Official Dirk is Great Thread

[Murphy3]

Honestly, no one really cares about the vast majority of basketball writes mostly because they are absolute hacks.

[dude1394]

Broussard is too stupid to be a racist.

[markus1234]

stupidity at its best

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6587195

[dude1394]

I believe I have seen LeBron James doing the one foot step-back jumper...

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by markus1234

stupidity at its best

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6587195

Couldn't bring myself to watch the video, sorry...but this comment was interesting...

Haha, this is funny.. Two gays talkin basketball. is this the Queer Eye For The Straight Basketballer show

[Brad Kessler]

Originally Posted by markus1234

stupidity at its best

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6587195

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Every criticism of Dirk we could also say about Lebron. But Lebron fits the "image" of an NBA superstar so he gets a free pass. Makes me sick that these people get a national voice for their stupid, racist opinions.

[Murphy3]

LeBron's a douche.

[CadBane]

It's sickening how ignorant some people are.

Dirk has BETTER playoff numbers than LBJ. Yet if LBJ wins a ring on a loaded team, it's somehow more impressive than Dirk carrying a group of roleplayers to one? What?

[Dim499]

Originally Posted by markus1234

stupidity at its best

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6587195

oh my god, why did you post this. why must you ruin my day? two f**king idiots

[fluid.forty.one]

http://ghostfacedrillah.com/

[CadBane]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

http://ghostfacedrillah.com/

Oh man, I want to buy one. 18 plus s/h is a bit steep for a standard shirt though.

[ol' luvaluva]

[mavs777]

great article coming...

[mavs777]

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2011...medium=twitter

The 2007 Mavericks were a great team. I’m not tossing that term out lightly. I’m not convinced to this day that the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers, who won the freaking title, were a great team. (The 2010 team was a great team, as was the 2011 team right up until about the time Chris Paul leaped up and stabbed them in the eye like Kratos.) But the 2007 Mavericks? That was a great team. Top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The only other team to be so was the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs were second on offense, fifth on defense, the Spurs second on defense, fifth on offense. The Mavericks, believe it or not, were better than the 2006 team that went to the Finals the year prior. They were deep. They were smooth. They were, yes, well coached. They were also fun as hell to watch. To this day, this remains the most fun I’ve ever had watching a game. It was one of those nights, where yes, it’s the regular season, but by God, it felt like May. The two teams were so locked in to beating one another, they were killing themselves trying to win that game. After that double-overtime joy fest, it seemed absolutely certain the Suns and Mavs were going to meet for the Western Conference Championship and the right to thump whatever chump came out of the East (LeBron James, step on down!).

That team was when Jerry Stackhouse was still able to produce, and Josh Howard was still considered a top-flight small forward. Jason Terry was the kind of scorer you trembled in fear at. Devin Harris was the young kid along for the ride and showing now and then why he would be the point guard of the future for Dallas after they won the title. Erick Dampier was a load, and not nearly as slow, still able to take rebounds and give fouls. And Dirk?

Dirk was Dirk. Like he’s never been. 2006 was a superior season in terms of raw production. But that 2007 Dirk was something else. He was still so furious about the Finals loss, and you could see it. Everyone scoffed at his MVP trophy, wanting to give it to Bryant, but Nowtizki dropped a 27.6 PER with a 61% True Shooting Percentage on 28.9% usage while the Mavericks won 67 games. SIX-TY-SEV-EN.

It was a masterful season. They were the best team in the league. Their path was set. Topple the first round opponent, like you do, face either the Jazz (O-VER-RA-TED) or the Rockets in a quality six-game semis, then the big one. Whoever survived out of the San Antonio-Phoenix bloodsport would be so battered and bruised, facing Dallas would be like going into the thresher after a car wreck. Beat the crap out of whatever East team came out (hopefully Miami), and forget 2006 ever happened.

And then…

That Goddamn Warriors team.

Don’t be confused. I pulled for that Warriors team with every ounce in me. I wanted to see the upset, the underdog, the unbelievable moment where the worst playoff team in the West knocked down the Big Bad German. I wanted to see the scrappy underdog overcome all odds and show what “true heart means.” I “believed.”

That series was not only an abject freakazoid, lightning strike four-times in the same spot outlier of logic and production, it was the worst thing that could have happened for both franchises. The Warriors fans got their moment, that shining night where your team did the impossible. That also resulted in another three seasons of Don Nelson boozeballing the team into the ground requiring the sale of the team and a complete overhaul to get the team right, which they’re still working on. It led to the Stephen Jackson contract, Baron Davis thinking he was worth the money to hop on over to Clipperland, Monta, and the rest.

