BTW props to Dirk

[DespЏrado]

As much as I hate Dirk, he's playing the gutsiest most superb basketball I've ever seen out of him. The guy was getting a little roughed up tonight, not more so than Duncan or anyone else, but Dirk has been playing tougher this series than I've ever seen him play.

It is of course way easier to give him props with a 2-1 series lead, and now I hope we stomp the living crap out of the rest of this team.

[foodie2]

I also enjoyed his "ole" defense in the paint.

[kace]

yes, Dirk is an amazing player. too bad you can't enjoy the spurs ones obviously.

[jermaine]

I love the way Pop for the most part just let's Dirk go one on one! At 1st I was like WTF is he doing. But then like they say 1 man can't beat a team!

[Solid D]

I love the way Pop for the most part just let's Dirk go one on one! At 1st I was like WTF is he doing. But then like they say 1 man can't beat a team!

Sometimes he goes 1-on-1, sometimes the Spurs trap. They mix it up. There are times I wish Pop would send help every time...such as when Bonner is defending Dirk. I agree Dirk should get props, as should Barea.

[Kamnik]

As much as I hate Dirk, he's playing the gutsiest most superb basketball I've ever seen out of him. The guy was getting a little roughed up tonight, not more so than Duncan or anyone else, but Dirk has been playing tougher this series than I've ever seen him play.

It is of course way easier to give him props with a 2-1 series lead, and now I hope we stomp the living crap out of the rest of this team.

Fully agreed. He is a basketball superstar and a freak of nature in a good meaning of the word. A 7 footer with insane shooting mechanics... He is just as speciment as Shaq is.

However... the thing that bothers me with him is his obvious crappy play on defense. I am a fan of him but he is not a much better defender than Nash is, and that says a lot.

[nbaman99]

He is the only guy ( and sometimes JJ) there to give all he got to win the game. Dirk always like that. He makes this way more fun for all of us.

[Cane]

Great player to watch although he flops more than anyone else on the court including the Spurs squad :) Watching him trying to wrestle position over McDyess was like watching a fish flopping on the pier.

Incredible talent though and easily one of the best shooters the league has seen.

[El Chorizo]

Dirk is a great player but unless he wins a championship he won't get the props he deserves.

[Avitus1]

He had a good game last night, can't take that away from him.

[Spursmania]

Props to a great player and a great flopper. Guy makes incredible shots. He needs to leave the Mavs so he could win a Championship.

[spursfan09]

yes, Dirk is an amazing player. too bad you can't enjoy the spurs ones obviously.

Exactly what I was thinking. If you can appreciate an opposing player being amazing, then you should appreciate a player being amazing for your own team.

[GSH]

He also didn't whine or make excuses in the post-game. A big step up for Dirky.

[Budkin]

He was super aggressive last night driving to the hole... plus he was hitting some really tough shots with dudes right in his face. There's no denying that he's a force to be reckoned with.

[scottspurs]

You have to feel sorry for guys like Dirk and Kidd, that locker room is in self destruction mode right now.

[bonnington]

I watched the game again yesterday, and damn, If you love the game, you have to recognize it, what a hell of a player.

[EmptyMan]

Him shooting a 10 ft fadeaway J is basically a layup to him. Ridiculous.

[Fpoonsie]

I've liked Dirk for a while now (a main reason being his interviews on The Ticket here in Dallas), but I'm gonna hold off on any significant posting-praise until AFTER the series is over.

As far as I'm (currently) concerned, he's the enemy.

[MateoNeygro]

I've liked Dirk for a while now (a main reason being his interviews on The Ticket here in Dallas), but I'm gonna hold off on any significant posting-praise until AFTER the series is over.

As far as I'm (currently) concerned, he's the enemy.

+1:flag:

[DPG21920]

I have a healthy amount of respect for Dirk. I also have a healthy amount of fear. FDN right now.

[gospursgojas]

Hes a GREAT jump shooter. Ill call him gutsy when he wins a game for his team with a broken nose

[wut]

:lol I was expecting this to say .... for not breaking any exercise bikes lately.

But seriously the guy is probably the best jump shooter outside of Jordan, Kobe and Kerr. (I refuse to put Ray Allen on this list...the guy can go suck it for being such a sore loser) :D

[DPG21920]

Dirk is a much better shooter than Kobe.

[Whisky Dog]

He's on offensive prodigy on the court, but his ringless fate is of the same cause as Nash's - zero defensive responsibility. They just don't play smart, position defense at all. A big part of the reason the Spurs own the paint is because Dirk is soft on D.

[Agloco]

Yeah, it just seems like he's always off-balance and still making fadeaway jumpers. Best policy is to let him get his and shut down the others.

Dirk is shooting well over 50% for the series. I expect that to continue unfortunately. We really need him to have two more off games though.

[boutons_deux]

My respect for Dirk went up a lot when he started driving more a couple years ago. eg, his drive and 1 that won him the 06 Spurs series @ATT.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

My favorite thing about Dirk is that he never whines to the press. He just plays his game. :tu

[jestersmash]

I only hate him because he's too good. It's a respectful hate.

[Strike]

I'd probably like him more if he played for another team not named the Lakers. The fact that he's a Mav forces me to despise him. I have plenty of respect for him as a player, but he's a Maverick.

[badfish22]

Dirk is probably gonna have to score 40+ for the Mavs to win tonight.

[FromWayDowntown]

I don't think it can be said enough: Dirk has really been fantastic in this series, as he has been for a very long time now.. As a Spurs fan, I hate to see him with the ball. As a basketball fan, I appreciate what a special talent he is. Among the many blessings to basketball fans who've closely followed the Spurs/Mavs rivalry since 2001 has been watching Dirk mature as a player through the years. He's truly among the greats and he's quite capable of carrying the Mavs to 3 straight wins in this series.

[rayray2k8]

Dirk is probably gonna have to score 40+ for the Mavs to win tonight.

He's been playing very well against the spurs, but Dirk has yet to get any help from this team mates.
The only 2 I've seen play well against the spurs were Barea and Terry.... That's about all.

I still don't get why mav fans knock on those 2 when they've given the spurs a hard time.

[SPURSCHAMP]

imagine him on the spurs

[Spurs7794]

He's on offensive prodigy on the court, but his ringless fate is of the same cause as Nash's - zero defensive responsibility. They just don't play smart, position defense at all. A big part of the reason the Spurs own the paint is because Dirk is soft on D.

I love comments like this. Even if you believe that he plays no D, they were one foul call away from being up 3-2 and heading back to Dallas in 2006. And who hit the shot to give them the lead before Bennett Salvatore won the series for the Heat? Dirk. Soooo basically one play is why he is ringless, not his defense.