Dirk: Pau is good, but not that good.

[Brutalis]

Quote of the Weekend
"[Gasol] is a good player but he's not that good. We should have had an answer for him."
-- Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki, criticizing his team's defense against Grizz forward Pau Gasol (36 points) in a 112-92 loss Saturday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-051128

There's some intresting stuff in there.

And Kobe will never and isnt even close to being anything LIKE MJ. So GIVE IT UP.

[ambchang]

Yeah, my first reaction was "What a jerk!" Pau is good, and he is this good. He is capable of 36/15 nights, and he is capable of carrying his team on occasion.
Kobe is like MJ, the MJ of 1985.

[Brutalis]

I agree. :tu

[ChumpDumper]

Is this another swipe at Dampier? If so, try guarding someone yourself, Dirk.

[Bruno]

You should post it on the nba news central forum, it's not related with Spurs.

[Supergirl]

Dirk is deluded. Pau is better than he is, because he plays better defense. I think Dirk is overrated.

[SequSpur]

Is this another swipe at Dampier? If so, try guarding someone yourself, Dirk.

Exactly, I don't know how many layups I saw on ESPN with Dirk watching from a foot away.

Does he have to pay for that seat?

[1Parker1]

The problem with the Lakers is that Lamar Odom will never and isn't even close to being anything like Pippen.

Aside from Kobe, that team sucks. Which is mind-boggling, considering that they got almost nothing back from trading away Shaq and from the lottery last season...

[1Parker1]

Oh yea, and that's kind of bad sportsmanship by Dirk. I understand you're mad at the guy for going Tmac on your team and messing up your winning streak, but don't go talking smack like that about a player just because he :owned you for a night!

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

i may be mistaken but isnt it Dirk's job to stop Pau?......He has some nerve criticising his teams defense when he doesnt even know what the word 'defense' means :smokin

[SA Gunslinger]

I watched a little of that game and Pau schooled him and Dampier. He was on that night.

[CubanMustGo]

Irk can't stop anyone.

[boutons]

Dirk is not being very politic in defeat.

"Pau had a great game, and really hurt us, but we should have defended him better" would have been more accurate, placing praise and blame where due.

Pau has some great power moves, slipping by close to the defender, body to body, and then leaning into the basket the way Drob could do, that are very hard to stop, and he finishes pretty damn reliably.

[mavsfan1000]

The difference in this game was Dirk was tired from the night before and Pau was really energized more that normal. Dirk couldn't guard him because he was a step slower than normal. Van Horn and Dampier are not that quick either. Athletic 4's give Dallas more trouble than anything else. Even than Dirk wasn't ready for the challenge and he is actually criticizing himself so people are reading into this line too much.

[Sense]

The difference in this game was Dirk was tired from the night before and Pau was really energized more that normal. Dirk couldn't guard him because he was a step slower than normal. Van Horn and Dampier are not that quick either. Athletic 4's give Dallas more trouble than anything else. Even than Dirk wasn't ready for the challenge and he is actually criticizing himself so people are reading into this line too much.

He made a statement and he should have never included Paul Gasol's skills in it.

He could've said, "Gasol played good tonight, but then again our defense was bad too" kind of statement.

Dirk's an asshole and his statements are prooving it.

[mavsfan1000]

I'm sure that is what he meant but he had to speak out on the fly and say it. You really have to be real careful not to say something wrong or the press will jump all over it. :lmao at people taking these comments seriously

[ambchang]

Yeah, he should have just yelled at Jason Terry instead.

[mavsfan1000]

Sorry that we wants to win so bad that he might be a little harsh to his teammates sometimes. Not even close as bad as Michael Jordan was yet I don't here criticism and hate for him. Dirk holds people accountable for mistakes and is very vocal. The mavs are 10-3 so I think these comments are working.