And for the Mavericks? A horrible matchup that they could not have avoided created a perfect storm of conditions. The right crowd, the right team, the right matchups, the right bounces, the right emotional response from Dallas and the right timing. It all came together, and the Mavericks lost. One of the truly great teams of the last ten years is now held in disdain as one of the biggest jokes in NBA history, the classic example of choking. They are the wretched and the years after only provided turmoil, failure, and a gradual decline. That’s how the story was going to end. Dirk goes down with an MVP, underrated by most, talked of in writer’s lunches and on podcasts, always anchored by the collapse in the 2006 Finals and the greatest season that ever ended in disaster.

Until this year.

************************************************** *****

Everyone acts like the last few years have seen such an upturn in great teams. But back up a second and consider what Nowitzki and the Mavericks have been fighting against during their ten year 50-win war. Shaq’s Lakers. Duncan’s Spurs. The Pau-trade-created monster team. The only window for the Mavericks? 2006 and 2007. When they lost in the Finals in one of the most contentiously officiated series ever, and in a maelstrom of bad luck. The Clippers win three more games and we’re not talking about this right now. That 2007 Spurs team? Good. Really good. But most Spurs fans will tell you it wouldn’t hold up to the other championship teams, and that’s the season immediately after Dirk beat the Spurs in San Antonio to advance. There were some incredible teams that Nowitzki had to fight tooth and nail with in his prime (I say as he just got through with his best TS% season ever, but we’ll get there).

But still, the teams have gotten better. This was the most loaded NBA season in history. But at the end, it was supposed to be the same story in the West. It was going to be the Lakers. We all knew it. We were positive. I had resigned myself to the inevitability of knowing who is going to celebrate in June before the season. All the rest was just filler. And if for some reason the Lakers didn’t win it, it was going to be the Spurs in the West. The top seed, with one of their best regular seasons ever, the unstoppable offense. And if not them, certainly the Thunder. They added Kendrick Perkins for crying out loud! (Don’t ask me when Kendrick Perkins became the greatest defensive player ever and the guy who makes an entirely inconsistent Thunder defense into an unstoppable juggernaut just by being mean-looking. I’m still trying to figure it out.) Dallas had been there all season, flirting early with the top seed in the league, just hanging out. A few noticed. I wrote about them a few times, mentioned Nowitzki as an MVP candidate. They were playing exceptionally well. Carlisle, in particular, seemed to have figured out some things about this particular team we hadn’t seen before.

But in the end, they fell off enough that we forgot about them. Another good season, but really. Hornets, Nuggets, and Blazers fans were all begging to get the Mavericks, thinking they were ripe for an upset. Blazer fans really thought they were going to win that series. Instead, it was one Brandon Roy WTF game from being a sweep. And we started to see it. But certainly, no. The Lakers will do what they have always done. Dirk Nowitzki, with no rings, can’t beat Kobe Bryant, with five. Can’t happen.

Then the Mavericks shot the lights out. It was masterful. It could only have been done by Dallas, too. They were the one team with the veteran shooters, experience, skill, speed, and ability to take the approach of “Let’s bury ‘em. And then let’s kick the dirt over on top of ’em.” They just kept shooting. Phil Jackson’s going to have peyote hallucinations about Peja and Terry dropping bombs for another five years. And before we could come to terms with what happened, down goes the Lakers. Dead. And you started to get the feeling.

It was supposed to be about Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson getting the three-peat to ride off into the sunset. It was supposed to be about L.A. cementing itself as the greatest again. If not, it was supposed to be about the old Spurs putting in one last ride (even if their defense was a weak-ass miniature pony running into fenceposts). If not, it was surely supposed to be about the Thunder, and the arrival of Kevin Durant with Russell Westbrook his Robin.

No.

Nope.

Nuh-uh.

Now?

Now It’s Nowitzki.

This is the shot. This is the one, with Dirk putting in one of the finest playoff performances we’ve ever seen, being absolutely unstoppable in the biggest moments. Nowitzki isn’t human right now in the fourth. There’s so much confidence it makes you ill. Nick Collison played some of the best defense you’re ever going to see on Dirk (and got away with the most fouls you’re ever going to see on Dirk; seriously, someone tell Nick you gotta buy a girl dinner first), and Nowitzki still took him to school, sat him down, quizzed him, graded him, then beat him up and took his lunch money after school. The stuff we love about sports? Nowitzki was all of it against the Thunder. Heroic, timely, passionate, exciting, aggressive, intelligent, efficient, ballsy, and a little bit nuts. This isn’t the tongue-spitting Dirk. This is the determined “That’s right, MFers, I’mma keep killing you till I can’t move” Dirk. There’s no joy in this, he’s too driven. After Game 5, he didn’t smile, didn’t seem relaxed. He was just irritated that he has to wait six days to start killing whoever else is in his way.

