Dirk Nowitzki 12-of-15, 24-of-24 FT for 48 points in Thunder-Mavericks WCF Game 1!

[Reverend Hoops]

The AP reports: Dirk Nowitzki showed no rust from a long layoff, making 10 of his first 11 shots and an NBA playoff-record 24 straight free throws on the way to 48 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 121-112 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night.

[KDthunderup]

no need to

[DirkLegend41]

Dirk > Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade and Derrick Rose. :bowdown:

[Kingwillball]

Discuss.


Offensively he is Top 5 right now and Matchup wise could be the Biggest matchup nightmare..

[tommy3]

Definitely these playoffs prove he's on par with anyone in the league

[creepingdeath]

Nope, but he's sure as hell playing out of his mind this postseason.

[Miserio]

He is rebounding really well too, boxing out the way it should be done.

[ProfessorMurder]

I still think he should've won MVP.

Lose Caron, team goes 2-7 without Dirk, ends up with the same record as the defending champs. 23/7/2.6/.5/.6 on 51.7/39.3/89.2

[Silverbullit]

I don't care. It's all about winning.

[Clutch]

Another overreaction thread

[Gundress]

I hate people always say __________ is the best player in the NBA? based on the game what they're just watching.

That's just stupid.

[Kobe24Clutch]

:facepalm

[Miserio]

I hate people always say __________ is the best player in the NBA? based on the game what they're just watching.

That's just stupid.
Based on this game and the Lakers series, is not.

[DirkLegend41]

I forgot to mention Dirk > Tim Duncan.

[KDthunderup]

:facepalm
You think Kobe is :oldlol: :oldlol:

[BEAST Griffin]

:D

And tell your guys to just let Dirk shoot. Because they can't guard him for shit. May as well not collect all these fouls.

[Patrick Chewing]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YxkUZCoH00U/SeyNdgaubkI/AAAAAAAACgQ/Qp-9n50tiuA/s400/dirkules_wallpaper.jpg

[SinJackal]

:roll:

It's a little over .900% right now

40 points on 12 FGAs and 20 FTAs.

[bizil]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves on here!! lol Dirk is clearly in the top ten players in the L. Hell he has been for going on a decade now. But guys like Dirk, Melo, and Durant DON'T have the all around excellence of Bron, Wade, and Kobe. But thing is Bron, Wade, and Kobe are also number one alpha dog scoring guys like Dirk, Melo, and Durant. However, the size and scoring skillset of Dirk makes him truly one of the most difficult matchups in NBA history. And anybody who doesn't have Dirk knocking on the door of top 5 PF's of all time or even in the top 5 is hatin!! I think he's in the top six with Timmy, Barkley, Malone, KG,and Mchale.

[Hulk Hogan]

20 freethrows? GTFO! :facepalm

[sbw19]

44 pts on 14 FGA so far, no 3pt attempts. CRAZY.

Edit make it 46 on 12/15

[SinJackal]

Dirk's game 1 stats:

48 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 4 blocks

12-15 (80%)

24-24 from the line (100%. 24-24 is an NBA playoff record)

:bowdown:

[Noob Saibot]

well dirk is the best in the league in freethrows. and his jumpers has become godlike tonight. guy has gotten better with age.

[Christofire]

Dirk's game 1 stats:

46 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 4 blocks

12-15 (80%)

22-22 from the line (100%. 22-22 is an NBA playoff record)

:bowdown:


22 freethrows?????....and durnat with almost 20......this has been the tickiest tackiest game ever officiated

[sbw19]

24/24 vision. 48 pts on 15 shots, no 3pters. That's just sick.

[Miserio]

24-24 from the ft

[Scoooter]

Most of the fouls seem legit though. Just a lot of them.

Dirk's pretty good at basketball.

[Rysio]

Yes

[Noob Saibot]

one of the best shooters of all time, and he's 7 feet tall.

[Miserio]

Most of the fouls seem legit though. Just a lot of them.

Dirk's pretty good at basketball.
I agree

[28renyoy]

Thunder in 6

[kaiiu]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[whoartthou]

As a playoff performer in the all-time list.

[whoartthou]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Reverend Hoops]

So did Durant

[HB40TheNextStar]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[28renyoy]

So did Durant
:roll:

This wasn't even a top 3 performance for Durant in these playoffs

[GOBB]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Rysio]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[bizil]

well dirk is the best in the league in freethrows. and his jumpers has become godlike tonight. guy has gotten better with age.


Indeed he has! I find it funny how the TV guys NEVER bring up Dirk's age. He's about to be 33 like Kobe. But u never hear about him losing a step. With Kobe u can tell cause he was more explosive a couple of years back. But just because u loose a step doesn't mean u can't be the best or one of the best still. MJ proved that cause he was the best player in the L at 35 years of age. Dirk's playing style lends itself to longevity being a great, great player.

[schism206]

Thunder in 6
westbrook is good, but is too out of control at times. dallas' zone made him take bad shots. btw... durant had a pretty amazing game so i figure they sorta of offset each other. i still think the mavs take this series.

[LBJ4MVP23]

Durant and Westbrook combined for 40 fts... I would say the Mavs still hold a major edge

[HB40TheNextStar]

Yous a crazy people man! Thunder in 3, maybeez toooo.

[Jon_Koncak]

Westbrook has been playing like shit the whole playoffs,and Dirk has been powning everyone..that was just another day at the office for him..so no.Mavs still got it

[oh the horror]

You can clearly see Dirk KNOWS this is one of his last chances at that title, and dude has just been completely mind blowing so far in the post season. He's just getting better and better.

[Reverend Hoops]

:roll:

This wasn't even a top 3 performance for Durant in these playoffs

You saying Dirk isn't an elite scorer. He has put up stats like this before in the playoffs.

[Hulk Hogan]

Exactly put, 24 fcuking freethrows.

Only 12 of them being legit, great win for the refs.
So many touch fouls, while Durant gets held pushed and pulled.

Dirk settling for jumpers and getting calls after the refs sees he missed.
Notice how the whistles came well after he misses?

Most of these calls he wasn't even touched.

Durant and westbrook having to drive to get their freethrows. All dirk did was attempt a 20 ft jumpshot and walk to the line!

un-fcuking believeable!
If rose attempted 24 freethrows this forum would go nuts!

[tommy3]

:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[icewill36]

thunder should be pretty confident going forward

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

Replace the last letter of 28renyor with a J then spell it backwards...

[az00m]

durant and westbrick had like 40 freethrows combined rofl

[moaz]

Isn't the TO the troll with the number thread showing that Oklahoma would win?
If yeas, I've just wasted 47 sec of my life

[28renyoy]

You saying Dirk isn't an elite scorer. He has put up stats like this before in the playoffs.

Ya I'm sure a guy averaging 26 ppg in the playoffs is going to be scoring 48 every game. Get real.

Dallas got 52 points from their bench, shot 40% from 3, MADE 34 free throws, and only won because of Westbrook playing like garbage. The Mavs played the absolute best game they could possibly play and won by 9.

[creepingdeath]

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/640/dirkuu.jpg

[Patrick Chewing]

Yay or nay?

[Gundress]

Better than two ******* ass mfer wanna teamed up instead MAN UP MFER.

They're just too scared to do it alone.

F*CK THE HEAT!

[DRose.IS.da.MAN]

Ya I'm sure a guy averaging 26 ppg in the playoffs is going to be scoring 48 every game. Get real.

Dallas got 52 points from their bench, shot 40% from 3, MADE 34 free throws, and only won because of Westbrook playing like garbage. The Mavs played the absolute best game they could possibly play and won by 9.

Joyner/YoucallIlose you never learn,

Dirk>Durant

Stop trying to discredit Dirk.

[-playmaker-]

possible yay if he wins a ring this year...

[Round Mound]

Best PF probably since 3 years ago

[DirkNowitzki41]

With a ring.. maybe

[DirkNowitzki41]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[KevinNYC]

Let's have Dirk works his way into the top 10 first.

