Official Dirk is Great Thread

[aquaadverse]

The perception of Dirk as soft isn't that big of a mystery. Look at the playoffs last year.

Your coach calls you out and questions your leadership.

Dirk saying if they lose the 5th game it's over and how GS wasn't letting him execute.

Baron Davis hopping around on one leg and being effective and Dirk in the corner looking like he wanted to be anywhere else in game 6.

This team has , fair or not, been in 2 consecutive record meltdowns on the national stage.

Some of this is just Dirk being his normal, humble no bullcrap self, and Avery being unable to put his team in the best position to succeed. Much of it is because of the supporting cast.

Look at some of the posts on this forum during that series crapping on Dirk, some from posters in this thread.

It's not because he's white , European or goofy. It's because of less than great results on the biggest NBA stage. You can't have what went on in last years playoffs and expect fans that don't watch the Mavs much to see Dirk as tough. 67 wins and MVP was all over the promo's with many of the same national media that turned on him later predicting a 4 game series.

I'm not saying it's fair. But it isn't rocket science to see where the soft label comes from. Watch game 6 again. it will probably dog him until he gets a ring.

[Dim499]

Yes, but he's also 6-0 in game sevens, he is 15th all time in playoff points per game, he had the best strech of basketball of his career during the playoffs in 06 in the 17 games from game one Memphis to game 7 San Antonio, after which he ran out of gas and into Bennett Salvatore. He's one of a handful stars who are over .500 in playoff series.

And last year he ran into the only coach in the league who knows that Nowitzki is all the Mavs have and shut him down by triple-teaming him every time he touched the ball.

He's not Shaq or Duncan, but he's also not as pathetic as Garnett or TMac.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by aquaadverse

The perception of Dirk as soft isn't that big of a mystery. Look at the playoffs last year.

Your coach calls you out and questions your leadership.

Dirk saying if they lose the 5th game it's over and how GS wasn't letting him execute.

Baron Davis hopping around on one leg and being effective and Dirk in the corner looking like he wanted to be anywhere else in game 6.

This team has , fair or not, been in 2 consecutive record meltdowns on the national stage.

Some of this is just Dirk being his normal, humble no bullcrap self, and Avery being unable to put his team in the best position to succeed. Much of it is because of the supporting cast.

Look at some of the posts on this forum during that series crapping on Dirk, some from posters in this thread.

It's not because he's white , European or goofy. It's because of less than great results on the biggest NBA stage. You can't have what went on in last years playoffs and expect fans that don't watch the Mavs much to see Dirk as tough. 67 wins and MVP was all over the promo's with many of the same national media that turned on him later predicting a 4 game series.

I'm not saying it's fair. But it isn't rocket science to see where the soft label comes from. Watch game 6 again. it will probably dog him until he gets a ring.

It's all that INCLUDING that he's white, european and goofy. And predominantly it's players who are "gangsta" and usually second tier players. Very few of the top tier players would call dirk soft.

[dude1394]

Well I can't recall who wanted it but it was a photo of dirty dirk siliencing the phoenix crowd.

That is one CAAA-RAZZZY LOOKING Dirkster right there. Nice... And a nice article as well.
http://theassociation.blogs.com/the_...turn-of-d.html

The rumor of his demise has been greatly exaggerated...

Wasn't it just over a week ago that Dirk Nowitzki twisted his ankle in a nasty spill? Wasn't he supposed to miss a few weeks of action, killing Dallas' chances at making the playoffs along the way? And wasn't Dallas supposed to be the first 50-win team since the early 70's to never make the playoffs?

Just when I was about to write off Dirk Nowitzki as a head-case reeling from back-to-back postseason disappointments he roars back with three RIDONKULOUSLY HUGE games saving the Mavs season and making them the most dangerous 7 seed in NBA history (okay that may be a little strong, but Dallas no longer looks like a whimpering poodle heading for lottery-land).

Let's take a quick look back at the last three games and how Dirk saved the Mavs season:

Dallas vs. Golden State: Criticized by his own coach for lacking leadership and the ability to fight through tough situations, Dirk surprises everyone and returns early from the high-ankle sprain against GSW. Dallas rode the emotions from the defending MVP and throttled the very fatigued Warriors 111-86. (Hey Nellie, you can't run at a 48-minutes-of-hell pace and play only 6 guys all season! Mix in a bench!) Oh and did I mention that this win was the first W against a winning team since the Kidd trade? This was their biggest win of the season!

