Official Dirk is Great Thread

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Durant is no Dirk.

Fixed.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Fixed.

I'm going to lock this thread, because that's all that needs to be said about this.

Dirk is great

Durant is no Dirk.

end of story.

[Underdog]

@ESPNStatsInfo: Most games played with a team in NBA history (via @EliasSports):

John Stockton - 1,504 for @utahjazz
Dirk Nowitzki - 1,435 for @dallasmavs
Karl Malone - 1,434 for @utahjazz

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@ESPNStatsInfo: Most games played with a team in NBA history (via @EliasSports):

John Stockton - 1,504 for @utahjazz
Dirk Nowitzki - 1,435 for @dallasmavs
Karl Malone - 1,434 for @utahjazz

Dang, if he plays the last 41 games this year and 29 games next year, he will be the most games played for a single team in the NBA-- ever?

That record may never be beaten again

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Dang, if he plays the last 41 games this year and 29 games next year, he will be the most games played for a single team in the NBA-- ever?

That record may never be beaten again

Certainly not in the era of ring-chasers like LeBron and Durant... Maybe the culture shifts back to player-franchise loyalty, but it might be a long time before that happens again (if ever). Dirk is a rare breed.

[saclare]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Certainly not in the era of ring-chasers like LeBron and Durant... Maybe the culture shifts back to player-franchise loyalty, but it might be a long time before that happens again (if ever). Dirk is a rare breed.

Loyalty is definitely a big part. Durability and value (specifically staying really good into later years as Dirk has) are also hard to duplicate. All three together? That's what make Dirk one of the greatest of all time.

[j0Shi]

I'd love Dirk to get that particular crown, because it tells so much about what kind of person he is.

[Underdog]

@BallinWithBryan: Dirk Nowitzki is now tied with “The Logo”, Jerry West (7,160), for sixth place on the NBA’s all-time free throws made list.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@ESPNStatsInfo: Most games played with a team in NBA history (via @EliasSports):

John Stockton - 1,504 for @utahjazz
Dirk Nowitzki - 1,435 for @dallasmavs
Karl Malone - 1,434 for @utahjazz

The cool thing is that it's not just number of years for those guys, it's playoff success. You consistently in the playoffs getting those games too.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Dirk Nowitzki is scoring 1.098 points per possession this season. That ranks ahead of Klay Thompson, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James.

@bobbykaralla: It doesn't matter if you're literally only taking uncontested layups. If you score more efficiently than those guys at age 39 it's very, very impressive.

[Underdog]

@talkhoops: Dirk is 624 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list. At his rate this season, that won’t happen until next season (assuming he doesn’t retire this summer).

Imagine telling someone in 1999 Dirk would end up with more career points than Wilt.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@talkhoops: Dirk is 624 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list. At his rate this season, that won’t happen until next season (assuming he doesn’t retire this summer).

Imagine telling someone in 1999 Dirk would end up with more career points than Wilt.

I think even Dirk would laugh at you

I really hope the spritely Dirk sticks around. Guy is so much fun to watch despite the wins and it wasn’t fun seeing hobbled Dirk all last year.

[dirt_dobber]

From Zach Lowe's Ten things I like and don't like, including Dirk, forever 1-12-18

1. A Dirkassaince
Dirk Nowitzki is back, and he's a big reason the frisky Mavs are 12-13 over their past 25 games. No player has ever been this impactful while having such a hard time, like, running and walking. Seriously, zero in on Dirk during his first stint of each half, and you'll catch him sneaking in a deep knee bend -- some old-man calisthenics -- when he's away from the action.

Since Dallas fell into that 3-15 ditch, Nowitzki is averaging 14 points per game on very close to 50/40/90 shooting. Again, he can barely move. Teams still scrap their base pick-and-roll defense to account for his jumper. They'll switch little guys onto him, or send third defenders flying at him even if it leaves another Maverick open -- whatever it takes to prevent Dirk from launching.

A Nowitzki ball screen remains one of the game's most lethal plays. The Mavs pour in 1.18 points per possession when Nowitzki sets a pick for a ball-handler, seventh among all high-volume screen-setters, behind only Zaza Pachulia, LeBron James, Luke Babbitt, Channing Frye, Jordan Bell and Draymond Green, per Second Spectrum. (To review: three Warriors, the game's best player, a shooting big man who plays with the game's best player, and Luke Babbitt for some reason.) Only Marc Gasol, Robin Lopez and DeAndre Jordan have set more ball screens.

He's even setting up office hours at the center of the foul line again after shying away from post-ups early in the season. The Mavs have scored 1.32 points per possession on any trip featuring a Dirk post-up, the fourth-highest mark among 81 guys who have recorded at least 50 post-ups, according to Second Spectrum.

He is a key member of the Mavs' fittingly wacky Death Lineup: Nowitzki, Yogi Ferrell, J.J. Barea, Devin Harris and Dwight Powell -- still outscoring teams by an ungodly 19 points per 100 possessions. He's happy to sit during crunch time if the Mavs have a lead, and Rick Carlisle needs defense.

