Dirk...

[sonic21]

...sure was tearing it up. 32/10 and an unexpected 7 assists in game 5. Best player of the 2nd round easily, but not enough when Terry, Howard and Kidd all fail to step up. He played his guts out.
he is a great player and has a great mind for the game and a great personality.

mad props to him, hopefully he gets a ring before his career ends.

[johnsmith]

I just wish he could shut his mouth - literally.

[Ghazi]

3 ways for dirk to get ring

1. nba admits 2006 was rigged and gives him one
2. piggyback lebron in a few years.
3. bring VC wallace and shaqtus to dallas

[stretch]

he might have been the best player through the playoffs so far, period. the only other guy that has been playing at as high of a level is Lebron.

[Spursfan092120]

Dirk is an absolute monster....really proved a lot to me this year.

[JamStone]

He was a beast statistically.

But, his fade-away jumper was his downfall. When the game is on the line, get angry, take the contact, and dunk on somebody. 12 to 15 foot fade-away jumpers with the defender all in your underwear should not be the shot selection of choice in crunch time. Sure you can make the shot, but there's a reason why you front ironed basically every single one of those in crunch time in the Denver series.

[DPG21920]

He could come to the Spurs as a FA and win one. Dirk needs a guy like Duncan.

[ElNono]

Dirk needs to head somewhere else if he wants to win a ring...

[endrity]

LeBron has been the best player of the playoffs, no doubt about that.

Dirk has arguably been the second best. Unfortunately there are not many people that recognize that. If you see other message boards, or web forums like msn.foxports or espn people repeat that he is no leader, soft, all of that. Too bad people don't appreciate him. I will rememeber him as one of the all time greats, no matter if he wins a ring or not.

I don't think he is winning a ring in Dallas, there is not enough time to build a contender around him anymore. He'll be 31 in the summer. Even if cuban is willing to absord all of the crazy contracts out there, Dallas doesn't have enough assets to do a makeover like the Celtics.

If he has to win a ring, it has to be outside. Yes LeBron would be the best opportunity, but somehow there would be something romantic to see Dirk and Duncan pair together for one last championship before they head out.

[stretch]

He was a beast statistically.

But, his fade-away jumper was his downfall. When the game is on the line, get angry, take the contact, and dunk on somebody. 12 to 15 foot fade-away jumpers with the defender all in your underwear should not be the shot selection of choice in crunch time. Sure you can make the shot, but there's a reason why you front ironed basically every single one of those in crunch time in the Denver series.

Agreed. He should have done like he did to the Spurs in 06, when he got the And-1.

[endrity]

^Right, because that was the difference between winning and losing in this series!

[Morg1411]

Dirk ist ausgesichnet!

[DPG21920]

If Dirk could not have the pressure of having to be the emotional/physical leader of a team it could do wonders for "his image". If he was with Duncan, he would be even more of a monster.

[Ghazi]

Dirk was a beast fucking period. Jamstone is just a hater.

How many fucking crunch time moments were there in this series? Fucking 2 games?

One where Dirk scores 19 in the 4th, and the other where he front irons two shots that should've been inconsequential if not for a blown call.

GMAFB

[jdev82]

there's a reason why you front ironed basically every single one of those in crunch time in the Denver series.


yeah, there is: he's one of the nbas premiere playoff chokers

[Obstructed_View]

Dirk was great. Nobody expects him to be clutch, and he had his share of gutsy plays when needed. Too bad Jason Terry decided to start thugging it up and got himself benched.

[Shank]

:(:(:(:(:(:(

[JamStone]

Dirk was a beast fucking period. Jamstone is just a hater.

How many fucking crunch time moments were there in this series? Fucking 2 games?

One where Dirk scores 19 in the 4th, and the other where he front irons two shots that should've been inconsequential if not for a blown call.

GMAFB

If Dirk attacks Martin's body closer to the basket and gets either a lay-up, short bank shot, two free throws, or better yet, an and-1, it makes that blown call inconsequential, and the series is 3-2 in favor of Denver going back to Dallas for game 6 right now.

[endrity]

JamStone, as hard as it might be for you to understand Dirk is not the type of athlete who can attack consistently. If he did he would get blocked even more often than what he already does. The fact that someone that can barely jump over a pizza slice is the scorer that he is, should be applauded.

