Let me set the record straight from the outset. I’ve been a Boston Celtics fan since the Bill Russell dynasty-days. It was an era that will never be duplicated in sports – never mind the NBA. 11 Championships in 13-years. Russell, Cousy, the Jones boys, Heinsohn, Sanders, Frank Ramsey – the original 6th man, and the perpetual man-in-motion John Havlicek.

The 70’s brought Dave Cowens. As a graduate of Jacksonville University in Florida, I followed Dave’s college days while at Florida State. I remember his battles against my friend and fraternity brother, Artis Gilmore. When the Celtics drafted Cowens, I was probably the only one in Massachusetts looking forward to the redhead’s presence at the Garden. I knew his intense game would quickly win-over the Celtics fans.

Then came 1980…the Larry Bird era. Without doubt, the most enjoyable basketball I’ve ever watched. Nothing can compare to the Bird-Magic, Celtics-Lakers games. It was the NBA at its best. While there were more gifted athletes to play the game than Bird, I’ve never seen a more pure ‘basketball player’ than Larry. Shooting, passing, rebounding, team-defense…he was the consummate team player.

This brings me to my point. I knew Larry Bird. I met Larry Bird. Dirk Nowitzki is no Larry Bird. I began hearing the foolish comparison last year. It came from, of all people, Celtics radio analyst and former Bird teammate, Cedric Maxwell, who stated, “I think Nowitzki is better than Larry.” I nearly fell off my chair when hearing that absurd comment. C’mon Cedric … you can’t be serious. Then, from the overbearing Stephen A. Smith came, “Nowitzki is the closest thing to Larry Bird since Larry Bird.” Please Stephen A.; wait until the guy wins something before you compare him to one of the NBA’s all-time greats. Larry has three championship rings, three MVPs (in consecutive years), two playoff MVPs, NBA first-team nine consecutive years, and twelve all-star game appearances, just to name a few accomplishments. What the hell has Dirk accomplished? I know one thing … a Bird team wouldn’t be loosing to the eighth seed in the playoffs.

So, please no more comparisons. And, by the way, if I’m picking first … it would be a tough choice between Russell and Bird.