Homer Warning: Dirk was an absolute boss

[floppymoose]

My favorite thing about Dirk was that in his peak year, his offense was *so* good that his team did much better on defense when he played. Not because Dirk was some defensive stud, but because defense is easier if more of the opponents positions start with having to inbound over the baseline instead of with a live ball.

[Texas Chuck]

My favorite thing about Dirk was that in his peak year, his offense was *so* good that his team did much better on defense when he played. Not because Dirk was some defensive stud, but because defense is easier if more of the opponents positions start with having to inbound over the baseline instead of with a live ball.

yeah him single-handedly creating a great offense and just never ever turning over the ball really limited transition against Dallas forever. Even with a bad defensive team if they have to attack you in the half court every possession it really helps. And then in 2011 Dallas just said okay Dirk is the offense and we are starting 4 plus defenders with him who outside of Kidd's passing and shooting are very limited players and we'll be fine. Inject JET and/or Barea for a little punch and....


As to those earlier doubting the closing numbers. The tweets showed Dirk's great shooting numbers, but what they don't show is another huge aspect of him as the best closer of a generation -- he was automatic from the FT line so if Dallas was behind, he was great at drawing fouls and if they were ahead, you were never catching them if you were playing the foul game. Dallas almost never gave up leads in the last couple minutes because of that. Dirk just iced you.

[Lexluthor]

Dirk underachieved . Especially during the Steve Nash and Michael Finleys years. He should won more the than one championship. To say he is a top 20 player of all time is overeating him. I would say he belong in the top 40 group of all time

[GSP]

My favorite thing about Dirk was that in his peak year, his offense was *so* good that his team did much better on defense when he played. Not because Dirk was some defensive stud, but because defense is easier if more of the opponents positions start with having to inbound over the baseline instead of with a live ball.

yeah him single-handedly creating a great offense and just never ever turning over the ball really limited transition against Dallas forever. Even with a bad defensive team if they have to attack you in the half court every possession it really helps. And then in 2011 Dallas just said okay Dirk is the offense and we are starting 4 plus defenders with him who outside of Kidd's passing and shooting are very limited players and we'll be fine. Inject JET and/or Barea for a little punch and....


As to those earlier doubting the closing numbers. The tweets showed Dirk's great shooting numbers, but what they don't show is another huge aspect of him as the best closer of a generation -- he was automatic from the FT line so if Dallas was behind, he was great at drawing fouls and if they were ahead, you were never catching them if you were playing the foul game. Dallas almost never gave up leads in the last couple minutes because of that. Dirk just iced you.

His transition defense was really impactful since he was mostly the first back after shooting 3s. He wasnt David Robinson defending transition but a 7fter being at the rim negated fastbreak opportunities alot. It was a key piece in how they upset Okc and Miami both of whom relied alot on transition offense and they forced them to a halfcourt game where Dirk was the best in the league at and just tortured teams specially in 11

[GSP]

Dirk underachieved . Especially during the Steve Nash and Michael Finleys years. He should won more the than one championship. To say he is a top 20 player of all time is overeating him. I would say he belong in the top 40 group of all time

Dallas was the best team in the league in 03 and only didnt win the title b/c Dirk got injured in the Wcf. That 03 team was easily the most talented team Dirk had and it was just a brief period. They wasted a year with Don Nelson stupidly playing Dirk at the 5 a whole season.

Its also almost consensus he got robbed in 06 after an alltime western conference playoff run. Overall Dirk didnt have very strong teams for most his prime. Almost always got outscored a good deal more with him on the bench

to say he is a top 20 player of all time is prolly underrating him if anything

[Muha_i_samolet]

Dirk underachieved . Especially during the Steve Nash and Michael Finleys years. He should won more the than one championship. To say he is a top 20 player of all time is overeating him. I would say he belong in the top 40 group of all time

He won 2, but rat Stern decided not to give him the 06 ring. He's also a top5 playoff performer in history. Guys like kg and Pedo Malone were not even remotely close to PO Dirk.