I've been thinking about this topic. When all is said and done - and assuming he wins a championship at some point, will Dirk Nowitzki be mentioned among the all-time greats, especially in comparison to Larry Legend?

Larry averaged 24.3ppg/10rpg/6.3apg in 12 seasons. He was NBA MVP 3 times, and all-nba first team 9 times. He was an all-star in every one. (He sat out 1989)

Dirk's career numbers so far are: 22ppg/8.5rpg/2.5apg in 8 full seasons. He's been all-NBA 1st team the past 2 seasons. He's been an all-star 6 times. Conceivably, his scoring could come close to matching Bird's with a few more "typical" 26ppg seasons.

It's interesting to note that Dirk has never averaged 10.0+rpg, though he managed 9.9 twice. Dirk also has averaged a microscopic 1.9TO/g which is pretty amazing, considering how much he touches the ball. Dirk also averages 3 fewer FGAs per game than Bird, adding to his efficiency as a scorer. Of course, Bird also sported a higher FG% and FT%.

Statistically, Bird is better - but he also played in a different era. But at the end of the day, are they going to be talking about Dirk in the same breath as Bird, as an all-time great?... or is Dirk merely one of the outstanding players of his era (a la Kevin Garnett)?

Bird was a better rebounder, but also an unbelievable passer, and unbelievably clutch.

You can compare them but it's really no comparison. I wanna say it's something like comparing Marbury to Isiah, but I'll give Dirk more credit than that.

not even in the same stratosphere.

bird, like magic, could have played any of the 5 positions on the court. he enforced his will on a game like only the greatest ever could. he was infinitely tougher than dirk. he played as physically as anyone in the game, then made the unbelievable finesse play the next moment. as clutch as anyone. also very effective on the defensive end.

dirk's career hasn't scratched the surface of bird's.

Career wise, Dirk is still a notch below Bird. But I don't think it's unreasonable to say that Dirk is approaching a point in his career where he can string together a few Bird-like seasons. He has improved his scoring efficiency and defense by increments over previous seasons, but most notably he's now becoming a dangerous weapon as a passer. The new and improved, and still improving, Dirk is in Bird territory.

Dirk is not in the same league as Bird yet but bon't give me this line "Could Dirk be as good during the physical play of the 80s and 90s?"

First, Bird crapped out in the early 90s. He mostly played in the 80s and the 80s were not a tough defensive period. Bird routinely played in games where the scores were in the triple-digits. Dirk routinely plays games where neither team reaches triple-digits.

Bird was better, but not because of the era.

I'm not even sure Dirk is as good as Bob McAdoo.

Not even close. the difference is GAlactic!!! Bird played during a time where physical play was the call of the day. He also played in a league that was not watered down. Bird was a money player. dirk is good, but he is soft. Bird shot the ball better and passed better, bird was a winner in every sense of the word.

this is sorta like comparing Stephon Marbury to Isiah Thomas... the career stats may seem similar, but the differences are huge.

Dirk's a good player, and maybe even a great player, but Bird was one of the greatest players of all-time. There is really no comparison at this point.

Bird had a much better inside game than Dirk. He was an outstanding finisher and he could even back you down with a turnaround J or a jump hook.

Why are we comparing Dirk to one of the ten best players to ever play the game? Bird's bball instincts alone probably make him a top 5 player ever.

I don't think people realize how good Dirk is right now. He's more than a great scorer, and across the board, at least statistically, his current season compares favorably to Bird's best statistical season.

Dirk 07
52.8 eFG%, 90.0 FT%, 15.7 rebound rate, 13.2 assist ratio, 8.2 TO ratio, 28.8 PER

Bird 88
52.7 eFG%, 91.6 FT%, 14.0 rebound rate, 18.3 assist ratio, 8.3 TO ratio, 27.8 PER

The similarities are eerie. That's not to say Dirk's season is just as good as Bird's 88 season. But what it does suggest is that there is not a huge difference between Dirk's current level of play and Bird's. You can argue Dirk is not yet at Bird's level, but you can't argue that Dirk isn't in the same stratosphere. Dirk is playing at an MVP level right now.