The Official: Dirk Nowitzki Watch: Thread - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Epitome22 · 10-30-2003, 08:41 AM

NOTE Since the recent trend of "watch" threads have been springing up. I thought I would get one started that is devoted to the Mavs best and most talented player. The one that excites and frustrates us the most.

This is the Official Dirk Nowitzki watch thread. In this thread we will contribute our thoughts, speculations, appraisals, criticisms etc. of Dirk as the season unfolds. If you have a thought you would like to share about Dirk Nowitzki, please place it in this thread. If you or someone else posts something Dirk related in another thread, and you feel it had some value or merit to it, please feel free to transcribe the same post here for a more thorough consensus. Anyhing Dirk related is welcome but for sport and fan's sake, let's avoid stuff like "Dirk is Hot!" or "who is Dirk dating right now" etc.

Epitome22 · 10-30-2003, 09:12 AM

Some VERY early season thoughts regarding Dirk.

The NBA season has barely stretched it's legs from it's long off-season hibernation and already from the first few Mavs games I've watched, Dirk's play has interested me.

The whole of Mavs play so far seems awkward and unfamiliar to me and Dirk has contributed to that in his own special way. I was surprised and excited to not just see a Dirk who has more possessions when he's around the basket, but a Dirk who had most of his possessions around the basket. In my mind this is just a continuation of my tentative speculation of Dirk, evolving into a player that's a 7 foot ball handling freak who can shoot the lights out from anywhere and occasionally get you a basket inside, into a player who predominantly...well...Dominates in the high post and around the basket, who draws fouls and who's uncanny shooting ability from outside, becomes just another tool in his arsenal as opposed to his primary weapon. His play around the basket has improved too. Last season we just saw glimpses of what Dirk was capable of doing with the ball in his hands around the paint.

There were times during last season where Dirk was continually fed the ball around the basket and he clearly wasn't comfortable around that area and his from was virtually non existant, yet somehow he continually found a way to get the ball in the basket and slowly but surely, hints of form began to show from his exercises. This season so far he still doesen't have what I'd call a classic post form and moves, but I noticed in his play around the basket that he looks much more practiced and polished around that area. His moves sleeker, his finishes a little prettier. He reminds me of Kevin Garnetts game around the basket, not a classic post move type of a guy with special footwork, pivots, and a go to shot, but a guy who everytime he gets the ball around the basket, looks like he's done it quite a few times before and from athleticism and determination, finds a way to put the ball in the basket. Dirk's 3 point shot hasn't gotten it's steadiness so far this season. I'm quite sure it will start falling once Dirk gets in the groove of things and used to his new aerodynamic haircut (heh). The things I noticed was that The Dirk from 2 seasons ago or even last season, would get frustrated and distracted if his outside shot wasn't falling. So far the Dirk of this season, upon noticing the shakiness of his outside jumper,seems reacting to it more like a pitcher who's curveball wasn't working great that night. Like a Larry Bird who when his jumper wasn't money that night, sucked it up and dug himself a spot in the post as he did quite a few times.

On a sidebar note. Dirk is moving well, at least on the offensive end. Perhaps the most athletic I've ever seen him be. I disapproved when Dirk shed the bulk he aquired 2 seasons ago and played with a much leaner frame last season. Maybe it's just the haircut but I think he's most effective with the long, lanky, slightly built frame he has now then any other he possessed before. On another side note, This news from Mavsfanfinley's report about Dirk being mad intrigues me. It's not often when Dirk gets mad and he always seems to play well when he is angry and flat out motivated. I always watned Dirk to toughen up more in the conventional sense but Dirk laying a lard foul on somebody? that exceeded even my expecations. The report of him jabbering with NVE on the sidelines is interesting too. If Dirk is trading sidebars with another player and it doesen't stem from a "stop pushing me!, I'm gonna tell!!" motivational standpoint like it sometimes does, then that means Dirk is being more assertive and aggressive. If trading barbs witha sour grapes Nick is what it takes to bring the leader out of Dirk then I'm all for it. The Minute Dirk says even something to the equivalant of "This is My Team then I will have my own private celebration.

Murphy3 · 10-30-2003, 09:20 AM

Epitome, I'd agree with much of that.

A couple of questions for you..

