“He Reminds Me of Me”: Larry Bird Hails Nikola Jokić After MVP Win, Calling Him the Most Dominant Center of the Modern Era and a Legend in the Making
In a rare public statement that sent waves across the basketball world, NBA legend Larry Bird offered high praise for Nikola Jokić, following the Denver Nuggets star’s most recent NBA MVP victory. Bird, a three-time MVP himself and widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood, took the opportunity to both congratulate Jokić and recognize his place in basketball history.
“He reminds me of me—just a lot taller,” Bird said with a chuckle. “But seriously, Jokic sees the floor like a guard, makes everyone around him better, and he does it all without ever rushing the game. That’s rare. That’s special.”
Bird’s comments came during a press conference ahead of an NBA event honoring former MVPs, where he was asked his thoughts on Jokić’s impact on the game. The Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate in placing Jokic among the sport’s most elite, calling him the most dominant center of the modern era.
A Game Recognizes Game Moment
The mutual respect between legends across generations is a cornerstone of the NBA’s storied legacy, and this moment was no exception. For Bird—whose court vision, unselfishness, and basketball IQ made him a generational superstar in the 1980s—Jokić represents the evolution of that same philosophy in today’s game.
“What I see in Jokic is something we don’t see much anymore. He plays smart, he plays to win, and he doesn’t care about flash. He’s about substance. That’s the kind of basketball I always respected,” Bird added.
The Serbian big man has already etched his name in the record books with three MVP awards, multiple All-Star appearances, and a historic NBA Championship win. But receiving validation from a player like Larry Bird, a man who defined an era, adds another layer to his growing legacy.
The Rise of a Modern-Day Big Man
Nikola Jokić has revolutionized what it means to be a center in today’s NBA. With unprecedented passing ability, deadly efficiency, and a calm, calculating demeanor, Jokić blends old-school toughness with new-school versatility. His stats and accolades speak volumes, but it’s his understated brilliance that has captured the respect of basketball purists like Bird.
“He’s going down in history as one of the legends of this game,” Bird said. “You watch the way he controls a game without saying a word, just by passing, positioning, reading the defense—it’s masterful. That’s a legend in the making.”
Mutual Admiration
While Jokić has always deflected individual praise in favor of team success, he has often cited his admiration for players who emphasized IQ and fundamentals over flash. Bird’s recognition of Jokić feels like the passing of the torch from one basketball savant to another.
NBA fans, players, and analysts alike responded to Bird’s comments with enthusiasm. Social media quickly lit up with clips of Bird and Jokić, with fans noting the similarities in how both men quietly dominated games through brilliance rather than bravado.
Conclusion: Legends See Legends
In the ever-evolving narrative of NBA greatness, moments like this bridge eras and remind us that basketball excellence transcends generations. When Larry Bird—one of the most cerebral, competitive, and iconic players the game has ever known—calls you a legend in the making, it’s not just flattery. It’s a stamp of immortality.
As Jokić continues to build on his already illustrious career, the words of Larry Bird will no doubt echo through NBA history:
“Nikola Jokic isn’t just playing basketball—he’s mastering it. And he’s doing it the way the greats always have—by making everyone around him better.”
