Official Dirk is Great Thread

[JeffViggiano]

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incredible!

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by dude1394

But you see Harrington and rashard lewis right there with him. It was the work that has made him a one name superstar.

C'mon, Lewis had 18/3 in that game, and Dirk had 33/13, he was not exactly "with him", even back there. And Harrington was the 25th pick of the draft. It's not only the work ethic, Dirk was an absolute freak, even from a physical standpoint, with great eye-hand coordination. He was a top notch talent, the only reason he fall to 8 was because a lot of GM don't want to take euros, and white guys so high. It's just the way it is, even today to some degree, altough things changed a little, but a couple of years ago a GM said he would never take a white guy with the first pick.

[Kante]

Nice video!

But did the World team had a possession without a turnover? Always the same. Must have been 30+ at the end!

[Rick41]

The only thing terrible in that video was Dirk's english lol.

The way he speaks it now you'd think he was born in America.

[dude1394]

Nuff Said..
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sport...t-mavs-success

Dirk Nowitzki's True Impact on Mavs Success


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By Hoops Karma on Aug 7, 2011
In this series, I’ll take a look at modern superstars and examine how their clubs’ wins and losses rose and fell over time with the presence and absence of their aces. As much as I love comparing and discussing players’ individual statistics and their advanced impact stats, the only reason I do so is to try to figure out which players affect their teams’ fortunes in the most significant and positive ways.
What I’ve decided to do with It’s All About The W’s is stop looking too closely at superstars’ stats and start looking closely at their teams’ records with and without them in the lineups. Michael Jordan won 6 titles in the 90’s, but in the middle two seasons during his first retirement the Bulls never reached 57 wins (their least amount during his 6 title runs) or even the third round of the playoffs; that’s significant. Bill Russell won 11 titles in 13 seasons, yet the Celtics couldn’t make the playoffs the year before or after his career, plus he was injured during one of those two non-title playoffs; that’s significant.
I’ll be using that same logic to examine today’s stars and how their clubs improved (or didn’t) with their presence. The stats are great, but if they don’t correspond with more wins, then what’s their value? Obviously I’ll have to consider how many games someone is missing when making these comparisons; if a player has missed only 4 games in his career, not much information can be gleaned from how his team did without him. Another important consideration is injuries to fellow teammates and the context of the games; if someone is out at the same time as another important starter while they club is sleepwalking through April games because playoff position has already been locked up, that will be noted and considered.
Without further ado, here’s It’s All About The W’s: Dirk Nowitzki.
First two years (98-99 to 99-00)

Nowitzki was drafted by Milwaukee in 1998 before being traded to Dallas later that night for the late Robert Traylor (the Bucks had to include another first rounder, Pat Garrity, to get the Mavericks to bite). It’s important to look at the situation Dirk was walking into at that point. The Mavericks were just coming off of a 20-62 (.244) season, the latest of a string of 7 seasons out of 8 in which the team won less than 29 games (94-95’s record of 36-46 was the lone outlier).
Nowitizki’s rookie season was also Don Nelson’s first full year coaching Dallas after he took over from Jim Cleamons 17 contests into the year before, plus the squad added a young-and-still-a-few-years-away-from-being-known Steve Nash and fourth year forward Gary Trent, who had a career year in Dirk’s rookie campaign averaging 16 ppg and 8 rpg. Nowitzki appeared in 47 of the team’s 50 games in that lockout-shortened season, playing 20 minutes per game. He started 24 of those contests, but his overall impact wasn’t very significant, although the team did improve overall, going 19-31 (.380) and a similar 9-15 mark (.375) in Dirk’s starts.
The progress of the big German took off the next year when he played in all 82 games, starting 81, and he logged the second-most minutes on the team (36 per game). His stats started to look good, finishing the year with 18 ppg, 7 rpg, and shooting 38% from distance on a club that improved significantly to 40-42 (.488), their most amount of wins in a decade. It was during the middle of this season that billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban purchased the team from Ross Perot Jr., which helped facilitate the ascent the team made during the 00’s behind Cuban’s willingness to pay good money for talent and the amenities to keep it.
Dirk’s impact on W-L’s: I’m going to say it was already noticeable, bordering on significant. Although you can’t credit any team improvements during his rookie season to him since he wasn’t playing too much, the fact the team took off the next year when the only real change to the roster was Dirk’s development and larger role shows a lot.
Next ten years (00-01 to 09-10)

