Celts/Hawks or Celts/Cavs: Game 7s Compared

Sports pundits have discussed comparisons between the classic Game 7 pitting Larry Bird's Boston Celtics against Dominique Wilkins' Atlanta Hawks and the recent Game 7 where LeBron James' 45 points didn't beat Paul Pierce's 41.

Both games occurred on Boston's famed parquet floor. Both games featured incredible players. Comparisons make sense.

As we know, Bird and 'Nique initiated a fourth quarter shooting duel for the ages with Bird and his Celtics prevailing. Having witnessed both games live, the earlier game amazes me most. Yes, James and Pierce topped 40, but it wasn't like they traded baskets against each other. The duel between Bird and Wilkins took on a personal tone with both players scoring consecutive baskets on consecutive possessions. They were literally answering each other with buckets and forcing their respective wills on each other during a Game 7.

It wasn't any other game they were playing. They were playing a Game 7 for the series, the marbles, the right to advance. I have never seen two basketball players trade shots like that ever.

I can only hope to witness something similar in the future, because what Bird and Wilkins did was electric. Those two put up the numbers and put on a show.