What do you think of his defense so far?
and
What impact do you think Dirk almost exclusively playing PF and C on the defensive end will have on:
1. his rebounding
2. his offensive game

Epitome22 · 10-30-2003, 12:37 PM

Defensively I haven't seen too much that was different from last season, though it is early. Just as it is a mystery to some how a guy who moves so fluidly and quick on offense can be so inadept on defense at times, it's a mystery to me how Dirk works in the defensive mode. Sometimes, like the game against L.A. he looks confused out there. His defensive woes that game, like they are most of time time, stem more from seemingly poor defensive instincts I.E. Being in the wrong place, missing a switch off, being lost etc. than any physical inability to defend. Yet somehow, Dirk is quite the defensive playmaker for someone who is so allegedly poor on defense, be that bad defensive instincts, physical inability or both. It seems like you can always count on Dirk to be there for a surprise block or a momentum changing steal. This is a guy who led the team in steals last season with 1.39 per game. Not bad for a Power Forward. I believe he was one of only 15 players last season to average both a block and a steal per game. This season he looks like he's up to his old tricks already with 4 steals and 5 blocked shots.

As far as what effect Dirk exclusivly being a 4 and even having to pinch hit at Center half the time will have on his game, so far the results have been positive. In fact, I should have recognized it sooner. Dirk's playing closer to the basket is probably a natural consequence of him playing big forward and Center. Playing around the basket has put him, the best rebounder on the team, in a position to grab even more rebounds, including some on the offensive end which is something surprising and new. Dirk's lackluster offensive rebounding numbers were always a consequence of him playing the perimeter on the offensive end. I don't support a campaign that has Dirk playing center for more than 10 mins a game in pinch situations but I think it's possible he'll average 12-12.5 rebounds a game this season. My only concern would be how he scores against other centers but so far that hasn't been a problem. If they stick the other team's 4 on him he seems more confident to match him head on around the basket. If they have a legitimate center on him then he'll probably make him work by using his speed against him and drawing him out of the paint. So far Dirk has played the "shooting center who draws other centers out of the paint" role far better than Raef, who was supposed to do just that, ever did.

Murphy3 · 10-30-2003, 12:48 PM

I think Dirk is a better defender than he's given credit for when he's stuck at the PF spot. But, at the center spot, he can be outmuscled by many of the bigger players. At the SF spot, he's not quick enough at times.

As for what I've seen so far out of Dirk defensively..well, it's really too early to tell. I thought he did a rather poor job in the zone defense when playing LA (as did pretty much all mavs). But, I thought he was rather solid against GS. The only issue with GS was on the glass. As I've mentioned, I believe Dirk might struggle a bit when a bigger center can push him around a bit on the glass. That was the case at times last night against Dampier. But, Dampier pretty much did that against anyone that played the center position for the Mavs last night. What does that tell me about Dirk defensively? Play him at the PF spot as often as possible (although I do think there will be several teams that Dirk will be able to play more than 5-10 minutes at the center spot... but, those really aren't the teams that i'm concerned about)

Offensively, Dirk just needs to be around the bucket more. He either needs to be posted up more or he needs to drive and/or slash more (more as in compared to last year).

If he's matched up with any center in the NBA, he can draw them outside and either hit the jumper or drive around them at will.

If he's matched up with a PF..dirk will have to use a combination of posting up, driving, and utilizing the jumper.

If he's matched up against a SF.. dirk needs to be posted up all game long.

but, good posts epitome

jayC · 10-30-2003, 02:25 PM

I agree with what you said murph. I would like to see Dirk focus on being a great post scorer not so much a three point shooter. The mavs are much more dynamic when Dirk is taking opposing big men off the dribble or punishing them in the post. Id like to see the hook shot that he was supposedly working on in the offseason. Although maybe Walker can teach him that. Those two play off each other very well. I will be excited to see this team gel. I also believe that Nelson finally gets it, give the ball to dirk.

Dirk41= konsesjonen · 10-30-2003, 03:37 PM

great posts murph and epitome. Dirk's post game really looks good, it looked good last year, but even better this year. He posted up dunleavy one play last game and just spun and dunked it RIGHT in his face. He is creative in the post which helps. On d, he played solid last night imo, 4 blocks, 3 steals, 15 boards. Dampier is A BIG MAN, so natrually he might push dirk around some, but damp is huge. Dirk still forced him into some missed shots, blocked him once i believe, he blocked cliff, a PF twice and little aj once. He has quick hands which help the steals. The O rebounding is improved b/c finally he gets to play down low more, he really is just a talented rebounder and I wouldn't be shocked if he averages 12 a game this year. I still would like to see him get a few more touches, not necessarily shots, but touches early. I disagree JayC, Nellie hasn't realized it imo. In the 1st, dirk couldn't get a shot halfway into the qtr. In the 2nd, he was perfect and still couldn't get it. In the 2nd half he had 19 and got more touches. However, Nellie isn't running it thru him enough. His assist, only 1 per game don't thrill me. Granted he has been cheated out of a few by the scorekeepers, that's needs to rise and it should when we start clicking, especially if Nellie runs it thru him more.