The next ten years were bittersweet ones for the franchise. On the one hand, they won at least 50 games every season and were consistently in title contention. On the other hand, their post-season exploits were disappointing to the say the least, culminating in a crushing 2006 Finals loss to the Heat after leading the series 2-0 and then bowing out in the first round just ten months later after posting the league’s best record during the regular season (67-15).
Dirk has never missed a playoff game, so any examination of his team’s W-L records with and without him needs to be made using regular season data. Superficially, his stats exploded to the superstar level we now expect of him in this 10-year stretch, allowing him to play in 9 All-Star games, win the 2007 MVP award, plus he was named to one of the three All-NBA teams every season. Cuban’s money kept Dirk beside a variety of name players during this time, including an emerging Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Josh Howard, Juwan Howard, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Caron Butler, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, etc.
So how did the club react when Nowitzki missed time and left the franchise in the hands of numerous other legit and fringe All-Stars? Not well. During those ten seasons, the team went 493-216 (.695) with Dirk in the lineup regardless of who else was shuffled in and out due to Dallas’ patchwork free agency plan or injuries to other players. Without big Dirk, the Mavs were 17-12 (.586). A .586 season will net you 48 wins, a total the club never sank to during that decade. Not only that, he missed at least 4 consecutive games three times in that stretch, and the team lost an inordinate amount of games right before or after two of those stretches, indicating Dallas probably couldn’t perform as well without Nowitzki at full-strength.
For the record, I checked the team’s lineup during all of those multi-game stretches without Dirk, and he was indeed the only significant player on the team who was out, so that 100-plus point drop in winning percentage is all him.
Dirk’s impact on W-L’s: I know 29 missed games isn’t a very large sample size, but his impact is still obviously significant. Not only did he improve the club from playoff to contender status with his presence, the fact they also underperformed in games he may not have been 100 percent for further proves his positively strong impact on the club’s win totals.
The Championship season (10-11)

What we saw this past year from Nowitzki and the Mavs is its own category for two very important reasons. First, he missed 9 games, easily the most in his career, and they were consecutive so we can see more clearly what his absence did to the team. Second, Dallas won the Championship, so we know how good the club was.
On December 27 against the Thunder, Dirk rolled his ankle and had to leave the win early; it was their 17th victory in 18 games, and overall the team was a blistering 24-5 at that point. With Nowitzki sidelined, however, they were a totally different club. They went 2-7, losing to good teams (Spurs, Magic), bad teams (Raptors, Bucks), and only picked up two wins by beating the hapless Cavaliers and the injured Trail Blazers at home by three. In addition, Dirk was obviously not himself right away when he returned on January 15, as Dallas went 1-3 over their next four games while he worked his way back into shape, but once he was, they won 10 in a row and 18 of 19. The Mavericks finished 57-25 and, as you already know, went on to win the franchise’s first Championship.
To clear up all these numbers, Dallas was 2-7 (.222) without Dirk, 1-3 (.250) with a getting-into-shape Dirk, and 54-15 (.783) and were Champs with a healthy Dirk. Somehow he only finished 6th in MVP voting despite that rather clear and definitive show of value.
Dirk’s impact on W-L’s: Even moreso than any other point in his career, Dirk showed his presence was extremely significant to the Mavericks’ fortunes.
Overall

Nowitzki joined a terribly run club in 1998 that didn’t know the first thing about winning. As he improved, the club improved to the point of consistently winning over 60% of their games every season, plus now they can call themselves World Champions. Cuban’s involvement obviously helped this club a lot, but keep in mind that Dirk was the only consistent piece during their 11 years of near-.700 ball.
Only one Maverick during that entire stretch played in even half as many games as Dirk’s 993; that would be Jason Terry’s distant 556. The team has consistently played worse without Dirk throughout his career, so it’s safe to say that the highlights and stats we are in awe of truly are as valuable and within the context of helping his club win as you’d hope.

[Kirobaito]

There are two rather blatant factual errors in that article.

Nowitzki was drafted by Milwaukee in 1998 before being traded to Dallas later that night for the late Robert Traylor (the Bucks had to include another first rounder, Pat Garrity, to get the Mavericks to bite).

Get the Mavericks to bite? Dirk was their man all along and the trade was pre-arranged. The Bucks were a willing co-conspirator in order to get their man (Traylor) and were willing to give up what the Suns were asking for (Garrity) for Nash.

Dirk has never missed a playoff game, so any examination of his team’s W-L records with and without him needs to be made using regular season data.

The '03 West Finals beg to differ.

The point of the article is correct, but still, I don't know how you write about this stuff without being aware of it.

