Ludden: Nowitzki, Mavericks look loaded for bear

[duncan228]

Nowitzki, Mavericks look loaded for bear
By Johnny Ludden

Dirk Nowitzki snarled and flung his arms up, pushing himself from Matt Bonner, a show of toughness that sent the American Airlines Center into a delirious roar. Nowitzki bared his teeth and barked some more, and, no, this was not an act born of frustration. This looked like contempt.

This is who you send to stop me, Nowitzki seemed to be demanding. Is this all you have? All these years, all these battles, and, still, you haven’t learned?

Never does Nowitzki look so ferocious as while he’s chewing through the San Antonio Spurs. He has done it for much of the past decade, and he did so again Sunday, scoring 36 points and leading his Dallas Mavericks to a 100-94 victory in the opening game of the teams’ first-round playoff series. Nowitzki missed just two shots and none of his 12 free throws, a stunningly efficient performance that should remind everyone that even now, two months from his 32nd birthday and a dozen seasons into his NBA career, he remains at the top of his game.

This, too, should also serve as a reminder of not only how far Nowitzki has come, but also where he’s headed. In a little more than two months, the grandest free-agent market in NBA history opens, and Nowitzki could take his place alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as one of the biggest prizes. Yet, unlike James, Wade and Bosh, Nowitzki hasn’t publicly flirted with the idea of moving to another team, and that’s because, deep down, he knows something else.

Never has he had it this good.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson have forever labored to build a le contender around Nowitzki. Sometimes they’ve tinkered too much – letting Steve Nash jet off into a pair of MVP awards in Phoenix qualifies as such – but they’ve always continued to work, and their latest efforts show promise. Nowitzki now looks at the depth of talent around him, at all the different working parts, and sees what most of the NBA sees: This is a roster built for the grind of the playoffs.

“We have enough weapons,” Nowitzki said.

Caron Butler ranks high among them. He came over two months ago from Washington in a deadline-week deal along with Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson, all of them bringing an aggressiveness the Mavericks were lacking. Haywood left his imprint on the Spurs by helping Dallas’ other 7-foot center, Erick Dampier, control the boards. Butler delivered 22 points.

“Everything I’ve been working on with Coach and watching film for the last month and a half, two months, has been preparation for the playoffs,” Butler said. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity.”

Nowitzki could say the same. Two years before Butler arrived, Nowitzki received his greatest gift yet. The Mavericks acquired Jason Kidd in a trade with Devin Harris, an unpopular deal given Harris’ enormous potential and Kidd’s advancing age. The criticism only grew – here and elsewhere – after Kidd’s first season in Dallas ended with a first-round exit and Harris grew into an All-Star the following season. Instead, Kidd has now done exactly what Cuban thought he would: He has made the game easier for Nowitzki.

The bond between Nowitzki and Kidd continues to grow, as has Kidd’s impact. He has become a deadly 3-point threat at an age when most expect to see only slippage. And if the Mavs wanted any more evidence of the magic Kidd can work, all they need to do is look across the court.

Richard Jefferson once played alongside Kidd, and the New Jersey Nets thought he looked so good doing so, they gave him a $76 million contract.

The Spurs have a hard time swallowing those numbers now that they’re responsible for $29 million of the contract. They traded for Jefferson in the offseason, and so far he has delivered only a luxury-tax bill. More than anyone, Jefferson represents the Spurs’ ongoing struggle to surround their stars with enough productive role players. On Sunday, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker combined for 71 points, yet received only a single satisfactory performance from their supporting cast: Antonio McDyess.

“I thought we had a lot of guys who played like dogs,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, and it’s no secret who he thought was woofing the loudest.

Jefferson made one shot in 32 minutes and now looks just as indecisive on the court as he did at the altar eight months ago. Losing George Hill also robbed the Spurs of one of their best perimeter defenders. If Hill’s injured right foot keeps him sidelined as it did for much of the second half, then Parker could reclaim his starting job, even though he insists Popovich wants to continue using him as “Manu Jr.” off the bench.

The Spurs will need to locate a spark somewhere, and they don’t have many options. From Jaren Jackson to Stephen Jackson to Steve Kerr to Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry, they won championships by finding role players who could contribute under pressure. They thought they had another before last season’s playoffs exposed Roger Mason’s limitations. Mason now has a new role: designated fouler.

On three consecutive possessions, Popovich had Mason wrap up Dampier. In doing so, the Spurs conceded their inability to guard Nowitzki. “We hoped [Dampier] would miss free throws,” Popovich said, “rather than Dirk killing us the way he was.”

Nowitzki didn’t have as many weapons at his disposal in last season’s playoffs, and the Spurs doubled him aggressively, limiting him to an average of 16.3 points through the series’ first four games. San Antonio still lost three of those games, and Josh Howard was a big reason why. Even now Howard continues to haunt the Spurs: It was his contract that allowed the Mavericks to acquire Butler and Haywood.