Baby steps, grasshopper, baby steps.

[Kobe24Clutch]

:facepalm Can you say 30 Freethrows

[Marikina]

Remember the Lakers? Teams and players don't just suddenly recover their mojo against the Mavs once they lost it, it just gets worse.

[Gundress]

No....still with a ring.

Dirk will never be bette than Bird. Bird is a complete player tjam Dirl.

[LBJ4MVP23]

Why do people overreact so hard? Dirk is a top 5 player in the NBA, but not the best.

[InspiredLebowski]

You clearly never saw Larry in his prime. Dirkules is outstanding. But it's not close.

[chazzy]

http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif

[Patrick Chewing]

I mean strictly speaking, I think Dirk is a better overall player. Obviously Larry's health hindered him quite a bit towards the end of his career, but Dirk cannot be contained.

I was fortunate enough to watch Larry play and his shooting was incredible, but his athleticism was sub-par. Dirk is definitely a top-25 player. Ring or not, there is no denying this man is great.

[28renyoy]

Joyner/YoucallIlose you never learn,

Dirk>Durant

Stop trying to discredit Dirk.

How the hell am I discrediting Dirk? And Durant freaking had 40/8/5/2 on 75 TS% tonight..he played a hell of a game too

[Rekindled]

refs kept okc in it by giving them all those FTs, 43 fts? wtf

[kaiiu]

DIRK IS A PROBLEM :bowdown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1y2FKJ8pVQ&feature=player_detailpage

[amfirst]

Dirk is the best offensive player this season, but he doesn't do the intangibles that Kobe, Wade, and Bron does, he just have a really balance team. U can't even double him because his team mates will kill u. The same can't be said for Kobe, Wade, and LeBron.

If Dirk was on another team and got double, his team mates won't be as reliable for him to look as good.

This season I would still say Rose is the best. The dude does multiple things and can still kill u on the double.

[Boogaboog]

Better than two ******* ass mfer wanna teamed up instead MAN UP MFER.

They're just too scared to do it alone.

F*CK THE HEAT!

Monstrous game, but that's not enough to eclipse LeBron/Wade. First he should learn defense.

[dirkdiggler41]

I agree. The game was too tacky. Even though, OKC took 43ft while the Mavs had 36 fts on their homecourt.

[Gundress]

:facepalm Can you say 30 Freethrows


Lebron and Wade get the freethrows all the damn time so the f*ck what.

They always got helped by damn f*cking refs....what the f*ck u said mfer.

[Kobe24Clutch]

You think Kobe is :oldlol: :oldlol:
Did i say Kobe was? :facepalm

[jlauber]

Well, I certainly hope he keeps it up. I always hesitate to make these posts, since there is a lot of basketball to be played, yet, but SO FAR, Dirk is having one of the greatest post-seasons of all-time. Hopefully this 48 point game, on staggering shooting percentages, will finally get those uneducated posters here off of his back. Of course, if he comes back with a 4-16 game two, then this board will be plastered with "anti-Dirk" posts again.

[1987_Lakers]

:roll: @ the first two posts. GTFO.

[tpols]

Dude it was pretty evenly called. They gave westbrook and durant both just as many.

[blacknapalm]

:roll:

i love ish. three weeks ago dirk was overrated and lemarcus aldridge was better than him. now, he's being compared to bird. no words, just wow.

[StackzUp]

wow smh

[28renyoy]

Who cares. OKC is still going to win this series. Dirk had the game of his career, Westbrook went 3-15, Dallas bench played lights out, and Dallas still almost lost.

[kaiiu]

No. Never :no:

[CarolinaBlue704]

This thread is a joke.

[lebeast666]

Shieeet when you can't really guard him you gotta go up in his face and try poking the ball thus committing fouls ending up with 24 FTs.

Dirk IS DANGEROUS

[DRose.IS.da.MAN]

How the hell am I discrediting Dirk? And Durant freaking had 40/8/5/2 on 75 TS% tonight..he played a hell of a game too

Maybe he did, but he could have a 95 TS% the only thing that matters is that the thunder still lost

Dirk had a much better night than Durant.

Stop trying to put down Dirks performance

[DStebb716]

Quiz question of the day (for WWE/WWF fan):

Which Hulk Hogan should be more ashamed of himself: The one that ran over the Rock with a car, or the one that posts on ISH?














(While I can't say I don't agree with him to an extent, there was no stopping Dirk tonight. KD got to the line plenty of times)

[Hulk Hogan]

Dude it was pretty evenly called. They gave westbrook and durant both just as many.

The difference is, westbrook and durant were actually attacking the rim.
That I can see.

But Dirk was just chucking jumpshot after jumpshot and each time he missed they gave him freethrows!

UN-****ING BELIEVEABLE!

[KOLBCTEW]

Lebron and Wade get the freethrows all the damn time so the f*ck what.

They always got helped by damn f*cking refs....what the f*ck u said mfer.
:oldlol: :facepalm

[Collie]

Westbrook isn't gonna be shooting 18 FT's every game either. KD isn't scoring 40 points each game. Ibaka won't score nearly 20 every game. Peja won't miss 7 out of 8 shots, Kidd and Chandler won't be limited to 3 points, etc.

[R.I.P.]

Discuss.

No it

[moaz]

Why is Hulk Hogan still here?

[Gundress]

Monstrous game, but that's not enough to eclipse LeBron/Wade. First he should learn defense.


If that's the case then why the f*ck do lebron and wade need each-other?...in their f*cking prime....mind you they're younger than Dirk...they have to play together for f*cking 7 years. WHAT A B!TCH.....YOU NEED HELP FROM ANOTHER SUPERSTAR TO GET A RING AND WANNA EASY WIN......Oh I forgot...they brought Chris Bosh in it too....***** ASS MFER!


THAT IS F*CKING LOSER....NOT WINNER IN MY BOOK.

[Kobe24Clutch]

24 Freethrows :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Patrick Chewing]

Who cares. OKC is still going to win this series. Dirk had the game of his career, Westbrook went 3-15, Dallas bench played lights out, and Dallas still almost lost.


:rolleyes:

[LBJ4MVP23]

Overreact a little more guys. Holy hell.

Dirk is a MUCH worse passer, worse rebounder, worse scorer, worse defender, etc.

GOod god people need to chill. Dirk is the best PF in the NBA, but already putting him over Larry? How high are you? Do you also assume whoever has the best game on any given night is the new BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD.

ZOMG DARKO HAD 20 POINTS 20 BOARDS 8 BLOCKS. BEST CENTER EVER!!!!!!!!!

[amfirst]

He hasn't done much, until this season, so we will have to wait to see the outcome.

He is good, but the dude is scoring over one on one plays, not many players have the luxuary to go iso one on one the entire game. His team mates are so good that u can't double him or they will kill u.

[SCdac]

Dirk has scored more than this in the playoffs before, yet no one was saying this kind of stuff. It's amazing what beating the Lakers can do for your reputation. Larry Bird was a different breed of player - he was possibly one of the toughest players of his era - I swear it's all about stats in today's league. Stats = what a player is or isn't.

[prodnus]

http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif

:cheers:

[Round Mound]

Most Underrated Great Player of today

This dude has probably been the Best PF of the last 3 years.

[KevinNYC]

I mean strictly speaking, I think Dirk is a better overall player.
This sentence literally made my head explode. My head literally exploded, strictly speaking.


I was fortunate enough to watch Larry play and his shooting was incredible, but his athleticism was sub-par.
Well if you got to watch Larry play, how was his game? Above par? More than a bit above par?



Dirk is definitely a top-25 player. Ring or not, there is no denying this man is great.
Both of these statements are true. Neither of proves your thesis sentence. C- but I'm willing to let you revise it and resubmit, your arguments need more support.

[catch24]

Awesome performance and all but what's with the overreaction? A better all-around player than Bird? :oldlol:

[Gundress]

possible yay if he wins a ring this year...