[bobbyfg7]

This article is old. Sorry if someone already posted it. Just thought it was well written:

http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Maga...1_Culture.aspx

Best Athlete
Dirk Nowitzki

Best local athlete? is there any debate? It is Dirk Werner Nowitzki, aka the Big German, aka the most underrated superstar in Dallas sports history.

Yes, Nowitzki now gets the respect he deserves, but only after two months spent wearing a cape and rescuing kittens from tall branches and babies from burning apartment buildings. Only after bringing home a championship from Miami. Had that magical playoff run ended in Los Angeles, or even Oklahoma City, Nowitzki would still be a symbol of all the Mavericks would never, could never be with him at the helm. It wouldn’t have mattered how well he played. It hadn’t mattered how well Nowitzki played since those twin playoff failures, in 2006 and 2007, a handful of games out of more than 1,000 that threatened to become his permanent legacy.

Between then and now, Nowitzki’s brilliance went overlooked. The fans and media stopped noticing. Maybe they’d glance his direction when he’d do something truly extraordinary, like scoring a team record 29 points in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz on November 3, 2009. But then they’d shrug and turn their backs on him again. They took him for granted, even after he became the rare star who spends his entire career with one team—and takes less money to do so. He worked with his longtime coach Holger Geschwindner every summer until his weaknesses became strengths, until his game was unsolvable, until he was even better than he was during his 2007 MVP season, and it didn’t matter. No one cared.

And then, over April and May and June, almost out of nowhere, Nowitzki became undeniable. He reminded all those who had given up after that first-round exit against Golden State exactly what they had been missing out on over these last few years.

The goofy German kid they’d left behind, the one with a regular-season repertoire and nothing more, had turned into a cold-eyed closer with an unstoppable shot. That shot—a one-legged fade-away jumper, often off the wrong foot, sometimes while turning around, occasionally from an angle that could end a friendly game of HORSE in fisticuffs—has probably ruined youth basketball for the next decade. In North Texas and beyond, kids everywhere are literally falling all over themselves, trying to emulate Nowitzki. The move is oddly fundamentally sound while remaining wildly unorthodox, like if a cat burglar kept regular office hours.

As he and the Mavs knocked out the Portland Trail Blazers, then the Lakers, then the Thunder, and finally the Heat, that awkwardly beautiful jumper took its rightful place as one of the most iconic shots in the game, now compared to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s sky hook and Hakeem Olajuwon’s Dream Shake. Nowitzki’s overall standing, too, ascended the ladder, his reputation finally free of every “but” and “if only.” We shouldn’t have needed the approval of a marginal ex-player like Jon Barry to convince us of Nowitzki’s greatness.

But even to those who knew what Nowitzki was capable of all along, those true believers who hadn’t given up hope that he would one day win a championship ring and that he would do it here in Dallas, it’s still surreal to hear Nowitzki talked about as one of the best ever. We had grown so accustomed to him as an inevitable force that we lost sight of exactly how special he was, until others slapped us in the face with it.

So, yeah, Dirk Nowitzki is the Best Athlete. This year, this decade, last decade, and maybe forever. —Zac Crain

[MavsFTR]

Is Dirk Nowitzki the best post player in the NBA?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/bal...urn=nba-wp7265

For an entire generation, "post play" probably reminds people of Shaquille O'Neal's(notes) spin and hook. Not the jump hook, or sky hook, but that brush-off hook Shaq would use with his off hand. Or Alonzo Mourning's(notes) jump hook. Or Yao Ming's(notes) turnaround jumper. Whatever the move, it has to happen within five feet of the basket, right?
Hardly. "Post play" can encompass an entire court. Just as long as your back is to the basket, however briefly, you are technically working from the post. So who are the best post players, technically speaking, in the NBA? Who scores most efficiently while facing the other end of the court for some point within his move?
Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook, as is often the case, has the answers. And the detailed post he wrote on the subject is so good, that giving away the top-five names isn't giving anything away. To hear Sebastian tell it, and you really need to go hear Sebastian tell it, the top-five post players in the NBA are Dirk Nowitzki(notes), Tim Duncan(notes), Carmelo Anthony(notes), Nene and LeBron James(notes).
Hardly a jump hook among them.
Here's Pruiti's take on Nowitzki, king of the postal workers:
What's interesting about Nowitzki and his post game is that he isn't a guy who faces up a ton (which is something you would expect from a shooter with his size). Nowitzki's go to move is turning over his right shoulder while making a move off of the dribble on both sides of the court, though it is more prevalent on the left block (63.5% on the left block/48.1% on the right block). Despite that, when Nowitzki does face up (17.6% on the left/31.9% on the right), he is extremely dangerous because his height allows him to simply shoot it over the defense.
Going back to his go to move, what makes Nowitzki so dangerous is that he has that quick spinning unorthodox shot that he can knock down from distance. This means that Nowitzki doesn't need fantastic positioning. He just needs to get to a spot he is comfortable at (15 feet or so), and he is strong enough to back a defender to that spot.
There's so, so much more to read at this post, including improvements in post play that don't actually end in a turnaround jumper or spin to the hoop.
Fans have mused about the NBA getting smaller for years, how the traditional centers have gone away, and how competent play from big men has become a thing of the past. In a way, they're right, and I've been among that chorus.
But it's not so much that the NBA has gotten smaller, it's that it has gotten more talented. A skinny 7-footer like Dirk would have been a washout 30 years ago; but with improved skill sets this particularly skinny guy was able to lead his team to a championship this year. By no means does Nene have a consistent go-to move, and yet he's one of the most effective scorers in the NBA. Tim Duncan was born soon after the Korean conflict resolved itself, and yet he was still able to rank amongst the top five in 2010-11. Skill will out.
Go read the post. It's as entertaining as a seven-game Monday night full of NBA hoops.

