Dirk vs. the U.S.

[Five-ofan]

no on the wades leg thing, I never wish injury on anyone. Its much more fun to beat people at their best.

[sp3nc3r13]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

no on the wades leg thing, I never wish injury on anyone. Its much more fun to beat people at their best.

agreed. wishing an injury on another team's player just makes you look like an ass.

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by birdsanctuary

May Dirk rise and may Femmerling break Dwade's leg...

Amen!

[Drbio]

With all due respect...screw Dirk.

In this game he is the opponent.


USA ! ! ! ! ! !

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by Drbio

With all due respect...screw Dirk.

In this game he is the opponent.


USA ! ! ! ! ! !

Screw Dirk???

Blasphemy!

[fluid.forty.one]

Germany all the way.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by Drbio

With all due respect...screw Dirk.

In this game he is the opponent.


USA ! ! ! ! ! !

Even the people who want the US to win should still root for Dirk to have a good game.

[nah-vit-ski]

USA on Monday, Tuesday, Thusday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and ESPECIALLY this Wednesday.

[ilMavvento]

I've got to say, I'm really surprised by these poll results. I want Dirk to do as well as possible in a losing effort. Plus, the less games he has to play the fresher he'll be for the season, so I see losing to the USA as a benefit for him in a way.

Other than residual DWade hate, I find this the most likable USA team to cheer for in a long time. This is a new generation of players who take the international game seriously and are committed to USA Basketball. They play unselfish, creative basketball and represent their country with pride....I can't not cheer for them.

[alby]

so wednesday, aired at 530 ET?

[MightyToine]

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

If Josh had played, it might be different. But he didn't, so it's not. I root for Dirk to make Dwyane Wade cry.

Oh I'm sure Dwyane Wade will have tears in his eyes......from laughing so hard after sending Dirk home.......AGAIN!

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by Male23Dan

Screw Dirk???

Blasphemy!

That's right folks.

Ok maybe not screw Dirk, I hope he drops 60 on them and elbows Wade in a manner that causes him to trip and tear his ACL and MCL....

but if you feel good about the United States of America losing a basketball game to Germany, maybe you should move there.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

That's right folks.

Ok maybe not screw Dirk, I hope he drops 60 on them and elbows Wade in a manner that causes him to trip and tear his ACL and MCL....

but if you feel good about the United States of America losing a basketball game to Germany, maybe you should move there.

Wow, that's not high-minded and condescending at all.....

[mary]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

That's right folks.

Ok maybe not screw Dirk, I hope he drops 60 on them and elbows Wade in a manner that causes him to trip and tear his ACL and MCL....

but if you feel good about the United States of America losing a basketball game to Germany, maybe you should move there.

To say you are lacking perspective would be a massive understatement. There are at least 1000 things that are more significant and more meaningful that you could be doing for your country before we get to "Root for the Men's Basketball team."

[kriD]

U.S. takes on Dirk, Germany early Wed.

Associated Press

SAITAMA, Japan – The bracket says the United States will be facing Germany in the quarterfinals of the FIBA world championships Wednesday.

In truth, the U.S. is facing Dirk.

"Man, they have Dirk," U.S. point guard Chris Paul said. "He's one of the best players in the NBA and one of the best players in international ball as well."

Everyone here is on a first-name basis with Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks' star forward who has joined the ranks of the one-name basketball stars.

There's Kobe, Shaq, LeBron and Yao. And Dirk.

"He's an amazing player," U.S. guard Kirk Hinrich said. "He poses unbelievable matchup problems for any team, either in the NBA or here. He is used to playing internationally and with his German teammates. He poses a real challenge."

Nowitzki is coming off his best NBA postseason. He performed spectacularly in the Western Conference playoffs, leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise's 26 years. A subpar – for him – performance in a six-game Finals loss to Miami didn't diminish the perception that Nowitzki had arrived.

In Dallas, Nowitzki is the best player on a talented team. In Japan, he is the best player on a team without another NBA player.