Just stop....think before you post?

You mildly retarded if you think so.

Just cause he's from Dallas so that don't mean you have to say YES MFER!

[Jon_Koncak]

just beacuse you're attacking the rim doesn't mean u r entitled to free throws.Chandler was goin straight up in 2 of his fouls.Not to mention the rip through phantom call on Terry.Dirk got his share of phantom calls as well.Joey Crawford is just awful,he destroyed a really enjoyable game with all these whistles in the 3rd

[Boogaboog]

If that's the case then why the f*ck do lebron and wade need each-other?...in their f*cking prime....mind you they're younger than Dirk...they have to play together for f*cking 7 years. WHAT A B!TCH.....YOU NEED HELP FROM ANOTHER SUPERSTAR TO GET A RING AND WANNA EASY WIN......Oh I forgot...they brought Chris Bosh in it too....***** ASS MFER!


THAT IS F*CKING LOSER....NOT WINNER IN MY BOOK.

Wade needed LeBron to win in 06? Even an aged Jason Kidd and the rest of Dirk's supporting cast are more than LeBron had in Cleveland...

[ProfessorMurder]

It was only 93.89% tonight.

64.32% for the 11 games of the playoffs.

:bowdown:

[mans1ay3r]

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/2218/heildirk.png

[LBJ4MVP23]

They brought in Tyson Chandler better than any center LBJ ever played with.
They brought in Jason Kidd... better than any PG lbj ever played with.
They brought in Butler/Marion... better than any side kick lbj ever had.

You are just a hater. Dirk has a stacked team, and if any 1 of those guys, or even terry, was on LBJ's teams he could have maybe won a title. He turned crap into gold. Suck it hater

[1987_Lakers]

In the beginning of the season people were saying Gasol > Dirk, now Dirk is better than Larry Bird?:roll:

After Durant has a bad game 6 vs Memphis people call him overrated then he has a good game 7 & he is elite again.:roll:

You people need to calm down.

[Patrick Chewing]

He hasn't done much, until this season

Until this season??

[entropy35]

I usually don't do this but..

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[catch24]

We're not worthy...:eek: :bowdown:

[lebeast666]

Don't worry, I remember when I was retarded too. :oldlol:

[MavsPoke]

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/640/dirkuu.jpg
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif
http://smiliesftw.com/x/big_bowdown.gif

[flipogb]

there are players that drive with the purpose of going straight to the free throw line (Pierce,CP3) , and then there are players that are fouled every play just to stop them from scoring (Howard,Dirk) .

this is what happens when all the fouls are actually called, thats why Dwight always complains. but if they did call all the fouls then it would ruin the game and make it boring

[InspiredLebowski]

I hear he's pretty good. Wonder what woulda happened in Milwaukee...

[kaiiu]

Wade needed LeBron to win in 06? Even an aged Jason Kidd and the rest of Dirk's supporting cast are more than LeBron had in Cleveland...
Jamison
Shaq
Mo
Andy
Delonte
>>
:rolleyes:

[dirkdiggler41]

Whats the formula for that?

[BEAST Griffin]

If you don't want Dirk shooting free throws, don't touch his arms, hands, face, etc. when he shoots.

There were some bad calls both ways today and the refs were trigger happy, but the Thunder were clearly frustrated by Dirk. I watched all game and started watching all the replays because of poor reffing early on, but most fouls on Dirk were completely legit.

He was lights out and they couldn't guard him properly without fouling.

The Thunder still shot more free throws than the Mavs despite Dirk raping the Thunder defense with unguardable shots.

[DRose.IS.da.MAN]

If that's the case then why the f*ck do lebron and wade need each-other?...in their f*cking prime....mind you they're younger than Dirk...they have to play together for f*cking 7 years. WHAT A B!TCH.....YOU NEED HELP FROM ANOTHER SUPERSTAR TO GET A RING AND WANNA EASY WIN......Oh I forgot...they brought Chris Bosh in it too....***** ASS MFER!


THAT IS F*CKING LOSER....NOT WINNER IN MY BOOK.

Dude LeBron fans are idiots, don't waste your time arguing with them

[FF1]

Durant had 40 and the Thunder shot 43 FTs. OP sounds really stupid.

I hate threads like this. Guess what... Dirk scored 50 against PHX to beat them in one game in the WCF. The Mavs ALSO beat them 3 other times without him scoring 50.

But whatever makes you feel better.

[KevinNYC]

It was only 93.89% tonight.

64.32% for the 11 games of the playoffs.

:bowdown:


I bet that is a record for someone who has taken 15 shots.

[pete's montreux]

possible yay if he wins a ring this year...

what the f*ck is this shit

[ProfessorMurder]

Whats the formula for that?

http://www.ehow.com/how_2092829_calculate-true-shooting-percentage-basketball.html

[Gundress]

They brought in Tyson Chandler better than any center LBJ ever played with.
They brought in Jason Kidd... better than any PG lbj ever played with.
They brought in Butler/Marion... better than any side kick lbj ever had.

You are just a hater. Dirk has a stacked team, and if any 1 of those guys, or even terry, was on LBJ's teams he could have maybe won a title. He turned crap into gold. Suck it hater

MFER.....

JASON KIDD IS F*CKING OLD NOT IN HIS PRIME ANYMORE

ARE YOU F*CKING TELL ME THAT TYSON CHANDLER IS A SUPERSTAR LIKE WADE AND BOSH.....GTFO


Butler/Marion ARE NOT ON WADE LEVEL.

THEY ARE ROLE PLAYERS. GOOD MOVE FOR THE MAVS.

HEAT JUST DUMB. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THE MAVS DID BUT THEY JUST WANT 3 DAMN SUPERSTARS MFER IN THEIR F*&CKING PRIME GOT DAMN IT.

F*CK THE HEAT

[Tide]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[-playmaker-]

Just stop....think before you post?

You mildly retarded if you think so.

Just cause he's from Dallas so that don't mean you have to say YES MFER!

Dirk is GOD

[-playmaker-]

what the f*ck is this shit
it is truth

[dirkdiggler41]

The difference is, westbrook and durant were actually attacking the rim.
That I can see.

But Dirk was just chucking jumpshot after jumpshot and each time he missed they gave him freethrows!

UN-****ING BELIEVEABLE!

He got his bad FT's on post-ups. I got fouled most of the plays. I dont agree on the fouls when posting up. They were regular season fouls.

[SinJackal]

Dirkules.

Codename: 007 footer. RiDirkulous. The Fuhrer of basketball.

Weapons: Unstoppable post-up fadeaway. The three point ball. His Mount Everest release point

Notes: Goes into Dirk-mode late in games.

http://static.everyjoe.com/files/2008/12/zumasportsworld201140-20081211-zaf-cp2-dirk-nowitzki.jpg

[DStebb716]

Durant>Dirk>Gasol.

[kaiiu]

They brought in Tyson Chandler better than any center LBJ ever played with.
They brought in Jason Kidd... better than any PG lbj ever played with.
They brought in Butler/Marion... better than any side kick lbj ever had.

You are just a hater. Dirk has a stacked team, and if any 1 of those guys, or even terry, was on LBJ's teams he could have maybe won a title. He turned crap into gold. Suck it hater
:facepalm this is why i hate u f@ggots.

[yeaaaman]

Good point, the Thunder are exactly where they wanna be, down 0-1 :applause:

[pete's montreux]

it is truth

lol successful trolling

[jstern]

I think it's the way people think when they're younger. I remember when my cousin and I were cousin were in our early teens, on Sports Classic they showed the game where Thomas scored like 24 points in the fourth to win the game, and he asked me, "So is Isiah the greatest player of all time?" Only having been into the NBA for a few years, their reaction to a big game is different than someone who has seem them countless of time throwout the year.

No, Bird was better.