[CadBane]

"A skinny 7-footer like Dirk would have been a washout 30 years ago; but with improved skill sets this particularly skinny guy was able to lead his team to a championship this year."

WTF is this shit?

1. Dirk isn't all that skinny. He's a legit 240-250 lbs. He backs guys down pretty well.

2. Is the author implying that 30 years ago Dirk wouldn't have torched the league? Because he would have...probably even more so than today.

As for Sebastian's study, I quite believe it. Dirk's post game is criminally underrated. Last year he was 2nd in Points Per Post Possession.

[xrobx]

Originally Posted by CadBane

"A skinny 7-footer like Dirk would have been a washout 30 years ago; but with improved skill sets this particularly skinny guy was able to lead his team to a championship this year."

WTF is this shit?

1. Dirk isn't all that skinny. He's a legit 240-250 lbs. He backs guys down pretty well.

2. Is the author implying that 30 years ago Dirk wouldn't have torched the league? Because he would have...probably even more so than today.

As for Sebastian's study, I quite believe it. Dirk's post game is criminally underrated. Last year he was 2nd in Points Per Post Possession.

who was first? dwight?

[CadBane]

^^Actually, Chris Bosh lol. Although he doesn't post-up all that much.

[Mavsfan2thedeath]

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere on this forum, but I was just watching this and it gave me goosebumps.....given the fact that it was created prior to this season's finals run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VLxboIJxpk

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Mavsfan2thedeath

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere on this forum, but I was just watching this and it gave me goosebumps.....given the fact that it was created prior to this season's finals run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VLxboIJxpk

Cool BUT...start this video at the exact same time and sub the audio in for the original vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo

Tell me you don't :
a) tear up
b) get the urge to jerk it
c) all of the above.

*then share which!*

[HiddenX]

1998 Nike Hoop Summit - Dirk Nowitzki 33pts 14rebs "MVP"

[dude1394]

Just because...
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/...rwards-ratings

1. Who's the best power forward in the NBA today?




Marlon Elliott, via Facebook: The best 4 in the league is Dirk Nowitzki for reasons all on display during the playoffs. Shooting touch? Check. Ability to get to the foul line AND make free throws? Check. Rebounding? Check. Controlling a game from the midrange (a must for the modern 4)? Check. Lastly, and most surprisingly for him, defense? Check. Yep, it's Dirk.
Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Dirk, if he is a power forward. Honestly, I'm not even sure what the word means anymore -- gone are the days of Buck Williams. But of those who are not post-playing 7-footers, nor dashing wing athletes, it's impossible, right now, to pick against one of the great playoff runs in NBA history.
Justin DeFeo, Nets Are Scorching: With his performance in the 2011 playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki solidified himself on top of the power forward food chain. His height, shooting ability and unorthodox array of fallaways and one-legged pull-up shots make him as tough a cover as we have in the league. Plus, if you foul him, he's nearly automatic from the foul line.
Rahat Huq, Red94: In carrying a young Grizzlies team to uncharted waters, Zach Randolph defined himself as the game's best power forward. The former Jail Blazer has grown up; already one of the league's most supremely gifted pivotmen, he is now taking on a leadership-mentor role. The young quartet of Gasol-Mayo-Conley-Gay is impressive, but Memphis' window hinges on Z-Bo's age.
Bret LaGree, Hoopinion: Dirk Nowitzki didn't need the 2010-11 playoffs to get him in the conversation for best power forward in the NBA, but his playoff performance effectively ended the conversation. Dirk might not be the best power forward a year from now, but today, no one can touch him.