Dirk, forever.

[Luke]

After the first four games of the season, he's hitting 48.7% of his shots, 43% from 3, and 93% from the free throw line. I don't want to jinx him, but he has a shot at reaching 50/40/90 on the season. The biggest reason why he won't reach this mark is that such a high percentage of his shots are from beyond the three point arc.

[saclare]

I think these last few years, and obviously the godly championship run he went on, have solidified Dirk as a top 20 player of all time. Looking at some lists that have been put together, it's a tough argument to get him near top 10 or even top 15, but I think he has a chance to nudge up into the earlier teens after this season, and especially if he can duplicate it next season.

[Luke]

I think you can make a strong argument somewhere in the top 15.

[j0Shi]

Finally some recognition for the man!

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Dirk Nowitzki's shot chart through his last 15 games (15.1 ppg on 56.4% on 2s, 42.9% on 3s). This is extremely typical old-school Dirk, even down to the lack of corner 3s.

[Melonhead]

Weve mentioned this somewhere else on the forum, but props to Nick Wright on FS1. At some point last year, he defended Dirk on Cowherd's show and has him at #16 all time.

Few weeks ago he was trashing Paul Pierce (rightly so cough cough), and put out his top 50 and still had dirk at 16 so it wasnt a one off thing from last year.

[Scoobay]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSQh_V2Saxw

some fun clips - going coast to coast, crossing people up, a variety of dunks. what an amazing 20 years it's been.


check out the youtube channel too - GOAT Nowitzki - lots of highlight vids including ones dedicated to schooling KG and for some reason Ibaka.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Holger's in town.

[Underdog]

@Mavs_FFL: When they ask me how i feel about Dirk: https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/957071801384923136

[Mavs fan talking about Dirk after having her wisdom teeth removed]

[Magnum_3_Ball]

^^^ LOL good stuff

[Me.B]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@Mavs_FFL: When they ask me how i feel about Dirk: https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/957071801384923136

[Mavs fan talking about Dirk after having her wisdom teeth removed]

That’s hilarious! Seriously though, why is there not already a statue of Dirk outside the arena?

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Me.B

That’s hilarious! Seriously though, why is there not already a statue of Dirk outside the arena?

I'd be ok with one mid court. Just play around it

[Underdog]

Dirk makes good fluff...

Dirk having a blast despite Mavs' struggles
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22280088

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Dirk makes good fluff...

Dirk having a blast despite Mavs' struggles
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22280088

I enjoyed that, but the beginning made it sound like he was washed up. Dude is still averaging like 12ppg with good shooting percentages.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I enjoyed that, but the beginning made it sound like he was washed up. Dude is still averaging like 12ppg with good shooting percentages.

Sure, but we're talking about a guy with a 21.4 PPG career average (including the last couple years of decline) -- still better than most older players, but kinda washed up compared to what he used to be... Plus, I think she was just trying to highlight his struggles to illustrate how much he still enjoys the game despite no longer being able to put the team his shoulders to win games.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I enjoyed that, but the beginning made it sound like he was washed up. Dude is still averaging like 12ppg with good shooting percentages.

It did make it seem like he's washed up. Obviously he's not what he was, but this was a little too over the top.

[Underdog]

@espn_macmahon: The NBA's 50,000-minute club: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, Elvin Hayes and Dirk Nowitzki.

[saclare]

I'm glad his accomplishments don't seem to be ignored around the league. I've seen LeBron and a good number of other players recognize him over the course of the year, and last year. Dirk is one of the all-time greats and will be a sure fire HoF'er.

[BPo001]

Dirk Nowitzki
‏Verified account @swish41 6h6 hours ago

Year 20 and still playing above the rim......

[Underdog]

[Underdog]

@shaqtin: "It's a huge honor... I worked really hard to get one of those awards." 😂

-@swish41 wins #Shaqtin A Fool Midseason Award for Best Actor. 🏆

https://twitter.com/shaqtin/status/966516502609387521

[Underdog]

Dirk just passed Kidd to move into 4th place for all-time minutes played.

[Underdog]

@bobbykaralla: Dirk Nowitzki just passed Shawn Bradley (1,250) for the most blocks by a Maverick in franchise history.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@bobbykaralla: Dirk Nowitzki just passed Shawn Bradley (1,250) for the most blocks by a Maverick in franchise history.

G.O.A.T.

[Me.B]

Didn’t Dirk just ascend to top 3 all time in minutes played? I want to say Kareem and Malone are the only two that have played more minutes than Dirk. That’s crazy to think when you consider all the ankle injuries he had early in his career.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Me.B

Didn’t Dirk just ascend to top 3 all time in minutes played? I want to say Kareem and Malone are the only two that have played more minutes than Dirk. That’s crazy to think when you consider all the ankle injuries he had early in his career.

296 more minutes to catch KG... If he keeps averaging around 25 MPG, then it should happen in about 12 games.

[Underdog]