Nowitzki leads the tourney's remaining players in scoring, at 24.5 points per game, and rebounding, at 10.3 per game. His 46 field goals are nearly double the total for his next-highest teammate, Demond Greene, who has 24. Nowitzki also leads his team in assists, steals and turnovers.

Nowitzki scored 47 points – and made all 17 of his free throws – to carry the Germans past Angola in triple-overtime in group play. When Spain limited Nowitzki to 14 points, the Germans were blown out 92-71.

Germany probably needs something in the 47-point range if it hopes to stun the red-hot Americans, who are 6-0 and have won their last two games by a combined 216-131.

"Obviously the U.S. is the favorite to win it all here, but you never know," Nowitzki said. "Every game has to be played."

Bronze medalists at the FIBA World Championship four years ago in Indianapolis, Germany came to Japan hoping to take another step. If the Germans had beaten Spain, they would have avoided the U.S. until the final. But a second-place finish in their group made them run into the U.S. in the quarters.

The game may have a strange feel for Nowitzki, who is friends with many of the Americans. After Germany escaped with a 78-77 victory over Nigeria Sunday, Nowitzki embraced U.S. trainer Casey Smith, who is also the Mavs' head trainer.

"For him, facing these guys night in and night out, he's going to be fired up because he's representing Germany against them," said German guard Johannes Herber, who played at West Virginia. "But we're not a one-man team, and he won't be facing them alone."

Nowitzki isn't the only German with a personal connection to the U.S. team. Forward Ademola Okulaja teamed with U.S. forward Antawn Jamison at North Carolina from 1995-98, reaching two Final Fours.

"It's going to be crazy," said Okulaja, whose 10.0 points per game rank third for Germany. "Hopefully, I can win against him and have a little bragging rights."

The game will also be a rematch between Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade, who led Miami past Dallas in the NBA Finals. Wade said he thinks the U.S. will have to throw platoons of defenders at Nowitzki.

"It's tough to stick Dirk in the NBA, and it's going to be even tougher over here because he's got even more of a green light than he's got with Dallas," Wade said.

Nowitzki may have a green light, but he's run into stop signs in this tournament as opponents clutter the lane and try to force him to shoot jumpers. Nowitzki is a deadly long-range shooter but has made only 30 percent (10-for-33) of his 3-point attempts in the tourney.

"It's not 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 like it is in the NBA because of the defenses," Nowitzki said. "In FIBA basketball, there is no illegal defense. So the paint is always packed. There's nowhere to go." After leading Germany in points (23), rebounds (9) and assists (5) against Nigeria, Nowitzki was engulfed by German reporters asking about the coming showdown with the U.S., which hadn't even tipped off against Australia. But if Nowitzki is feeling any additional pressure, he didn't show it.

"He can handle pressure," Okulaja said. "He does it every time. He led Dallas to the NBA playoffs, and I think there's a bit more pressure there than here. He's used to pressure, and he excels under pressure. I think for him it's going to be a regular game."

[mqywaaah]

"Man, they have Dirk," U.S. point guard Chris Paul said. "He's one of the best players in the NBA and one of the best players in international ball as well."

Mad props to Dirk! Nuff said.

"It's tough to stick Dirk in the NBA, and it's going to be even tougher over here because he's got even more of a green light than he's got with Dallas," Wade said.

Boo! Shut your hole moron!

[sike]

Originally Posted by Drbio

With all due respect...screw Dirk.

sounds like a private desire, doc...

[endtroducing MASKED]

I hope the USA gets destroyed by Dirk. I can say that because my lovely wife is of the Asian persuasion.

[purplefrog]

The sooner Dirk is at home - not injured and resting - the better. Go USA!

[Flacolaco]

Looks like it will be Argentina in the Final. Unless Spain suprises. But I doubt it, Gasol won't be able to carry them past Manu and his fabulous company of floppers.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by endtroducing MASKED

I hope the USA gets destroyed by Dirk. I can say that because my lovely wife is of the Asian persuasion.

asian sensation

[MavsX]

Nowitzki leads the tourney's remaining players in scoring, at 24.5 points per game, and rebounding, at 10.3 per game. His 46 field goals are nearly double the total for his next-highest teammate, Demond Greene, who has 24. Nowitzki also leads his team in assists, steals and turnovers.

assists, steals and turnovers!? holy neck!

