Post by donniehoward on Jun 4, 2011 9:23:08 GMT -5
Dirk Nowitzki is a throw back, a more old school type player. He doesn't dance, doesn't talk trash, isn't involved in 2 thousand projects outside of basketball. Doesn't promote himself or even do commercials. He has no endorsements I am aware of and he isn't "hollywood." Unfortunately, in today's pop culture, substance takes a back seat to style.
Dirk isn't on Sportscenter's highlights dunking and dancing, he isn't super athletic, not a great leaper, not a highlight machine. Dirk is however, one of only 4 players to average 25pts and 10 rebounds in the postseason. Dirk is one of only a handful of players to ever shoot 50 percent from the Field, 90 from the line and 40 from 3 in the SAME season. Dirk stayed with Dallas to finish what he started, when he could've "CHASED" a ring and signed with anyone else. Imagine Dirk in Chicago with Derrick Rose instead of Carlos Boozer? Do they win a title? I think so.
Dirk mostly falls victim to half truths and nonsense. Dirk is soft, Dirk can't play defense, Dirk isn't clutch, all ridiculous statements.
People forget that Dirk started his career playing for the defensively challenged Don Nelson. Nellie Ball was all about up and down offense with no emphasis on defense. Is that Dirk's fault? Would his early career been different if he played for a Rick Carlisle or Doc Rivers or Phil Jackson etc? Absolutely. Dirk could score and that is all Nellie wanted.
Dirk, since having Avery Johnson and now Rick Carlisle has turned into a very adequate defender. Problem is, shaking labels is nearly impossible, so he will never make an all defensive team or even be considered a good defender but IF you pay attention, and actually watch the games, u will see that Dirk does a pretty good job.
Next is the rebounding criticism. Dirk can rebound, problem is, most guys who lead the league in rebounding stay close to the basket. those 2-3 offensive rebounds a game are the difference in averaging 8 per game and 11 per game. Dirk plays on the perimeter thus severely limits his offensive rebounds. Plus rebounding is a great stat but not all rebounds are created equal. there are times Dirk could get a rebound but allows his center or someone else to grab it. Dirk could easily average 10 per game if he wanted to and he shows that in the postseason.
Next myth I'd like to set straight is the whole "championship" ring argument. I absolutely HATE this argument as it pertains to star players. Basketball is a TEAM game. if Michael Jordan played for the Clippers his entire career, I guarantee he wouldn't have 6 rings. If Magic didn't play with Kareem,Worthy etc, he wouldn't have 5.
it takes a TEAM to win titles. Show me one time in NBA history a guy winning a ring didn't have fantastic help.
Dirk in his career has played with the following centers: Shawn Bradley, Walt Williams, Raef Lafrentz, Eric Dampier, Desagna Diop
he has had outstanding 2 guards such as Antonie Wright, old Eddie Jones, now Deshawn Stevenson who plays good defense but wouldn't start for very many other teams
Dirk went to the finals in 2006 with a 2nd year PG and Josh howard as his 2nd best player. Howard was good back then, but hardly an elite caliber superstar like everyone else has.
Dirk is in the finals this year with ZERO other all stars on his team.
So give Dirk 2 other Hall of Fame players in their prime, and i guarantee he has some rings.
Also, Dirk has played in an era of Shaquille O Neal, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. In the past 12 NBA seasons, LA and SA have been in the NBA finals EVERY season except 2.. those are Dallas. LA and SA have combined for 9 of the last 12 NBA titles. So hey, Dirk isn't Shaq,Kobe or Duncan.. but those 3 are top 10 all time greats with much better teams and coaches than Dirk. how many rings would Dirk have, if he played his career with Kobe?? ALOT
2006, Sure Dirk blew a big chance at a title, BUT, anyone who watched that series, remembers that it was more about the referees and Avery Johnson's poor coaching. Dirk missed a key FT in game 3, so he doesn't get off the hook by any means but Avery made two terrible coaching blunders in Dallas:
1. didn't double Dwyane Wade. He treated Shaq like he was still 2000 Shaq and let Wade dominate.
2.Golden State series in 2007, Dallas had best record in the league and Avery inexplicably changes the starting lineup for the playoffs.... WHAT? u are the best team in the league. I think that sent doubt to the team and destroyed the chemistry they built up.
Also in 2006, Wade shot over 40 FT's combined in the last 2 games.. C'mon now.. I am not a conspiracy theorist generally, but refs didn't want Cuban winning a title after the way he bashed and shredded them for years.
More arguments? This season and right now in the playoffs, Dirk is without his 2nd best player, Caron Butler and a starter all season Roddy Beaubois.
Dirk outplayed Lamarcus Aldridge, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and through 2 games, He and Lebron are 1-1. Lebron slight edge in game 1, Dirk outplayed him in game 2 but once again, Dirk has nothing close to a Dwyane Wade to take the pressure off.
Last point I'll make, Dirk, if he were African American or American Born White, He'd be revered,respected and thought of in the same light as all the other great players in NBA history. Dirk is exactly what an athlete should be: well spoken,nice,gentleman,humble,hardworking,great teammate, great leader, shares the accolades, Substance over style.one of the greatest shooters/offensive players of all time, Heart of a lion,never gives up, plays through injury.... i could go on and on.. the ultimate Role Model is Dirk. how he doesn't have a shoe deal,gatorade commercial, nike contract.. whatever is just asinine. maybe he doesn't want them?? who knows?