[markus1234]

2. Fact or Fiction: Kobe Bryant is the best player in the West.


J.A. Adande, ESPN.com: Fiction. Dirk's got the ring, so he's the king right now. Kevin Durant had a better playoffs than Kobe. So did Chris Paul (individually). Kobe might win this race again, but he won't be starting from the pole position.

Phillip Barnett, Forum Blue & Gold: Unfortunately, this is fiction. Dirk is the Finals MVP, and guys like Chris Paul and Kevin Durant were much more efficient and productive in the 2010-11 season. While Kobe still has the most exhaustive offensive skill set in the league, his age has taken away athleticism and effectiveness of said skills.

Dave McMenamin, ESPN Los Angeles: Fact. The question brought to mind the scene in "Bowling for Columbine" that shows Charlton Heston speaking at an NRA rally, and he declares, "I have only five words for you: From my cold dead hands!" Dirk Nowitzki might have temporarily wrestled the title of Best in the West from Bryant during the playoffs, but Kobe isn't about to give it up for good.

J.M. Poulard, Warriors World: Fiction. Kobe Bryant is still an elite player; mind you, his physical skills have eroded to the point where he can no longer attack the basket as much as in previous seasons and his defense has slipped considerably. Still a phenomenal player, but not as great as he once was. Title of best player out West goes to Chris Paul.

Darius Soriano, Forum Blue & Gold: Fact. This reminds me of Paul Pierce's claim to being the best player in the world after he won Finals MVP in 2008. Dirk may have won the most recent battle, but Kobe has built up enough skins on the wall to not be overtaken yet.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/...ason-questions

[Rick41]

Lol J.M. Poulard is on crack.

[markus1234]

J.M. Poulard

[CadBane]

I think what's more egregious is this retard.

"Rahat Huq, Red94: In carrying a young Grizzlies team to uncharted waters, Zach Randolph defined himself as the game's best power forward. The former Jail Blazer has grown up; already one of the league's most supremely gifted pivotmen, he is now taking on a leadership-mentor role. The young quartet of Gasol-Mayo-Conley-Gay is impressive, but Memphis' window hinges on Z-Bo's age."

Zach Randolph? Really?

Z-Bo is better at rebounding and that is it. Literally. Also, while improved, Z-Bo is still one of the worse defenders at the 4 (along with Amare).

[bernardos70]

Not even a mention of Dirk whatsoever from that guy. His runner-ups are Gasol, Mayo, Conley, Gay. Amazing.

[LonghornDub]

That guy is a douche Rockettes fan. His tears sustain me.

[41creepingdeath]

You can find a nice little Nike ad (I guess?) of Dirk here:

http://store.nike.com/de/de_de/?cp=E...UM_20110815_DE

[GermanDunk]

Does anyone know if Championship-Shirts are being sold in Hamburg ?

[sinsin]

Originally Posted by CadBane

I think what's more egregious is this retard.

"Rahat Huq, Red94: In carrying a young Grizzlies team to uncharted waters, Zach Randolph defined himself as the game's best power forward. The former Jail Blazer has grown up; already one of the league's most supremely gifted pivotmen, he is now taking on a leadership-mentor role. The young quartet of Gasol-Mayo-Conley-Gay is impressive, but Memphis' window hinges on Z-Bo's age."

Zach Randolph? Really?

Z-Bo is better at rebounding and that is it. Literally. Also, while improved, Z-Bo is still one of the worse defenders at the 4 (along with Amare).

when i read the article and saw rahat huq, red94 text i immediatly thought that maybe he refused to see dirk as a power forward

[b_o_r]

It looks like Dirk won't be playing in China if the lockout continues:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... ion=recent

BEIJING — The Chinese Basketball Association will restrict contracted NBA players from playing for domestic teams in the event the season is canceled, but will still allow free agents, state media reported Friday.

The CBA would bar players under contract such as Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. They and others had expressed interest in playing in China if the NBA lockout drags on and results in the cancellation of all or part of the 2011-12 season.

The CBA said it will welcome free agent NBA players, but will require them to play an entire season in China, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Interesting. That seems to be one less place the players can go.
---------------------------
What a blow to the players union

[mavs05]

Dirk also lowered expectations a little bit that he will play in Germany saying that he does not want to make a decision between Berlin, Bamberg and Munich and leave two of them disappointed.

[dude1394]

Nice vid of the German team practicing

http://m.youtube.com/#/profile?deskt...outhoops&gl=US

It originated from this site.
http://www.lockouthoops.com/

[mavs05]

Dirk gets his Silver Bay Laurel Leaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbECLHO2OTw

[markus1234]

[GermanDunk]

Real President on the left side !!!

