first team.
Nikola Jokic is a player who Rodman said is “way better” than Bird.
Detractors of Bird have said over the years that he wasn’t athletic enough to achieve the same kind of success in the NBA today. The seven-foot center Jokic, the two-time MVP who helped Denver win its first NBA championship earlier this month, has his own share of doubts about his physical prowess.
Rodman remarked, “He’s slow as hell, but that guy has a game.” “He is superior to Larry Bird. Should one liken him to Larry Bird, I believe that he would be chosen.