There will not be another chance for Nowitzki. Nash, his old partner, who formed one of the truly lovable teams of the decade with Dirk, probably won’t get a shot. But for Nowitkzi, there’s a chance at redemption. And no, it doesn’t look good. Miami is better, should they advance. Wade got to the line in 2006? James will get to the line in 2011, along with Wade, and Bosh. The Heat can defend where the Thunder could not, and as helter-skelter as the Heat offense can look at times, it’s a might bit better than the crap sandwich Scotty Brooks spooned out onto the floor in the clutch. The Heat have components to stop Dirk like they did in 2006 (Haslem), and weapons to gun with them. The odds are not good.

But the Mavericks don’t care. This team isn’t playing with a “Hey, look where we got to?” flair, they’re not just happy to be here. This is a veteran team that believes that fate or talent or marketability or storyline be damned, this is their ring. It belongs to them. Nowitzki is the centerpiece of that. He will not be denied. He will not be deterred. And he will continue to rain down on you no matter how you guard him.

This season was supposed to be the final chapter of the Laker’s past. Or it was supposed to be about the Thunder’s future.

But now?

Now, It’s Nowitzki.

[Nowitzness81]

Seeing Dirk walk off at the end of this video and the team follows him is amazing.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/pl...elebration.nba

[Underdog]

Someone I know snapped this shot yesterday - "Dumpster Dirk" seems like an appropriate name for this piece, seeing as how all his opponents eventually end up looking like garbage against him:

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Nowitzness81

Seeing Dirk walk off at the end of this video and the team follows him is amazing.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/pl...elebration.nba

Wow...I didn't notice that at all...Dirk does it his way doesn't he?

[dude1394]

Saw a Shawn Marion post-game, he was pretty emotional about it all. The question was "you've been waiting a long time for this one haven't you"...response....a pretty long drawn out... "hell yea"...

Liked it..

[Underdog]

Minimum of 50 free throws, Larry Bird set a playoff record during the 1987 ECF for the highest FT% in a playoff series by nailing 47-of-50 FTs (94%).

Dirk just shattered that record by sinking 59-of-61 (97%).

[Funkman]

This is the one, with Dirk putting in one of the finest playoff performances we’ve ever seen, being absolutely unstoppable in the biggest moments. Nowitzki isn’t human right now in the fourth. There’s so much confidence it makes you ill. Nick Collison played some of the best defense you’re ever going to see on Dirk (and got away with the most fouls you’re ever going to see on Dirk; seriously, someone tell Nick you gotta buy a girl dinner first), and Nowitzki still took him to school, sat him down, quizzed him, graded him, then beat him up and took his lunch money after school. The stuff we love about sports? Nowitzki was all of it against the Thunder. Heroic, timely, passionate, exciting, aggressive, intelligent, efficient, ballsy, and a little bit nuts. This isn’t the tongue-spitting Dirk. This is the determined “That’s right, MFers, I’mma keep killing you till I can’t move” Dirk. There’s no joy in this, he’s too driven. After Game 5, he didn’t smile, didn’t seem relaxed. He was just irritated that he has to wait six days to start killing whoever else is in his way.

I could read this part over and over.

[clements23]

Dirk Nowitzki = 3Pt Madness and quick factor on attack

[j0Shi]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...-would-have-it

Can somebody help me on the conclusion of that article?

The author claims the Mavericks success in the WCF on luck and one point is that Dirk's performance in Game 1 was highly improbable. They are saying that there's a 1.8% chance that Dirk hits 12 of 15 or better. But in 1111 career games (yes, he reached the NBA Finals in his 1111th career NBA game!) he has done it only twice (2009 in Utah when he went 16 for 20 and in this years playoffs in Game 1 against the Thunder). According to their projection, he should have done is 19-20 times.

So I think it wasn't lucky but rather overdue.

[mavspwnage]

[BGMaverick9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adh7B...&feature=share

[CadBane]

In the Playoffs, Dirk is now averaging 10 PPG in the 4th quarter.

[DirkFTW]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfewOvwxMR0&NR=1

Check out the peeps showing Dirk love from 0:58 to 1:44... prescient!

They'll need to supplement this soon with some interviews of certain Eastern Conference players.

[Mav Addict]

dirk nowitzki:
Adj.
1. Being able to perform under extreme pressure

Adj. Informal
1. Being or occurring in a tense or critical situation
2. Tending to be successful in tense or critical situations

[GhostFace]

Originally Posted by mavs777

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2011...medium=twitter

Oh fuck me, this was such a good read. That 2006 lost to those asshats was so depressing. Going back to school the next day with those fucking bandwagon clowns in high school, it was humiliating. The time is now. Right fucking now bitches!

