Dirk Leads the league in scoring now

[mavsfanforever]

Wow. And he almost takes 5-8 shots less than Showbe. MVP numbers.

[mavsfanforever]

1. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) 16 138 142 436 27.3
2. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) 17 135 158 455 26.8
3. Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) 16 154 108 416 26.0
4. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) 14 117 108 357 25.5
5. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) 16 150 85 400 25.0
6. Ray Allen (Seattle SuperSonics) 17 131 111 419 24.6
7. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) 15 119 124 364 24.3
8. Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) 15 132 82 347 23.1
8. Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) 17 145 101 392 23.1
10. Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) 15 97 125 338 22.5

[ocelot_ark]

Those numbers aren't accurate. Those are the numbers before today's games.

[mavsfanforever]

Originally posted by: ocelot_ark
Those numbers aren't accurate. Those are the numbers before today's games.

You are right. But he should still lead the league in scoring unless Kobe scores 80 points and lakers do not have a game tonight.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Props to Dirk. Everyone complained that with losing Nash you lose Dirk's scoring and he's been putting up career stats this season. He's proving the critics wrong. IMO, only thing stopping him from winning MVP is if the Spurs or the T-Wolves have a better record than us.

[ocelot_ark]

Yeah, MFF...mainly I was just wanting to clarify. He should even have a higher avg now.

[mavsfanforever]

Infact Dirk admitted that the reason he is going to the free throw line more is because of Nash making him a spot up shooter and now he has to create his own shots and in the process he has to drive a lot to score and get fouled.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: mavsfanforever
Infact Dirk admitted that the reason he is going to the free throw line more is because of Nash making him a spot up shooter and now he has to create his own shots and in the process he has to drive a lot to score and get fouled.

Most definately. When we had Nash he had to have the ball in his hands at all times. That's how our offense ran. Now the ball is running more through Dirk and the ball is in his hands alot more than last season.

[Nash13]

Originally posted by: ocelot_ark
Those numbers aren't accurate. Those are the numbers before today's games.

I thought the same thing. But i forgot that he missed a game and only scored 11 in the game vs. Denver when he got injured. So when i calculated tonight's game, it comes up to 27.4ppg.

[twelli]

Originally posted by: mavsfanforever
Infact Dirk admitted that the reason he is going to the free throw line more is because of Nash making him a spot up shooter and now he has to create his own shots and in the process he has to drive a lot to score and get fouled.

It's nice to have him do all those things, but hopefully all the wear and tear that comes with it won't burn him out towards the end of the season...

on the other hand, I just love it to see Kobe in second place [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

[capitalcity]

MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!

[James92se]

Originally posted by: capitalcity
MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!

Hopefully Dirk will get his assists up a little bit, then there's no reason I could see that anyone would deny Dirk deserving of the MVP award. I'm still a little peeved that a big knock on Dirk two years ago was that he had Nash and Fin on his team, but then KG gets Spree and Cassell (and Cassell even had a career year too) and it's not held against him [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I find it strange that Dirk is besting Duncan in the assists and steals department, but passing isnt really considered a knock on TD (I was surprised to see he's never even averaged over 1 steal a game!) like it is Dirk. Oh well..

IMO this year it should really be between KG and Dirk. If Dirk can get up around 4 assists a game or get his blocks up a little bit, I see no reason why he shouldnt win. If not, I see no reason why he shouldnt be a SERIOUS contender as is. Unfortunately I fear that beyond Mavs fans Dirk is still considered 'just' a scorer and that it may be held against him come award time =\

[The Miles]

Timmy & Dirk #1 & #2 IMO

[4cwebb]

I guess the question is whether Dirk's 4+ ppg makes up for his minus 4 rebounds per game, and minus almost 4 assists per game. Not to mention the perceived defensive weakness when comparing KG to Dirk. Still, he should move into at least the top 3 or 4 in getting consideration. If Peja got *any* consideration last year, Dirk should definitely get some this year.

[bloodyhell]

It's amazing to me that dirk could score 53 points all without nash setting him up for easy looks. And he's had to learn to do it all on his own this year without a guard that can give him the ball in good spots. So the big question i have is how many 3's did dirk attempt on the 53 point night? The guy is a real stud to do it all without nash.

[HexNBA]

Oh ok, so there is actually someone out there who doesn't want Dirk to dominate scoring wise...

While he had another grand scoring night, don't expect him to stay atop the scoring list all season.

"I wouldn't want him to, really," Nelson said. "What you look for is more of a well-rounded team. You can have a guy who can dominate and score a lot. But if someone gets 30 every night, it's not better for the team, normally."

[Hitman]

Whatever Nellie.

MJ scored 30 a game, Bird scored 27+ a game on numerous occasions.

The Mavs are best off getting the freaking ball to Dirk as often as possible.

[V2M]

Originally posted by: HexNBA
Oh ok, so there is actually someone out there who doesn't want Dirk to dominate scoring wise...

That quote from Nellie is such a generalization... it's laughable!! How could a guy who's been more than 40 years in the league make such a stupid observation.

