The Elephant in the Room... Dirk's Play

[spreedom]

Yeah, what sort of "stomach ailment" lasts that long? If it's something like the flu, they should just send him home until he's over it, and then slowly work him back into the lineup. I love Dirk but it's pretty obvious that whatever the issue is, it's really affecting his play.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Yeah, what sort of "stomach ailment" lasts that long? If it's something like the flu, they should just send him home until he's over it, and then slowly work him back into the lineup. I love Dirk but it's pretty obvious that whatever the issue is, it's really affecting his play.

Total stab in the dark here, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's some bacterial infection his daughter brought home. She's a year and a half old, now, I think, so basically a little walking petri dish.

[sinsin]

not sure if someone has already come up with this, but:

his shooting woes started when his back tightend up which caused him to miss one game.
I believe something might be lingering there. Eventually he will get over this but back problems always effect the shooting motion. Imho that is the main reason why he is suddenly way off on his 3pt attempts. He ll get it fixed eventually. I ll expect him to kill it after the All Star Break at the latest!

[rmacomic]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

Total stab in the dark here, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's some bacterial infection his daughter brought home. She's a year and a half old, now, I think, so basically a little walking petri dish.

I have totally though this as well.

Little ones have no immunity until they catch everything, and then they pass it on to parents.

My daughter is 20 months and is constantly bringing my wife and I new infections. Mostly viral and mostly unpleasant. Lately Dirk has had the pasty, sweaty, sallow look of a guy with a toddler.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Stomach issues don't have to be the flu. Could be something messing with his diet or an allergy of some sort. Could also be really bad acid indigestion (something I have) and working out/exercising can bring out the worst in it. Who knows though until Dirk says it himself.

[Underdog]

30 points (8-13 / 2-3 / 12-12), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal in 29 minutes.

Some of those minutes were at the center position.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Underdog

30 points (8-13 / 2-3 / 12-12), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal in 29 minutes.

Some of those minutes were at the center position.

Dirk being dirk but it's one game. Hope it's the beginning of him getting back on track

[sefant77]

[Thespiralgoeson]

Whatever was (or perhaps still is) wrong with Dirk, can we please set aside this ridiculous notion that it's just the inevitable decline that comes with age? NBA players lose a lot of things with age- speed, agility, stamina, durability... eventually even strength. One thing, however, that players do not ever lose is a natural shooting touch- unless that shooting touch was itself predicated on a high degree of athleticism- (T-Mac immediately comes to mind.) Dirk is not and never has been that kind of player at any point in his career. He's never needed to break his opponent's ankles, or jump ten feet in the air to sink a shot.

It's a silly notion, really. I couldn't help but chuckle at the way some people around here were practically ready to hold a funeral for Dirk's shot after like 2 1/2 weeks of a slump (and not the first shooting slump of Dirk's career by any means.) I realize this is just one game, but when Dirk's shot is off over the course of an entire season, then we can resume this conversation about him losing his shooting touch.

[Jproxursoxoff]

Yes!! And while I do think this thread was necessary, I hope it can start to make its way off the first page for good.

[Hansolo]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Whatever was (or perhaps still is) wrong with Dirk, can we please set aside this ridiculous notion that it's just the inevitable decline that comes with age? NBA players lose a lot of things with age- speed, agility, stamina, durability... eventually even strength. One thing, however, that players do not ever lose is a natural shooting touch- unless that shooting touch was itself predicated on a high degree of athleticism- (T-Mac immediately comes to mind.) Dirk is not and never has been that kind of player at any point in his career. He's never needed to break his opponent's ankles, or jump ten feet in the air to sink a shot.

It's a silly notion, really. I couldn't help but chuckle at the way some people around here were practically ready to hold a funeral for Dirk's shot after like 2 1/2 weeks of a slump (and not the first shooting slump of Dirk's career by any means.) I realize this is just one game, but when Dirk's shot is off over the course of an entire season, then we can resume this conversation about him losing his shooting touch.

Spot on post.

[Murphy3]

Yeah, this has been a bit of a silly thread. Dirk was on absolute fire early in the season. He has shot the ball poorly in December. Usually someone doesn't just fall off of a cliff like that unless there is some other physical or mental issue. Patience might not be a bad thing with regards to Dirk.

[G-Man]

He's Baaack!

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by sefant77

He can fly.