Dallas at LA Lakers: The Lakers rallied back to pull out a win in the end, but Dallas dominated the first 3 1/2 quarters. Dirk reminded us why he was MVP last season during a 14-0 run in the second quarter. He absolutely killed Pau Gasol for three straight possessions forcing the Lakers to switch Odom on him as the Mavs went small. It made no difference as he took LO to the post and found Kidd for a wide open three (unlike Sunday, Kidd actually hit it). Dallas was short-handed (Stack was out and they were playing Tyronne Lue big minutes????) and had no business taking it to the Lakers. I'm thinking Dallas wins it if Stack is playing.

Dallas at Phoenix: The Amare Stoudemire dunkfest (and intellectually irresponsible MVP discussion) was interrupted after Dallas made a key defensive adjustment and Dirk clutched up with a key steal and two *SICK* hoops. For the first three quarters the Mavs defense focused on Shaq and Nash and Amare made them pay with an array of punishing dunks. So the much-criticized and soon-to-be-fired Avery Johnson made the game altering change and double teamed Stoudemire off screen-and-rolls. The result? The Suns were held to a shocking 9 points and the "MVP Candidate" missed 3 key freethows down the stretch.

BTW - Amare's NOT an MVP candidate! He's padding his stats while being single-guarded most of the time. Just imagine the damage LeBron, Kobe, Wade, etc. would do if they were never double teamed. His numbers ballooned after the Shaq trade because defenses stopped focusing on him! Like James Worthy was to Magic and Kareem so is Amare to Nash and Shaq. Just stop the MVP talk now!

Oh and those two sick jumpers by Nowitzki? Jason Kidd didn't do Dirk any service by dropping the ball off in a "here you take it" manner with the shot clock running down. (BTW - Didn't they get Kidd because of his decision-making skills???) So with Shaquille O'Neal on him, Nowitzki took what looked like two broken plays and hit a two (wait for it...) DIRTY off-balance jumpers to seal the game and secure the Mavs playoff spot.

Maybe Mavs fans will help me on this, but outside of that game-saving three-point play against the Spurs in 2006, was this the grittiest stretch of basketball in his career?

Posted at 10:56 A

[Dirkadirkastan]

I thought he was just 4-0 in Game 7 (which is still really good).

[Murphy3]

I think that Dirk catches the majority of the crap that he catches because he is white. Actually, just listen to the radio when the subject of Dirk comes up. It's almost always the black guy that's calling in saying that he wouldn't be an All-Star if he were black or that he couldn't start on any other playoff team in the West... (heard that last one a couple of weeks ago on 103.3).

[Murphy3]

The fact is that Dirk is one of the greatest players in the history of the game when his team is facing elimination from the NBA playoffs.... I've punched the numbers numerous times... few people add it. Hell, few guys have numbers that resemble Dirk's just in the playoffs alone...

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by aquaadverse

Dirk saying if they lose the 5th game it's over .....

for the record, had the mavs lost game 5 the dubs would have led the series 4-1.

so, really this just demonstrates math proficiency at a 1st grade level by dirk.

and i'm so proud of him for this.

[Dim499]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

I thought he was just 4-0 in Game 7 (which is still really good).

You're right, I don't know where I got 6-0.

Here's a (maybe not quite fair ) playoff career comparison between Dirk and Kobe.

15 Dirk Nowitzki 82 Games 42,2 Min ,445 FG% ,376 3p% ,878 FT% 11,1 TOT 2,4 AST 2,2 TO 25,2 PTS

27 Kobe Bryant 131 Games 38,8 Min ,439 FG% ,331 3p% ,796 FT% 4,9 TOT 4,5 AST 2,9 TO 23,3 PTS

-------

1 Michael Jordan 179 Games 41,8 Min ,487 FG% ,332 3p% ,828 FT% 6,4 TOT 5,7 AST 3,0 TO 33,4 PTS

26 Larry Bird 164 Games 42,0 Min ,472 FG% ,321 3p% ,890 FT% 10,3 TOT 6,5 AST 3,1 TO 23,8 PTS

[DirkFTW]

Originally Posted by aquaadverse

The perception of Dirk as soft isn't that big of a mystery. Look at the playoffs last year.

(more stuff about last year)

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY IS ALIVE!

BEHOLD! When Dirk entered the league, lots were cast and chickens were slain... from the bloody stones a premonition emerged: Warriors! Eight! Mavs! One! Disaster! 2006! From that day forth, Dirk would be doomed to fulfilling a prophecy of softness. No, dear friends, it was not by the loins of his parents that he was judged, but by the vision to the masses that he was condemned!

