Congrats Dirk

[LRB]

Originally posted by: sike
Dirk second in ppg 27.3, TD is eighth 23.4, KG is tenth 23.1
KG is first in rpg 15.0, TD is second 12.9, Dirk is fifth 11.4
KG averages 6.4 apg, Dirk 2.8, TD 2.3

Close

On defensive rebounds TD is #1 in the league at 12.2, then Dirk at #2 at 9.6, and then TD at #3 with 8.9.

[sike]

if their numbers stay steady...is Dirk only second team all NBA? I see no way they vote him over KG.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: sike
if their numbers stay steady...is Dirk only second team all NBA? I see no way they vote him over KG.

This year Dirk has a better chance of passing Duncan than Garnett IMO. Still while it can be argued that Dirk is having a better season than Duncan, I think that Dirk has to do much better or Duncan much worse for the voters ofthe all NBA teams to pick Dirk over Duncan. IMO Dirk isn't close to touching Garnett so far but that could change if Garnett slows down any but I wouldn't count on it. But if Dirk can average near or above 30 a game, pull down 12+ rebounds a game, average 4+ assists per game, and shoot an effective FG% of 50% or better then I think that he has a chance of catching Garnett but still not a good one.

[sike]

LRB, the voters can justify TD as an all NBA center...but can they do that for Dirk?

[sike]

I agree though, Dirk is having a better yeah than TD at this point.

[sike]

they also go 1,2,3, as leaders in league in double/doubles: TD, KG, Dirk

[sike]

again, 1,2,3 in Efficiency Rating: KG, Dirk, TD

[greensborohill]

I few years ago Dirk was voted second team all-NBA as a center I believe. These three all deserve to be first team!! Not Shaq!!

[sike]

Dirk was playing plenty of center in those days...not so much anymore

[kg_veteran]

Dirk has always been on the All-NBA team as a forward.

I think it's difficult to crack the tandem of Duncan and Garnett as first-team All NBA forwards, but it can be done. Ultimately, it will depend upon team success. If the Mavs do pretty well and Dirk has a monster year, Dirk has a shot at just about anything, including MVP.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: sike
LRB, the voters can justify TD as an all NBA center...but can they do that for Dirk?

If TD is voted 1st team all NBA center, then KG and Dirk would be the forwards. There are essentially 3 positions of the all NBA teams by my understanding: Center(1), Forward(2), and Guard(2). IMO TD, KG, and Dirk would be the best possible front line combination in the NBA presently, but I don't think that the voters will place any of the 3 players at the Center spot for 1st team (although they may for 2nd team or below). Dirk still plays some center, but not near as much as last year.

[grndmstr_c]

TD plays his share of center, though. Really, if the voting were done right now it would be a crime to do anything other than fill the first team center and both forward slots with the three of them. Add LeBron at SG (I know he plays more SF) and Nash at PG and there you go. For second team (if anybody cares) I'd go Shaq, Amare, AK, Kobe, Wade.

[sike]

I'd go Marion over AK, C,....that would make three Suns...

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
TD plays his share of center, though. Really, if the voting were done right now it would be a crime to do anything other than fill the first team center and both forward slots with the three of them. Add LeBron at SG (I know he plays more SF) and Nash at PG and there you go. For second team (if anybody cares) I'd go Shaq, Amare, AK, Kobe, Wade.

I agree with that, except that I'd probably take out Kobe and put in Ray Allen.

[grndmstr_c]

I'd go Marion over AK, C,....that would make three Suns.

Really? AK was playing like an MVP to start the season. I've never seen Marion go at that level. Or were you just joking (as opposed to making a joke and a serious point at the same time).

I agree with that, except that I'd probably take out Kobe and put in Ray Allen.

Oh yeah. Forgot about Jesus. I won't argue with that.

[sike]

Really? AK was playing like an MVP to start the season.

AK: 14.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.6apg, 4.4bpg, 50 fg%...certainly not MVP numbers

Marion 19.7ppg, 12.1rpg, 2.3 apg, 2bpg, 46% fg%....
I'll take Marion...not meant to be funny [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[grndmstr_c]

AK's +/- is a net +26.5
Marion's +/- is a net -2.2 (though in fairness the two have similar on-court numbers)

AK is one of a handful of guys in the league for whom traditional stats don't even come close to capturing the impact they have on the court. I like Marion, but I'm just not convinced that he's a difference maker of the caliber that AK is.

[Mavs414]

congrats dirk

[bloodyhell]

marion does a few things well, kirilenko does everything well. Marion wasn't as hot when nash wasn't there. Neither was amare. kirilenko has no steve nash.

way to go dirk!

[bloodyhell]

A tad under 47% is great. And you're right, kenny smith is clueless. What also impressed me were his blocks. And i'm with everyone else in noticing that his rebounding has been going way up. I wouldn't be surprised if dirk scored 60+ in an upcoming game. Place your bets on upcoming games where he could do it.

I think there's been a couple of games this year where you could tell dirk might take it over the edge and go mad on scoring. Any time he has around 17 after the first half it seems like he could go nuts in the second if he gets the ball and everything flows right. Anyone else get that sense?

[StvNash13]

Originally posted by: sike

AK: 14.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.6apg, 4.4bpg, 50 fg%...certainly not MVP numbers

Marion 19.7ppg, 12.1rpg, 2.3 apg, 2bpg, 46% fg%....
I'll take Marion...not meant to be funny [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

4.4 blocks per game is pretty amazing.

[EricaLubarsky]

4.4 blocks per game is pretty amazing.

Especially when the team blocks 7% more shots when he is on the floor. Zero net for Marion.

Kirilenko is +26.5 in plus-minus, Marion is a net -2.2

[twelli]

Kobe having a low-scoring game against GS (8pts with 2 minutes to go), Dirk might become the top NBA-scorer tonight!

Cool!

[grndmstr_c]

Some quotes on Dirk from DMN's Mavs-Jazz preview:

Still singing praises: The tributes keep pouring in for Dirk Nowitzki after his 53-point outburst. "Right now, he shoots with the accuracy of anyone who has ever shot the ball in this league," TNT analyst Kenny Smith said. Said LeBron James: "Nobody can stop Dirk." And then, of course, there was Don Nelson's spin: "You realize that [Calvin] Booth and Nowitzki combined for 56 points?"

And that is why no matter how much Nellie pisses me off with the way he handles centers, I absolutely love having the guy around.