Dirk Nowitzki became the #10 all-time scorer last night.

 

I was talking to MTGL today and we got into a debate about who is the better overall player. He says Dirk. While I lean hard towards Bird I must admit it's not that outlandish of a position to take. Bird had some great, great years but Dirk has been consistently strong for 15 years.

 

And before we start debating let us leave out the "saved the NBA" "white guy" "# of championships." Irrelevant to the debate.

 

Have at it.

The Hick from French Lick all the way. Bird had health issues that shortened his career. He had a better off hand and was more instinctive than Dirk. Just a natural leader and winner.

The Hick from French Lick all the way. Bird had health issues that shortened his career. He had a better off hand and was more instinctive than Dirk. Just a natural leader and winner.

 

I agree with much but , to be fair, Bird's health issues shouldn't punish Dirk. 10th is 10th. I agree and told MTGL that intangibles for Bird help sway me his way. To be fair to Dirk again Bird did have some amazingly talented teammates so the "winning" thing doesn't enter into it for me.

......

 

I've had this conversation with a lot of people, because honestly, I think it is a great debate. The summary of my thought is that while Bird was obviously great, I think his "Larry Legend" status stems from being a white kid from the country, from a small school, the rivalry with Magic and them "saving the league", and then the fact that this country was ripped with bussing issues at the time and people gravitated to him. Mix in a career with Boston, and his unbelievable skill became almost secondary. His prime years, before back issues, were AWESOME. However, I believe Dirk is often over-shadowed and under-rated, and that his whole career, in totality, is beyond Bird's "real" career (eliminating all of the aforementioned factors).

 

Both are obviously great and special players, that isn't the question.

Dirk is good but give me Bird. He made his teammates around him so much better.

 

He could pass, rebound, and even though he was slow not a bad defender. He could also score from anywhere and was clutch.

I agree with much but ' date=' to be fair, Bird's health issues shouldn't punish Dirk. 10th is 10th. I agree and told MTGL that intangibles for Bird help sway me his way. To be fair to Dirk again Bird did have some amazingly talented teammates so the "winning" thing doesn't enter into it for me.[/quote']

 

Without Google, name one teammate from the Sycamores.

Without Google, name one teammate from the Sycamores.

 

Some of us weren't alive when he played for the Sycamores

This is a tough debate. Having watched both play in their prime I have to roll with Bird. When it comes to intangibles and overall play you could count on Bird. Dirk is a better scorer and shooter than Bird but Bird is a better player and his teams won and they won because of Bird.

 

That makes a difference.

Without Google, name one teammate from the Sycamores.

 

Actually I can name one if I remember correctly. Carl Hicks.

 

However, I'm talking pro ball.

This is a tough debate. Having watched both play in their prime I have to roll with Bird. When it comes to intangibles and overall play you could count on Bird. Dirk is a better scorer and shooter than Bird but Bird is a better player and his teams won and they won because of Bird.

 

That makes a difference.

Agree with everything except the better shooter part. I'd take bird every time. Every single time.

Dirk is good but give me Bird. He made his teammates around him so much better.

 

He could pass, rebound, and even though he was slow not a bad defender. He could also score from anywhere and was clutch.

 

This. Plus, it seemed like Larry actually got pissed if the Celtics lost. Seems like too many players nowadays that really just don't care about that...as long as they get paid. Now I know I'm making a generality that offers plenty of exceptions...but, I guess I remember Bird as more as a true "competitor". That's who I want.

Agree with everything except the better shooter part. I'd take bird every time. Every single time.

 

I might take Bird every single time as well but it's by a hair.

 

As I told MTGL Dirk is like Kareem in that they each developed an almost unstoppable move. You look at their stats (I did while MTGL was trying to sell me) and they're strikingly similar.

I thought the guy's name was Nicks (without Googling).

This. Plus, it seemed like Larry actually got pissed if the Celtics lost. Seems like too many players nowadays that really just don't care about that...as long as they get paid. Now I know I'm making a generality that offers plenty of exceptions...but, I guess I remember Bird as more as a true "competitor". That's who I want.

 

Fierce competitor

I've watched Dirk quite a lot. Maybe it's the difference of position to a degree, although it could be argued they really aren't too different, I believe with the old eyeball test, Bird had that something special that Dirk doesn't seem to have. Can't really verbalize it but it was tangible. If that makes one iota of sense.