Dirk Nowitzki surpasses Larry Bird to move into 25th place on all-time scoring list
Dirk Nowitzki entered Tuesday’s game against the Orlando Magics sitting on 21,781 career points and needed just 11 points to move past Boston Celtics’ legend Larry Bird (21,791) and into 25th place on the all-time scoring list.
Although it took him till early in the fourth quarter to achieve the feat, he did it in style as he ripped in a pin point shot from downtown.
The German superstar, who has so often been compared to Larry Bird by virtue of his looks and his jump shot proficiency, matched the icon on the court as he surpassed his tally.
The 2006 MVP, who has had 10 games in his career in which he’s shot at least 80 percent from the floor has achieved the feat in slightly less time than Larry Bird though. Bird achieved the feat in 13 seasons after which he took retirement. Nowitzki on the
other hand has reached the milestone while playing in his 13th season and is set for many more as he has signed an $80 million – four year extension with the Mavericks.
Bird, well aware of the situation, was among the first ones to congratulate the Mavericks ace forward.
Rick Carlisle, the Dallas Coach who was one of Larry Bird’s teammates in the famous Boston team of the mid -1980’s received a text message from him.
"I just got a text message from Larry right as the game ended saying to congratulate Dirk and that he's always been a huge fan.” Carlisle said after the match.
Nowitzki though didn’t make it easy on himself to achieve the feat. After starting with an 8 point first quarter, he struggled for the next two frames before finally managing a long range shot, early in the fourth.
Dirk, who has let it rip this season with a shooting percentage of 55.0, said after the match.
"I actually started off kind of hot and then just never got going anymore. It’s obviously an unbelievable accomplishment to a be a top-25 scorer in an amazing league with an amazing history, amazing players, so yeah, it's an unbelievable accomplishment."
A lot of comparison can be drawn between the two iconic living legends of the game. Although Bird was a much better passer and a little bit better rebounder than Nowitzki, that doesn't diminish what Dirk has done. The game has evolved and coping up with
the up-tight defences of the teams is far more difficult than it was in Bird’s era. Moreover, Bird never had to carry as much load by constant double and triple teaming as Dirk has because he simply had better players to play with. These facts make Dirk’s
feat all the more significant.
Rick Carlisle reiterated the duo’s similarities as he proclaimed.
"Both are extremely meticulous in their preparation, their dedication," Carlisle said. "The statistics are staggering, but both guys really were about winning first all the time. Dirk, if it was best for him to average 15 [points] and get eight or nine rebounds,
if that was the best way to win he'd be all for that. Fortunately, for us he's an all-time great player like Larry was and we're trying to get to the top of the mountain."
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