Bird or Dirk ?

[PaulCrewe]

I love that my boy Po is sticking to his guns without his "colored" glasses on. Just tossing ya a little crap.

 

These two are not in the same league. And as much as it hurts me as Spur fan, I will say Dirk has been a MAN this postseason. And for further reference, I will reluctantly be a Mav fan if they do end up facing the Heat. That really stings, but for my boy Po I'll do it.

[Ratt Mhule]

Even if this question is about athleticism, which it is I believe the answer is no doubt Larry Bird. He once played a game solely left-handed and scored 24 which is ridiculous. Only thing Dirk really has on Bird is that is a little more passionate and it is easier to pump him up.

I would say Dirk was more passionate. I just think Larry was more composed than Dirk. It was hard for players to get Larry off his game. Dirk is a head case. When things are not going well he cannot adapt as well as Bird could.

 

I take it you didn't watch the 4th quarter of Game 3 vs. the Thunder. And for the poster who said Dirk is not a legend, he will be before its said and done.

 

1 game doesn't mean anything. Game 3? you mean the game the Mavs had a 20 point lead the whole game and almost blew it? The only problem with Dirk is that he would have to play at the level he is playing now for a lot longer. He is already 32. how many years does he have left? Not to mention that for years everyone knew he was soft so which won't help.

 

That one game is just one recent example. They may have almost blown the lead, but almost only counts in horseshoes and grenades. He said he cannot adapt when things aren't going his way, well he was off the whole night, but what happened in the 4th quarter when they needed him. Big shot after big shot.

True, but look at Dirk's history - he's been incapable of carrying the team when it counts. This season is the sole exception. In other words, what he's doing for the first time at age 32 is what Bird did for his entire career. Bird was by far the more clutch shooter - when it came to crunch, he demanded the ball, and he made the play - regardless whether it was a shot, a pass, a key rebound or by any other metric.

 

I don't mean to demean Dirk, and I certainly don't mean to diminish what he's accomplishing this season - but it's one season. Bird did it for a career. No matter what Dirk does with the rest of his career, he can't begin to match what Bird did.

 

One of the key differences is that Bird - primarily due to his passing, but in other respects as well - made his teammates better players. Dirk has not done that. Yes, he can shoot, and yes, he's been clutch this season. But that's it.

 

Good player having a great season - more power to him. But there's simply no legitimate comparison...

 

If I recall, I could be wrong since I never got to watch Bird live, but he had players around him. Kevin McHale/Robert Parrish to name a few. Dirk has a 38 year old as the second best player on is team. Even when they made a run to the NBA finals in 2006, he had Jason Terry (a bench player) and Josh Howard who was not even an all-star. If you look at the teams who win NBA championships these days, they have at least two or three all-stars on their team. Dallas has one this year. What they are doing is amazing. Even the Thunder have two all-stars and the leading scorer in the league.

[Ratt Mhule]

I love that my boy Po is sticking to his guns without his "colored" glasses on. Just tossing ya a little crap.

 

These two are not in the same league. And as much as it hurts me as Spur fan, I will say Dirk has been a MAN this postseason. And for further reference, I will reluctantly be a Mav fan if they do end up facing the Heat. That really stings, but for my boy Po I'll do it.

 

Don't say that. I hate the Heat with a passion. Even more than the Spurs

[AR Husker Fan]

Even if this question is about athleticism, which it is I believe the answer is no doubt Larry Bird. He once played a game solely left-handed and scored 24 which is ridiculous. Only thing Dirk really has on Bird is that is a little more passionate and it is easier to pump him up.

I would say Dirk was more passionate. I just think Larry was more composed than Dirk. It was hard for players to get Larry off his game. Dirk is a head case. When things are not going well he cannot adapt as well as Bird could.

 

I take it you didn't watch the 4th quarter of Game 3 vs. the Thunder. And for the poster who said Dirk is not a legend, he will be before its said and done.

 

1 game doesn't mean anything. Game 3? you mean the game the Mavs had a 20 point lead the whole game and almost blew it? The only problem with Dirk is that he would have to play at the level he is playing now for a lot longer. He is already 32. how many years does he have left? Not to mention that for years everyone knew he was soft so which won't help.

 

That one game is just one recent example. They may have almost blown the lead, but almost only counts in horseshoes and grenades. He said he cannot adapt when things aren't going his way, well he was off the whole night, but what happened in the 4th quarter when they needed him. Big shot after big shot.

True, but look at Dirk's history - he's been incapable of carrying the team when it counts. This season is the sole exception. In other words, what he's doing for the first time at age 32 is what Bird did for his entire career. Bird was by far the more clutch shooter - when it came to crunch, he demanded the ball, and he made the play - regardless whether it was a shot, a pass, a key rebound or by any other metric.

 

I don't mean to demean Dirk, and I certainly don't mean to diminish what he's accomplishing this season - but it's one season. Bird did it for a career. No matter what Dirk does with the rest of his career, he can't begin to match what Bird did.

 

One of the key differences is that Bird - primarily due to his passing, but in other respects as well - made his teammates better players. Dirk has not done that. Yes, he can shoot, and yes, he's been clutch this season. But that's it.

 

Good player having a great season - more power to him. But there's simply no legitimate comparison...

 

If I recall, I could be wrong since I never got to watch Bird live, but he had players around him. Kevin McHale/Robert Parrish to name a few. Dirk has a 38 year old as the second best player on is team. Even when they made a run to the NBA finals in 2006, he had Jason Terry (a bench player) and Josh Howard who was not even an all-star. If you look at the teams who win NBA championships these days, they have at least two or three all-stars on their team. Dallas has one this year. What they are doing is amazing. Even the Thunder have two all-stars and the leading scorer in the league.

