Dennis Rodman Doesn’t Think Larry Bird Could Make It in Today’s NBA

Dennis Rodman is one of the best role players to ever suit up in the NBA. As a five-time champion and all-time great defender, he knows basketball. But this take will definitely evoke some pushback—especially from Boston. 

During a recent appearance on VladTV, Rodman suggested that Larry Bird wouldn’t make it in today’s NBA and would need to play overseas. He also said he thinks Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is better than the Celtics legend. 

“If Larry Bird played in this era, I think he’d be in Europe,” Rodman said. “Today’s world? Oh, hell no. There’s no way. I’m not downplaying him, because he’s a great player at that time, just like I was, but no. There’s no way. I think the kid from Denver is way better than him.”

Bird, a three-time NBA champion and three-time MVP, is often considered one of the greatest players to ever to step onto a basketball court. Rodman knows exactly what Bird is capable of, having faced off against him several times throughout the ’80s—which makes it all the more strange that he doesn’t think Bird could even play in the NBA, if not dominate it. 

Jokić just finished his first championship run and is already a two-time MVP. At age 28, there’s plenty of time for him to catch up to Bird when it comes to rings. But to Rodman, it appears there’s no need, in terms of legacy.