Time running out for Nowitzki's le hopes

[diego]

Do not agree that its ALL about the supporting cast. The leader needs to do what he needs to do - excel and dominate. When the other team starts throwing double teams, the supporting cast then comes to play. I would say more of a 50-50 situation.

Before the playoffs, would you saying the same thing about the Mav's supporting cast ? Everyone is lauding Mav's depth and in fact, it is true that Mavs squad is stacked. So what is the problem?

Dirk is the problem here. He just does not have the leadership qualities and I dare say his overall game is lacking. MJ, Duncan and other championship-winning leading stars plays at both end. The teammates know they not only can count on them to score during crutch moments but also to get the necessary stop on the end. You don't get the same aura from Dirk.

Don't be mistaken. Dirk is an excellent offensive player that can get his points anytime but does not have the leadership abilities to provide the emotional support that the team needs at the low points. Mavs tried to fix that by bringing veterans do so but most unfortunately, it starts and ends with the superstar and in this case, Dirk quite simply does not have the quality to carry his team to the championship

I wouldnt go as far as to say that dirk is THE problem, a team led by him with the right mix of players could probably win it. but the problem is he requires very specific types of players.

the mavs two biggest problems are:
1) on offense, they rely on jumpshots instead of getting closer shots. dirk is a great, super efficient scorer but his main weapon is jump shots.

2) on defense, they lack toughness and cant control the paint. again, dirk is not an effective post defender, but he cant guard smalls either. for all the mismatches he creates for the mavs on the offensive end, he also creates mismatches against the mavs on D.

Dirk is at the heart of it, but again, I wouldnt say he is the biggest problem. IMO it starts with Cuban and his tinkering and bravado. he is always making excuses for his team and thinks its just a matter of switching players to fix his team. thats not how you build a winner IMO.

[pauls931]

I wouldnt go as far as to say that dirk is THE problem, a team led by him with the right mix of players could probably win it. but the problem is he requires very specific types of players.

the mavs two biggest problems are:
1) on offense, they rely on jumpshots instead of getting closer shots. dirk is a great, super efficient scorer but his main weapon is jump shots.

2) on defense, they lack toughness and cant control the paint. again, dirk is not an effective post defender, but he cant guard smalls either. for all the mismatches he creates for the mavs on the offensive end, he also creates mismatches against the mavs on D.

Dirk is at the heart of it, but again, I wouldnt say he is the biggest problem. IMO it starts with Cuban and his tinkering and bravado. he is always making excuses for his team and thinks its just a matter of switching players to fix his team. thats not how you build a winner IMO.

Tanking a season and getting luck in the draft doesn't seem to be in his books.

[Muser]

Tanking a season and getting luck in the draft doesn't seem to be in his books.

Funny because the Spurs did it!

[diego]

Tanking a season and getting luck in the draft doesn't seem to be in his books.

right, if the mavs could tank a season and draft a low post player that will give them inside scoring and anchor the D, then dirk can be the 2nd option he was born to be

[diego]

assuming cuban doesnt trade his dominant inside draftee for another scorer...

[nkdlunch]

he can always come to San Anton at the end of his career a la Finley

[Rogue]

he can always come to San Anton at the end of his career a la Finley

pero no Dirk es un perro. FinPerro es el ultímo pedazo de carajo.