Dirk Nowitzki is still the best player in the league

[YoungB]

ok... and that would be 2 free throws a game which is the difference between the two players.

son we're supposed to be holding hands and singing koombayah.

[kamikazi_player]

Now that you guys share something in common we should all hold hands and sing koombayah.

shut up ur causin too much chaos just bend over and take it like a okay ma

[DPG21920]

shut up ur causin too much chaos just bend over and take it like a okay ma

[TD 21]

I didn't want to extend the argument, but I guess I will have to..

- First of all, the "swinging arm" motion is overplayed..it happens what, once a game?..the fact that Kobe and Durant have established this "motion" just adds to the phantom fouls they receive..refs now assume that it's always a foul when they try it, and a lot of the time, it isn't..if anybody watched the Lakers vs. Grizzlies game, the first offensive possession for the Lakers was Kobe doing his "swinging arm motion" on Xavier Henry, Henry got 100% ball, yet the ref gave Kobe the instant whistle, just assuming he got fouled, which happens very often..

Nowitzki's height and the way he shoots gives him just as much of an advantage at drawing free throws..I would say defenders are much more likely to hit him on the wrist or the hands in an attempt to contest the shot, since it's so difficult to defend against, from a stylistic standpoint..

- Gobbler's argument about coming off screens is false..Kobe has drawn 0% of his free throw attempts coming off screens this season..

In fact, looking into it, it further proves the difference..

29% of Kobe's offense comes in 1 on 1 situations..he draws fouls on 13% of his iso possessions, most of them jump shots, the highest % of fouls drawn of any of his situational possessions..

Nowitzki only draws 7% of his fouls in iso situations, and spends significantly less time running iso plays for jump shots..


The majority of Nowitzki's FTs actually come in post-up situations..this season, posting up has been Dirk's main offensive weapon..24% of his offense has come in post-ups, and he draws fouls on 14% of them, the 2nd highest amount of any situational possession, other than cutting in the paint..



Both guys have had a similar amount of their offense come from cutting to the basket..Kobe only draws fouls on 8% of his cuts in the paint, while Dirk draws free throws on 17% of his cuts in the paint..


Both guys have had a similar amount of their offense come from offensive rebounds(only 2%), yet Dirk draws free throws on 20% of them in the paint, while Kobe's is 14%..

Looking at the numbers, it's pretty evident that Nowitzki draws a lot more fouls in the paint, which is generally where fouls are drawn, obviously..

- My point wasn't necessarily that you have to compare them in a heads-up argument..it's not as easy to compare them due to the difference in usage..

However, when you look at peak years and compare Kobe to other high-usage players like Lebron and Wade, it's pretty amazing to see how many fouls Kobe draws from jump shots, compared to those guys that have to work primarily in the paint for their free throws..

Kobe is the gold standard for touch fouls and phantom fouls on jump shots..

Fine, but you're ignoring why Bryant get's a lot of those and it's in large part attributed to his status in the game. You're just lumping them into the same sentence or category basically and they shouldn't be. You can bring up all the stats you want that suggest Nowitzki is closer to him historically than he's given credit for, but the fact is Bryant is viewed as one of the best ever (10-15). Nowitzki is not viewed as one of the 30 best ever. Big difference.

You got to love this board, though. The vast majority are Spurs fans, followed by probably Lakers fans. Yet of all the players that are talked about ad nauseam and criticized, the one you can't say a thing about (unless you're incessantly slobbering, that is) is Nowitzki. I could rip Jordan, Duncan, you name it and at least a few would join in. But if I were to say a single unflattering thing about Nowitzki, within' minutes the thread would be filled with "butthurt" fans.

[Ace]

Cobbler on his way to earn that ring...

[DPG21920]

Guys, please lay off Cobbler. If you don't agree with his basketball takes (which makes you a damn fool if you ask me ), that is fine. But the personal attacks need to stop. He deserves better.

He has given you too much just to have you throw it back in his face. Do yall really want him to leave for forever again? Think about that next time you attack him.

[HarlemHeat37]

Fine, but you're ignoring why Bryant get's a lot of those and it's in large part attributed to his status in the game. You're just lumping them into the same sentence or category basically and they shouldn't be. You can bring up all the stats you want that suggest Nowitzki is closer to him historically than he's given credit for, but the fact is Bryant is viewed as one of the best ever (10-15). Nowitzki is not viewed as one of the 30 best ever. Big difference.

You got to love this board, though. The vast majority are Spurs fans, followed by probably Lakers fans. Yet of all the players that are talked about ad nauseam and criticized, the one you can't say a thing about (unless you're incessantly slobbering, that is) is Nowitzki. I could rip Jordan, Duncan, you name it and at least a few would join in. But if I were to say a single unflattering thing about Nowitzki, within' minutes the thread would be filled with "butthurt" fans.

I don't care about Nowitzki..I don't dislike him and he isn't one of my favorite players or anything..

I'm a fan of any player when I feel like Kobe can be entered into the discussion..

[cobbler]

Guys, please lay off Cobbler. If you don't agree with his basketball takes (which makes you a damn fool if you ask me ), that is fine. But the personal attacks need to stop. He deserves better.

He has given you too much just to have you throw it back in his face. Do yall really want him to leave for forever again? Think about that next time you attack him.

I would love for you to show me where I ever said "forever". Do you ever get anything correct?

[DPG21920]

Just don't leave again. This board won't survive.

[cobbler]

going nowhere... unlike you in June.

[DPG21920]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, nice Cobbler

Good one man.

[Ace]

[TD 21]

I don't care about Nowitzki..I don't dislike him and he isn't one of my favorite players or anything..

I'm a fan of any player when I feel like Kobe can be entered into the discussion..

That was more directed at the board in general than at you. It just so happened to be in a post where I quoted you.

Admit it, though, you're a Nowitzki fan.

You shouldn't let your hatred for Bryant cloud your judgment.

[cobbler]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, nice Cobbler

Good one man.

Just assuming that when Harlem honors his bet... that he would retain his #1 fluffer wherever he wanders off to. We will miss you as well.

[DPG21920]

Damn Cobbler, , you are killing me right now.

Beloooooooooooooooooow the belt friend

[cobbler]

Are there any Heat fans that aren't welchers?

Just curious is all...

[DPG21920]

Don't know buddddddddy. Probably not

[Ace]

Cobbler's ring presentation

[YoungB]

TBH I would have thought Wade would be Cobbler's favorite player over Kobe. Wade likes to ride in wheelchairs too.

[cobbler]

Kobe has not and never will be my favorite player.

[YoungB]

I knew it!

[DPG21920]

Cobbler loves Wilt, no?

[Ace]

I knew it!

[cobbler]

Wilt is the GOAT in my opinion. But that has to be qualified in that I don't believe you can have a GOAT in the first place when crossing so many eras. As an individual talent and someone I don't believe anyone could beat in a one on one game, I give the nod to Wilt.

My favorite Laker is Worthy.

[cobbler]

Ace with the 3 year old material! Kudos Welcher Boy!

Well done!