[SleepyEye]

Speech of the german president (http://www.bundespraesident.de/Share...owitzki.html):

Herzlich willkommen in Schloss Bellevue! Wenn in diesem Saal das Silberne Lorbeerblatt verliehen wird, heißt es immer so schön: „Eine Auszeichnung für die ganz Großen im deutschen Sport.“ Ob Theodor Heuss, der Stifter des Ehrenzeichens, 1950 ahnte, dass mal ein Mann von 2,13 Meter Körperlänge dabei sein würde?

Und dieser Mann gilt in seiner Disziplin nicht nur bei den Deutschen als groß. Er wird gelobt von Legenden wie Magic Johnson und begeistert Basketballfans in aller Welt!

Ich gebe gern zu: Meine Frau und ich gehören auch dazu. In meinem Arbeitszimmer hängt ein Trikot „Nr. 14“ – geschenkt von Dirk Nowitzki. Wir drücken jetzt schon für die Europameisterschaft in Litauen die Daumen, lieber Herr Nowitzki. Und wir hoffen, dass diese EM eine schöne Fortsetzung Ihrer so beeindruckenden Entwicklung wird: Vom „German Wunderkind“ der 90er Jahre bis zum „American All Star“, der seine Mannschaft als Team-Kapitän in der NBA – der härtesten Profi-Liga überhaupt – diesen Sommer zum Sieg geführt hat.

Wie schafft man einen solchen Aufstieg? Das fragen sich viele, wenn „Dirkules“ mal wieder einen Treffer zaubert, für den die Gesetze der Schwerkraft nicht zu gelten scheinen. Und das fragt man sich auch beim Blick auf Ihre Sportkarriere insgesamt.

Talent, Treffsicherheit und Träume haben viele junge Spieler, aber ist in der Welt überhaupt jemand so weit gekommen wie Sie, lieber Herr Nowitzki? Dazu braucht man nämlich noch eine Menge mehr: Die Unterstützung einer Familie, in der Gene und Gefühle dem Sport sehr zugetan sind. Mutter Helga und Schwester Silke haben selbst auch als Nationalspielerinnen sehr erfolgreich Basketball gespielt. Bis zum Alter von 13 Jahren sah es bei Dirk dagegen fast so aus, als wollte er lieber Boris Becker nacheifern. Damals gehörte er zum besten Tennisnachwuchs der Republik. Aber auf seinem Würzburger Gymnasium gab es später eine Basketballmannschaft und einen Förderer, Holger Geschwindner, den ich hier auch ganz herzlich willkommen heiße!

Dann ging auch alles sehr „geschwind“: vom Schulteam zum damaligen Zweitligisten DJK Würzburg. Dieser stieg – und das war kein Zufall! – gemeinsam mit Ihnen, Dirk Nowitzki, in die Basketball-Bundesliga auf. Mit 19 konnten Sie sich dann bei einer Junioren-Weltauswahl gegen hoch gehandelte US-Talente durchsetzen, schafften es als Europäer zu den Dallas Mavericks und spielten auf zwei Kontinenten: Mit der deutschen Nationalmannschaft holten Sie Medaillen bei Europa- und Weltmeisterschaften, in der NBA punkteten Sie auf Rekordniveau. Sie trugen die deutsche Fahne bei den Olympischen Spielen 2008 in Peking.

Viele Fans kennen die Statistiken Ihrer Treffer und Rebounds auswendig. Beeindruckt haben Sie auch mit einer ganz anderen Liste: von A wie Ausdauer bis Z wie Zähigkeit! Wir konnten Sie schon mit ausgeschlagenem Zahn und geschientem Finger auf dem Spielfeld sehen, aber noch nie einen Satz hören wie: „Jetzt werf’ ich das Handtuch.“ Aufgeben passt offenkundig nicht in ihr Weltbild.

Angeben genauso wenig. Wer die schillernde NBA ein wenig kennt, der weiß: Da geht es nicht nur um Bälle, sondern auch um Best Bodies, nicht nur um Sternstunden des Sports, sondern auch um die Stars und ihre - sagen wir mal - privaten Superlative. Sie, lieber Dirk Nowitzki, sind trotz Blitzlichtgewitter bescheiden und zurückhaltend geblieben. Ich glaube, dafür liebt Sie das Publikum besonders. Wenn jemand sportlich die höchsten Weihen erreicht und finanziell vollkommen unabhängig ist, aber als Mensch immer am Boden bleibt, dann wird er auf doppelte Weise zum Vorbild. Auch dafür – nicht nur für die sportliche Leistung – soll das Silberne Lorbeerblatt Auszeichnung sein. Sie sind nämlich beides gleichzeitig: ein Idol und ein Mann mit Idealen!