[Five-ofan]

as long as dirk doesnt get injured i will be happy no matter what happens. I love dirk so if they win i wont be upset but i am an american and i want dirk to get the rest so a win wouldnt bother me at all.

Question, if germany won this tournament would they be qualified for the olympics because if that is the case then i would rather them win this one so he wouldnt have to play at all next year. It takes alot for him to lug that 7ft body up and down the court all the time.

[MavsX]

germany vs. usa is on wednesday? does anybody know what time? network? is it that same online crap that the rest of the games are on?

[Flacolaco]

Tomorrow at 5:30 am central, on ESPN 2 I think....

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Looks like it will be Argentina in the Final. Unless Spain suprises. But I doubt it, Gasol won't be able to carry them past Manu and his fabulous company of floppers.

I remember reading somewhere that Spain has a 4 or 5 game win streak against Argentina. They seem to have their number.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Tomorrow at 5:30 am central, on ESPN 2 I think....

Jesus Christ! 5:30am! who the hell has time for that. thanks for the info though....

[mqywaaah]

Originally Posted by MavsX

Jesus Christ! 5:30am! who the hell has time for that. thanks for the info though....

People in asia like me has all the time for that. Thats like somewhere around 5:30 PM. Ooh lucky me!

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

I remember reading somewhere that Spain has a 4 or 5 game win streak against Argentina. They seem to have their number.

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinteresting. I did not know this.

Hey Im all for Spain beating Argentina. I dont want to see those bastards in the Finals. Athens still pisses me off.

[MightyToine]

Originally Posted by mqywaaah

[Quote:
"It's tough to stick Dirk in the NBA, and it's going to be even tougher over here because he's got even more of a green light than he's got with Dallas," Wade said. ]


Boo! Shut your hole moron!

Just what is wrong with that statement? Wade was actually giving props to Dirk(though not as blatantly as Chris Paul did) there. Dwyane knows Dirk is no pushover...Plus, he won't have Udonis "MouthPiece-Eater" Haslem or James "ring around the" Posey there to harass Dirk....


This will be one of those games where Coach K will regret cutting Bruce Bowen from the roster.....

[mqywaaah]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Looks like it will be Argentina in the Final. Unless Spain suprises. But I doubt it, Gasol won't be able to carry them past Manu and his fabulous company of floppers.

That is soo right dude! LMAO

[mqywaaah]

Maybe when they teach you argentinian basketball they also teach you some courses on flopping. Part of the curriculum i presume.

[sike]

can anyone confirm the game's channel and showing....ESPN2 says nothing about it on my tivo...

[jthig32]

5:30 a.m. CT, ESPN2

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Looks like it will be Argentina in the Final. Unless Spain suprises. But I doubt it, Gasol won't be able to carry them past Manu and his fabulous company of floppers.

I was reading Holliger at lunch and it turns out that Spain has actually beat Argentina 9 straight times.

That should be a great game.

[spreedom]

I hope Dirk scores 50 but the US wins.. they've been a ton of fun to watch so far and I hope they go all the way. JJ, D12 and Melo are all in my top 5 favorite players..

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by sike

can anyone confirm the game's channel and showing....ESPN2 says nothing about it on my tivo...

Search by channel ESPN2 on Wednesday. You should see something at 5:30 am simply called "Basketball." In the description it says the FIBA Championships USA vs. Germany. The key is search by channel and you'll find it.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by mqywaaah

People in asia like me has all the time for that. Thats like somewhere around 5:30 PM. Ooh lucky me!

you son of a bitch!

[nashtymavsfan13]

.....or people like me that have Tivos

[ocelot_ark]

I'm more of a Dirk fan than I am a USA Basketball fan. If Germany wins and Dirk has a huge game, his legend is cemented even further and that's what I really want....people (refs) to respect his game more.