Dirk Nowitzki

[foobar75]

Another superb effort by the great Dirk Nowitzki! And yet, he cannot seem to get respect from his own teammates.


Chandler was in disbelief at Nowitzki's big baskets.

"I love it. I absolutely love it," Chandler said. "It catches me off-guard every single time because you just don't expect that."


What the hell do you mean you don't expect that??? Dirk has been making big shots his entire career, why does it catch you off-guard? Would you say that about Kobe or LeBron?

I hate some of these affletes. It doesn't matter if a white player reaches first-ballot HOF status, he'll still get disrespected. Edited by: foobar75

 

[j41181]

Well, Chandler has never played alongside an elite white player like Nowitzki, so I can understand the surprise factor from him. But, as the season goes, he'll WITNESS more outstanding games from the German Great, making it not so surprising anymore.

Anyway, Dallas has won it's 5th game in a row! After back-to-back wins over Detroit and Oklahoma, Dallas scores another back-to-back wins over San Antonio and Miami. Dallas beats Miami 106-95.

This must be the most efficient Mavs team I've seen in the last 4 years. They finally have a legitimate Center in Tyson Chandler, who's just magnificent on both ends, other players like Butler, Marion, Terry, Barea, and Kidd have stepped up their games on both ends too. Of course, the one who keeps the team together is none other than Dirk Nowitzki, who was brilliant as usual. The Mavs are now playing like real contenders, but that remains to be seen once the post season comes.

22 points (9-23 FG's, 1-5 3pt's, 3-3 FT's)
6 rebounds
4 assists
3 steals

 

[FootballDad]

Here's a new YouTube video "featuring" Dirk. Enjoy, I guess.

[TUBE]hakmjXSTtY8[/TUBE]

 

[northwinds]

That is one minute and nineteen seconds I will never get back in my life......geez that is pathetic.

 

[j41181]

Ignore that crap... Dirk has nothing in common with Kanye!

Anyway... Dirk & Mavs score another scintillating win (12th straight win) over long-time arch-nemesis the Jazz (103-97). The Mavs jumped to an early 1st quarter lead, but the Jazz kept rallying until D-Will tied it 89-all in mid 4th quarter. Nowitzki took charge by countering (at the FT line) whatever basket the Jazz scored. Dirk then assisted a crucial 3-pointer by Jason Terry which sealed the win. Dirk is a strong candidate for MVP, and this could be the Mavs' year (NBA Champs), hope I'm NOT wrong... again.

31 points (10-12 FG's, 3-4 3pt's, 8-11 FT's)
15 rebounds
4 assists
1 block

 

[j41181]

Another all-around performance by the "German Juggernaut." I simply get all hyped whenever Dirk Nowitzki has games like this. Dallas wins 103-98 over Portland, after having their 12-game winning streak snapped by Milwaukee.

21 points (7-14 FG's, 0-4 3pt's, 7-7 FT's)
5 rebounds
3 assists
3 steals
2 blocks

 

[whiteathlete33]

Dirk's shooting percentage this season is way over 50% and and significantly better than any of the top scorers in the league.

 

[Blue Devils]

I watched that game last night. Mavs blew another big lead but Dirk was clutch in the final minutes. He saved a W for Dallas

 

[j41181]

Thank God, the pressure in finally off!

Dirk Nowitzki overtakes the LEGENDARY Larry Bird (21,791 points) in solid fashion, despite weak shooting night. Even better the Mavs won 105-99 over the Magic. That completes their Florida road trip 2-0 (also won over Miami).

Dirk now has 21,798 points (25th all time)... and counting!

17 points (4-13 FG's, 1-3 3pt's, 8-8 FT's)
8 rebounds
5 assists
1 stealEdited by: j41181

 

[icsept]

Congratulations, Dirk. While he is not on the level of the LEGEND, he has definitely been a great winner and scorer for more than a decade. It appears that the one area in which he eclipses Bird is longevity. Dirk is in great health, playing as well as ever, at the same age Bird was nearly crippled by bone spurs and herniated disks. I attribute that to modern treatment and training methods. Realistically, Dirk will be a top 10 all-time scorer by the time he is finished, maybe top 5. A championship would be nice to seal his legacy.

 

[whiteathlete33]

During the game with the Heat the other night, one of the announcers said Dirk is arguably the best shooting big man of all time. That was nice props. He should be able to get 30,000 career points by the end of his career.

 

[j41181]

One interesting fact, Dirk came to league nearly 3 YEARS YOUNGER than Bird (Nowitzki was 20 in 1998, Bird was 23 in 1979). He's ONLY 32, and could go strong for several more years (4-year extension).

Not exactly what people thought he would turn into when Don Nelson drafted him is he? Who would have thought back then that a skinny German kid would end up having a better career than guys that were drafted ahead of him, like Antawn Jamison or Vince Carter?

Larry Bird offered his congratulations too. He was happy that he reached that feat and is a big Nowitzki fan.

Dirk Nowitzki was on the Mavericks' bus to the Orlando airport when his phone vibrated and he saw the text from Larry Legend. It was a congratulatory message from Larry Bird, the man Nowitzki passed on Tuesday night for 25th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. "That's pretty cool,'' Nowitzki said.

Pretty cool, indeed. Bird has been a fan of Nowitzki's throughout his career and Nowitzki said he feels privileged and humbled by passing Bird. He's also not going to spend too much time thinking about it.

"It's obviously an unbelievable accomplishment to be in the top 25 scorers in this amazing league with so many amazing players,'' Nowitzki said. "But it's going to mean more to me when my career's done. When I'm 15 or 20 years from now, I can look back and it's something I'll be proud of. But as of now, I'm still chasing the dream and trying to win a championship. But it'll be a sweet one in 20 years.''

"I just got a text message from Larry right as the game ended saying to congratulate Dirk and that he's always been a huge fan. They've had a chance to spend some time together. I'm sure he's going to text Dirk and I'm sure that will be very meaningful for Dirk." -- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle

Dirk Nowitzki (along with Steve Nash) turned around the Dallas franchise from a bottom dweller to an 11-straight 50 win/playoff team. He's carried them to their only finals appearance (2006), and to three 60 win seasons. He's won an MVP award (2007), and is the tallest player (7'0) to win the 3-point shoot out (2006). He's the only player (besides Bird) to average 50/40/90 for a season with 24+ points. He's accomplished so much in his career (NBA and International), he just needs an NBA ring. When all is said an done, he could be one of the 15-20 greatest players of all time.

 

[white lightning]

Congrats to King Nowitzki. They just don't make them any better. What an accomplishment. I want him to break into the top 10 eventually and hopefully get a ring or two along the way.

 

[j41181]

Checkout this wonderful article on Dirk's milestone...

http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2010/12/22/1806140/dirk-nowitzki-passes-larry-bird-on-all-time-scoring-list

TWO YouTube clips on Dirk's milestone... enjoy!

[TUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0km5BbjiZgc[/TUBE]

[TUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrVkQu7Zxqk[/TUBE]

 

[foobar75]

Dirk has a legit shot at the top 10 if he plays about 4 more years, and averages 20ppg during those 4 seasons. The only active players ahead of him are Bryant and Garnett. He will eventually pass Garnett, but not Kobe.

If all goes as expected, Dirk should end up with 27,000+ points, placing him handily in the top 10.

 

[pistol pete]

foobar,

That is what I was thinking. He could play 4 more years. Maybe 5 or 6.
So he will get his points. If he gets to 30,000 points then he will be talked about along with the other greats.
Right now "the greatest of the greats" include the Big Four centers of Wilt, Russell, Kareem and Shaq, the Holy Trinity of Mike, Larry, and Magic. The Big O, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West -- the old standards. Then the contemporary classics of Tim Duncan (best power forward ever) and Kobe Bryant -- five titles, shooting up the scoring charts and giving MJ a run for his money. 30,000 points, another MVP trophy, an NBA championship, and a Finals MVP would put him among these players. Dirk would be one of the top three forwards ever blending the games of Bird the top small forward ever and Duncan the best power forward ever.

 

[j41181]

Dallas has fallen 2-7 without Dirk. I see no need to panic on this since the Mavs need to stand on it's own without their foundation and savior. The team is in safe position for the playoffs, and the extended rest will help Dirk in the long-run. Edited by: j41181

 

[j41181]

Poor Dirk, the classic LONE STAR of the NBA.

The injury big has struck the Mavs big-time, with Caron Butler out for the year, and Dirk not 100%, there is a possibility of a monumental collapse. The team has no one (other than Dirk) to keep them afloat, and PG's Jason Kidd(at his age) and Jose Barea have got to be (next to Johnny Flynn) the worst PG's in the whole NBA. Jason Terry is inconsistent, does nothing but shoot, and probably the worst SG as well.

The team also lacks a reliable rebounder and defender, with Tyson Chandler struggling with his own injuries and Dirk's knee not 100% yet.Edited by: j41181

 

[whiteathlete33]

Dirk needs to somehow become an NBA champ before his career is over. I wish he'd leave Dallas for another team. Dallas is good every year but they are always missing a piece to finally win it all.

 

[northwinds]

Dirk needs to somehow become an NBA champ before his career is over. I wish he'd leave Dallas for another team. Dallas is good every year but they are always missing a piece to finally win it all.

Yeah, like Steve Nash.....I will never forgive Mark Cuban for letting Nash go from Dallas....what a great tandem we would have been watching the last few years with a probable NBA title or two for both of them instead of none....

 

[JReb1]

Dirk needs to somehow become an NBA champ before his career is over. I wish he'd leave Dallas for another team. Dallas is good every year but they are always missing a piece to finally win it all.

<div></div>
<div>Yeah, like Steve Nash.....I will never forgive Mark Cuban for letting Nash go from Dallas....what a great tandem we would have been watching the last few years with a probable NBA title or two for both of them instead of none....</div>

Why did Cuban dismantle the team when Dirk and Nash were just hitting their primes?

 

[j41181]

Dirk needs to somehow become an NBA champ before his career is over.  I wish he'd leave Dallas for another team.  Dallas is good every year but they are always missing a piece to finally win it all.

<div> </div>
<div>Yeah, like Steve Nash.....I will never forgive Mark Cuban for letting Nash go from Dallas....what a great tandem we would have been watching the last few years with a probable NBA title or two for both of them instead of none....</div>

Why did Cuban dismantle the team when Dirk and Nash were just hitting their primes?

Steve Nash was 30 in 2004, Cuban's assumption then was he was "too old" to be part of the team's long-term plans. By clearing cap space (left by Nash) another reason was to get players like Erick Dampier and Jason Terry. Even though Dallas did make the 2006 Finals, that decision will forever haunt them. Would Nash have been the MVP-type he was in 2005 and 2006 had he remained?... Probably NOT, but he would've been another cornerstone (next to Nowitzki) for the Mavs to have build around. The Mavs right now could use Nash's MVP skills since they lack a real 2nd and 3rd option. In fact, Dallas has NEVER had a such players since departure of Nash and Michael Finley. Devin Harris could've been another good cornerstone, had they kept him.

 

[pistol pete]

j41181,


I was thinking the same thing. The Mavs need to trade for Steve Nash somehow. Trade Jason Kidd and Bubois for Steve Nash and Pietrus. Nash gives them more scoring than Kidd. Plus he is a great passer too. Nash would give the Mavs the second scorer they need, and supposedly Caron Butler would be back for the playoffs. Pietrus would be a solid defender with playoff experience off the bench.

The Suns aren't really going anywhere, but they pick up Roddy Bubois who is a very good scorer, if undersized.

If the Mavs really wanted to roll the dice they would trade Terry, Bubois, and a big man like Brian Cardinal for Steve Nash and Pietrus. Then the Mavs could have a back court of Kidd and Nash. That would be hard for opposing teams to deal with. If they wanted to go big then they play Pieteus at the two. They reunite Nash with Dirk, and also Nash with Shawn Marion.

The Suns can then rebuild around Dragic, Bubouis, Josh Childress, Channing Frye, and Marcin Gortat. Jason Kidd and Grant Hill would start but only play around 30 minutes a game. They should then move Vince Carter, maybe ship him to the Mavs too if the Mavs would ship them Brian Cardinal (veteran toughness and smarts) and Dominique Jones (young, explosive combo guard). I actually like this trade for the Suns since they get two guards with upside (Roddy and Jones), a pass-first leader in Kidd, and Brian Cardinal who can give them veteran toughness. This would open up the offense to build around Dragic and Childress. With a good draft a good free agent signing or two the Suns could be right back in things.

 

[j41181]

pistol pete,

Excellent analysis! It'd be great if such a trade took place right now. But knowing both Cuban and Nelson, jr., it seems unlikely. What the Mavs need is a true slasher-shooter-scorer. Terry can shoot, but that's it, Kidd is great passer and defender, but that's it, Marion could slash, but that's it. A shut down defender, Chandler is OK, but they need that someone in a SF or SG position, someone who can defend both positions, and also handle the opposing PG.

So many missing pieces preventing Dirk from getting that NBA ring that will elevate him to being one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Mavs 109, Lakers 100

A really feel good win for the Mavs, their most crucial win of the season. Kidd, Marion, and Terry, all played magnificent!

Seems they have read our discussions, but I don't expect them play like this consistently. Sasha Pavlovic provided an extra spark with 11 points, while Nowitzki had an off night with 14 points. Gasol had 23 points.

By far the best performance I've seen of the Mavs, since December.

 

[guest301]

Sasha Pavolic actually started for the Mavs and the anonouncers gave Saha alot of props for his ability as a "scorer, defender and competitiveness". The announcers also wondered why it took so long for a NBA team to sign this guy, a proven player in this league.