SOFT, I TELL YOU! We screamed it from the rooftops when he was born. We tatooed it to our buttocks when he was drafted. We branded our children with it when he dared to succeed. And last year, WE WERE VINDICATED WITH TRUTH UNENDING!

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY IS ALIVE!

BEHOLD! When Dirk entered the league, lots were cast and chickens were slain... from the bloody stones a premonition emerged: Warriors! Eight! Mavs! One! Disaster! 2006! From that day forth, Dirk would be doomed to fulfilling a prophecy of softness. No, dear friends, it was not by the loins of his parents that he was judged, but by the vision to the masses that he was condemned!

excellent point, well made.

[Caliente]

[monty55555]

Speaking of Nowitzki’s ailment, the percentages being thrown around for his left ankle are all over the map. Depending on the when it’s being said and the drama quotient involved, the numbers are anywhere from 60-75 percent.

“You can only dream,” Kidd said whimsically. “I wish I could be at 60 percent doing the things that he does.”

http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Ma...es_040808.html

[aquaadverse]

Originally Posted by alexamenos

for the record, had the mavs lost game 5 the dubs would have led the series 4-1.

so, really this just demonstrates math proficiency at a 1st grade level by dirk.

and i'm so proud of him for this.

All true. It's also true that it's hard to picture Jordan, Magic, Bird who was also white and redneck goofy, saying it in public. It certainly didn't make the challenge easier for his team.

[kingmalaki]

I wouldn't say he is soft. He just played some of his worst ball at the biggest stage, and followed it up with a gigantic flameout after winning the MVP. It didn't help that he went against two dudes who morphed into Superman in both of those series, especially the one last year with B.Diddy making clutch plays on one leg. The same thing happened to Karl Malone....great player who just played some of his worst ball when it mattered most.

After the SA series in 06 everyone (including me) thought Dirk turned the corner...and then he had the two bad playoff series. Folks only remember the most recent stuff, especially if it's negative....

[aquaadverse]

Originally Posted by DirkFTW

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY IS ALIVE!

BEHOLD! When Dirk entered the league, lots were cast and chickens were slain... from the bloody stones a premonition emerged: Warriors! Eight! Mavs! One! Disaster! 2006! From that day forth, Dirk would be doomed to fulfilling a prophecy of softness. No, dear friends, it was not by the loins of his parents that he was judged, but by the vision to the masses that he was condemned!

SOFT, I TELL YOU! We screamed it from the rooftops when he was born. We tatooed it to our buttocks when he was drafted. We branded our children with it when he dared to succeed. And last year, WE WERE VINDICATED WITH TRUTH UNENDING!

Or perhaps his body language and decidedly less than MVP stats in game six made it easier to believe. I don't think he's soft.I mean damn, look at the last week and the performances after losing a tooth and those Bosch self healing ankles. I don't think there is a team in this league that wouldn't cream themselves at a chance to get him on the roster. I think he is also a slam dunk hall of fame player. If any of his teammates could have made GS pay the the price of swarming Dirk we might not be having this discussion.

But it's also true that Dirk seems to be a reluctant leader. He won't shirk it if he's it by default, but it's not comfortable. He has too much class to start calling out his coach or teammates and won't make excuses. It'll stick with him until he gets a ring, and maybe not even then depending on the team make up.

For all the truth of your comment, it's kind of tough to deny the events of the last two years didn't happen. All the success he's had so far is not going to offset the public perception of a Dirk wilt down. His other successes raise the bar and make less than stellar performances in the last two playoffs, his fault or not, seem worse. MVP and a not just good but a historic 67 wins made last year's Nellie off even better for Mav haters. Sadly, if you have to actually ask for respect the odds are you aren't going to get it.

[ghazi]

I refuse to blame the 2006 finals on Dirk. maybe I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I will go to the grave believing David Stern and his PUPPET salvatore rigged the outcome of that finals to create a fake superstar in Dwayne Whistle.

Dirk wouldn't be viewed so critically for last year's playoff collapse if he had a ring. Which is unfortunate, because I think he deserved a ring in 2006.

[aquaadverse]

Originally Posted by Dim499

You're right, I don't know where I got 6-0.

Here's a (maybe not quite fair ) playoff career comparison between Dirk and Kobe.