SeriousSummer · 11-01-2003, 11:23 AM

Only two games in, but:

Dirk is 7th in scoring
Dirk is 7th in rebounding

And he hasn't played as well as he can yet. Sometimes the cream rises to the top pretty quickly.

dude1394 · 11-01-2003, 12:45 PM

So far I've like what I've seen from dirk offensively. He looks like he's sort of just letting the game come to him a little bit which is good in some respects and I think is a consequence of having new players to try and incorporate.

In the middle of the zone he seems to have way too much area to cover, I don't know if that is by design or due to screw-ups. It seemed a few times that he was responsible for the middle and yet tried to go out to challenge a 3pt shot. Really weird.

As a 7footer he has a lot more problem changing directions than going forward and it shows in the zone sometimes.

Not much comment yet on post moves, we'll see...
Rebounding has been great, he goes after them like he owns 'em.
Pretty feisty, I wish he had knocked the GS guy on his rear instead of just swiping him.
3ptrs off which wouldn't hurt me at all if he didn't take as many, I'd love to see him getting to the line more and more, but it will take a toll on his body, he doesn't have enough bulk to continue taking a pounding.

I predict he will improve his rebounding by about 2 this year, scoring maybe by 3. But he'll be more efficient getting them.
He, garnett, shaq, duncan will go head to head all year for true mvps. Webber will drop out.

LRB · 11-01-2003, 12:53 PM

Quote:

It seemed a few times that he was responsible for the middle and yet tried to go out to challenge a 3pt shot.

I've noticed this a few times as well Dude. I wonder if Dirk is supposed to get out to the 3pt shooter in the corner or if someone else blew a rotation and Dirk was trying to cover for them. I really hope that it is the latter, because that's a really tough rotation for anyone playing center in a zone.

dude1394 · 11-01-2003, 01:12 PM

I'm thinking that it is either a screw-up or that he sees the guy is open so he makes the effort to at least challenge it. I don't see eddie doing that type of stuff so maybe it's dirk thinking he has to challenge everything.

It will be really interesting to see how the team does after about 20 games. Having dirk as center WITH decent rebounding types around him will be really interesting. I just don't see how the centers in the league will be able to do much against the mavs defensively.

I mean really, are they going to cover dirk/walker/jamison on the perimeter?? Last year you saw teams put centers on adrian/raja/eddie and let more atheletic players try and cover dirk. This year that will be suicide.

We'll have to be patient for the next 20 until they get it in gear, but it will be interesting.

LRB · 11-01-2003, 01:29 PM

Quote:

We'll have to be patient for the next 20 until they get it in gear, but it will be interesting.

Easier said than done, but I fully agree.

ReDIRKulous · 11-01-2003, 02:27 PM

You know what is strange to me.... I hear a lot of journalists talking about Shaq needing to get the MVP this year if he wants to win the championship... but do you remember that everyone said that Dirk wasn't in the MVP running last year because of Fin and Nash? So how on earth can Shaq be eligible with Payton Malone and maybe Kobe? KG must be out of the running too, right?

LRB · 11-01-2003, 02:37 PM

Two words:

Double Standard. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

bogey · 11-01-2003, 03:40 PM

Double standard indeed!

Great thread guys. I thought this was going to be sarcastic for some reason. There are some outstanding basketball sports opinions being floated here.

SeriousSummer · 11-02-2003, 12:03 PM

Today's question:

How many NBA centers are averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebound per game and shooting at least 50% from the field and who are they?

Answer: Two. Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O'Neal.

LRB · 11-02-2003, 02:10 PM

Just an intersting comparison of Dirk to Shaq so far.

Dirk is actually averaging more rebounds per minute than Shaq despite mostly having a complete night off rebounding last night. 1
every 3.33 minutes compared to 1 every 3.38 minutes.

Dirk is scoring more points per minutes than Shaq. 1 every 1.63 minutes compared to 1 every 1.78 minutes.

Dirk is averaging more FTA per game than Shaq. 6.67 to 4.5.

