Dirk Nowitzki was on top of the basketball world after leading the Dallas Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title. His Mavs faced a heavily favored Miami Heat team led by the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Yet despite his squad's lack of star power, Nowitzki delivered a virtuoso performance that also earned him Finals MVP honors and, well, comparison to one of the best forwards ever in the game — Larry Bird .
But the German star refused the compliment, saying that Bird did many things that he couldn't.
"Come on, Larry was shooting 20-footers left-handed ," said Dirk, referring to one of Larry Legend's most iconic NBA performances.
Bird scored 47 points with his left-hand
The 1985-86 Boston Celtics are considered one of the best teams in NBA history. That team won 67 regular season games, coming up just one short of the franchise record. They were so dominant and so good that on February 14, 1986, the Indiana native said he would shoot left-handed during the game because he was saving his right hand for their next game against their rivals Los Angeles Lakers .
"At the end of one of the trips, he had accomplished every goal, we hadn't lost a game on the trip, and Larry told all of us players and the media too, we were all standing around waiting to leave, he said, 'Tomorrow night's the last game of the trip, I'm going to play this one left-handed, at least through three quarter." said teammate Bill Walton.
Bird did what he said he would do, but the game was tougher than expected as it went to overtime. But with Larry Legend recording a triple-double, the Celtics ultimately prevailed 120-119. Kodak finished with 47 points on 21-34 shooting with 14 rebounds and 11 assists. One game later, he dropped 22 points with 18 rebounds and 7 assists as Boston beat Los Angeles 105-99.
Related: "He don't look like he can play" - Tim Hardaway on his first impression of Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk was great but he was not Bird
Nowitzki ended up playing 21 seasons in Dallas and avoided serious injury throughout his career. Meanwhile, Bird famously played through pain and injuries, which shortened his NBA career to a mere 13 years. But other than longevity, Larry Legend was arguably better.
Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game during his NBA career, while Dirk put up 20.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 21 seasons. Looking at the numbers, The Great White Hope has the edge, especially in passing. The Celtics legend was also a much better defender, earning three All-Defensive selections early in his career. Nowitzki won one MVP in 2007, while Bird won three straight MVPs from 1984-86. He also has more titles, 3-1.
There's no doubt that Nowitzki was one of the best power forwards to play the game and the best European player to ever set foot in the NBA. But Larry Legend was something special. He was a player like no other. Even Dirk himself admitted that.
Related: "The way we let that one go really hurts" - Larry Bird admitted Celtics' morale took a big hit after dropping a clutch game in the 1987 finals
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