[NBASTATMAN]

Yay or nay?


add some legendary passing to his current play and some big time rebounding and then he would be on par with Bird.. But he is playing out of his mind right now.. :applause:

[Bone Machine]

:roll:

This wasn't even a top 3 performance for Durant in these playoffs
40 points? Tell me three other times he scored 40 these playoffs. I actually dont remember.

[-playmaker-]

Dirk > Jordan > Wilt > Magic > Berea > Shawn Bradley > Wade

[lebeast666]

1. Lebron
2. Wade
3. Dirk
4. KD
5. Rose

[Gundress]

Wade needed LeBron to win in 06? Even an aged Jason Kidd and the rest of Dirk's supporting cast are more than LeBron had in Cleveland...


LeBron on the Cavs>>>>>>>LeBron on the Heat.

LeBron with the Cavs just have the better cast than f*kcing HEAT CAST



CAVS WENT NUMBER 1 RECORD IN THE NBA AND WENT TO THE FINALS BUT FAILED.

LEBRON B!TCHED OUT AND WANNN TEAM_UP WITH OTHER TWO SUPERSTARS.

LEBRON IS A DAMN IDIOT!

[C-P-3]

Haters ... Smh

[Kiddlovesnets]

Actually the reason why Dirk could have a god-like performance is that the Thunder held on to it. Had the Mavs led by 30 in halftime, there would not have been a Dirk-show at all since he'd be sitting on the bench.

[kaiiu]

40 points? Tell me three other times he scored 40 these playoffs. I actually dont remember.
he scored 41 twice and had a great game 7

[Patrick Chewing]

Well if you got to watch Larry play, how was his game? Above par? More than a bit above par?



From an athleticism standpoint, I don't think Larry was top tier. Bird's a top ten player no doubt. It was sad seeing him sprawled out on the floor a-la Steve Nash.

Just posing the question whether we think Dirk's accomplishments (minus the rings) are equal or greater than Larry's.

[KOLBCTEW]

HEAT JUST DUMB. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THE MAVS DID BUT THEY JUST WANT 3 DAMN SUPERSTARS MFER IN THEIR F*&CKING PRIME GOT DAMN IT.

F*CK THE HEAT
So the Heat are dumb for wanting '3 damn superstars' when according to you
it'll basically be an "EASY WIN"..

[NBASTATMAN]

Dirk has scored more than this in the playoffs before, yet no one was saying this kind of stuff. It's amazing what beating the Lakers can do for your reputation. Larry Bird was a different breed of player - he was possibly one of the toughest players of his era - I swear it's all about stats in today's league. Stats = what a player is or isn't.


In all fairness to dirk, he could have won titles with Shaq and the Lakers or some other loaded teams before... He is a top player but he is lacking when you compare him to bird...

[jlauber]

Dirk > Jordan > Wilt > Magic > Berea > Shawn Bradley > Wade

Let's not get carried away here...Bradley was the greatest white player of all-time.

[28renyoy]

40 points? Tell me three other times he scored 40 these playoffs. I actually dont remember.

He has scored more than 40 3 times in these playoffs and he had 39 in game 7 Sunday

[C-P-3]

Adam Morrison > ALL

[jstern]

Copied and Pasted from a deleted Bird vs Dirk thread, where the 1st 3 poster thought that maybe Dirk can surpass Bird if he wins one ring this year.

I think it's the way people think when they're younger. I remember when my cousin and I were in our early teens, on Sports Classic they showed the game where Thomas scored like 24 points in the fourth to win the game, and he asked me, "So is Isiah the greatest player of all time?" Only having been into the NBA for a few years, their reaction to a big game is different than someone who has seem them countless of time throwout the year.

No, Bird was better.

[ProfessorMurder]

How the hell am I discrediting Dirk? And Durant freaking had 40/8/5/2 on 75 TS% tonight..he played a hell of a game too

93.9 ts% >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 75 ts%

Go cry about it.

[SCdac]

lol @ greatest freethrow performance in history

[lebeast666]

:bowdown:
Ya I'm sure a guy averaging 26 ppg in the playoffs is going to be scoring 48 every game. Get real.

Dallas got 52 points from their bench, shot 40% from 3, MADE 34 free throws, and only won because of Westbrook playing like garbage. The Mavs played the absolute best game they could possibly play and won by 9.


They play team ball and have been playing consistent. I wouldn't be surprised if the same performance comes game 2. For okc, nothing surprising, KD got over his average and Westbrook? Westbrick.

[Patrick Chewing]

Dirk > Jordan > Wilt > Magic > Berea > Shawn Bradley > Wade

Sorry bro, they deleted our Dirkules for GOAT thread

[Tha Catalyst]

Today proved who really is the best player in this series, you mad Joyner?

Do a poll, make a pie chart, nobody agrees with you.

/Life

[Kobe24Clutch]

Refs :bowdown: :bowdown:

[LurkingFanboy]

combined Durant and westbrook had 60 points. They had a combined 37 FT attempts. Mavs had 36 as a team. Only other person on OKC that did anything was Ibaka and most of those were on easy dunks when the Mavs best big man was sitting due to foul trouble. Peja Kidd Stevenson and Chandler each all only had 3 points. Gonna put odds more on the Mavs bench waking up and getting solid contributions from everybody but that's why they play the games.

[BEAST Griffin]

Deduct the 2 intentional fouls on Dirk towards the end and the technical free throws and Dirk has 18 free throws.

That also means the Thunder shot 10 more free throws than the Mavericks. (counting the technicals but deducting the intentional fouls)

[DMAVS41]

Deduct the 2 intentional fouls on Dirk and the technical free throws and Dirk has free throws.

That also means the Thunder shot 10 more free throws than the Mavericks.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[28renyoy]

Durant has done it 3 times in these playoffs alone :pimp:

[DirkNowitzki41]

Dirk's had plenty of high 30's, but who cares, all about the wins. :rockon:

[Scoooter]

Durant's almost as good as Dirk. Few more years.

[Samurai Swoosh]

How many 50 point games has Durant had?

[ProfessorMurder]

93.9 ts%

[DMAVS41]

http://i53.tinypic.com/2mfdvsg.gif
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[whoartthou]

But But But But..... Its Dirk The Goat?

[creepingdeath]

Durant has done it 3 times in these playoffs alone :pimp:
Well, good for him!

The only thing that counts though is... Dallas Mavericks 1 : Oklahoma Thunder ZERO

[Miserio]

But But But But..... Its Dirk The Goat?
Goat international player.

[Hulk Hogan]

Exactly put, 24 fcuking freethrows.

Only 12 of them being legit, great win for the refs.
So many touch fouls, while Durant gets held pushed and pulled.

Dirk settling for jumpers and getting calls after the refs sees he missed.
Notice how the whistles came well after he misses?

Most of these calls he wasn't even touched.

Durant and westbrook having to drive to get their freethrows. All dirk did was attempt a 20 ft jumpshot and walk to the line!

un-fcuking believeable!
If rose attempted 24 freethrows this forum would go nuts!
:wtf:

[28renyoy]

Today proved who really is the best player in this series, you mad Joyner?

Do a poll, make a pie chart, nobody agrees with you.

/Life


Durant had 40/8/5 on 18 shots 19 free throws

Dirk had 48/6/4 on 15 shots 24 free throws

LOL @ you acting like Durant just got blown out by Dirk. Dallas was supposed to win tonight and protect home court, which they did due to Westbrook playing like garbage.

[Hulk Hogan]

Deduct the 2 intentional fouls on Dirk towards the end and the technical free throws and Dirk has 18 free throws.

That also means the Thunder shot 10 more free throws than the Mavericks.

LOL @ this idiot...

Didnt Mavs have two technical fouls where durant had to shoot freethrows?
Secondly how many fouls did mavs commit on durant to stop his fastbreak dunk/layup?

I remember 2, so thats 6 freethrows accounted for there!

GTFO Durant got his freethrows by attacking the rim.
Dirk did by chucking up 20 ft jumpshots and getting bailed out whenever he missed!