Still when you see that on Lakersground their fans are disgusted he made the 1st team, on clutchfans there is a thread on Dirk v. Yao when people are going out of their way to make an argument for Yao you see how underappreciated he is.

[Ghazi]

Or if Dirk makes his FT

Or if JET/Josh make their FTS

or if Dirk makes his wide open 3 earlier in teh quarter

Or if Gerald Green hits one f his ill advised shots

To quote Pulp Fiction, I dont wanna hear bout no mutha fuckin ifs.

My boy played fabulous. Sorry he can't hit 100% of his shots in the 4th quarter. I take offense to your snide use of the word "statistically" and demand an apology.

[manufan10]

he might have been the best player through the playoffs so far, period. the only other guy that has been playing at as high of a level is Lebron.

Agreed. The other guys that could be doing it are just not doing it consistently like Dirk was and Lebron is.

[endrity]

The only the other guy who could do it is out, he wears 21 for that team that plays in that muddy thing called Riverwalk :) lol

[JamStone]

Or if Dirk makes his FT

Or if JET/Josh make their FTS

or if Dirk makes his wide open 3 earlier in teh quarter

Or if Gerald Green hits one f his ill advised shots

To quote Pulp Fiction, I dont wanna hear bout no mutha fuckin ifs.

My boy played fabulous. Sorry he can't hit 100% of his shots in the 4th quarter. I take offense to your snide use of the word "statistically" and demand an apology.


You're the one who opened the whole "if this happened" scenarios with the "blown call" comment. There are plenty of plays that were missed or things any team can do to change the outcome of a game. If you don't want to read "what if" scenarios, don't present one yourself.

I'm sorry you're butt hurt over an honest and legitimate criticism of Dirk's game.

[Ghazi]

Look Jammy.

I know Chris Webber hates Dirk

I know you like Chris Webber

I know that from this I can conclude you hate Dirk.

I'm simply demanding an apology for your snide "statistically" remark.

PM it to me if you want. Thanks!

[JamStone]

JamStone, as hard as it might be for you to understand Dirk is not the type of athlete who can attack consistently. If he did he would get blocked even more often than what he already does. The fact that someone that can barely jump over a pizza slice is the scorer that he is, should be applauded.

Except in game 5 especially, Dirk was attacking the rim with dribble drives and closer post ups many times during the game. And, it's not asking him to do it consistently anyway. It's asking him to do it specifically late in games in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line. Don't shoot fade-away jumpers. That's it. Not consistently. In those moments. Draw the foul at least. Jump straight up and shoot a regular jumper. He's able to do that too. Fading away and having to add even more arc to his already rainbow shot because the defender has his hands ready to block a jumper with less arc will get front rim more times than not. Go straight up. Go into his body. Pump fake. Get closer to the rim. Something. It's a legit criticism, late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. A fade-away "long" midrange jumper is not the best shot selection in those situations.

[JamStone]

Look Jammy.

I know Chris Webber hates Dirk

I know you like Chris Webber

I know that from this I can conclude you hate Dirk.

I'm simply demanding an apology for your snide "statistically" remark.

PM it to me if you want. Thanks!

No.

[sribb43]

The Dirk bashing is ridiculous...if dude wasnt a Euro he would easily be thought of as a top 10 player in this league, no doubt. Dirk could average 50 and 20 and still get bashed as if he was a scrub

[JamStone]

I think Dirk is a top 10 player in the league. I'm criticizing one thing about him, shooting long fade-away jumpers when the game is on the line.

[DPG21920]

Here is a question to Mav fans: Does Dirk have anything he can improve on or is he the perfect basketball player?

[sribb43]

Granted he does take those shots late in games but that is his $ shot from 12-15ft. in game 3 he took an awful fadeaway on K-Mart with about a 1:30 left from about 20ft, that shot i cannot defend. I'm not going to blame a guy that dropped 33 and 16...his teammates need to step up bc they are the reason why this team lost the series

[stretch]

Here is a question to Mav fans: Does Dirk have anything he can improve on or is he the perfect basketball player?

Defensive effort. Attacking the basket more frequently and resorting to off-balance fade-aways only when absolutely neccesary.

I do feel he is a top 5 player still though.

