name 25 big men defensively better than Dirk

[rAm]

because of morons like nkdlunch getting owned and trying to do what he can to lessen the pain of having logic rammed up his ass so many times

says the guy with the re ed cartoon character in his sig

[Findog]

I'm just gonna post some of the relevent excerpts from that thread on dallasbasketball, with Mav fans dissing his D and praising it:

Scouting report: Nowitzki has improved greatly as a defender in recent seasons and is now capable of playing quality post defense or stepping out on the perimeter to help against the pick-and-roll. His lateral movement remains suspect and gets him in trouble against quick forwards at times, but he has a nice strip move he uses on opposing post players, he's an excellent defensive rebounder (12th at his position in defensive rebound rate), and he blocked shots at an above-average rate for a power forward.

[Findog]

Anti Dirk:

You guys may throw any stat out there I have watched Dirk since he was a rookie, and there is no doubt in my mind he is one of the worst defensive players, how many times has Dirk come from a weakside to block a shot, he doesnt like to bang in the paint, most of the PF and C's just back him down without any resistance, and I hate that little strip he does when a big is going up, stand up for your f..... ground and try to block a shot or two your 7ft for gods sakes, it seems sometimes he gets lost on defense and when a small guard is driving again he does his little strip while clearly if he made an attempt to atleast alter the shot it would be a much better strategy, he is just soo damn good offensively that even if his D sucked he makes up for it by being a offensive wonder.

[Findog]

Pro Dirk

A top scorer in this league cannot afford to be in foul trouble, so Dirk has to pick his spots in contesting shots. He is currently the best in the league at swiping the ball before the offensive player can shot it--a technique started by Bill Laimbeer, and utilized consistently by Karl Malone. There is nothing wrong with stopping the shot down low, excpet it doesn't make the highlight reel as a normal shot block.

Dirk is a much better help defender than Damp, and he is often covering for Damp who is often too slow and out of position to help. Dirk will not try to black a shot in this situation unless it is late in the game, or he chooses to swipe the ball low, because he cannot afford foul trouble if this team hopes to win. I don't understand how that is so hard for some of you to realize. Do you want him to consistently contest shots and play 26 minutes per game? That makes no sense. In addition, he came into this league as an above average leaper for a 7-footer, but has lost some of his leaping skills, so he is more effective at swiping at the ball than trying to block it up high.

The player Dirk guards almost never is the reason the Mavs lose a game. Dirk does not have the defensive natural abilities to lock down players, but does well with his talent, and the team's situation.

Sometimes I feel that some of you refuse to grant him any defensive ability unless he becomes a defensive stopper, which won't happen, but it doesn't mean his defense hurts the team. As John Hollinger's assessment states, Dirk's defesne is underrated, especially on this board.

[rAm]

A top scorer in this league cannot afford to be in foul trouble, so Dirk has to pick his spots in contesting shots. He is currently the best in the league at swiping the ball before the offensive player can shot it--a technique started by Bill Laimbeer, and utilized consistently by Karl Malone. There is nothing wrong with stopping the shot down low, excpet it doesn't make the highlight reel as a normal shot block.

hahahahahaha

[Findog]

Somewhat neutral on Dirk:

The knock against Dirk isn't that he can't play man defense. He does a passable job of staying in front of guys, and making them work for their baskets. You don't see him getting blown by and dunked on too often.

He does not guard the best offensive big unless they Mavs have gone small late in games. He won't match up against Duncan/Amare/Brand/Randolph/Jefferson. He'll guard Gasol on occasion, but normally Damp handles him as well.

The critique against Dirk's defense is that he does a poor job rotating to guard perimeter players. Bigs in the league these days have to be able to hedge on the pick and roll, but still get back to their man defensively, and Dirk doesn't do a good job of pressuring the ball handler on the dribble or pass. He's possibly average defending the basket when the Mavs let him play the middle of the zone, but in man to man sets he rarely comes over to block shots or draw charges.