Schöne Beispiele dafür finden sich in den Projekten der Dirk-Nowitzki-Stiftung, mit der Sie – der große Dirk – sich gemeinsam mit Ihrer Schwester den Kleinsten in der Gesellschaft widmen. Das reicht von der Sportförderung in einer Würzburger Kita bis hin zu Lebensmittelspenden für ein Waisenheim in Uganda. Die Kinder sollen gesund aufwachsen können und beim Sport fürs Leben lernen. Fairness, gegenseitige Anerkennung und Teamgeist: Wer jungen Menschen solche Erfahrungen möglich macht, trägt zu einer besseren Welt von morgen viel bei. Sport, der verbindet – ein schönes Entwicklungsziel!

Für die transatlantischen Verbindungen haben Sie 2011 schon eine Menge erreicht. Als im Juni eine viertel Million Amerikaner in Dallas ihren „German Maverick“ umjubelten, ist in den Köpfen und Herzen mehr passiert, als jede noch so schöne Imagebroschüre leisten könnte. Sie, lieber Herr Nowitzki, sind zum Botschafter des deutschen Sports und Deutschlands geworden, wie wir ihn uns besser nicht wünschen können.

Ich vermute, solche geballten Komplimente mögen Sie weniger. Sie trommeln gelegentlich auf dem Schlagzeug, nicht in eigener Sache. Diese Haltung gefällt: Sie vergoldet das Silberne Lorbeerblatt.

Aber herzlich freuen dürfen Sie sich trotz aller Bescheidenheit, lieber Herr Nowitzki! Und über Lob sollten Sie sich freuen, weil Sie Vorbild sind und andere Ihnen nacheifern.

In der NBA wurden Sie mehrfach als „wertvoller Spieler“ ausgezeichnet. Das Silberne Lorbeerblatt, das ich Ihnen jetzt verleihe, soll zum Ausdruck bringen: Sie sind unserem Land ein ganz besonders wertvoller Sportler – und vor allem ein eindrucksvoller Mensch - auf den Deutschland stolz ist!

[dalger]

Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, Franz Beckenbauer, Michael Schumacher...and now Dirk. That's a pretty great list of athletes to be associated with. Kudos to Dirk. A well-deserved honor.

[dude1394]

I just could not agree more. It's been and is a priviledge Dirk.

Dirk NOWITZKI (Germany)
29/08/2011
Comments: 0

GER - Bauermann full of praise for Nowitzki
*(EuroBasket 2011) - Germany's chances of reaching the 2012 Olympics received a huge lift when NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki announced he would be playing at EuroBasket 2011 despite a short break following the grueling NBA season.

German national team coach Dirk Bauermann has always held Nowitzki in the highest of regards. But Bauermann has spent the final two weeks of preparations wildly praised the 33-year-old star for deciding to play for Germany.

"Dirk gives everything he has, he always gives everything he's got. I want to say it again, you have to remain realistic with the expectations and demands that you have," said Bauermann.

Germany open their EuroBasket campaign on August 31 against Israel - just more than 11 weeks after clinching Dallas's first NBA crown. Germany also play France, Italy, Latvia and Serbia in Group B.

"He had an absolutely mini-break. With this short break, I don't think any other athlete, in our sport of any other sport, who would have tried to play a European championship. I think that is such an unbelievable and praise-worthy decision. And it shows so much respect for the game, his country, the German national team," said Bauermann He even called it a "privilege" to watch Nowitzki.

"That we are allowed to be here and watch such a great athlete is a real fortune and a privilege," he said.

The German coach also called Nowitzki "the best role model a person can have".

"With all the accolades and the money, the fame and the popularity, he is so down-to-earth - just the most wonderful guy to be around. He just wants to play basketball and other than that just be left alone," said Bauermann.

Another thing that has impressed Bauermann is Nowitzki's willingness to help out with Germany's young players who will lead the team when the Mavericks star finally hangs up his shoes.

"What's surprising is how much Nowitzki is participating. Eleven weeks ago he won the biggest title there is in our sport. He rested for about two weeks. And now after every practice he works with (Philipp) Schwethelm, (Robin) Benzing, (Tibor) Pleiss.

"He's not the first one to go. He works on his game as well. And he helps the youngsters in their development. It doesn't really surprise me, but that he does it with such excitement is really great."

