Paul Pierce reacts to Luka Doncic-Larry Bird comparisons

Former NBA player Paul Pierce said the comparisons between Luka Doncic and Larry Bird are “hurting his ears.”Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has carved a name for himself as one of the biggest superstars in the league. Many are still comparing him to Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird. But former Celtic Paul Pierce isn’t one of those people, saying the Doncic-Bird comparisons are “hurting my ears.”“Let’s stop with the comparisons here,” Pierce said on Undisputed Live.According to Pierce, Doncic would win several categories like scoring and handles, but Bird will come out on top in shooting, passing, speed, and IQ.But Pierce also gave Doncic his flowers, even labeling him as a “European LeBron James.”“I think Luka is carving out his own niche. He’s been All-NBA [First Team] four times, he could win a championship this year. He’s on his way to becoming an all-time great. We’re talking about one of the top five, 10 players to play the game,” Pierce added.“Will Luka get there? Numbers-wise, he’s getting there. Bird [won] three straight MVPs, he changed the game, he made us watch basketball. In his second year…he won a championship, who does that?” Pierce said. “He is probably the European LeBron James because [of] the way he can score, the way he can pass, the way he rebounds, and the way he controls the game. I’ll give him that, he’s a less athletic LeBron.”Doncic and the Mavericks will battle in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.