[ambchang]

when Jordan, Bird or Magic chews out their teammates, they go on and carry their team. not miss all their FGs in OT to lose an absolutely winnable game. I actually thought the Mavs matches up very well with the Suns last year, and was expecting them to face the Spurs in the WCF. And being totally shut down by Tmac in the previous series, only to win because your teammates filled in for you, then turn around and chew them out on national TV isn't something exactly called a team leading exercise. He doesn't seem like he wants to win, just looks like he is taking his frustration on his teammates after two very subpar series. But of course, I can't back these up, just looks like that to me.

[mavsfan1000]

Actually the suns give the mavs the hardest matchup. The mavs are really good at running but the suns are even better at that. The mavs play into the suns strength which is run and gun. The mavs might've had a chance slowing down the pace but Marion is a great defender to put on Dirk. You saying the mavs matchup well against the suns is completely wrong. The suns also don't turn it over much which Dallas thrives on. Dallas doesn't have that low post prescence that gives the suns so much trouble like the spurs and Marion is a great perimeter defender. I think Dallas would rather play San Antonio because Duncan isn't known for his great perimeter defense and that would also open up the lane for Howard and Daniels. Yeah Dirk didn't play well at the end of the game but that mistake Terry made was monumental. Still I don't see a problem with Dirk yelling at his teammates. If anything it keeps them motivated. Look how Dampier did after Dirk called him out.

[gameFACE]

Dirk is a sore loser.

[Tek_XX]

Those germans are always picking on people, pau must be jewish.

[mavsfan1000]

Those germans are always picking on people, pau must be jewish.
:idiot

[Tek_XX]

:idiot

Take a joke dude, i know you can, you're a mavs fan.

[mavsfan1000]

It could be worse. I could be a bandwagon spurs fan. The team has no personality but I guess the fans make up for it.

[Tek_XX]

It could be worse. I could be a bandwagon spurs fan. The team has no personality but I guess the fans make up for it.

You can have your alleged team personality, we'll take the championship rings

[Pandaemonaeon]

I think Dirk was just trying to say that Pau's a good player but not good enough that he could just waltz in and do what he want inside ala Shaq which of course, is exactly what happened. Nevertheless it's probably another swipe at Damp and makes him look like a jerk when he's got a hand on Pau just as much as anyone.

And I disagree with the poster that said Pau has D. He and Dirk are as soft as silicone breasts.

[Dazzle]

This reminds me of when Rasheed said "Ginobili isnt anything special" after two great games early on in the Finals.

[mavsfan1000]

well he isn't. :lol

[alamo50]

Those germans are always picking on people, pau must be jewish.

:wow ...................... :lol

[ambchang]

Actually the suns give the mavs the hardest matchup. The mavs are really good at running but the suns are even better at that. The mavs play into the suns strength which is run and gun. The mavs might've had a chance slowing down the pace but Marion is a great defender to put on Dirk. You saying the mavs matchup well against the suns is completely wrong. The suns also don't turn it over much which Dallas thrives on. Dallas doesn't have that low post prescence that gives the suns so much trouble like the spurs and Marion is a great perimeter defender. I think Dallas would rather play San Antonio because Duncan isn't known for his great perimeter defense and that would also open up the lane for Howard and Daniels. Yeah Dirk didn't play well at the end of the game but that mistake Terry made was monumental. Still I don't see a problem with Dirk yelling at his teammates. If anything it keeps them motivated. Look how Dampier did after Dirk called him out.

I think the Mavs match up well with the Suns because both of them run, and I thought the Mavs can run and defend better than the Suns (comparatively). But we will have to disagree on that.
Dirk was terrible in the game, and to call out your teammate, you better have played quite well before that. Terry's mistake was monumental, Dirk shooting and missing fade away jumpers before the offense was set was monumental too. It certainly didn't motivate Jason Terry, and his mistrust of his teammates, trying to do everything in OT with zero results didn't help the Mavs a bit.
Calling out Dampier and having it "worked" is utterly different from yelling at a guy who scored 36 points in the game to keep your ass in the game.

[implacable44]

Dirk is deluded. Pau is better than he is, because he plays better defense. I think Dirk is overrated.


Dirk is far from over-rated. He might have made some stupid comments but remember - this dude is 7 feet tall and drains threes on people. Dirk is unreal.