When Bird joined the Celtics, there wasn't quite the talent that you're thinking of. They obtained Robert Parrish in a trade with Golden State - and up to the time he played with Bird he was considered something of a bust. Bird made him better - got him the ball where he wanted it, when he wanted it. McHale was a good player when he was drafted - but again, hardly a superstar. Then, look at the guards. Johnson came from Seattle and was considered a malcontent - other teams didn't want to touch him. He was thought to be out of shape and selfish. That changed when he got to play with Bird. Ainge was a failed baseball player who'd had a great college career, but there were a lot of doubts about his ability at the pro level, particularly after his time away from the game.

 

Now, admittedly, those players worked on their games and improved - it wasn't all Bird's passing and shooting. But he helped to instill a work ethic; Johnson was considered to be lazy on defense, but became a great defensive guard after seeing Bird's work ethic.

 

And don't forget that the offense tended to run through Bird - he frequently acted as a "point forward" before that term existed; he brought the ball up a lot, he was a primary ball handler. With Dallas, more often than not the offense runs to Dirk - he gets it and shoots. He's shown improved willingness and ability to pass out of double teams this season - but even so, it's only one seaons and it hardly compares to Bird's ability to have the offense run through him.

[bsbch]

Bird hands down. Dirk is a hell of a player, but every thing Dirk can do Bird did just as well if not better. Except maybe jump........

[The Dude]

This is a joke right? Bird by a country mile.

[walksalone]

This is a joke right? Bird by a country mile.

 

I know, this seems to be the comparison of the week, now that Dirk is heading to the Finals.

 

Dirk's a very good player, but Bird's just on a completely different level...

[Ratt Mhule]

Another game winning three pointer for Dirk

[Pedro Guerrero]

Bird averaged more points, rebounds, assists, had a better FG and FT percentage, and averaged more steals.

Dirk had a better 3 PT percentage, averaged more blocks, and less TO’s.

Birds highest PPG was 29.9, RPG – 11.00, APG – 7.6, FG% - .527, FT% - .930, 3PT% - .427, SPG - 2.02, and BPG – 1.23

Dirks highest PPG was 26.6, RPG – 9.9, APG – 3.5, FG% - .517, FT% - .915, 3PT% - .421, SPG – 1.4, and BPG – 1.5

 

Bird 3 Titles, 2 Finals MVP’s, 3 NBA MVP’s, 9 Time 1st Team All NBA (1 – 2nd Team), 3 Time 2nd Team All Defense, Rookie of the Year

Dirk 0 Titles, 0 Finals MVP’s, 1 NBA MVP, 4 Time 1st Team All NBA (5 – 2nd Team & 2 – 3rd Team) 0 Time All Defense, Not Rookie of the Year

[GSG]

Bird averaged more points, rebounds, assists, had a better FG and FT percentage, and averaged more steals.

Dirk had a better 3 PT percentage, averaged more blocks, and less TO’s.

Birds highest PPG was 29.9, RPG – 11.00, APG – 7.6, FG% - .527, FT% - .930, 3PT% - .427, SPG - 2.02, and BPG – 1.23

Dirks highest PPG was 26.6, RPG – 9.9, APG – 3.5, FG% - .517, FT% - .915, 3PT% - .421, SPG – 1.4, and BPG – 1.5

 

Bird 3 Titles, 2 Finals MVP’s, 3 NBA MVP’s, 9 Time 1st Team All NBA (1 – 2nd Team), 3 Time 2nd Team All Defense, Rookie of the Year

Dirk 0 Titles, 0 Finals MVP’s, 1 NBA MVP, 4 Time 1st Team All NBA (5 – 2nd Team & 2 – 3rd Team) 0 Time All Defense, Not Rookie of the Year

 

Boom goes the dynamite!

[Pedro Guerrero]

One more thing Bird had 59 career Triple Doubles in the regular season and 10 more in the playoffs.

Dirk has 2 career Triple Doubles.

 

You could make a legitimate argument that Larry Bird is the greatest Forward to EVER play in the NBA. You can’t even make a legitimate argument that Dirk is the best Power Forward to be drafted into the NBA in the late 90’s, wear a jersey that ends in a 1, weigh over 240lbs, and plays in the State of Texas.

[walksalone]

I think we can put this to bed. Bird was called "Larry Legend" for a freakin' reason.

 

Dirk is a very good player, and that's where the comparison ends.

[knapplc]

I voted for Bird without hesitation, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder - what happens if you put Dirk on Bird's Celtics teams? McHale, Parish, Johnson, Ainge - who has Dirk had that compares to that? That's a hell of a lineup over the years.

 

Dirk is no Bird, but Dirk has had far less team around him than Bird ever had.

[walksalone]

Dirk is a phenomenal shooter, but Bird's court awareness is what made him, great. He was a guy that made those around him much better.

[knapplc]

Sports Illustrated has an All-Time NBA greats poll up. One of the questions is which small forward you'd want, and both Bird and Dirk are options. Unsurprisingly, Bird is dominating.

 

LINK

 

 

Here are my answers:

 

Jordan

Wilt Chamberlain

Kevin Garnett

Bird

Jordan

Tough choice but I went with Stockton. Magic is, not surprisingly, running away with this, though.

Reggie Miller as three-point specialist. Dude was a stone-cold assassin from behind the arc.

Derrick Rose as my under-22 nucleus. Bulls homerism, but he's worthy.

I went with Phil Jackson as my coach. More Bulls homerism, but he's also worthy.