Official Dirk is Great Thread

[Kante]

I stay with what i said. LeBron is just in another league.

Durant is 2nd, no question but not there (yet). Saying someone is harder to defend does not make him better, btw.

But "prima-Donna presence" was all i need to know, HATA a bit...

So, agree to disagree and move on with Dirk here!

[Kante]

Double: What's up with the server today?

[Budapest Maverick]

Yeah, Durant got closer to Lebron this season, but Lebron is still a little bit better imo. I don't think he's alone in a tier, but Durant is still 1/b, and will be until he wins it all.

[Five-ofan]

Lebron is a better player, durant had a better season. Very easily summed up right there.

[Underdog]

Well, that's enough Durant-LeBron talk for the Official Dirk is Great Thread... Back to Dirk's greatness: did anybody notice that he's #1 in the league in FT% this season?

Also, I changed the title from "Random" to "Official" since there's nothing random about Dirk's greatness.

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Well, that's enough Durant-LeBron talk for the Official Dirk is Great Thread... Back to Dirk's greatness: did anybody notice that he's #1 in the league in FT% this season?

Also, I changed the title from "Random" to "Official" since there's nothing random about Dirk's greatness.

Hopefully Roberts won't make 3 more free throws wednesday, he needs 3 more to qualify. He's hitting them at above 95%, which is completely bonkers. Not that the "free throw title" is a tarnished trophy.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Also, I changed the title from "Random" to "Official" since there's nothing random about Dirk's greatness.

Sniff, sniff... My child has grown up. Sniff..

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Budapest Maverick

Hopefully Roberts won't make 3 more free throws wednesday, he needs 3 more to qualify. He's hitting them at above 95%, which is completely bonkers. Not that the "free throw title" is a tarnished trophy.

Yeah, the guy who barely qualifies, well, barely qualifies.

Dirk has attempted 373 FTs this season - Roberts is only at 122... More shots = more opportunities to miss.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Sniff, sniff... My child has grown up. Sniff..

Should've been done a long time ago...

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yeah, the guy who barely qualifies, well, barely qualifies.

Dirk has attempted 373 FTs this season - Roberts is only at 122... More shots = more opportunities to miss.

I don't understand your response, i'm well aware of that. You don't have to argue with me just for the sake of arguing. I just said i hope the guy doesn't qualify.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Budapest Maverick

I don't understand your response, i'm well aware of that. You don't have to argue with me just for the sake of arguing. I just said i hope the guy doesn't qualify.

I'm not arguing with you - I'm just stating that the criteria for being the #1 FT shooter in the league can suck it... The disparity in attempts is so vast that Roberts can hit 3 more and technically qualify, but Dirk is still the superior FT shooter.

Although it might not matter anyway because he's dealing with a knee injury and the Pelicans only have two more games left.

[twelli]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yeah, the guy who barely qualifies, well, barely qualifies.

Dirk has attempted 373 FTs this season - Roberts is only at 122... More shots = more opportunities to miss.

Well, would be interesting to see what percentage Dirk had after attempting 122 FT earlier in the season, or how Robert's percentage is after 373 FTs over 2 or 3 seasons. He's attempted 206 FT over two seasons (his entire career) and he made 93.2%. In college, he just shot 84% in four seasons with Dayton, then he played in Israel and Germany. In three seasons in Germany he shot 88, 84 and 88 percent. Not sure about Israel. Not very impressive. So, so far in the NBA he's been a better FT shooter than in the past. I think it's save to say that he's a good free-throw shooter, but before comparing him to Dirk in that department, I think we should wait another 5 years or so. He might not be in the NBA anymore by then.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by twelli

Well, would be interested to see what percentage Dirk had after attempting 122 FT earlier in the season, or how Robert's percentage is after 373 FTs over 2 or 3 seasons. It's more likely that the percentage is going down the more you shoot, unless you have a really stellar season.

Roberts is shooting a ridiculous 192-206 over his two-year career, so a case can definitely be made that he's one of the best FT shooters in the league... But it's not like he's wearing himself down with a 20 MPG career average - it's a lot harder to shoot ANY shot when you're winded.

Dirk is shooting through fatigue, minor injuries and advanced age.

[dude1394]

Who is this Roberts fella and does he shoot game winning free throws?

And why is my child off the rails again?

[twelli]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Roberts is shooting a ridiculous 192-206 over his two-year career, so a case can definitely be made that he's one of the best FT shooters in the league... But it's not like he's wearing himself down with a 20 MPG career average - it's a lot harder to shoot ANY shot when you're winded.