[ca®lo]

after dirk said the spurs road game black uniform is ugly.. this is no longer a surprise to me

[implacable44]

Actually the suns give the mavs the hardest matchup. The mavs are really good at running but the suns are even better at that. The mavs play into the suns strength which is run and gun. The mavs might've had a chance slowing down the pace but Marion is a great defender to put on Dirk. You saying the mavs matchup well against the suns is completely wrong. The suns also don't turn it over much which Dallas thrives on. Dallas doesn't have that low post prescence that gives the suns so much trouble like the spurs and Marion is a great perimeter defender. I think Dallas would rather play San Antonio because Duncan isn't known for his great perimeter defense and that would also open up the lane for Howard and Daniels. Yeah Dirk didn't play well at the end of the game but that mistake Terry made was monumental. Still I don't see a problem with Dirk yelling at his teammates. If anything it keeps them motivated. Look how Dampier did after Dirk called him out.

the last team the Mavs want to play in the playoffs is the Spurs skippy. You know that - I know that - Mike Fisher knows that- Avery Johnson knows that - Dirk, Josh , Jet and all the guys at the ticket know that. The Mavs don't want any part of the Spurs in the playoffs.

[pache100]

i may be mistaken but isnt it Dirk's job to stop Pau?......He has some nerve criticising his teams defense when he doesnt even know what the word 'defense' means :smokin

You mean 'irk from 'allas? Yes, he does have some nerve.


The difference in this game was Dirk was tired from the night before and Pau was really energized more that normal. Dirk couldn't guard him because he was a step slower than normal.

Oh, well, of course. He's totally excused then.

Give me a break. Dirk's a professional basketball player. He get paid too much to be too "tired" or "a step slower than normal". That happens all over the NBA to guys every day, playing back-to-backs. That's an excuse, not a reason.

[SenorSpur]

Dirk is far from over-rated. He might have made some stupid comments but remember - this dude is 7 feet tall and drains threes on people. Dirk is unreal.

....and if he's not hitting the three, what else can he do?

Granetd, the guy is definitely a phenomenal shooter with unmatched range, but I've watched him for several years and am convinced that he's a one-trick pony. Unless he's "raining threes", he hardly makes his presence felt.

I wish people would stop trying to make this guy out to be a superstar.
Great players affect the game regardless of situation and can usually beat you in a variety of ways.

[implacable44]

....and if he's not hitting the three, what else can he do?

Granetd, the guy is definitely a phenomenal shooter with unmatched range, but I've watched him for several years and am convinced that he's a one-trick pony. Unless he's "raining threes", he hardly makes his presence felt.

I wish people would stop trying to make this guy out to be a superstar.
Great players affect the game regardless of situation and can usually beat you in a variety of ways.

Well lets see - Dirk is averaging 26 ppg - yet he is only averaging a little more than 2 triples per game so there are 19-20 points he scores in other ways. he averages 9 boards and 2 assists and he is basically the Tim Duncan for the Mavs who are built similar to the Spurs. They have a poor manu ( josh Howard ) they are attempting to make marquis daniels into Bowen - they have a two headed - TP in Jet and Harris. Dirk is not over-rated. He posts up - he creates match up problems for every team in the league -- please don't say Dirk is over-rated - he was 1st team all NBA last year and I believe he finished third in MVP voting ?

[SenorSpur]

Well lets see - Dirk is averaging 26 ppg - yet he is only averaging a little more than 2 triples per game so there are 19-20 points he scores in other ways. he averages 9 boards and 2 assists and he is basically the Tim Duncan for the Mavs who are built similar to the Spurs. They have a poor manu ( josh Howard ) they are attempting to make marquis daniels into Bowen - they have a two headed - TP in Jet and Harris. Dirk is not over-rated. He posts up - he creates match up problems for every team in the league -- please don't say Dirk is over-rated - he was 1st team all NBA last year and I believe he finished third in MVP voting ?

