Dirk Nowitzki, You're No Larry Bird

Those watching the NBA playoffs this year are hearing a lot of comparisons between Dirk Nowitzki and Larry Bird. Physically there are some similarities. They are tall gangly blond haired white guys. As far as their games go, they are both excellent shooters. Dirk is a great player. He already holds the unofficial moniker of greatest international player to ever play in the NBA. Now he's starting to make a case for himself as one of the greatest of all time, period. There is no taking away from Nowitzki as a basketball player. However, to compare him to Larry Bird is not fair.

To begin, Nowitzki is essentially a one-dimensional player. He is a scorer. Yes, he is a good rebounder, but he is also 7'1", so he should be. Nowitzki is now appearing in his 2^nd NBA finals in 13 seasons. He has won one MVP trophy. A nice resume. Bird, however, along with Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson, is one of the greatest all around players in the history of the game. Before Michael Jordan began dominating the spotlight in the late '˜80s, there was much talk that Bird was the greatest player of all time. Bird could shoot, pass, rebound and defend. He was not the greatest defender, but he played hard and was a good help defender. He was a basketball savant. He had a style all his own, the likes of which will not be seen in a long time, if ever. Bird won a title in his second year in the league. He played in 4 straight finals from 1984-1987, winning 2. The two that he lost were to the Lakers, who featured Magic, Kareem and James Worthy. He also won in '84 against the Lakers. In the years between '84-86, Bird won 3 straight MVP trophies, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was the greatest basketball player in the world at that time. Considering that Bird was ravaged by injuries following the '87 campaign until he retired after the '92 season, helps one to appreciate even more what Bird accomplished.

A look at the individual statistics tells us more about the Bird-Nowitzki comparison. Bird averaged 24.3 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and 6.3 assists per game over his entire career. He also shot 88.6% from the free throw line and 37.6% from the three point line. He had a field goal percentage of 49.6%.

Over the course of Dirk's career he has averaged 23 points per game, 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He has shot 38.1% from the three point line and 87.7% from the free throw line. He has a field goal percentage of 47.6%.

Bird leads Dirk in all statistical categories, except for 3 point field goal percentage, and they are both close. Bird also played in an era where the 3 point shot was just coming into vogue, and not a specialization like it has become today. While Bird and Dirk's scoring and rebounding numbers are similar, Bird destroys Dirk in assists. Considering that Bird was in many ways a perimeter player and a playmaker, the fact that he averaged more rebounds than Dirk, while also giving up 4 inches, is even more impressive.

Nowitzki will be remembered as a great player. Bird is remembered as one of the greatest. The numbers and the wins back it up, too.