The Official Thanks Rolando Thread

[Day1MavsFan]

Lots of ridiculous things being said in the "Official Thanks to Nick Thread" , like:

Nick is the best thing to ever happen to the Mavs in their franchise history.

Excuse me? Rolando Blackman is the best thing that ever happened to the Mavs. He took the Mavs to game 7, with the game in question with 2 minutes left, against the 2nd best dynasty in league history. This current group hasn't gotten that far. That statement was more disrespectful than Don slapping Nash in the face with his "Walker has been our best player" comment.

Or, Murphy's relentless disrespect and lack of acknowledgment of what Nick did for us. No one is saying that Nick shouldn't have been traded, or that he has had a great career, or that he is/was better than Dirk. But there is no doubt that Nick "brought it" in the playoffs (except against S.A.) and gave the team a kick in the butt when it was needed. Playoffs are what counts, especially in years when you have a shot at a ring. Nick played his ass off for most of the playoffs. Finley did not, nor did anybody else except Dirk and Steve. Steve struggled at times, as well. So, as much as I love the trade, let's see what Jamison does in the post-season. I could care less what Nick shot in the regular season, or what Jamison shoots this regular season. Bottom line: there were games in the first two rounds that Dirk and others were not getting it done, and Nick carried us through those games. He was unstoppable. If anything, give him his props, because we didn't have him TOO long. We got the maximum out of him.
Fact is, Dirk is not really very "clutch" and does not demand the ball in crunch-time, as he should. He is not a team-leader, he is a leader in production. I was thinking the same thing as you KG, that no one questions Duncan, but Duncan is very "clutch" and is without a doubt their go-to guy. So, even thought he is quiet, I think he is way ahead of Dirk when it comes to leadership.

Thanks, Ro! I probably wouldn't be on this board if not for you. Talk about clutch! So, I'm starting a "Thanks, Rolando" thread. Please fill in your favorite moments.

[DIRK BRASIL]

My opinion: Dirk is the best player of our franchise.

Other greatest players
Rolando, Brad Davis and Harper, but Dirk is my
number 1. 25 years. 5 this league, 2 time all-star.
Best percentual free trow line for the 7-0 of the history!!!!!!

[Simon2]

Fact is, Dirk is not really very "clutch"

He hit two clutch three pointers the last game.

[grbh]

First yeah thanks Ro you were great, and I am sorry your jeresy has to hang next to Brad Davis'.

As for Dirk being a team leader. I agree he isn't. As for not being clutch, I don't know about that.

2001-2002 Playoff Stats: 28 point 13 Rebounds
2002-2003 Playoff Stats: 25 Points 11 Rebounds

I would say a good timke to show you are cluitch would be in playoff elimination games. Here are Dirk's numbers.

Utah: 2000-2001 18 Points 4 Rebounds
San Antonio 2000-2001 42 points 18 Rebounds, 6 Steals
Sacramento 2001-2002 32 Points 12 Rebounds
Sacramento: 2002-2003 30 Points 19 Rebounds
Portland:2002-2003 31 Points 11 Rebounds

30.6 Points 12.8 Rebounds

[dirno2000]

Not a bad idea for a thread, but you touched on about 2 or 3 hot button topics so expect it to be diverted from Ro Blackmon.

As far as Blackmon, I've never seen a player more adept at using a pick to free himself up for a 17 foot layup. Reggie Miller is on his level, but Ro was a master at it.

[Murphy3]

dirk isn't clutch? don't tell that to anyone that paid attention to him in the last 2:00 minutes of games last year (in games that were within 5 points)

NVE was the guy that wasn't clutch

[kingrex]

Blackman made the pick and pop in vogue in the NBA in the late 80's. His deft shooting touch in unrivaled by anyone in a Maverick uniform until the arrival of Dirk.

Until Dirk can lead his version of the Mavs to the Western Conference and beyond (I know about last year, but he was injured in that series), he can't yet be the best Maverick in my eyes. So, until then, kudos to Ro, and Ro, if you read this thread, thanks for a great run.

[dude1394]

Who?? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

From Trying to be a gen-x er

[MightyToine]

That statement was more disrespectful than Don slapping Nash in the face with his "Walker has been our best player" comment.

Why was it a slap in NASH's face? If anything, DIRK should've felt insulted. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[Walkerforthree]

Ro was great. Dut Dirk isn't clutch, that is FUNNY! In addition to his playoff stats, season stats, elimination game stats, are the facts he has won NBA.com's Nestle crunch thing, he has hit a game winner vs. Denver, hit a numerous other game tiers or game winners w/ under a minute (essentially the points that put the team ahead), his two clutch threes just last game, and perhaps most importantly, we need to bring back that link we had before the season which calculated the MOST CLUTCH player's, and Dirk was either ONE OR TWO! Facts don't lie.

[mavsfanforever]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
dirk isn't clutch? don't tell that to anyone that paid attention to him in the last 2:00 minutes of games last year (in games that were within 5 points)

NVE was the guy that wasn't clutch

Just to give an example to supprt what you said:

Portland vs Dallas Game seven 2 min left who hits the three pointer with Scottie Pippen on his face- It is Dirk. That was the loudest cheer I have ever heard in the history of Mavs Basketball. Dirk was clutch in many other games(minny time and time again).