Dirk Nowitzki, the Next Larry Bird?

The Dallas Mavericks' German Assassin became Bird-like in this series.

BUT, Dirk Nowitzki already was motivated before Phoenix Suns forward Tim Thomas started blowing kisses in Game 5.

Coach Avery Johnson challenged Nowitzki after Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

Steve Nash has your MVP trophy, Johnson told Nowitzki. Go take it back, he added.

Nowitzki responded with an epic 50-point game, which included scoring 15 consecutive Mavericks points during the fourth quarter of a 117-101 win.

Asked on Friday about his talk with Nowitzki, Johnson paused.

"No comment," he said before making an acknowledgement to accompanying laughter. "Boy, people can't keep their mouth shut."

With the NBA counting down the top 60 playoff moments, it is possible Nowitzki's performance might crack a future list. Assistant Del Harris, who has seen the league's elite for four decades, provided a historical context.

Harris' coaching career included four best-of-7 series against a vintage '80s Larry Bird, with whom Nowitzki has sometimes prematurely been compared. Although Bird never put together a 50-point, 12-rebound game in the playoffs, Harris remembered his game-dominating presence and passing ability.

"Bird is one of the five best who ever played," Harris said. "But would Bird have been proud of that game? Yes, he would have – and it probably would have gone on his refrigerator, along with a couple other articles."

Dirk Nowitzki certainly is turning out to be one awesome player. However, all this is nothing if he can't come home with an NBA Title. If he can lead his Mavericks past Phoenix, all that stands in his way are those guys from Miami in red. And beating those guys with the play Dirk brings to the table will probably be the easy part.

Can the Mavericks look past Phoenix and face Miami in the NBA Finals? Can these Texans do it against a Phoenix Suns team led by reigning MVP, Steve Nash? Bet on Bodog now.