NBA Finals 2011: Dirk Nowitzki vs Dwyane Wade, a Battle for the Ages

If you don't think that the 2011 edition of the NBA Finals has been anything less than stellar, you should go check yourself into a retirement home or drink a Red Bull.

Executives at ABC are enjoying the excitement being put on by the Mavericks and Heat as ratings are up for this year's finals. Over the first four games, the average margin of victory is 3.75 points. The last three games have all come down to Dirk Nowitzki's last shot. Once again, more drama than a TNT Tuesday night (they know drama).

However, when the lights have been their brightest, two stars have been there to stand in the spotlight. Dwyane Wade and Nowitzki are both averaging over 26 points a game. Wade and Nowitzki's battles in the first four games have been nothing less than extraordinary, almost bringing back memories of the greatest rivalry in NBA history.

No, not Joe Crawford and Tim Duncan. Although Crawford allegedly challenging the "Big Fundamental" to a brawl in the parking lot does seem like must-see TV.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson put the NBA on their shoulders in the '80s, and put on the most intense, dynamic rivalry in sports history. In three NBA finals, Magic beat Bird two out of three in some of the best games in Finals history. Along the way, Magic averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 13.5 assists. Bird countered with 25.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

So what does this have in common with this series three decades later? Like their predecessors, Nowitzki and Wade are bringing out the best in each other. This is evident by their fourth quarter battles in the series so far. Their contrasting styles are also similar to Bird and Magic. Nowitzki has been the lethal shooter and Wade has been the unstoppable slasher.

The only question that remains is which style will prevail with a title.