All of these things may or may not be important for your best player/scorer to do during a game, but you have to be an awfully good jump shooter to make up for giving up an open dunk or two a game.

[Findog]

hahahahahaha

That guy watches a lot more of Dirk than you do. You only get to watch him 4 times a year when we beat your asses down.

[gaKNOW!blee]

That guy watches a lot more of Dirk than you do. You only get to watch him 4 times a year when we beat your asses down.

Dirk

0

[Findog]

I think it's fair to say Dirk is a decent post defender, and I mean that sincerely. I think if he's asked to defend a back-to-the-basket type player 1 on 1 he does as good a job as you would ask a non-defensive specialist to do by himself. It's mostly when he is forced to switch onto a guard on a PnR that his lack of lateral mobility gets exposed badly, which is not out of the ordinary for a 7 footer.

Dirk is certainly a better defender than he was early in his career. That's not even debatable.

[jacobdrj]

McDyess' defense>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dirk...
Even
Jason Maxiell's defense>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dirk.
,
Anderson Verijao's defense>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.Dirk

[Findog]

Anti Dirk:

My main problem with Dirk's defense is his team defense. He's a horrible weakside help defender, largely due to lack of effort. It's probably up in the hundreds the number of times I've seen Dirk standing by watching while a teammate gets burned by a backcut.

He's not bad when he puts in the effort though.

[rAm]

wait wait wait wait

He is currently the best in the league at swiping the ball before the offensive player can shot it

hahahahahahaha

[Findog]

Somewhat neutral on Dirk:

In watching dirk defend I would like to see him contest the ball a little bit more. I do NOT however think you will see a lot of it until they get enough scorers around him. Bigs in this league get screwed when it comes to blocking shots, that's why folks want a guy who's job is ONLY to block shots and suck up fouls.

Damp gets called a bunch for bogus calls. If dirk challenged the ball he'd probably average almost 2 more personal fouls per game. That would limit his offensive aggressiveness also imo.

But he doesn't have the hops to be a very good shot blocker, but he's smart, battles and when the game is on the line, he definitely steps it up, he just doesn't like cheap ones early.

[z0sa]

Dirk is always in the right position, which is why he snares so many rebounds. Don't expect him to stop anybody capable 1on1 down low or get any gamesaving blocks against elite players, but he's not going to blow assignments or give up open looks.

[Findog]

wait wait wait wait



hahahahahahaha

Do you have anything to add that is insightful or useful? I'm posting several takes on Dirk's defense, good and bad and neutral, from people that watch him 82 times a year. How many Mav games do you watch? The 3 or 4 times a year when we stomp that silver and black ass?

[Findog]

Dirk is always in the right position, which is why he snares so many rebounds. Don't expect him to stop anybody capable 1on1 down low or get any gamesaving blocks against elite players, but he's not going to blow assignments or give up open looks.

Finally a Spur fan chimes in with a reasonable take.

[cheguevara]

Tyson Chandler

[rAm]

Do you have anything to add that is insightful or useful? I'm posting several takes on Dirk's defense, good and bad and neutral, from people that watch him 82 times a year. How many Mav games do you watch? The 3 or 4 times a year when we stomp that silver and black ass?

you already said that.

be careful who you are calling black mother er

[jacobdrj]

Finally a Spur fan chimes in with a reasonable take.

I will also agree with this take.

[Findog]

you already said that.

be careful who you are calling black mother er

silver and black is not the official color scheme of the San Antonio Spurs?

[ambchang]

Rasho Nesterovic

[BadOdor]

you already said that.

be careful who you are calling black mother er

You are pretty damn dumb.

[cheguevara]

kendrik perkins

[rAm]

You are pretty damn dumb.

Coming from a guy with 100 posts, is pinked, and says phrases such as "pretty damn dumb"

[BadOdor]

Coming from a guy with 100 posts, is pinked, and says phrases such as "pretty damn dumb"

you still mad ram-up the ass?