15 Dirk Nowitzki 82 Games 42,2 Min ,445 FG% ,376 3p% ,878 FT% 11,1 TOT 2,4 AST 2,2 TO 25,2 PTS

27 Kobe Bryant 131 Games 38,8 Min ,439 FG% ,331 3p% ,796 FT% 4,9 TOT 4,5 AST 2,9 TO 23,3 PTS

-------

1 Michael Jordan 179 Games 41,8 Min ,487 FG% ,332 3p% ,828 FT% 6,4 TOT 5,7 AST 3,0 TO 33,4 PTS

26 Larry Bird 164 Games 42,0 Min ,472 FG% ,321 3p% ,890 FT% 10,3 TOT 6,5 AST 3,1 TO 23,8 PTS

Now put in the number of rings. It's what catapults you from being superior in talent to eternal greatness as one of the best ever. No one cares how good/bad the supporting cast is.

[aquaadverse]

Originally Posted by ghazi

I refuse to blame the 2006 finals on Dirk. maybe I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I will go to the grave believing David Stern and his PUPPET salvatore rigged the outcome of that finals to create a fake superstar in Dwayne Whistle.

Dirk wouldn't be viewed so critically for last year's playoff collapse if he had a ring. Which is unfortunate, because I think he deserved a ring in 2006.

All very well and good. You get the moral victory. I'm pretty sure the ring wouldn't have trumped all the MVP, 67 wins and 1 seed losing to an 8 seed, Nellie vs Cuban beat down. Having a ring might have an even made it worse in a last year champs losing to the lowest seed story. Sports is a what have you done this year activity.

[chumdawg]

Dirk

[ShaggyDirk]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Well I can't recall who wanted it but it was a photo of dirty dirk siliencing the phoenix crowd.

That is one CAAA-RAZZZY LOOKING Dirkster right there. Nice... And a nice article as well.
http://theassociation.blogs.com/the_...turn-of-d.html

In all the angles I have seen of this shot, there is some dude (or multiple dudes) in the background with his hands on top of their head.. the thought possibly? ...

"damn, I can't believe he just did that" or
"oh shit, he did it again" or
"he is better breeding stock than me" or
"oh my lord, I forgot to turn off the iron before I left the house"



Regardless, Dirk is one bad motherf***er...

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by ShaggyDirk

In all the angles I have seen of this shot, there is some dude in the background with his hands on top of their head.. the thought possibly? ...

"damn, I can't believe he just did that" or
"oh shit, he did it again" or
"he is better breeding stock than me" or
"oh my lord, I forgot to turn off the iron before I left the house"

If you want proof positive of body language, try to find (I'm pretty sure you will have the wherewithal) a pic of Jason Terry hoisting a three against the Rockets in Game Five or Game Six of that series in '05. In the background is Van Gundy showing despair, in the same manner as about half the crowd in the stands. I wish I had saved it and could point you to it, it was such a great pic.

[rabbitproof]

Originally Posted by aquaadverse

All very well and good. You get the moral victory. I'm pretty sure the ring wouldn't have trumped all the MVP, 67 wins and 1 seed losing to an 8 seed, Nellie vs Cuban beat down. Having a ring might have an even made it worse in a last year champs losing to the lowest seed story. Sports is a what have you done this year activity.

You are sooooooo 2006 and 2007. Dirk is bad ass royalty this year.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

If you want proof positive of body language, try to find (I'm pretty sure you will have the wherewithal) a pic of Jason Terry hoisting a three against the Rockets in Game Five or Game Six of that series in '05. In the background is Van Gundy showing despair, in the same manner as about half the crowd in the stands. I wish I had saved it and could point you to it, it was such a great pic.

But you didn't save it because you hated Terry at the time. Oops.

[ShaggyDirk]

I thought the Mavs lost game 6. so it must be game 5

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

But you didn't save it because you hated Terry at the time. Oops.

Actually, I know that I did save it. Maybe at work, though. It was a great, great picture.

Oh, and I never hated Terry. I knew all along what kind of player he was, yes, but I never hated him. What I hated was the idea that he could be the point guard this championshiop-aspiring team needed.

Jason Terry is this generation's Vinny Johnson. That's a very fair comparison.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

If you want proof positive of body language, try to find (I'm pretty sure you will have the wherewithal) a pic of Jason Terry hoisting a three against the Rockets in Game Five or Game Six of that series in '05. In the background is Van Gundy showing despair, in the same manner as about half the crowd in the stands. I wish I had saved it and could point you to it, it was such a great pic.

While I can't get you a non-watermarked one, here is the pic. And yes, it is hilarious:

[fluid.forty.one]

hahahaha

[ShaggyDirk]

you know, it really does suck to be a Rocket fan...

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

While I can't get you a non-watermarked one, here is the pic. And yes, it is hilarious:

That's the one!! Mass kudos to you! Just count how many hands are clasped behind the head.

And you know what the worst part is? The shot hadn't even gone in yet!!!