[cortices]

LOL @ this idiot...

Didnt Mavs have two technical fouls where durant had to shoot freethrows?
Secondly how many fouls did mavs commit on durant to stop his fastbreak dunk/layup?

I remember 2, so thats 6 freethrows accounted for there!

GTFO Durant got his freethrows by attacking the rim.
Dirk did by chucking up 20 ft jumpshots and getting bailed out whenever he missed!

You must have no life at all. Sad.

[DMAVS41]

LOL @ this idiot...

Didnt Mavs have two technical fouls where durant had to shoot freethrows?
Secondly how many fouls did mavs commit on durant to stop his fastbreak dunk/layup?

I remember 2, so thats 6 freethrows accounted for there!

GTFO Durant got his freethrows by attacking the rim.
Dirk did by chucking up 20 ft jumpshots and getting bailed out whenever he missed!

I can think of 3 specific phantom calls that durant got. and he probably got more.

LOL

1. terry sweep through...total bs
2. chandler straight up block....total bs
3. baseline drive on stevenson....total bs

just off the top of my head.

I can also think of 3 trip to the line for Dirk that were bad.

And I can think of 3 or 4 from westbrook.

Hulk do what Hulk do.

Gets owned and the cries about the refs. ****ing moron retard hater.

Get that dust pan out Hulk. Keep it handy. ****ing tool.

[derman]

LOL @ this idiot...

Didnt Mavs have two technical fouls where durant had to shoot freethrows?
Secondly how many fouls did mavs commit on durant to stop his fastbreak dunk/layup?

I remember 2, so thats 6 freethrows accounted for there!

GTFO Durant got his freethrows by attacking the rim.
Dirk did by chucking up 20 ft jumpshots and getting bailed out whenever he missed!

LOL at this joke troll still spitting lies after lies.
Durant and Westbrick got to the FT line by jumping INTO defenders.

Dirk was fouled non-stop in the third quarter when the OKc players saw that they couldnt stop him otherwise.

Now go cry for Kobrick you little troll.

[CHi1PriDe]

Well, good for him!

The only thing that counts though is... Dallas Mavericks 1 : Oklahoma Thunder ZERO

bogus :cheers:

[50inchvertical]

Deduct the 2 intentional fouls on Dirk towards the end and the technical free throws and Dirk has 18 free throws.

That also means the Thunder shot 10 more free throws than the Mavericks. (counting the technicals but deducting the intentional fouls)
There was only 1 intentional foul at the end of the game. Russ fouled him, he already 22ftas at that point.

[BEAST Griffin]

There was only 1 intentional foul at the end of the game.

Yeah, you're right.

[DirtySanchez]

Amazing one of the best performances I have ever seen. Keep it up Dirk!

[OldSchoolBBall]

Overreact a little more guys. Holy hell.

Dirk is a MUCH worse passer, worse rebounder, worse scorer, worse defender, etc.

This. That said, Dirk is amazing, and is having a phenomenal postseason. His reading of defenses is the best its ever been, and he's barely made a bad decision all postseason.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Whats the formula for that?

Points / (2 * (FGA + (.44 * FTA)))

[whoartthou]

LMFAO.

Hulk still mad his lover/god got swept by DIRK?

LOLLLLL

[DMAVS41]

LMFAO.

Hulk still mad his lover/god got swept by DIRK?

LOLLLLL


http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/_primetime_pics/dirk_lulz_2.jpg

[Cangri]

LOL @ this idiot...

Didnt Mavs have two technical fouls where durant had to shoot freethrows?
Secondly how many fouls did mavs commit on durant to stop his fastbreak dunk/layup?

I remember 2, so thats 6 freethrows accounted for there!

GTFO Durant got his freethrows by attacking the rim.
Dirk did by chucking up 20 ft jumpshots and getting bailed out whenever he missed!
Dirk> Kobe
Durant>Kobe

[SCdac]

Definitely impressive. Seriously. Dirk has always been one of the better scorers and offensive players in the league, when factoring in his efficient (to a T) free-throw and three point shooting... and he's continuing to show it off (with the W). Give credit to him for getting better in certain parts of his game too. He's still a mid-range player, but he's better at posting up and releasing in his favorite spots IMO. same skills, just better use of them, improved positioning and use of size on different kinds of players. not backing down as much or settling for tougher contested ones. that combined with generally improved "mental sturdiness", it'd be a disservice to say he hasn't generally improved (from his first All-Star season in 2002 as a 23 year old), and hasn't been "seasoned". He's a veteran in the league (has been for a handful of years) and his eagerness to win is only going to grow until he gets his team a championship. got to respect that. rather than similar players who may have flamed out for numerous reasons (Brand, Jamison, McGrady, Carter, etc).

[DirkNowitzki41]

That was an odd game. Happy we came out with the win, still, it's only 1 game, series aint close to being over, so there is still not much to be excited about.

good game Thunder fans, game 2 is gonna be a good one.

[SCdac]

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/_primetime_pics/dirk_lulz_2.jpg

this pic would be funnier if devean george was still on the team.

[DMAVS41]

this pic would be funnier if devean george was still on the team.

so true.

[Ne 1]

http://oi52.tinypic.com/ojffq9.jpg

[24r2]

never ever compare Dirk Nowitzki to Larry Bird ever again

[Ne 1]

LMFAO.

Hulk still mad his lover/god got swept by DIRK?

LOLLLLL

http://oi54.tinypic.com/1824qp.jpg

[LA_Showtime]

So Dirk shot like what, 92% from the floor/free throw line tonight? No big deal. :oldlol:

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[24r2]

http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/dallas-maverick-power.jpg


:bowdown: :bowdown:

[DuMa]

wow. just wow. shooting 80% for the entire game.
its scary to think that dirk has actually improved his shooting since his MVP year.

also ive noticed that dirk actually thrives on contact in the post now. he doesnt mind contact as much as he used to in 2007.

#1 unguardable player in the NBA. (unless LMA is alive in the Finals, i think Dirk will be winning his first ring)

[raptorfan_dr07]

Dirk was godly tonight. :bowdown: It's been an amazing playoff run for him so far. I'm pulling for Dallas to win it all now. The way he's playing this year, I get the feeling that if Dirk gets close to a title again, he's not letting it slip away this time.

[LA_Showtime]

wow. just wow. shooting 80% for the entire game.
its scary to think that dirk has actually improved his shooting since his MVP year.

also ive noticed that dirk actually thrives on contact in the post now. he doesnt mind contact as much as he used to in 2007.

#1 unguardable player in the NBA. (unless LMA is alive in the Finals, i think Dirk will be winning his first ring)

Yeah, he's a completely different player. Someone send Pau Gasol tapes of Dirk's transformation.

[chazzy]

I read somewhere that this was the most efficient 45+ game ever :eek:

[LA_Showtime]

I read somewhere that this was the most efficient 45+ game ever :eek:

92% overall. Shit. I couldn't even shoot that well in a gym by myself.

[DirkNowitzki41]

I read somewhere that this was the most efficient 45+ game ever :eek:

[QUOTE]Fewest FGA in 40-Point Game
NBA Playoff History

Year Player Pts FG Opp.
1992 Terry Porter 41 12-14 UTAH
2011 Dirk Nowitzki 48 12-15 OKC
2000 Shaquille O'Neal 40 11-18 IND
2000 Reggie Miller 40 11-18 PHI
1995 Clyde Drexler 41 12-18 UTAH
1992 Karl Malone 44 11-18 LAC
1991 Malone 40 10-18 POR
1989 Michael Jordan 47 12-18 NYK

Most FTs Made Without Miss
Postseason History
Year Player FT Opp.
2011 Nowitzki 24-24 OKC
2003 Paul Pierce 21-21 IND
1997 Malone 18-18 LAL
2003 Nowitzki 17-17 Spurs
1993 Miller 17-17 NYK
1975 Bob Love 17-17 GS
1971 Gail Goodrich 17-17 CHI

[DMAVS41]

Yeah, he's a completely different player. Someone send Pau Gasol tapes of Dirk's transformation.