Dirk is shooting through fatigue, minor injuries and advanced age.

It's an interesting question: How is FT percentage influenced by playing time and role of player on the team?

Obviously, you play more, your are more tired, and you are the Man, you shoot the free throws when it counts, so there is more pressure.

On the other hand, if you come off the bench here and there, maybe just for a minute at a time, you might have more difficulty to find any kind of rhythm. A starting shooter might find it easier to shoot FTs cause he's shooting all the time.

Also, if you are a bench player, every missed FT could mean you will be benched for good after the next time out, so there's pressure too.

Here's an idea, why not have a FT shoot out at the All Star Game? The two players with the highest percentage shoot free throws side by side. Who misses first loses. If no one misses, the winner is who makes most shots in 3 minutes or so. Would be fun to watch. Or both players shoots 100 FTs and the winner is who makes most of them, if both make all the one who's faster wins.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by twelli

It's an interesting question: How is FT percentage influenced by playing time and role of player on the team?

Obviously, you play more, your are more tired, and you are the Man, you shoot the free throws when it counts, so there is more pressure.

On the other hand, if you come off the bench here and there, maybe just for a minute at a time, you might have more difficulty to find any kind of rhythm. A starting shooter might find it easier to shoot FTs cause he's shooting all the time.

Also, if you are a bench player, every missed FT could mean you will be benched for good after the next time out, so there's pressure too.

Here's an idea, why not have a FT shoot out at the All Star Game? The two players with the highest percentage shoot free throws side by side. Who misses first loses. If no one misses, the winner is who makes most shots in 3 minutes or so. Would be fun to watch. Or both players shoots 100 FTs and the winner is who makes most of them, if both make all the one who's faster wins.

No matter how good you are it's simple statistics that the smaller the sample size, the greater the chance for outliers and thus less attempts makes an ultra high percentage more likely.

Shawn Bradley for instance shot 92.2% on fts 1 year when he only shot 1.2 per game despite being a career 71.6 ft shooter.

[Murphy3]

Obviously, as 5-0 pointed out, the more you shoot, the less likely you are to have a statistical outlier. The more you shoot, the better chance that you're stats will reflect your actual ability at the line. If Dirk shot 1 ft in a game and missed and had a 0% FT% and Shaq shot 1 FT in a game and made it leaving him with at 100%, obviously no one would think that Shaq is actually the better FT shooter.

[markus1234]

nice read...

Although the prestigious moment is many years away, some Basketball Hall of Fame members can’t wait until the day when Dirk Nowitzki is enshrined into their exclusive club

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/04...#storylink=cpy

[markus1234]

nice read...

Although the prestigious moment is many years away, some Basketball Hall of Fame members can’t wait until the day when Dirk Nowitzki is enshrined into their exclusive club

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/04...#storylink=cpy

[twelli]

Acknowledging the greatness of Dirk, better belated than never.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by markus1234

nice read...

Very nice thanks...

[dongtouch]

Originally Posted by Budapest Maverick

Hopefully Roberts won't make 3 more free throws wednesday, he needs 3 more to qualify. He's hitting them at above 95%, which is completely bonkers. Not that the "free throw title" is a tarnished trophy.

he played 4 mins and made 3 fts... it's as if he played just to get to that number (which I think it's true)

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dongtouch

he played 4 mins and made 3 fts... it's as if he played just to get to that number (which I think it's true)

So demote Dirk down to #2, strike his 50/40/90 and etch-a-sketch our 50-win season... Anyone else wanna piss in my cheerios tonight?

[CanadianMavsFan]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...ner-with-dirk/

Interview with Dirk and Nash part of the Grantland series on Nash's physical decline as a player.

[DirkFTW]

Originally Posted by CanadianMavsFan

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...ner-with-dirk/

Interview with Dirk and Nash part of the Grantland series on Nash's physical decline as a player.

Nash: "When you guys beat us in '06 and went to the Finals, that was hard for me... you know, I almost feel like I wasn't cheering for you."

[EricaLubarsky]

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Nash felt like he wasn't cheering for Dirk? Odd way to phrase something.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Nash felt like he wasn't cheering for Dirk? Odd way to phrase something.

[twelli]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Nash felt like he wasn't cheering for Dirk? Odd way to phrase something.

I don't see anything wrong with that. If you are hugely disappointed it's easy to not care about anything.