Dirk is averageing more FTM per game than Shaq. 5.67 to 1

Dirk is averaging more points per shot than Shaq 1.46 to 1.18

Dirk is has a better efficiency rating that Shaq. 26.67 to 23.00

Dirk is averaging more combined steals and blocks than Shaq. 4.0 to 3.0

Dirk is averaging less fouls per game than Shaq. 3.0 to 4.5

Dirk is averaging less TO's per game than Shaq. 2.33 to 3.5

Shaq is averaging more Assists per game than Dirk 4.0 to 1.7.

Shaq has a better assist to turnover ratio than Dirk. 1.14 to 0.73

Max Power · 11-09-2003, 01:03 PM

From the Fort Worth Star Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...ll/7220992.htm

Combating Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki sees how teams are guarding him, and he understands the strategy. Heck, he'd do it the same way. Foes are often sticking small forwards on the 7-footer. Despite giving three or four inches, the smaller players can stay with Nowitzki on the perimeter.

"That's what I would do, too. No question," Nowitzki said. "Especially when we have a big lineup out, where we have three big guys. It's obvious to put the smallest guy on me, because my post game is not the best yet and the perimeter is pretty much where I make my living.

"That's why I've got to keep working on my post game and try to make them pay and when they double-team. I've got to make them pay with my passes. I've got a lot of work ahead of me."

Nowitzki displayed a more complete offensive arsenal against Toronto -- for the first half, anyway. In addition to jumpers, he was taking the ball to basket and scoring in the paint with both hands. But the Raptors denied Nowitzki the ball in the second half with smaller defenders.

"They found me better," said Nowitzki, who scored 23 of his 27 points in the first half. "They contested the jump shots. In the first half, I was open a lot. In the second half, they made sure that they didn't leave me that much, and they did a good job. I just didn't have that explosiveness at the end anymore that I had in the first half."

ReDIRKulous · 11-13-2003, 11:59 PM

http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/asb/ger/ballot.html

I am going to look for german message boards and tell them to vote for their boy. Any Germans here that could make a little message for us to post?

Everyone here start voting for Dirk EVERY DAY!

dallas_esq · 11-14-2003, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/asb/ger/ballot.html

I am going to look for german message boards and tell them to vote for their boy. Any Germans here that could make a little message for us to post?

Everyone here start voting for Dirk EVERY DAY!

Vote Here

Psychedelic Fuzz · 11-14-2003, 12:22 AM

vote every day. collectively we can send Walker back to the eastern conference all-star team.

Wiley_e · 11-14-2003, 04:30 AM

ReDIRKulous, here you go:

Ein Aufruf an alle Basketball-Fans die Dirk Nowitzki gerne im nächsten NBA Allstar Spiel im Fruehjahr sehen möchten! Ab sofort koennt Ihr unter
http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/asb/ger/ballot.html
Eure Stimme für Ihn abgeben. Das könnt Ihr ruhig auch oefters machen - jeder hat, wie immer, soviele Stimmen wie er/sie will!
Also: jeden Tag eine Stimme fuer Dirk (und wen Ihr sonst noch gerne sehen wuerdet), und vielleicht schafft er es diesmal in die Startformation!

Which roughly means:
A call to all hoopsfans who would like to see Dirk Nowitzki in the next NBA Allstar game next spring!
From now on under
http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/asb/ger/ballot.html
you now can vote for him. You also can do it repeatedly - as usual everybody has as many votes as he/she likes!
So: everyday a vote for Dirk (and anybody else you would like to see), and maybe this time he will make it to the starting lineup!

But you could post in english as well - you will be understood by most board members!

ReDIRKulous · 11-14-2003, 04:48 AM

Thank you Wiley! danke! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

mavsman · 11-14-2003, 06:49 PM

Don't forget to vote for Raef as your WC starting center!

ReDIRKulous · 11-14-2003, 07:36 PM

There is something about Dirk coming up on ESPN shootaround, the pregame show. Something about his unorthodox basketball training. Probably something about Holgers training I would guess.

Edit: I don't know if it is in the pregame show or later, like at half time or something.

2nd Edit: What the heck happend? Did I hallucinate? Or did they cancel it because Dirk was sick? Is that why they had the Carmelo Anthony interview? Weird.

ReDIRKulous · 11-23-2003, 04:37 PM

Has anyone here ever seen the Dirk dunk on Barkley? Does anyone have a picture of it?

grndmstr_c · 11-23-2003, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
Has anyone here ever seen the Dirk dunk on Barkley? Does anyone have a picture of it?

OMG, are you serious. Someone please post this if you have it.

ReDIRKulous · 11-23-2003, 05:50 PM

Supposedly it happened in some exhibition game in Germany. I think Dirk actually lead the team to victory over Barkley's team. Then Barkley offered to pay Dirk's way at Barkley's old college.