I'm not saying he's overrated, I'm saying he's not the superstar (top 5) player that he's built up to be. The difference is he doesn't make anyone else better when he's not scoring. On the defensive side, his presence is not nearly felt as such elite players (a la Duncan, Garnett, O'Neal, Bryant, Wade, LeBron). Thus he's not in the category.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Dirk's numbers are great and I don't think anyone can question that the dude's got skills. My concern is what's between his ears. He doesn't handle pressure well. He was godawful in the playoffs last year, and was putting his immaturity in full display. Just wait until the going gets a little tougher for the Mavs. He'll show his true colors when he throws a few of his teammates under the bus.

[SenorSpur]

Dirk's numbers are great and I don't think anyone can question that the dude's got skills. My concern is what's between his ears. He doesn't handle pressure well. He was godawful in the playoffs last year, and was putting his immaturity in full display. Just wait until the going gets a little tougher for the Mavs. He'll show his true colors when he throws a few of his teammates under the bus.

Good point. Did anyone see his meltdown against the Suns and Rockets this past spring?

[50 cent]

_irk is gay. I've seen him in bars all over Dallas and he is never with any girls.

Trust me, even though he is ugly there are so many gold-diggers in this town that he could have tons of girls. But, I have seen him at bars and restaurants all over town and he is always with a dude.

The guy is a flaming homo.

[pache100]

_irk is gay.

I have to admit I've wondered about that; but it wouldn't make any difference to me, one way or the other.

[leemajors]

i think dirk's main problem with leadership is that he thinks it has to be vocalized. in a lot of cases you lead by example. he should take a cue from duncan in that way, especially when calling out others on d. when they see him giving his all on the defensive end maybe he won't have to prattle on about it and they will follow suit.

[50 cent]

I have to admit I've wondered about that; but it wouldn't make any difference to me, one way or the other.
Doesn't really matter to me either....just stating the obvious based on what I have seen on many occasions.

[SenorSpur]

i think dirk's main problem with leadership is that he thinks it has to be vocalized. in a lot of cases you lead by example. he should take a cue from duncan in that way, especially when calling out others on d. when they see him giving his all on the defensive end maybe he won't have to prattle on about it and they will follow suit.

Yeah, I'm of the opinion that Dirk's personality is not suited for the role of vocal leader. No question that he is the Mavs best player. As such, he should lead by example, give maximum effort and refrain from calling out his teammates in public. Privately - that's another story all together.

In the past, he has shown himself to be very accountable and at times, critical of his own game.

[Supergirl]

Dirk has not proven himself a player who makes other players better. Michael Jordan, Tim, Shaq, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups fall in this category. I think Lebron might go there too, but it's early.

Right now, he's in the category with Kobe, KG, and a few others: Players with immense talent, but not great players because their basketball IQs aren't high enough and they don't make other players good.

[mavsfan1000]

Dirk has not proven himself a player who makes other players better. Michael Jordan, Tim, Shaq, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups fall in this category. I think Lebron might go there too, but it's early.

Right now, he's in the category with Kobe, KG, and a few others: Players with immense talent, but not great players because their basketball IQs aren't high enough and they don't make other players good.

Watch more games than. Dirk when on is forced to be double teamed which opens up the passing which is usually the second or third pass before an open 3. Dirk didn't get the assist but was the cause of the assist. The players without Dirk are lost.

[Sense]

I'm sure that is what he meant but he had to speak out on the fly and say it. You really have to be real careful not to say something wrong or the press will jump all over it. :lmao at people taking these comments seriously

You have no fuckin right to speak for your "superstar", if anything you don't have the right to judge us when we can talk shit back.

Wether we take it as a joke or not it's our fucking opinion, and this is obviously yours and since you like to talk shit after ours..

why dont you ...

SHUT THE FUCK UP!? please... :pctoss

[mavsfan1000]

:lmao ^^^

[TOP-CHERRY]

i think dirk's main problem with leadership is that he thinks it has to be vocalized. in a lot of cases you lead by example. he should take a cue from duncan in that way, especially when calling out others on d. when they see him giving his all on the defensive end maybe he won't have to prattle on about it and they will follow suit.
BRAVO!!

[Sense]

:lmao ^^^


Ty....


That's what I thought.