I think the whole interview feels like Nash regrets the decision to not sign with the Mavs for whatever reason and Dirk is just too nice to say, "Idiot, why didn't you sign with the Mavs, we would have won several championships together."

[Jproxursoxoff]

Nash really didn't have much of a choice. Cuban made it pretty clear that he was done with Nash.

[Jproxursoxoff]

Nash really didn't have much of a choice. Cuban made it pretty clear that he was done with Nash.

[dongtouch]

Originally Posted by twelli

I don't see anything wrong with that. If you are hugely disappointed it's easy to not care about anything.

I think the whole interview feels like Nash regrets the decision to not sign with the Mavs for whatever reason and Dirk is just too nice to say, "Idiot, why didn't you sign with the Mavs, we would have won several championships together."

Honestly I don't think had Nash stayed they would've won championships together. If Nash stayed I don't think Terry and/or Kidd would've come and Chandler I don't know would be able to come. They wouldn't have gotten past the Spurs or the Heat those two years.
Of course there'd be different players in their places but the whole scheme would be different. At least it wouldn't be a great defensive team with Nash at the point, just like it was all those years or it is currently with Calderon at pg. Only way Nash excelled was to play run-and-gun which didn't fit Dirk's style. I hate to say because I really like Nash, being a Canadian, but it worked out best for them to be apart.

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by Jproxursoxoff

Nash really didn't have much of a choice. Cuban made it pretty clear that he was done with Nash.

If i remember right Cuban wanted to give him the 4y contract, he just didnt want to add the guaranteed 5th year like thr Suns did...

And of course he knows it was the wrong decision...he said it, Dirk went two times to the finals without him and won the damn thing. And Cuban would have paid him on the next contract in 2008.

[sike]

Also sounds like Nash is more sure than Dirk that they would have won it if they stayed together.

Dirk mentions how perfect PHX was for Nash...and he knows how integral Kidd was to the win in 11/12.

Dirk got his, and Nash clearly looks back with regrets. Its cool to see them both being so transparent. I enjoyed seeing Dirk be a serious adult having a serious conversation w a friend.

[sike]

Also sounds like Nash is more sure than Dirk that they would have won it if they stayed together.

Dirk mentions how perfect PHX was for Nash...and he knows how integral Kidd was to the win in 11/12.

Dirk got his, and Nash clearly looks back with regrets. Its cool to see them both being so transparent. I enjoyed seeing Dirk be a serious adult having a serious conversation w a friend.

[dude1394]

Dirk is aware of a camera I expect. He is also very thoughtful and honest in his answers. He doesn't know how it would have worked and Phoenix was perfect for Nash.

I also could see him not allowing himself or Nash to have regrets about their career and decisions. Of course the dirkster got his so it's easier for him to not play what if.

I was a little surprised to not see dirk more supportive of Steve continuing to try. It does give some insight into when he will hang it up I think. When he spends half of his time rehabbing, he's gone.

[dude1394]

Dirk is aware of a camera I expect. He is also very thoughtful and honest in his answers. He doesn't know how it would have worked and Phoenix was perfect for Nash.

I also could see him not allowing himself or Nash to have regrets about their career and decisions. Of course the dirkster got his so it's easier for him to not play what if.

I was a little surprised to not see dirk more supportive of Steve continuing to try. It does give some insight into when he will hang it up I think. When he spends half of his time rehabbing, he's gone.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by dongtouch

Honestly I don't think had Nash stayed they would've won championships together. If Nash stayed I don't think Terry and/or Kidd would've come and Chandler I don't know would be able to come. They wouldn't have gotten past the Spurs or the Heat those two years.
Of course there'd be different players in their places but the whole scheme would be different. At least it wouldn't be a great defensive team with Nash at the point, just like it was all those years or it is currently with Calderon at pg. Only way Nash excelled was to play run-and-gun which didn't fit Dirk's style. I hate to say because I really like Nash, being a Canadian, but it worked out best for them to be apart.

I for one definitely think they would have. Obviously Cuban/Donnie would have had to get a defensive minded 2/3/5 on the team. But I see no reason a Nash/dirk led team wouldn't have won it all.

They would have had to get rid of Nellie for sure. And hopefully not hire the idiot Avery but that's another story. So many moving parts if Nash didn't leave.

[Murphy3]

I'm sure Nash is in part looking back and realizing that money isn't everything...

[Murphy3]

I'm sure Nash is in part looking back and realizing that money isn't everything...