If we can find a picture of that i want to get it put on a T-shirt and sell them at AAC. : D

MightyToine · 11-23-2003, 07:38 PM

Dirk DUNKED on Barkley??

No WONDER BARKLEY HATES THE MAVS!!

Lmao!!!

Quote:

vote every day. collectively we can send Walker back to the eastern conference all-star team.

And wouldn't THAT add insult to injury if he was voted to the Allstar team as a Celtic?? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

LoveMyMavs14 · 11-23-2003, 07:40 PM

Quote:

If we can find a picture of that i want to get it put on a T-shirt and sell them at AAC.

Oh my, I would definately buy one. And send one to Barkley, with love from the fans of Dallas, Texas.

ReDIRKulous · 11-24-2003, 04:12 AM

What is Cuban's email? I want to see if he can track a picture of the Barkley dunk down.

grndmstr_c · 11-24-2003, 12:10 PM

Go to nba.com/mavericks and they have a link from there.

ReDIRKulous · 11-24-2003, 12:22 PM

Thanks Grandmastrc. Here it is for anyone else that is interested:

mark.cuban@dallasmavs.com

ReDIRKulous · 12-11-2003, 08:47 PM

How can Garnett be beating Dirk for all-star votes?

Where are the German votes! Come on guys! Tell all your German friends! Let's go!

LRB · 12-11-2003, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
How can Garnett be beating Dirk for all-star votes?

Could it be that Dirk has played mediocre at best while KG is tearing it up? Truth be told KG deserves to take a good protion of Dirks votes away.

Walkerforthree · 12-11-2003, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
How can Garnett be beating Dirk for all-star votes?

Could it be that Dirk has played mediocre at best while KG is tearing it up? Truth be told KG deserves to take a good protion of Dirks votes away.

mediocre? lol, cute. 19/7 on good shooting.

kg_veteran · 12-11-2003, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Walkerforthree

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
How can Garnett be beating Dirk for all-star votes?

Could it be that Dirk has played mediocre at best while KG is tearing it up? Truth be told KG deserves to take a good protion of Dirks votes away.

mediocre? lol, cute. 19/7 on good shooting.

If Keith Van Horn were dropping 19/7, it'd be a pretty good year. But for Dirk, I'd say it's pretty mediocre myself. His scoring average is down 6.5 ppg while he's averaging close to 3 rebounds fewer per game. In fact, he's having a piss poor year given his ability.

Garnett, on the other hand, is averaging 23.9 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg. Those are MVP numbers. If you can't believe that Garnett's beating Dirk out for the All-Star team, well, you just don't have a whole lot of common sense.

ReDIRKulous · 12-11-2003, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
How can Garnett be beating Dirk for all-star votes?

Could it be that Dirk has played mediocre at best while KG is tearing it up? Truth be told KG deserves to take a good protion of Dirks votes away.

The all-star game has little to do with performance... it is the fans choice who gets to play. It is about what we want to see. I thought the German votes would make it a landslide for Dirk.

ReDIRKulous · 12-11-2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

If Keith Van Horn were dropping 19/7, it'd be a pretty good year. But for Dirk, I'd say it's pretty mediocre myself. His scoring average is down 6.5 ppg while he's averaging close to 3 rebounds fewer per game. In fact, he's having a piss poor year given his ability.

Garnett, on the other hand, is averaging 23.9 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg. Those are MVP numbers. If you can't believe that Garnett's beating Dirk out for the All-Star team, well, you just don't have a whole lot of common sense

Shaq and Kobe's stats are way down because of their all star casts too... but has that hurt their all-star votes?

LRB · 12-11-2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous

Quote:

If Keith Van Horn were dropping 19/7, it'd be a pretty good year. But for Dirk, I'd say it's pretty mediocre myself. His scoring average is down 6.5 ppg while he's averaging close to 3 rebounds fewer per game. In fact, he's having a piss poor year given his ability.

Garnett, on the other hand, is averaging 23.9 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg. Those are MVP numbers. If you can't believe that Garnett's beating Dirk out for the All-Star team, well, you just don't have a whole lot of common sense

Shaq and Kobe's stats are way down because of their all star casts too... but has that hurt their all-star votes?

Well having their team play kickass ball will certainly help. While the Mavs bumbling on the road will certainly hurt Dirk's case. But Dirk has been no where dominant in his stats. It's more than just reduced stats because there's more talent on his team, Dirk's game has seriously regressed this year. IMO Dirk shouldn't even make the allstar team at this point. If he does, it will be for last year's play.