Aside from the 07 Warriors series really Dirk has always done stuff like this.

He's put up some legendary games against far better teams/players than the Thunder or the Lakers this year.

Dirk went crazy on KG in 02 and Duncan in 06. This is the kind of stuff Dirk has done for a long time. Its just sad people don't know because he's been stuck on good, but not great teams.

Now his teammates are stepping up and he's coming through in a big big way.

Great to see.

Van Gundy even called him a top 25 player of all time tonight. Love it.

[LA_Showtime]

Aside from the 07 Warriors series really Dirk has always done stuff like this.

He's put up some legendary games against far better teams/players than the Thunder or the Lakers this year.

Dirk went crazy on KG in 02 and Duncan in 06. This is the kind of stuff Dirk has done for a long time. Its just sad people don't know because he's been stuck on good, but not great teams.

Now his teammates are stepping up and he's coming through in a big big way.

Great to see.

Van Gundy even called him a top 25 player of all time tonight. Love it.

He actually called him a top 5 player. :oldlol:

And I was referring to the way Dirk handles physicality now. He's definitely improved, and if anything, he thrives on it these days.

[chazzy]

He's also reading double teams better and making crisp passes to his shooters, along with being tougher defensively. Would you say this is Dirk at his best ginobli? I know he's always been good and that his supporting cast is stepping up this year, but he just looks better as well.

[KDthunderup]

Dirk and JJ played the best games of their lives, and it was still close towards the end, I think we are in with a good shot.

[ErhnamDjinn]

http://oi54.tinypic.com/1824qp.jpg
we get it your GF is the GOAT but stop posting the same pics again and again and possibly contribute to the board fool

[28renyoy]

From ESPN

Durant scored 41 tonight on 18 FGA. He's on that list now too.

[DMAVS41]

He actually called him a top 5 player. :oldlol:

And I was referring to the way Dirk handles physicality now. He's definitely improved, and if anything, he thrives on it these days.

He was joking about that though. He wasn't joking about top 25 though.

[thomaspynchon]

Dirk and JJ played the best games of their lives, and it was still close towards the end, I think we are in with a good shot.

Durant had the game of his life and Mavs won despite Kidd/Chandler/marion playing like shit.

[DMAVS41]

He's also reading double teams better and making crisp passes to his shooters, along with being tougher defensively. Would you say this is Dirk at his best ginobli? I know he's always been good and that his supporting cast is stepping up this year, but he just looks better as well.

Dirk has been better at two things since the 07 warriors series.

1. Handling more physical play in the post
2. Passing out of doubles

However, he's now worse on the boards than he was in his prime, and he doesn't get to the rim like he used to. Dirk actually used to rack up a ton of easy buckets and fouls attacking the rim.

I'd still take 2006 Dirk over the current Dirk, but its very very close.

But the Mavs winning really has more to do with Terry and Barea and Chanlder and Kidd and Marion playing so well on both ends overall. As great as Dirk was tonight, the Mavs don't win without Terry and Barea really stepping up.

Which has been my theme of posting here since day 1. Its too much to blame or credit 1 player as everyone here does with winning/losing.

Take the 09 series from Dirk against the Nuggets. I heard that idiot Skip Bayless say Dirk disappeared in that series. Really? I think Dirk averaged like 33/14/3 on like 62% TS or something. It was just an insanely good series from him and we got blown out in 5 and pretty much every game we lost was a blow out.

Dirk just has a personality that doesn't come out and beat his chest in the media. He said again tonight that Terry is our closer. Of course, that is simply not true. We run everything through Dirk late and Dirk takes most of the big shots and virtually all of the game winners run through Dirk.

But that is what Dirk does. He tries to spread around the credit. He knows that Terry loves to get praise and he knows that Terry's confidence sometimes falters.

But then people turn that against Dirk and say he's afraid to be the closer and more BS.

I've probably only missed 50 of Dirk's games his entire career. He's been doing shit like this for a long time. I'm not sure if its available, but his 02 series against KG and the Wolves was just off the charts good. If you didn't see it you should check it out.

I'm obviously a huge Dirk homer, but I really don't see more than about 20 players all time I think are better. And to be honest, a few of those guys like KG/Barkley/Malone/Robinson/Baylor are all very debatable.

[thomaspynchon]

Just as an aside--imagine if Lefraud James did what Dirk tonight. We'd hear comparisons to Jordan nonstop.

[28renyoy]

Durant had the game of his life and Mavs won despite Kidd/Chandler/marion playing like shit.

Uh..that was Durant's 4th best game of this postseason alone. You're a fool.

[DMAVS41]

Just as an aside--imagine if Lefraud James did what Dirk tonight. We'd hear comparisons to Jordan nonstop.

Probably, but we don't have to do that.

Dirk is what he is. He's not top ten good of all time. He's probably not top 15 good of all time. After that though? I think its becoming very debatable with or without a title.

His level of play has been pretty damn amazing for 11 straight years now. He's accomplished so much.

I'm just really happy for him that he's finally getting the credit. Hearing Jackson and Van Gundy agree that he's top 25 or so all time was so cool.

No need to over-rate Dirk and compare him to Larry bird after 1 great game so far in this series or something.

Much like Wade, at some point people will wake up and realize just how great Dirk has been going on 11 years now.

[DMAVS41]

Durant had the game of his life and Mavs won despite Kidd/Chandler/marion playing like shit.

That was not the game of Duran'ts life. It was a very good game, but he can do that again in this series for sure.

I worry about two things:

1. Keeping Durant/Westbrook off the ft line
2. How the Mavs perform if Dirk is off for a couple games or is hard doubled

[francesco totti]

That was some performance by dirk, I hope Mavs win the ring he deserves it.
Great player.

[thomaspynchon]

That was not the game of Duran'ts life. It was a very good game, but he can do that again in this series for sure.

I worry about two things:

1. Keeping Durant/Westbrook off the ft line
2. How the Mavs perform if Dirk is off for a couple games or is hard doubled

It was the absolute game of Durant's life. 18 FTs on the road, at least 6 bail out calls...don't expect that nonsense in Game Two.

[DMAVS41]

It was the absolute game of Durant's life. 18 FTs on the road, at least 6 bail out calls...don't expect that nonsense in Game Two.

I'm not going to go against your amazing predictions, but that was not the game of Durant's life.

[chazzy]

I'm obviously a huge Dirk homer, but I really don't see more than about 20 players all time I think are better. And to be honest, a few of those guys like KG/Barkley/Malone/Robinson/Baylor are all very debatable.
I hear you, but at the same time let's not get too caught up in the moment right now. Remember all the things people were saying about Kobe after his great WCF last year? I think we should wait until this season is over at least before we start re-ranking him all time. It's just weird how in one year, he went from being considered being worse than Pau by a lot of people here (including you I think) to now being debatable with those PFs you listed.

[DMAVS41]

I hear you, but at the same time let's not get too caught up in the moment right now. Remember all the things people were saying about Kobe after his great WCF last year? I think we should wait until this season is over at least before we start re-ranking him all time. It's just weird how in one year, he went from being considered being worse than Pau by a lot of people here (including you I think) to now being comparable to those PFs you listed.

I have never put Pau on Dirk's level all time. Never.

I have Dirk in my top 25 right now. Had him there before the playoffs actually.

I'm not re-ranking him at all. He's already proven to be in that tier. Its going to take a few more years at an elite level to move up.

My point is that a lot of the things people hate on Dirk for are very much true with that 15 to 30 range of players all time. Stockton/Barkley/Malone/Baylor never won anything.

At some point people will wake up and realize just how good Dirk has actually been and how he's raised his game in the playoffs repeatedly.