[MavsFTR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEECwgdigZY

[Mavsfan4ever]

Marc Spears actually giving Dirk credit. Marc said Dirk is the best player in the playoffs this year.

[JamesVE]

I'll interject my typical comment here that Dirk needs to rebound the damn ball. Don't know how many times I saw him in the OKC series not even TRY to rebound (just as I've criticized him for in the regular season). There's no way we beat Miami if Dirk continues rebounding at 5 RPG.

Not to mention if he keeps being lax in this area he'll quickly fall below the 10 RPG lifetime postseason average within a year or two and thus knock himself out of the elite category of 25 and 10 we've been hearing so much about lately.

Nonetheless, impressive offensive game this postseason from Dirk. Hope he keeps it up AND ratchets up the overall intensity a bit (*cough* rebounding *cough*).

[ribosoma]

Originally Posted by JamesVE

I'll interject my typical comment here that Dirk needs to rebound the damn ball. Don't know how many times I saw him in the OKC series not even TRY to rebound (just as I've criticized him for in the regular season). There's no way we beat Miami if Dirk continues rebounding at 5 RPG.

Not to mention if he keeps being lax in this area he'll quickly fall below the 10 RPG lifetime postseason average within a year or two and thus knock himself out of the elite category of 25 and 10 we've been hearing so much about lately.

Nonetheless, impressive offensive game this postseason from Dirk. Hope he keeps it up AND ratchets up the overall intensity a bit (*cough* rebounding *cough*).

Your shtick has grown tiresome, to say the least.

[Mavsfan4ever]

Dirk is Averaging a total of 7.50 rebounds this post season. He is second on this Mavs team behind Chandler who is averaging 9.30 rebounds. Considering Dirk is not known as a defensive player I would say this is not to bad.

[Mavsfan4ever]

After Dirk puts out the Heat they will be calling him the Fireman.

[BigAshish]

Dirk is a great player. The thing I like about Dirk is that he is genuine. He is just a down to earth guy. Comparing him to a guy like Lebron, everything he does seems to be done for the camera. He's just a fraud. Not his game, his personality.

After the games are over, when he goes over to players to "console" them, it is all done for the camera. When he collapses on his knees like someone who just found out their family was wiped out by a meteorite, it was all done for the camera. He's such a fraud.

Dirk meanwhile doesn't just not care about the camera, the camera never crosses his mind. He just is himself. He doesn't try to portray something based on the media. Maybe it's because his background is different, but that doesn't change anything. Dirk needs his ring, and he needs to hoist the trophy with Lebron peering out through the tunnel with tears in his eyes so the camera can catch that too.

[Mavsfan4ever]

Originally Posted by BigAshish

Dirk is a great player. The thing I like about Dirk is that he is genuine. He is just a down to earth guy. Comparing him to a guy like Lebron, everything he does seems to be done for the camera. He's just a fraud. Not his game, his personality.

After the games are over, when he goes over to players to "console" them, it is all done for the camera. When he collapses on his knees like someone who just found out their family was wiped out by a meteorite, it was all done for the camera. He's such a fraud.

Dirk meanwhile doesn't just not care about the camera, the camera never crosses his mind. He just is himself. He doesn't try to portray something based on the media. Maybe it's because his background is different, but that doesn't change anything. Dirk needs his ring, and he needs to hoist the trophy with Lebron peering out through the tunnel with tears in his eyes so the camera can catch that too.

My smile would get even wider if we saw James cry.

[41creepingdeath]

Dirk will put em to the grave

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by BigAshish

Dirk is a great player. The thing I like about Dirk is that he is genuine. He is just a down to earth guy. Comparing him to a guy like Lebron, everything he does seems to be done for the camera. He's just a fraud. Not his game, his personality.

After the games are over, when he goes over to players to "console" them, it is all done for the camera. When he collapses on his knees like someone who just found out their family was wiped out by a meteorite, it was all done for the camera. He's such a fraud.

Dirk meanwhile doesn't just not care about the camera, the camera never crosses his mind. He just is himself. He doesn't try to portray something based on the media. Maybe it's because his background is different, but that doesn't change anything. Dirk needs his ring, and he needs to hoist the trophy with Lebron peering out through the tunnel with tears in his eyes so the camera can catch that too.

+ rep. True

[LetsGoMavs]

Sig worthy to say the least

[mavs777]

http://www.nba.com/statscube/player....splitValue=all