Lebron
Kobe
Wade
CP3
Dirk

[sribb43]

Here is a question to Mav fans: Does Dirk have anything he can improve on or is he the perfect basketball player?

his post game has vastly improved from the Nellie days. He can improve his offensive rebounding and defense but the defense part is what it is and cant be corrected at this stage of his career. Although, more effort could be put forth and he needs to stop slapping at the ball ala karl Malone and go for more blocks.

I cant believe im saying this but Dirk's 3pt % has gone down the tubes in recent years, he needs to brnig that back up but he has been playing more in the post so that why those #'s are down

[Ghazi]

His shot over Shaq in Game 5 of the Finals was a fadeaway.

The shot that gave the Mavs the win and championship if not for the worst call in the history of the Finals.

Now if you have a shot in your arsenal that has proven to win a title in the past, I'm not gonna criticize you for using it in crunch time. It either goes in, or doesn't.

So again, enough veiled "choker" comments about my boy Nowitzki. He really deserves better than that.

[JamStone]

Granted he does take those shots late in games but that is his $ shot from 12-15ft. in game 3 he took an awful fadeaway on K-Mart with about a 1:30 left from about 20ft, that shot i cannot defend. I'm not going to blame a guy that dropped 33 and 16...his teammates need to step up bc they are the reason why this team lost the series


Fair.

I'm not blaming Dirk for the losses at all. I'm not even calling him a choker. I'm specifically criticizing his shot selection late in games in this series. The Mavs aren't even in any of the games without Dirk. That doesn't leave him immune to any criticism.

[DPG21920]

Defensive effort. Attacking the basket more frequently and resorting to off-balance fade-aways only when absolutely neccesary.

I do feel he is a top 5 player still though.

Lebron
Kobe
Wade
CP3
Dirk

Well I agree with your first part and that is the point. Most people (except those who just blindly hate) believe Dirk is most definitely at top 15 player. That is what Jam is trying to say. He still can work on some things and quoting his stats does not change that.

He played great, but he could have done better.

[sribb43]

Fair.

I'm not blaming Dirk for the losses at all. I'm criticizing his shot selection late in games in this series. The Mavs aren't even in any of the games without Dirk. That doesn't leave him immune to any criticism.

Fair....but in the end they lost to a better team and thats not Dirk's fault. The series should be 3-2 heading back to Dallas and people wouldnt be so high on the nuggets. Its amazing how one call or none call can change the perception of everything

[sribb43]

When Dirk is gone all these Mavs fans who are Dirk haters will be wishing Dirk was still on this team and maybe at that point they will appreciate what he did for this franchise

[DPG21920]

It is not just one call. The Nuggets had a chance to win every game. The Mavs did not. Even if you get the call, you never know what would have happened next. Was it more likely that the Mavs hold on, sure. But you never know.

The Nuggets clearly were the better team. It took heroic efforts from Dirk just to lose by 2 points.

[DPG21920]

Anyone who does not appreciate Dirk is an idiot and who cares what they think. Same with those who always talk about TP sucking and not being a PG...There are basketball fans, and there are fans.

[sribb43]

It is not just one call. The Nuggets had a chance to win every game. The Mavs did not. Even if you get the call, you never know what would have happened next. Was it more likely that the Mavs hold on, sure. But you never know.

The Nuggets clearly were the better team. It took heroic efforts from Dirk just to lose by 2 points.

in the end the nuggets still would have won but 4-2 or 4-3 sure as hell looks alot better than 4-1. it might have been a blessing to lose 4-1 becuase hopefully the mavs front office will finally realize they need to make signifcant changes not named dirk that should have been made in 2007

[endrity]

DPG and JamStone:

Dirk is not the perfect player. He would have to be better at a couple of things, especially defense. However, he is not a leaper, and he is not strong enough to be a force on defense. It's too bad really, because he is a legit 7footer with some length (not as much as Duncan though, who has a crazy wingspan). If he would the Mavs can roll a frontline of Dirk and Bass much more often and not feel a thing in defense and be a force on offense.

On offense, given his coordination he could have had some better post moves, he has said since 02 that he would work on a hook shot and barely uses it. Maybe as he grows older and he loses some of the mobility which makes him special, it will force him to become a better post player ala McHale.