11 straight years of over 50 wins and 26/11/3 for his career in the playoffs. Played with ONLY 1 PLAYER IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER TO MAKE AN ALL NBA TEAM. Thats it. Steve Nash. Only player Dirk ever played with to do that.

[thomaspynchon]

I'm not going to go against your amazing predictions, but that was not the game of Durant's life.

It was THE game of his life. No way in hell does he get 18 FTS in Game Two, especially of the nature he received.

he may score 40 again this series but it will take him at least 25 shots to get there.

[chazzy]

I have never put Pau on Dirk's level all time. Never.

I have Dirk in my top 25 right now. Had him there before the playoffs actually.

I'm not re-ranking him at all. He's already proven to be in that tier. Its going to take a few more years at an elite level to move up.

My point is that a lot of the things people hate on Dirk for are very much true with that 15 to 30 range of players all time. Stockton/Barkley/Malone/Baylor never won anything.

At some point people will wake up and realize just how good Dirk has actually been and how he's raised his game in the playoffs repeatedly.

11 straight years of over 50 wins and 26/11/3 for his career in the playoffs. Played with ONLY 1 PLAYER IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER TO MAKE AN ALL NBA TEAM. Thats it. Steve Nash. Only player Dirk ever played with to do that.
RE: Pau - Not all time, I meant as players.. I think you had him above Dirk last year.

But yeah.. the length of his prime is impressive as hell and he hasn't shown any obvious signs of slowing down this season. With how skilled he is at that size, he's going to be effective for a long time. Having that kind of longevity to go along with more potentially deep playing runs for the next couple years really helps his all time ranking. I was referring more to comparing him to DRob/KG/Barkley in terms of actual play.

[DMAVS41]

RE: Pau - Not all time, I meant as players.. I think you had him above Dirk last year.

But yeah.. the length of his prime is impressive as hell and he hasn't shown any obvious signs of slowing down this season. With how skilled he is at that size, he's going to be effective for a long time. Having that kind of longevity to go along with more potentially deep playing runs for the next couple years really helps his all time ranking. I was referring more to comparing him to DRob/KG/Barkley in terms of actual play.

Pau in the playoffs last year definitely deserved consideration over Dirk for best PF. Pau was great in the playoffs. I think he put up like 20/11/4 and played solid defense and was super clutch. I have no problem with someone taking Gasol last over Dirk. For sure.

Just not even close all time though.

About drob/kg/barkely......well. I rank them over Dirk, but to be perfectly honest, I don't think they were much better players. They did some different things of course. Robinson and KG were great defenders and Barkley was just a beast on the boards. But Dirk's ability to close games and carry a team offensively late is also very important. And while Dirk's peak isn't as good as those guys, his longevity might ultimately trump that.

But again. I have all of those guys over Dirk now and will for the next few years even if Dirk wins a title this year. Its going to take a lot to move Dirk up. He's just definitely in that tier as a player.

[Silverbullit]

Mavs are up 1-0.

No more no less.

[blacknapalm]

well, if i were an OKC fan, i wouldn't be panicking. there's a couple different things they can try with dirk.

- they have to bump him to get him off rhythm. hopefully the refs allow more physicality as the series goes on. OKC just has to get dirk from getting deep post position. from 12-15 feet, the guy is just too lethal. he's playing at an elite level right now.

- secondly, they can try fronting dirk. when they do this, perk has to watch what's going on so he can slide over for help if there's a lob. other than that, dirk is just gonna keep getting his. he's too good to not score but you can make it more difficult for him. OR you can have westbrook apply more pressure on kidd to make the pass more difficult. take something away. dirk getting the ball in rhythm in his favorite spots will kill OKC

- durant will score plenty too. i think this will come down to bench play and westbrook playing in a well controlled manner. westbrook seems to get impatient if a play doesn't develop right away. i'm not sure how much blame brooks gets for that but he should work the pick n' roll with harden as a 2nd option.

- maynor didn't have a very good game but i still think brooks should go to him earlier. 15-20 mins sounds about right.

i look forward to at least some of these adjustments. this dallas team is definitely a complete team though. dirk makes you pay when you double off a 3 point shooter. barea collapses the paint and then you either give up a lay up or a kick out for a 3. i'll repeat what i said earlier, this is a jack of trade type of team. they are good in many areas. OKC will have to beat dallas because dallas isn't going to beat themselves.

[Doranku]

3 players with 18+ FT attempts? Kinda glad I elected to sleep instead of watch this game.

But damn, Dirk's stat line is INSANE. Just think about it. He shot the ball 39 times in an NBA playoff game, and only missed 3 of those shots. Granted, 24 were free throws, but GOT DAYUM. That's still absolutely absurd.

[LA_Showtime]

This has to be one of the most underrated performances ever. Yeah, people are kissing his ass, but had this been Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Rose, Durant, or any other media darling this would be in every goddamn paper, on every goddamn website, talked about in every goddamn TV show/game show/slide show/blah blah blah blah blah...

92%. 92 ****ing percent. That's ridiculous.

[DMAVS41]

This has to be one of the most underrated performances ever. Yeah, people are kissing his ass, but had this been Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Rose, Durant, or any other media darling this would be in every goddamn paper, on every goddamn website, talked about in every goddamn TV show/game show/slide show/blah blah blah blah blah...

True, but Dirk fans are used to it. It will never change. Probably wouldn't even change if Dirk won a title this year.

On ISH alone there was more hate for Dirk than praise. Numerous threads made by Kobe stans and Thunder fans bitching about free throws....which is priceless because the Thunder actually shot 7 more free throws and durant and westbrook combined to shoot 37 free throws....1 more than the entire mavs team.

No matter what Dirk does, he'll never get the same kind of credit. Is what it is.

[LA_Showtime]

True, but Dirk fans are used to it. It will never change. Probably wouldn't even change if Dirk won a title this year.

On ISH alone there was more hate for Dirk than praise. Numerous threads made by Kobe stans and Thunder fans bitching about free throws....which is priceless because the Thunder actually shot 7 more free throws and durant and westbrook combined to shoot 37 free throws....1 more than the entire mavs team.

No matter what Dirk does, he'll never get the same kind of credit. Is what it is.

Nah, he'll get the credit he deserves if the Mavericks win the title. No one can overlook championships, period.

[DMAVS41]

Nah, he'll get the credit he deserves if the Mavericks win the title. No one can overlook championships, period.

Hopefully we'll put that to the test.

It was cool during the game if you missed it. Van gundy said Dirk was top 25 all time and Jackson put him in his top 30.

Really cool to see the mainstream guys recognizing Dirk like that.

[LA_Showtime]

Hopefully we'll put that to the test.

It was cool during the game if you missed it. Van gundy said Dirk was top 25 all time and Jackson put him in his top 30.

Really cool to see the mainstream guys recognizing Dirk like that.

I actually think people will overrate Dirk if he wins a title. Same with Durant. Both guys stayed with their teams this summer, and people will point to that and give them undue praise for it. :oldlol:

[Doranku]

I actually think people will overrate Dirk if he wins a title. Same with Durant. Both guys stayed with their teams this summer, and people will point to that and give them undue praise for it. :oldlol:

It'll be hard to overrate Dirk if he wins a title while sustaining this kind of play.

[DMAVS41]

I actually think people will overrate Dirk if he wins a title. Same with Durant. Both guys stayed with their teams this summer, and people will point to that and give them undue praise for it. :oldlol:

Its going to be really hard to over-rate Dirk if he continues to play like this and wins a title.

Where do you think people would put him all time?

[kentatm]

holy hell, what a game.


I get poeple not wanting to compare Dirk to Bird. Heck, I really dont even think their games are all that similar. But after watching Sportscenter, all I know is Wilbon asked if anyone would be offended if he compared Dirk to Bird and Magic immediately said "No."

Then later on, unprompted, Magic said people often talk about an MJ like performance in the playoffs but this was Bird like.

Knowing how much Magic thinks of Bird, that is extremely high praise.