The Spurs rarely double-teamed Nowitzki on Sunday, perhaps fearful of allowing too many Mavericks to find their rhythm. Popovich instead rotated defenders at him, from McDyess to Bonner to Jefferson to Keith Bogans. None of them had any lasting success.

“I’m going to take whatever they give me,” Nowitzki said.

Nowitzki has already taken a lot from these Spurs. He won last year’s series with 31 points in Game 5, he won the teams’ epic 2006 series with 37 points in Game 7 and he very well could have won the 2003 series had he not missed the final three games with an injured left knee. The Spurs have never had an answer for him, and they don’t look much closer to finding one now.

Afterward, Nowitzki said all the right things. A couple of his shots were lucky to fall in. He still expects the series to become a grind. The Spurs are too good, too proud, to go down easy.

Maybe he’s right. But Nowitzki also knows he has never had this much help. He looks down his bench and sees all these pieces fitting together. He sees opportunity. He watches Butler bury a 3-pointer. He watches Kidd bury another.

From across the court, the Spurs see the same, and they, too, wonder: Has Nowitzki ever looked more dangerous?

[tmtcsc]

Dirk. We need to make someone else score. They won't do it as well as he can or as consistently. Marginalize him and make Terry or Butler do it. He's too good to play him one on one. That was silly. The Spurs need to make him think about what he's facing. When he's able to realize that he's not being doubled, he doesn't have to think about where the open man is. He just needs to get his shot off.

If the Spurs double him, he will need to see who is open and where he can pass it to. If we can't deny him the ball, then we need to find a way to deny someone else.

We can beat Dallas, we just don't need to make it any harder for ourselves.

[Dex]

I really wish Dirk wasn't a Maverick, so I could appreciate his amazing floor game without it being tainted with contempt and coming at the expense of the Spurs.

[Amarelooms]

Dirk. We need to make someone else score. They won't do it as well as he can or as consistently. Marginalize him and make Terry or Butler do it. He's too good to play him one on one. That was silly. The Spurs need to make him think about what he's facing. When he's able to realize that he's not being doubled, he doesn't have to think about where the open man is. He just needs to get his shot off.

If the Spurs double him, he will need to see who is open and where he can pass it to. If we can't deny him the ball, then we need to find a way to deny someone else.

We can beat Dallas, we just don't need to make it any harder for ourselves.

lol at this homer...Dirk is the man...show some respect

[MmP]

It's not like we need adjustments. We need a whole rembamp to have chances. I think that none really knew what kind of series was going to be until game one: Mavs too deep, Spurs no answers besides big 3. And that kinda makes me laugh because know you see all these articles around saying these but none was stating it before game one.

Dirk barely missed and barely worked offensively he was getting it easyly. Butler kinda the same, and Kidd never lost control of the tempo of the game.

Manu had a lot of TO but what did you expect? The guy was the only one playing out there he needed to force it order to make somthing happen, to me those are justifed TO.

Spurs really need to step it up. Especially the role players but there's not much you can ask, they've sucked all year why would the rise now? I think that now more than ever Pop really need to work something out or this is going to be a short one.

[Phillip]

Barkley made a good point about Dirk. The reason why in the past that Bruce Bowen and other quick defenders were able to somewhat give Dirk fits, is because they took away his dribble drives with their quickness.

However, Dirk has expanded his game since, and can back those smaller, pesky defenders down, resulting in drawing double teams. His lack of experience in seeing quick double teams when he starts backing opponents down was exploited somewhat in the Golden State series.

But again, Dirk has grown since then. Dirk has now become probably one of the top 3 hardest scorers to gameplan against now (along with Kobe and Carmello IMO). He is just too versatile and presents such a ridiculous matchup nightmare. Dirk has almost no weaknesses on offense right now. There is nothing he hasn't shown an ability to overcome over the past couple years. Even in losing efforts in the playoffs against the Hornets and Nuggets, he still played some incredible basketball and was completely unstoppable. The only thing that really stops him at this point is when his teammates like JET are playing like ass, allowing teams to double and collapse on Dirk more effectively.

[admiralsnackbar]

I really wish Dirk wasn't a Maverick, so I could appreciate his amazing floor game without it being tainted with contempt and coming at the expense of the Spurs.

Last night, I didn't struggle with this as much as I have in the past. He played about as well as someone with his skill-set can and -- ignoring some calls he got -- it was beautiful basketball to behold. The thing to watch is whether he can maintain a comparable level of transcendence through the series. We Spurs fans can only hope he doesn't.

[Shank]

I love the username of Admiral Snackbar. Gold.

[elbamba]

This is where it would have been nice to develope someone like Ian. He at least has the quickness and length. Bonner gives it his all, but Bonner sucks.

[DBMethos]

Dirk Nowitzki snarled and flung his arms up, pushing himself from Matt Bonner, a show of toughness that sent the American Airlines Center into a delirious roar. Nowitzki bared his teeth and barked some more, and, no, this was not an act born of frustration. This looked like contempt.

