Why do people try to compare Dirk Nowitzki to Larry Bird, when dirk is obviously better?

Question

I don't care what no one says, even though Dirk Nowitzki hasn't got his ring YET, talent wise Dirk is much better than Larry Bird in So many ways.

If you truly know basketball you will understand were I'm am coming from. Besides obvious facts that Dirk and Larry are white why do people compare them?

Yea right whatever delusional, LMFAO! Larrry Bird is getting credited for crap he really doesn't even deserve, yea he scores and had a "lot" of points, but what about his defense?

Dirk could never be overrated, if you saw him play you would obviously know, he's a great ball-handler, he shoots at a great percentage from beyond the arch for a 7 footer, I mean he won the 3 point championship in the 2005-06 all-star weekend. Watch him play and then you will see what you called "overrated"!

Answer 1

Finally... Someone who knows where I'm comming from. Dirk is one is the best players in the league right now, and I'm sure he will go down as one of the best to ever play the power forward position.

As far as Dirk being better than Larry Bird, I think your absolutely correct when you said that, I've been trying to tell people this all along. People are just saying he isn't because he has not gotten a ring yet. I'm sure next year the Dallas Mavericks will finally win it all (I can feel it). After he leads his team to a championship I'm sure he will go down as one of the top 10 players of ALL TIME!

But of course you can't take away from what Larry Bird has accomplished in his career.

Comparing Dirk to Larry Bird is an injustice to Dirk.

And as far as Dirk being overrated that is so not true, if anything Dirk is underrated. Some people just can't appreciate good talent!

Answer 2

Being a Spurs fan, it's painful to say that I agree that Dirk is great. He's the best PF in the league right now (Yes, even a little better than Amare). However, Larry was a little better all around. Larry had a little better shot, was a little better on the boards, and was a much better passer. I'm sure it didn't hurt that he had better teammates than Dirk, too. Anyway, here are some career stats that favor Bird: PPG: 24.3 for Bird, 23.0 for Dirk FG%: .496 for Bird, .476 for Dirk RPG: 10.0 for Bird, 8.4 for Dirk APG(the big one): 6.3 for Bird, 2.7 for Dirk. This shows that he was a better play-maker and a more willing passer, and also had a better shot selection. Larry was also a better all-around defender, getting 1.7 steals per game (more than Kobe for his career). BQ: He'll be number 2, under Olajuwon - Hakeem was an absolute monster, and he had less of a supporting cast than Dirk does now. BQ2: It's pretty awesome that Durant and Rose are getting this chance at this age. It's also cool to see both of them off the court - both are soft-spoken and respectful, unlike pretty much any other star in any other sport.

Answer 3

I "truly" know basketball, and I have absolutely no idea where you're coming from?

Dirk better than Larry Bird? At what - choking in the playoffs when his team needs him? Dirk is a good perimeter player who can drive to the basket, but he's still not nearly as good a pure shooter as was Bird, he's less physical inside, and Dirk couldn't play defense to save his life. Bird wasn't a great defender, but having Dirk out there is like putting a 7-foot piece of cardboard on the defensive end.

I certainly wouldn't compare them. Dirk is a very good player, but Larry Bird is an NBA legend. I don't think they'll be bumping Bird from the top 50 of all-time anytime soon to make room for Nowitzki.

Answer 4

As KING would say:

"Lay off the crack!"

Bird joined a Celtic team that had won 29 games the year before (despite the presence of 3 Hall of Famers) and led them to 61 wins as a rookie... And Bird didn't enter a league full of high school players, either.

He should have been MVP every year from 1980-1986.

Dirk is not even close to Larry Bird's level. Only someone who has never seen Bird play could possibly think that Dirk is in Bird's league.

Answer 5

omg finally some one understands me! well dirk and larry are compared from the way they move on the court. larry was a great three point shooter and of course, so is dirk. they actually are the same height too, 7 feet. the only thing is, larry is ia legend and i hope dirk is on his way. larry moved so acrobatically and dirk is kind of a choke artist [stilll love him though :)] Larry Bird and dirk were and are prolific scorers and admired shooters. both were rated excellent free-throw shooters. However, Bird's career high season records exceed Nowitzki's in terms of season average per game assists and rebound.

but i do agree, dirk is a greta shooter...he can fade from just about any where. and i especially love his turn around jump shots when he brings the ball down to the low post.

Answer 6

Are you German?I truly know basketball and Larry Bird is,as anyone who watched 80's basketball,1 of the greatest three point shooters of all time.Dirk can barely lead his team to the finals,and he didn't show up against the Warriors.

You said that Bird did not have good defense,what about the game winning steal he got when Isiah Thomas inbounded the ball?(Link to the steal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43DrapEn5QA) I'd like to see Dirk steal a inbound pass from Isiah Thomas and then dish it to DJ Johnson while being down a point.

Dirk vs Bird(no contest.) :

http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2006/06/white-and-blonde.html

Answer 7

dirk is an amazing player but don't compare bird and dirk, bird has better DEFENSE,a better shot, and he had much more talent and heart for the game of b'ball, and sure dirk won a 3 point contest bird won 3, also bird wasn't as tall as dirk but he was a better big man and he won more MVP,s and more trips to the all-star game and more championship rings plus he doesn't fold under pressure and is a great leader i also forget he was a great passer which also makes him better than dirk, even magic said (bird is so good it was scary) also(bird was the only one i feared on the court) has any body important said that about dirk.

Answer 8

you can love Dirk without having it come at the expense of a true legend. so instead of making an ignorant claim, why not just say:

"I Love Dirk"
"Dirk has great range for a big man"
"Dirk will get over his choking habit in the playoffs, and eventually get a ring, just like Bird did. THREE times."
"Hasselhoff Rules!!"

instead, you advertise to everyone "I am a basketball poser who doesn't know my history." then again, you're probably 12 years old, so i shouldn't be so rude. it's just amazing what people will say to get some attention.

Google Bird and read his bio and accomplishments, even what reporters and his peers say about him. then get your hands on some old Celtics game tapes. learn a little bit about one of the all-time best players before you compare him to a guy who's pretty good in today's watered-down league.

Answer 9

Larry Bird was a great team defender, not quick enough to be a great individual defender, but he was the best positional rebounder ever. They should change the name of blocking out to 'Larry Birding'. That counts as defense too! All -around, Bird was roughly twice as good as Dirk.

Answer 10

I truly DO KNOW basketball, and I still can't understand where your coming from.

It's OK if you're a Dirk fan, and want to jock for your favorite player, but to say he's as good as one of the top three players in history is absurd.

Would you care to explain your distorted logic on why you think Dirk is better than Bird?
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What about Bird's defense? No,he wasn't a great one on one defender, but he had the ability to see plays develop before they happened. He played the passing lanes as well as anybody (look at his steals), and he was excellent at playing the "disguised zone".

He also won the first 3 Long Distance Shootout competitions at the all-star games. Dirk still needs two more just to tie!