[DMAVS41]

holy hell, what a game.


I get poeple not wanting to compare Dirk to Bird. Heck, I really dont even think their games are all that similar. But after watching Sportscenter, all I know is Wilbon asked if anyone would be offended if he compared Dirk to Bird and Magic immediately said "No."

Then later on, unprompted, Magic said people often talk about an MJ like performance in the playoffs but this was Bird like.

Knowing how much Magic thinks of Bird, that is extremely high praise.
:rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

[creepingdeath]

Dirk's a bum, he missed three shots.

[ErhnamDjinn]

I think it was 3 straight possessions in the final minutes with Ibaka on him hands literally to the face, it was jab step, jab step pump fake then shot, all in the same spot.

I think JJ Barera should also get praise for that scoring binge, granted it was Nate Robinson he was lighting up but damn dude was like prime AI

[branslowski]

Its going to be really hard to over-rate Dirk if he continues to play like this and wins a title.

Where do you think people would put him all time?

If Dirk wins a title and obvious finals MVP, he's easily top 20 for me....The Facts would be there...A Ring, Finals MVP, 10+ 50 win season's, top 3 most skilled Big of his era...Yeah.

Every player plays this game for one reason, one goal, a championship, he get's that...I will never bash him again, he would have proved me wrong and I would accept him along with other champions. It takes the heart of a champion to win one...So again, If he wins one, he will never be called soft again IMO...

[LA_Showtime]

If Dirk wins a title and obvious finals MVP, he's easily top 20 for me....The Facts would be there...A Ring, Finals MVP, 10+ 50 win season's, top 3 most skilled Big of his era...Yeah.

Every player plays this game for one reason, one goal, a championship, he get's that...I will never bash him again, he would have proved me wrong and I would accept him along with other champions. It takes the heart of a champion to win one...So again, If he wins one, he will never be called soft again IMO...

Yeah, I think Dirk would catapult into most people's top 20 list.

I just think he'd become overrated, maybe not overnight, but in time, especially if the Mavericks were to beat, say, the Miami heat.

[swi7ch]

No one on OKC can guard him.

Ibaka = good shot blocker but he can't block the jumpshot of a 7-footer with a high release
Perkins = too slow
Collison = too small

Only way OKC can beat DAL is if Dirk has a bad shooting night... which is impossible since he can just shoot over everyone on OKC.

[LA_Showtime]

So basically the Thunder need a 7'5 monster who's quick and athletic. Good luck.

[04mzwach]

holy hell, what a game.


I get poeple not wanting to compare Dirk to Bird. Heck, I really dont even think their games are all that similar. But after watching Sportscenter, all I know is Wilbon asked if anyone would be offended if he compared Dirk to Bird and Magic immediately said "No."

Then later on, unprompted, Magic said people often talk about an MJ like performance in the playoffs but this was Bird like.

Knowing how much Magic thinks of Bird, that is extremely high praise.
Is this like a black/white thing? Because that's pretty lame. ESPN for the fail again. SCORE!

[BarberSchool]

So basically the Thunder need a 7'5 monster who's quick and athletic. Good luck.You make a good point.

Oddly enough, I think the big who has great foot speed, quick off the floor shotblocking, and is above 7 feet with the reach and quickness to potentially seriously bother dirk in wing or post iso's....just so happens to jump center for the Dallas Mavericks.

[24r2]

don't forget he's only borrowing the trophy if he does win this year :oldlol:

[LA_Showtime]

You make a good point.

Oddly enough, I think the big who has great foot speed, quick off the floor shotblocking, and is above 7 feet with the reach and quickness to potentially seriously bother dirk in wing or post iso's....just so happens to jump center for the Dallas Mavericks.

The Thunder should just play Dirk man-to-man and let him go off. Keep everyone else in check. I think it'd be rather simple, as the Mavericks have few players who can actually create shots for themselves on a consistent basis. Let Dirk get his, put Thabo on Terry, and pray the rest of the guys miss contested jump shots.

Let's face it: Dirk isn't beating OKC by himself. Ibaka, 1st quarter aside, played Dirk pretty well. He contested every shot, and when he wasn't fouling him I'd say he played him as well as you can. Give him those shots, and stop sending double teams when it's obvious the Mavericks have guys who will kill you when you do that. Let him take contested 15 foot jump shots. He's a great player, but it's not feasible for him to shoot 12-15 every damn game. :oldlol:

[Teanett]

Another overreaction thread

overreacting to whopping the blazers, sweeping the defending champs and putting on a record-breaking shooting display in the span of 3 weeks?

[Teanett]

remember how good collison looked against z-bo?
:oldlol:

[dirkdiggler41]

The Thunder should just play Dirk man-to-man and let him go off. Keep everyone else in check. I think it'd be rather simple, as the Mavericks have few players who can actually create shots for themselves on a consistent basis. Let Dirk get his, put Thabo on Terry, and pray the rest of the guys miss contested jump shots.

Let's face it: Dirk isn't beating OKC by himself. Ibaka, 1st quarter aside, played Dirk pretty well. He contested every shot, and when he wasn't fouling him I'd say he played him as well as you can. Give him those shots, and stop sending double teams when it's obvious the Mavericks have guys who will kill you when you do that. Let him take contested 15 foot jump shots. He's a great player, but it's not feasible for him to shoot 12-15 every damn game. :oldlol:

They are always covering him one on one, but you still need to play him with your whole team. The defense starts before he even catches the ball. The Mavs tried to play Steve Nash like that during a series. It's impossible to make it work.

[tpols]

The Thunder should just play Dirk man-to-man and let him go off. Keep everyone else in check. I think it'd be rather simple, as the Mavericks have few players who can actually create shots for themselves on a consistent basis. Let Dirk get his, put Thabo on Terry, and pray the rest of the guys miss contested jump shots.

Let's face it: Dirk isn't beating OKC by himself. Ibaka, 1st quarter aside, played Dirk pretty well. He contested every shot, and when he wasn't fouling him I'd say he played him as well as you can. Give him those shots, and stop sending double teams when it's obvious the Mavericks have guys who will kill you when you do that. Let him take contested 15 foot jump shots. He's a great player, but it's not feasible for him to shoot 12-15 every damn game. :oldlol:
Thats exactly what the thunder did in the game. They doubled dirk twice I counted the entire game. Their strategy was to let him go one on one and throw a bunch of different defenders at him and it didn't work.

My ideal strategy would be for the thunder to have a guy hard fronting Dirk at all times when he tries posting up. Then when the mavs try to throw it over the top, make sure you have one guy, durant, sefolosha, perkins whoever, come and high low trap Dirk and try to strip him.

With the pick and rolls, I'm still amazed that westbrook and maynor are going over the screens. Barea is way way too quick to allow him any type of driving lanes. He's like a pinball.. Dallas either gets an open three or a layup every time he breaks loose. They need to let that guy shoot because he really isn't a good shooter. Plus when they try to fight over the screen they leave the guy who set the pick wide open and that man usually happens to be dirk. Just terrible defensive gameplanning. That needs to change.

[creepingdeath]

If Dirk wins a title and obvious finals MVP, he's easily top 20 for me....The Facts would be there...A Ring, Finals MVP, 10+ 50 win season's, top 3 most skilled Big of his era...Yeah.

Every player plays this game for one reason, one goal, a championship, he get's that...I will never bash him again, he would have proved me wrong and I would accept him along with other champions. It takes the heart of a champion to win one...So again, If he wins one, he will never be called soft again IMO...
Nice to see you actually posting something rational. :cheers: Unlike your buddy Hogan.. :facepalm

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/722305/3doq8_medium.jpg

[Lebron23]

Great game from Dirk Nowitzki. He's always been underrated in this forum.

[stephanieg]

Last night was a travesty of basketball. Fire these dumbass refs calling 80 phantom fts on 2 jumpshooters.

[Sroek]

Credit goes to refs.