This is who you send to stop me, Nowitzki seemed to be demanding. Is this all you have? All these years, all these battles, and, still, you haven’t learned?

All opposing players' eyes light up when they see Bonner sent to guard them, but noneso more than Dirk. Like Ludden says, it's almost as if he takes it as a personal insult. And it pretty much is.

[elbamba]

All opposing players' eyes light up when they see Bonner sent to guard them, but noneso more than Dirk. Like Ludden says, it's almost as if he takes it as a personal insult. And it pretty much is.

I think Bird used to say the same thing if the other team put a white guy on him for defense.

[beachwood]

Throughout all the years, I've always wondered why the Spurs never make Dirk play defense. He's gets a free ride on that end.

Why are no plays designed to pick off Dirk so he has to guard the likes of TP, Manu or better yet TD? Dirk gets to save up all his energy when he's standing out there guarding Bogans or Bonner at the 3pt line. He expends nothing on defense.

It's no wonder he shoots 12 of 14. All his energy is saved up and put into his offense when he gets a breather on the other end of the court.

[diego]

Throughout all the years, I've always wondered why the Spurs never make Dirk play defense. He's gets a free ride on that end.

Why are no plays designed to pick off Dirk so he has to guard the likes of TP, Manu or better yet TD? Dirk gets to save up all his energy when he's standing out there guarding Bogans or Bonner at the 3pt line. He expends nothing on defense.

It's no wonder he shoots 12 of 14. All his energy is saved up and put into his offense when he gets a breather on the other end of the court.

i agree completely. also, if the refs are going to call ticky tack bull , pop should tell his guys to maul him and show the refs what real fouls are. if I'm matt bonner and two trips down i get called for being in dirk's vicinity as hes shooting a fadeaway, then the next time down i'm jumping into him, arms up knees out. we make it too damn easy for him.

[MateoNeygro]

I really wish Dirk wasn't a Maverick, so I could appreciate his amazing floor game without it being tainted with contempt and coming at the expense of the Spurs.

Couldn't have said it better or agree more. This guy is an amazing player but I just hate him.

[sefant77]

I think with Dirk on a west contender the next years, Anthony in Denver and emerging Thunder with Durant Pop did a major mistake passing on a Jax for nothing trade. or he still overrated Jefferson so early into the season.

[MateoNeygro]

I think the best thing to do is double team Dirk every time down. That's all I can ing think of. This guy is amazing on offense and to make it worse HE GETS THE MOST WHISTLES I'VE EVER SEEN. You can't even look at him or you'll get called for a foul. With that being said since we always face the in Mavs why wouldn't we take time in the offseason to find somewhat of an answer for Dirk. A long, quick, smart defender. Not easy to come by I'm sure but I'd take that over what everyone but Tony, Tim and Manu are offering.

[sefant77]

Na, the worst calls this season gets Durant. Swinging his arm under the defenders arm and pretend it was a shooting move...so freaky lame. Not Dirks fault when Bonnr is so stupid and touch his ellbow during the shooting...

[admiralsnackbar]

I just watched the 1990 Portland-SA series again and could not help but wonder how Dirk's play would fare back when the PO's meant no whistles unless blood was drawn.

It's kinda dismaying seeing how pussified the game has gotten since then.

[lefty]

Man, they look better than they did in 2006

Hide the bikes !

[mavs>spurs2]

I think the best thing to do is double team Dirk every time down. That's all I can ing think of. This guy is amazing on offense and to make it worse HE GETS THE MOST WHISTLES I'VE EVER SEEN. You can't even look at him or you'll get called for a foul. With that being said since we always face the in Mavs why wouldn't we take time in the offseason to find somewhat of an answer for Dirk. A long, quick, smart defender. Not easy to come by I'm sure but I'd take that over what everyone but Tony, Tim and Manu are offering.

are you kidding me? you clowns were all over him. learn to defend instead of just fouling him every time and hoping that the refs will eventually get tired of the stoppages let most of it go. that's a terrible defensive strategy.

[rjv]

role players often make great players look unbeatable. nothing hard to figure out about that.

[badfish22]

Dirk raping the team hes supposed to rape. Good article.

[sefant77]

I just watched the 1990 Portland-SA series again and could not help but wonder how Dirk's play would fare back when the PO's meant no whistles unless blood was drawn.

It's kinda dismaying seeing how pussified the game has gotten since then.

Gino would be allready in retirement due to consistent injuries hitting the floor all the time and Parker would cut half of his drives into the paint. Watch Parker taking more outside shots.

Just telling...its not that 2 of the spurs big 3 has a major protection and easier living with the handchecking rule...

[tmtcsc]

lol at this homer...Dirk is the man...show some respect

Nah, him. I said too many positive things about the guy in my post as it is. Golden State owned him a few years back. It's Pop that should show the guy a little more respect and start double teaming him. Even the junk he threw up went in.

[024]

dirk always turns it on against the spurs. nothing new here. spurs are in big trouble against a first round confident dirk.