My Dirk Observations

[Day1MavsFan]

After watching Dirk play this preseason, I have seen the following:

- He's rebounding about the same as last year, or not up to the level of '02-'03

- He still doesn't position himself close enough to the basket before receiving the ball

- He is using a few more moves than before to get an open shot

- He's taking the ball inside more

- He's looking to pass the ball more and doing it much better

- He seems really pumped about this season


Any comments? Anyone seen anything different?

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

only got to see some of the depressing Knicks game the other night, but what I did see was that dirk did seem to be taking the ball to the hole more. I felt like I'm noticing him get more comfortable using his offhand in doing so. Also, if you look at the picture of him dunking tonight, it seems like it's been a long while since he got up like that on a dunk. Concerning passing, I cannot say for certain although grndmstr mentioned in the game thread that dirk had a couple of assists to Dampier and also a couple to Howard. I think it will be interesting to watch Dirk's assists this year. Finally, I don't think we need to worry about his rebounding at the level of 2002-2003. That year dirk played alongside Raef who might be the worst rebounding big man in the history of the game. Okay I'm probably exagerating, but I don't think I could have counted the number of times I was hoping to no avail that Raef would grab 8 boards in a game. Lunar eclipses are almost as common as Raef's double doubles.

[grndmstr_c]

Even last year when Dirk's rebounding was down he was a major boon to our defensive rebounding. Case in point, whereas the Mavs only got 66.2% of the available defensive boards with Dirk on the bench, when he was in the game that figure went up to 69.1%.

[Murphy3]

I would love for Dirk to average 10 boards a game, but that is dependent upon who he's playing alongside. If Damp and Howard get heavy minutes, it's likely that Dirk doesn't post 10 boards a game. In the end, it's about how many boards the team comes up with and now how many boards Dirk pulls down.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Ok, well Dirk has been playing a lot of small forward, and he doesn't rebound well there. Injuries have prevented him from play PF, since we have so many healthy bigs.

[SaltwaterChaffy]

I always thought that one thing that went unnoticed last year was how Dirk's passing had improved. It looks even better in this preseason. I would not be shocked at all to see him average 4.5 assists a game this year, especially if this connection he has with Damp continues.

[V]

Originally posted by: DevinHarriswillstart
Ok, well Dirk has been playing a lot of small forward, and he doesn't rebound well there. Injuries have prevented him from play PF, since we have so many healthy bigs.

Actually Hendu played SF last night.

[FineCubanCigar]

thats only 1 night, Dirk has been playing the 3 tons outa neccisity.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: FineCubanCigar
thats only 1 night, Dirk has been playing the 3 tons outa neccisity.

I'd check the facts on that one. He played about 6 minutes with Booth/Damp on the floor, but Booth was always picking up the three for some reason....

[mavs413]

Dirk was the Starting 3 last night.
Dirk, Henderson, and Dampier started last night.
Dirk and Peja were guarding each other.
Henderson was on Webber, Dampier against Miller.

[EricaLubarsky]

and then dirk guarded Kevin Martin who is their SG, so he must be a SG while Howard guarded Peja.

[mavs413]

It was more than a couple posessions where Dirk and Peja were going against each other.

[sike]

Originally posted by: mavs413
It was more than a couple posessions where Dirk and Peja were going against each other.

Paja often guards Dirk...in the past Paja has done a decent job on him. This does not mean Dirk is the three. Plus, from what I heard, Josh played much of the defense on Paja last night. It might happen, but it is rare indeed.

[bernardos70]

Sike, I would say Dirk played more defense on Pedrag than Josh (heh, I love that spelling).

[sike]

if Berni says it, I believe it.

they have matched up many times in the past that is beyond doubt.