[bernardos70]

It looks as though Jeff can't even stand to look at it, and has his sights set far, far away, at about halfcourt.

[Dirkadirkastan]

That's a road game in that playoff series, so that means it's Game 3, 4, or 6.

The Rockets won rather handily in Game 6, so I'd say it's either Game 3 or 4, even though Houston was already leading the series.

Now it's time for Chum to step in and give a smarmy pat-on-the-head post with regards to my deduction skills.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Now it's time for Chum to step in and give a smarmy pat-on-the-head post with regards to my deduction skills.

My recollection was off by a game or three. Thank goodness Bernie didn't have any trouble sorting it out regardless.

I say "thank goodness" because that is one of the best basketball pics you will ever see. The ball is still in the guy's hands, mind you, and every one paying attention knows what is about to happen.

Man, I miss that Jason Terry.

[bernardos70]

Dallas Mavericks v Houston Rockets - West QF Game 4
HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a three-pointer to seal their victory over the Houston Rockets in Game four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2005 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Mavs defeated the Rockets 97-93 to tie the series 2-2.

[dude1394]

Okay most of this isn't about dirk but the funniest part is. The guy isn't even scared of the hyperbaric chamber!!

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archi...c-chamber.html

April 9, 2008
Tales from the hyperbaric chamber
12:40 AM Wed, Apr 09, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Jerry Stackhouse wants to get back on the court as soon as possible, so he's been spending some time in a hyperbaric chamber in hopes that the extra oxygen helps his groin heal.

Hey, it might have worked for Dirk's ankle. It definitely didn't hurt.

Stack might be the toughest-minded Mav, but he admitted that his hyperbaric chamber experience was kinda creepy. You can see through the glass when you're in the chamber, but you're completely enclosed in there. And it makes your ears pop like crazy.

"Everybody left and I kind of freaked out," Stack said with a snicker. "I was like, 'Hey, anybody out there!'"

Dirk, on the other hand, isn't so claustrophobic. He described his four sessions in the hyperbaric chamber as a relaxing experience. He watched movies during the 90-minute sessions at a place in Collin County. Dirk's cinematic selections included Elf, Dodgeball, Zoolander and another lowbrow comedy flick that he couldn't remember.

"You know, I think I got dumber lying in that chamber," he said.

[a.weidner]

Dirk in elimination games (13 games total):
27.23 PPG
12.07 RPG
.45 FG%

I posted these stats shortly after we lost against Golden State, when everyone wanted to get rid of Dirk asap. At the time noone seemed to be too impressed though .
My response to a KG for Dirk trade proposal:

Against Golden State, Dirk was awful by his standards. He averaged:
19.7 PPG
11.3 RPG
.38 FG%

That's actually not that much worse than what Garnett averaged in all the 12 elimination games he played in his NBA career:
19.92 PPG
12.92 RPG
.41 FG%

Dirk's averages in elimination games (13 games total):
27.23 PPG
12.07 RPG
.45 FG%

Now if you wanna argue that Garnett is the better all around player, absolutly. But the rational for trading Dirk would be, that he doesn't get it done under pressure, that he's not able to take games over when it counts.
Well, History suggests the average production you will get from KG, when the season is on the line, will be about what Dirk gave you against Golden State (+3 APG?). Dirk for KG is not an awful trade by any means, but what makes you guys think that with KG at the helm, we could beat the Spurs? What about the Suns? KG couldn't get past the Spurs. Dirk has proven he can, even with Duncan playing at his best.

[Flacolaco]

If Mavs win 2 of their next 3 and clinch the 7 seed should Avery sit Dirk for the final game against NO, essentially giving him 5 or 6 days to rest the ankle?

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

If Mavs win 2 of their next 3 and clinch the 7 seed should Avery sit Dirk for the final game against NO, essentially giving him 5 or 6 days to rest the ankle?

i'd take it a step further and say as soon as the mavs clinch the 8th seed they should rest dirk. even without dirk they can plausibly hang onto 7, and regardless, a dirk with a healthier ankle (even marginally more healthy) is more important than whether they're 7 or 8.

[alexamenos]

Originally Posted by aquaadverse

All true. It's also true that it's hard to picture Jordan, Magic, Bird who was also white and redneck goofy, saying it in public. It certainly didn't make the challenge easier for his team.

this is possibly one of the dumbest criticisms i've ever seen.

[alexamenos]

and since this is a random dirk is great thread...

randomly I note that the starting two-guard (and key rotation guy) on the team dirk took to the nba finals two years ago can only get garbage time minutes for 50+ loss team this year.

dirk makes his teammates better.