So no, he is not perfect, but he is damn good already.

[La Peace]

Dirk is a great player, one of the best in the game. His game is his game and those who accept it appreciate him for how unique he is as a player.

But he won't win a championship without playing along side a Post presence that commands a double team.

[stretch]

Well I agree with your first part and that is the point. Most people (except those who just blindly hate) believe Dirk is most definitely at top 15 player. That is what Jam is trying to say. He still can work on some things and quoting his stats does not change that.

He played great, but he could have done better.

And I agreed with Jam.

[JoseJuanJesusBarea]

3. bring VC wallace and shaqtus to dallas

Uh.. joke post? :lol

[Sportstudi]

He could come to the Spurs as a FA and win one. Dirk needs a guy like Duncan.

And SA would need a guy like Dirk to get another ring.

[endrity]

Dirk is a great player, one of the best in the game. His game is his game and those who accept it appreciate him for how unique he is as a player.

But he won't win a championship without playing along side a Post presence that commands a double team.


More than an all-star post presence I think he needs to be playing alongside a great wing player. In 06 and 07 the main problem was the lack of someone who could slash to the basket. Damp, or someone like him, has to play good defense and rebound.

The 04 Pistons, 06 Heat, 08 Celtics did not have a great post presence, but tough, defensive frontline. Their clutch scoring came from the wings, and Dirk can easily do that.

[Sportstudi]

If Dirk could not have the pressure of having to be the emotional/physical leader of a team it could do wonders for "his image". If he was with Duncan, he would be even more of a monster.

Well, it's just speculation, but if Dirk has played with Duncan the last years = Duncan would have more rings than 4.

[DPG21920]

And SA would need a guy like Dirk to get another ring.

No. Getting Dirk would increase the odds greatly. But the Spurs do not need a superstar like Dirk to win.

They could get a very good player, that is not as good as Dirk and still be in serious contention.

[Sportstudi]

No. Getting Dirk would increase the odds greatly. But the Spurs do not need a superstar like Dirk to win.

They could get a very good player, that is not as good as Dirk and still be in serious contention.

Granted. But you need an upgrade, because Duncan is not getting younger and you don't have a second legitimate big man (I think you can't count Bonner).

[Basketballgirl25]

Dirk is great player and I feel bad I can't like him because I just can't like the mavs because I hate Mark Cuban, but I actually don't think I would want Dirk on the Nets if they could get him, unless he changes the way he makes baskets. I only watch when Mavs are on abc, espn, or tnt and he seems to only do the same kind of shots each time, it get kind of boring I like when players switch it up. Still a great player. I think I might need to buy his jersey just because I respect him

[Brickhouse]

Dirk's defense went down the shitter for most of this season though without Avery on his ass. And yes he could use to attack more instead of fading away though I'm probably immune to his sometimes poor shot selection b/c he plays with Smokey who has no basketball brain.

Otherwise he was a beast against Denver and deserves a better supporting cast.

[endrity]

Dirk is great player and I feel bad I can't like him because I just can't like the mavs because I hate Mark Cuban, but I actually don't think I would want Dirk on the Nets if they could get him, unless he changes the way he makes baskets. I only watch when Mavs are on abc, espn, or tnt and he seems to only do the same kind of shots each time, it get kind of boring I like when players switch it up. Still a great player. I think I might need to buy his jersey just because I respect him

What??? Is this an argument??? Are you SpursDynasty, female version?

[sribb43]

Dirk is great player and I feel bad I can't like him because I just can't like the mavs because I hate Mark Cuban, but I actually don't think I would want Dirk on the Nets if they could get him, unless he changes the way he makes baskets. I only watch when Mavs are on abc, espn, or tnt and he seems to only do the same kind of shots each time, it get kind of boring I like when players switch it up. Still a great player. I think I might need to buy his jersey just because I respect him

Nominee for worst post ever made on Spurstalk

[Basketballgirl25]

What??? Is this an argument??? Are you SpursDynasty, female version?

an argument about what Dirk being great? if you think he isn't great then sure it is a argument

[mavsfan1000]

Man I wish Dirk could get a ring. Tough luck.

[manufan10]

Man I wish Dirk could get a ring. Tough luck.

Send him to the Spurs and he will! :toast :downspin: