Dirk Nowitzki

Durant can score at will like and maybe even more than Dirk (who’s been my favorite player for so many years too). But I don’t know if and when we will see another guy like Dirk. Obviously the power forward position is going more into that direction than into, say, Kevin McHale’s or Duncan’s. Now guys like Duncan are listed as centers. Noah in the 90’s would’ve been considered too thin to play center, he would’ve been a 4. Heck, I had a weird feeling of nostalgia the other day reading Phoenix signed Shavlik Randolph and Jeff Hornacek describing him as a guy who could help as a center (I remember him being projected as a 3 in high school).

But it’s not about the position, it’s not about being a big guy shooting jumpers. Kevin Love can do that and he can score on the inside too, but he’s not as fun as Dirk as a scorer (note, Love is one of my current favorite players). Dirk has been unique because of his unorthodox shots, one legged fade aways, out of balance jumpers and all that stuff. All the weird but great things Geschwindner taught him. I mean will there ever be someone else teaching that kind of stuff? Probably, but will that guy ever get the chance to coach someone as gifted and as willing to put on the work as Dirk? One thing that doesn’t get enough recognition is Dirk’s work ethic, he’s constantly improved during his career, even after his 30. Putting all those things together won’t be easy.

Durant can score at will like and maybe even more than Dirk (who’s been my favorite player for so many years too). But I don’t know if and when we will see another guy like Dirk. Obviously the power forward position is going more into that direction than into, say, Kevin McHale’s or Duncan’s. Now guys like Duncan are listed as centers. Noah in the 90’s would’ve been considered too thin to play center, he would’ve been a 4. Heck, I had a weird feeling of nostalgia the other day reading Phoenix signed Shavlik Randolph and Jeff Hornacek describing him as a guy who could help as a center (I remember him being projected as a 3 in high school).

But it’s not about the position, it’s not about being a big guy shooting jumpers. Kevin Love can do that and he can score on the inside too, but he’s not as fun as Dirk as a scorer (note, Love is one of my current favorite players). Dirk has been unique because of his unorthodox shots, one legged fade aways, out of balance jumpers and all that stuff. All the weird but great things Geschwindner taught him. I mean will there ever be someone else teaching that kind of stuff? Probably, but will that guy ever get the chance to coach someone as gifted and as willing to put on the work as Dirk? One thing that doesn’t get enough recognition is Dirk’s work ethic, he’s constantly improved during his career, even after his 30. Putting all those things together won’t be easy.

 Duncan and Dirk are my favorites!

 Duncan and Dirk are my favorites!

 LaMarcus Aldridge game is very similar to Dirks. Other then Dirk I can’t think of another big man that is lights out with the jumper and isn’t just a specialist. 

 LaMarcus Aldridge game is very similar to Dirks. Other then Dirk I can’t think of another big man that is lights out with the jumper and isn’t just a specialist. 

being a houston kid and now living in denver, i never really appreciated dirk’s game because the mavs were a western conference rival to both team i rooted for.  i must say though, i rooted for them so hard during that magical 2011 championship run.  dirk put that team on his back and picked up a title with the craziest cast of players.  still in disbelief sometimes that roster came together and beat the heat, especially with the heat’s dominance since.

being a houston kid and now living in denver, i never really appreciated dirk’s game because the mavs were a western conference rival to both team i rooted for.  i must say though, i rooted for them so hard during that magical 2011 championship run.  dirk put that team on his back and picked up a title with the craziest cast of players.  still in disbelief sometimes that roster came together and beat the heat, especially with the heat’s dominance since.

 Dirk’s career is not slowly coming to an end. Dude was still a deserving All Star this year and still has 30-40 pts regularly.

 Dirk’s career is not slowly coming to an end. Dude was still a deserving All Star this year and still has 30-40 pts regularly.