Dirk is an original and one of the top 15-20 players in NBA history, ring or no ring.
Dirk isn't on Sportscenter's highlights dunking and dancing, he isn't super athletic, not a great leaper, not a highlight machine. Dirk is however, one of only 4 players to average 25pts and 10 rebounds in the postseason. Dirk is one of only a handful of players to ever shoot 50 percent from the Field, 90 from the line and 40 from 3 in the SAME season. Dirk stayed with Dallas to finish what he started, when he could've "CHASED" a ring and signed with anyone else. Imagine Dirk in Chicago with Derrick Rose instead of Carlos Boozer? Do they win a title? I think so.
Dirk mostly falls victim to half truths and nonsense. Dirk is soft, Dirk can't play defense, Dirk isn't clutch, all ridiculous statements.
People forget that Dirk started his career playing for the defensively challenged Don Nelson. Nellie Ball was all about up and down offense with no emphasis on defense. Is that Dirk's fault? Would his early career been different if he played for a Rick Carlisle or Doc Rivers or Phil Jackson etc? Absolutely. Dirk could score and that is all Nellie wanted.
Dirk, since having Avery Johnson and now Rick Carlisle has turned into a very adequate defender. Problem is, shaking labels is nearly impossible, so he will never make an all defensive team or even be considered a good defender but IF you pay attention, and actually watch the games, u will see that Dirk does a pretty good job.
Next is the rebounding criticism. Dirk can rebound, problem is, most guys who lead the league in rebounding stay close to the basket. those 2-3 offensive rebounds a game are the difference in averaging 8 per game and 11 per game. Dirk plays on the perimeter thus severely limits his offensive rebounds. Plus rebounding is a great stat but not all rebounds are created equal. there are times Dirk could get a rebound but allows his center or someone else to grab it. Dirk could easily average 10 per game if he wanted to and he shows that in the postseason.
Next myth I'd like to set straight is the whole "championship" ring argument. I absolutely HATE this argument as it pertains to star players. Basketball is a TEAM game. if Michael Jordan played for the Clippers his entire career, I guarantee he wouldn't have 6 rings. If Magic didn't play with Kareem,Worthy etc, he wouldn't have 5.
it takes a TEAM to win titles. Show me one time in NBA history a guy winning a ring didn't have fantastic help.
Dirk in his career has played with the following centers: Shawn Bradley, Walt Williams, Raef Lafrentz, Eric Dampier, Desagna Diop
he has had outstanding 2 guards such as Antonie Wright, old Eddie Jones, now Deshawn Stevenson who plays good defense but wouldn't start for very many other teams
Dirk went to the finals in 2006 with a 2nd year PG and Josh howard as his 2nd best player. Howard was good back then, but hardly an elite caliber superstar like everyone else has.
Dirk is in the finals this year with ZERO other all stars on his team.
So give Dirk 2 other Hall of Fame players in their prime, and i guarantee he has some rings.
Also, Dirk has played in an era of Shaquille O Neal, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. In the past 12 NBA seasons, LA and SA have been in the NBA finals EVERY season except 2.. those are Dallas. LA and SA have combined for 9 of the last 12 NBA titles. So hey, Dirk isn't Shaq,Kobe or Duncan.. but those 3 are top 10 all time greats with much better teams and coaches than Dirk. how many rings would Dirk have, if he played his career with Kobe?? ALOT
2006, Sure Dirk blew a big chance at a title, BUT, anyone who watched that series, remembers that it was more about the referees and Avery Johnson's poor coaching. Dirk missed a key FT in game 3, so he doesn't get off the hook by any means but Avery made two terrible coaching blunders in Dallas:
1. didn't double Dwyane Wade. He treated Shaq like he was still 2000 Shaq and let Wade dominate.
2.Golden State series in 2007, Dallas had best record in the league and Avery inexplicably changes the starting lineup for the playoffs.... WHAT? u are the best team in the league. I think that sent doubt to the team and destroyed the chemistry they built up.
Also in 2006, Wade shot over 40 FT's combined in the last 2 games.. C'mon now.. I am not a conspiracy theorist generally, but refs didn't want Cuban winning a title after the way he bashed and shredded them for years.
More arguments? This season and right now in the playoffs, Dirk is without his 2nd best player, Caron Butler and a starter all season Roddy Beaubois.
Dirk outplayed Lamarcus Aldridge, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and through 2 games, He and Lebron are 1-1. Lebron slight edge in game 1, Dirk outplayed him in game 2 but once again, Dirk has nothing close to a Dwyane Wade to take the pressure off.
Last point I'll make, Dirk, if he were African American or American Born White, He'd be revered,respected and thought of in the same light as all the other great players in NBA history. Dirk is exactly what an athlete should be: well spoken,nice,gentleman,humble,hardworking,great teammate, great leader, shares the accolades, Substance over style.one of the greatest shooters/offensive players of all time, Heart of a lion,never gives up, plays through injury.... i could go on and on.. the ultimate Role Model is Dirk. how he doesn't have a shoe deal,gatorade commercial, nike contract.. whatever is just asinine. maybe he doesn't want them?? who knows?
Dirk is an original and one of the top 15-20 players in NBA history, ring or no ring.