[Rick41]

Shit, I've been thinking for years that every game I get to watch Dirk play in a Mavs uniform is a blessing and privilege.

[dude1394]

Nice stuff.... read the rest...
http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2011/8/...-dirk-nowitzki

In the wake of one of the most impressive playoffs in recent memory, nearly everyone was jubilant, respectful and ready to lavish the plaudits so long denied. A couple of people did take the time—not harshly, usually—to point out that numbers-wise Dirk’s amazing postseason actually wasn’t so impressive (but impressive, still!). Dirk himself has had, they said, better postseasons. Statistically, that’s accurate. In reality, these statements are an insult to basketball.
I’m a guy who’s really pro advanced stats. No luddites here. But no account of how many points Dirk scored can tell you how he scored them. No recounting of his best lines can tell you when those shots went in. There simply are no numbers to describe how every time it mattered, Dirk made the shot. Sometimes more than one.
Take Game 2 against the Heat. You could say that Dirk was 10-22, for 24 points, and say pretty good game. Wade had 36 points, but pretty good, Dirk. However, there’s no stat that will tell you that, in the last five minutes, with a 15 point lead, Wade missed three long three-pointers, while Dirk went 4-4 for 9 points. Even if there was, there would be no stat that told you that Dirk hit the tying bucket, the go-ahead bucket, and the winning bucket all within 57 seconds. As well as the bucket which brought it within two in the first place. It was breathtaking.

There would be no stat that told you that Dirk scored what should have been the game-winning three-pointer with 26 seconds left, but Jason Terry left Chalmers wide open to tie it two seconds later, so Dirk went ahead and made a layup with 3 seconds left, just so it stayed won. Two game-winners in 26 seconds. There's no stat for that.
Did the same thing in game 4 against the Thunder. Yes, his 12-20 for 40 points dents the stat sheet some anyway. But that’s not going to tell you anything about another 15 point deficit, with 5 minutes left, another 4-4 spree for 10 points.
There won’t be a number that will tell you that when Russell Westbrook made a two-pointer with 2:30 left to give a ten-point lead, apparently on route to a 2-2 split in the series, Dirk lined up a three-pointer ten seconds later that didn’t come close to the rim, then followed it with two long jumpers and two clutch free throws to send it into OT, where it’d be won.
Certainly his 9-27 for 21 points in Game 6 against the Heat won’t tell you that he scored 18 of those in the second half, and NOTHING will tell you that the Heat, rather than folding in the fourth scored 18 points in the last 7:30 of the game, only to see Dirk score 10 of his own in that span to keep that lead just as comfortable as we all remember it being. That's not even a narrative that exists now, but it's true. The Heat fought like crazy to get to a game 7. Dirk said no.
And numbers won’t tell you that even that one shot, that one game-winner he missed, the only one in the entire playoffs that I can remember, came after he scored 12 points in 5 minutes to tie the thing up in the first place.

[markus1234]

And numbers won't tell you that Dirk scored his "not so impressive 27,7 ppg"

against

Portland
Lakers
Oklahoma
Miami

Which was one of the toughest roads to a championship.

Compare it to Duncan's overrated dominance...against NJN, CLE and co. and then you will have the right perspective about Dirk's numbers.

And let's not forget that Dirk never had the luxury to be wide open, because he did not have a Lebron, Shaq, Manu and co. on his team. There was no all star teammate who draws the double team.

Blind media guys will never get it, but thx god coaches and players know what he did and respect him as an all time great.

[CadBane]

"However, there’s no stat that will tell you that, in the last five minutes, with a 15 point lead, Wade missed three long three-pointers, while Dirk went 4-4 for 9 points."

Actually, there is. ;]

[Hitman]

That was a great article.

It got me thinking about how Dirk is by far the best back to the basket player in the world. A far cry from back in the day when many hoped that Dirk was working on his post up skills years back.

[markus1234]

Originally Posted by Hitman

That was a great article.

It got me thinking about how Dirk is by far the best back to the basket player in the world. A far cry from back in the day when many hoped that Dirk was working on his post up skills years back.

And this is what will always separate Dirk from LBJ and KD. Imo both will not learn it anymore. Lebron is too lazy and KD too skinny. They score more points simply because the refs give them more FT-A during the reg season. Thats all. But in the playoffs in crunch time you need your own weapons. Dirk's got them. They do not.

[dude1394]

Have you noticed how damn deadly that bank shot has become? Does he ever miss it anymore..

But also a big part of this is getting him the ball when he is open unlike with the littlest colonel where he could only get it at the top of the key or at the three point line. The gstate loss should have been averys one way ticket outta here.