Top 10 in career points per game and PER……..IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!…..and he is a champion……Props to Dirk fa sho………

Top 10 in career points per game and PER……..IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!…..and he is a champion……Props to Dirk fa sho………

Davis is a Dirk-Esque power forward, and needs a big man by his side.

He was on a pod-cast with Bill Simmons and was talking about the physicality of the NBA.  I don’t think he’s strong enough.  He’s long, but Davis isn’t strong enough to bang.  They shoudln’t have traded for Jrue (especially since they had Gordon, Evans, Rivers, etc), and kept Noel to play alongside Davis, but Davis with that sweet stroke is a 4 not a 5.  He was a guard growing up, maybe he can morph into a Durant-type player.

Anyway watching on TV I think during the all-star game they were saying Kevin Love is teh best outlet passer in the NBA.  Outlet pass is a thing of beauty, within the flow of the offense, and there is No One better at it than Tim Duncan.  As long as he is in the game, Duncan is the best outlet passer.  Amazing how he doesn’t get that respect, and that was disrespect that he didn’t even get mentioned.

But Kevin Love’s game is great to watch, and I am a fan of all of these big men.

Aldrige is a less athletic version of Dirk.  It goes Aldridge < Dirk < Durant.  But Aldridge, as solid as he is, is not in the same league with those two offensively.  

Dirk was a joy to watch. With Dirk and Timmy and soon Kobe and Ray Allen, the NBA of my childhood is waning.

Davis is a Dirk-Esque power forward, and needs a big man by his side.

He was on a pod-cast with Bill Simmons and was talking about the physicality of the NBA.  I don’t think he’s strong enough.  He’s long, but Davis isn’t strong enough to bang.  They shoudln’t have traded for Jrue (especially since they had Gordon, Evans, Rivers, etc), and kept Noel to play alongside Davis, but Davis with that sweet stroke is a 4 not a 5.  He was a guard growing up, maybe he can morph into a Durant-type player.

Anyway watching on TV I think during the all-star game they were saying Kevin Love is teh best outlet passer in the NBA.  Outlet pass is a thing of beauty, within the flow of the offense, and there is No One better at it than Tim Duncan.  As long as he is in the game, Duncan is the best outlet passer.  Amazing how he doesn’t get that respect, and that was disrespect that he didn’t even get mentioned.

But Kevin Love’s game is great to watch, and I am a fan of all of these big men.

Aldrige is a less athletic version of Dirk.  It goes Aldridge < Dirk < Durant.  But Aldridge, as solid as he is, is not in the same league with those two offensively.  

Dirk was a joy to watch. With Dirk and Timmy and soon Kobe and Ray Allen, the NBA of my childhood is waning.

 Watching Dirk highlights from before the NBA he was relatively polished as a perimeter player already. It’s crazy seeing his growth through the years but its even crazier seeing an 18 year old dirk destroy US competition at the hoop summit over 15 years ago.

 Watching Dirk highlights from before the NBA he was relatively polished as a perimeter player already. It’s crazy seeing his growth through the years but its even crazier seeing an 18 year old dirk destroy US competition at the hoop summit over 15 years ago.

 Dirk is playing as well as ever this year, if you look at his 36mpg stats then they are virtually as good as at any time in his career. After a few injuries last year he is back to his usual durable self. Dirk will be regarded as one of the greatest shooting bigs ever having a 3 point range most SG’s would be proud of.

Dirk could well be in the top 10 NBA points scorers by the end of the season and if he chooses to play long enough and stays souns could easily pass the 30,000 career point mark.

 Dirk is playing as well as ever this year, if you look at his 36mpg stats then they are virtually as good as at any time in his career. After a few injuries last year he is back to his usual durable self. Dirk will be regarded as one of the greatest shooting bigs ever having a 3 point range most SG’s would be proud of.

Dirk could well be in the top 10 NBA points scorers by the end of the season and if he chooses to play long enough and stays souns could easily pass the 30,000 career point mark.