[Waschdel]

Why shouldn´t he average 27,5 on 18 shots per game? Maybe some volume shooters like showbe will score more points. With Dirk´s current percentages it would be foolish to reduce his attempts.
On a side note: The Mavs didn´t loose one of the seven games when Dirk scored 30+ pts.

[Nash13]

Originally posted by: Hitman
Whatever Nellie.

MJ scored 30 a game, Bird scored 27+ a game on numerous occasions.

The Mavs are best off getting the freaking ball to Dirk as often as possible.

Although i'm not fond of Nelson, i see where Nelson is coming from. I think he got his conclusion from looking at players like TMac/Iverson and see they didn't help their team make any noise.

I think even those players you mentioned and past historical players that scored to 27+ also found a way to consistently keep their teammates involved on the offensive end. That's why Tim Duncan is not chastized for his low assist, because his team as a whole are a very good passing team.

[SaltwaterChaffy]

Originally posted by: James92se

Hopefully Dirk will get his assists up a little bit, then there's no reason I could see that anyone would deny Dirk deserving of the MVP award. I'm still a little peeved that a big knock on Dirk two years ago was that he had Nash and Fin on his team, but then KG gets Spree and Cassell (and Cassell even had a career year too) and it's not held against him [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I find it strange that Dirk is besting Duncan in the assists and steals department, but passing isnt really considered a knock on TD (I was surprised to see he's never even averaged over 1 steal a game!) like it is Dirk. Oh well..

IMO this year it should really be between KG and Dirk. If Dirk can get up around 4 assists a game or get his blocks up a little bit, I see no reason why he shouldnt win. If not, I see no reason why he shouldnt be a SERIOUS contender as is. Unfortunately I fear that beyond Mavs fans Dirk is still considered 'just' a scorer and that it may be held against him come award time =\

Someone who hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet is LeBron James. He's been absolutely amazing so far this year, and the Cavs are at the top of the Eastern Conference. As of right now, I think it's a heat between Dirk and Bron.

[dude1394]

If dirk can get a layup with a pass instead of scoring himself it makes the team better. I think nellie is right on, as long as he realises (and I think he does) that dirk is his best most consistent scoring option.

[jibikao]

Originally posted by: FilthyFinMavs
Props to Dirk. Everyone complained that with losing Nash you lose Dirk's scoring and he's been putting up career stats this season. He's proving the critics wrong. IMO, only thing stopping him from winning MVP is if the Spurs or the T-Wolves have a better record than us.

Exactly. Dirk WILL WIN this year's MVP if Mavs has the best record in NBA. He has the stats and ability to be an Elite player. But if T-Wolves or Spurs have better records, then Dirk won't win (although he'll get the votes).

Jimmy

[jibikao]

So Nelson does know that Passing is more important than Scoring?

Are you sure he said that? LOL

No offense, but I thought the way he's been teaching Mavs is to SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT. When Nash was here, he controls the ball 90% of the time to run offense for the other guys but other players rarely cut. And our big guys aren't very good at passing because 1.) nobody cuts so naturally they are not used to passing 2.) they would rather shoot the ball or pass it back to Nash.

That statement is CORRECT though. An elite team shouldn't just rely on one player scoring 30+ per game. I don't want Dirk to be like that. Basically, I would be happy if Dirk scores 20ish and the team wins. That's more important.

If Dirk can score 23ish, with 4ish assist and 10ish rebounds, he WILL BE the MVP if Mavs has the best record.

Jimmy

[Phil Helmuth]

But with 27+ points and the best record their will be no question. I have man love for Dirk.

[LRB]

That statement is CORRECT though. An elite team shouldn't just rely on one player scoring 30+ per game. I don't want Dirk to be like that. Basically, I would be happy if Dirk scores 20ish and the team wins. That's more important.

Two words, Michael and Jordan. Six championship rings to go and six scoring championships during those same years are pretty hard to argue with. Doesn't mean that you have to have the scoring leader to win a championship, but it sure as hell doesn't mean that you can't win a championship with a player leading the league in scoring.

Now don't get me wrong, I'd rather see Dirk average in the low 20's and win a championship than see him average in the 30's and not win a championship. However, IMO the Mavs best chance to be a championship caliber team is to run the ball through Dirk most of the time. If that means Dirk scores 30+ so be it. If that means that Dirk gets doubled and swings the ball to the open man, then so be it. The key is that when Dirk gets the ball that the other 4 players on the court don't just sit back with their thumbs up their @$$. They should be making cuts, moving to create passing angles, and getting position for offensive rebounds. The Mavs are not nor should they be a one man team. However, I think running the ball through Dirk will provide the best chance for the Mavs to score in the half court whether it's Dirk ultimate taking the shot or swinging the ball to the open man.

[sike]

Someone who hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet is LeBron James.

at this point in the season, I'd put it like this: KG, Dirk, James

[EricaLubarsky]

I really dislike the guy, but it's pretty hard to have a list of the three top guys and not include KG

23.1ppg, 15.3rpg, 6.3apg, 2.0bpg, 1.75spg

[twelli]

I just love to look at those stats... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]