[TEAIM]

This is a quote from Dirk Nowitzki. If you're scared of teams, why you in the Playoffs? This is so weak by Dirk, this is why they lost to Golden State last year.

[HarlemHeat37]

while I think Dirk is hated on too much, and he isn't as big of a playoff choker as many believe, he has shown many times that he lacks balls..I can't deny that..he definitely lacks balls..

there will be people in this thread that will say "he was right, LA is hot right now" or something like that, but a leader should never display fear on or off the court..he's the best player on their team, and his teammates might look to him for confidence and motivation..

he's improved some of the weak aspects of his game..he has become a better passer, rebounder and defender..but he still lacks balls, which is shown in games when he's being defended by PG's..I see it when Tony Parker covers him all the time..Dirk settles for fadeaway jumpers from behind the top of the key..

he needs to stop being a vagina..he has already embarrassed himself with the NBA finals and the series vs. Golden State, so he really needs to try harder to shed that image..

[Mr. Savage]

He is just being realistic and honest.

The Lakers are probably the best team in the league as of right now. Why would you want to play them right away ? Why not get into a groove against NO and the play L.A. ?

It is like in football, when they have the draw of the groups in the world cup, where you obviously hope not to be drawn in the same group as the best team.

He is German, different mentality. No fake toughness, but just being honest and realistic.

[magicfan4life05]

He's telling it like it is, his team is starting to gel, they are better suited to face them later

[NetsForce]

On the flip side if he said "We want the Lakers bring on the Lakers!" he'd be considered a Class A idiot...

[TEAIM]

Savage I agree that the Lakers are a tough team but Dirk looks like a pu$$y by making comments like this. What if the Lakers meet Dallas in the later rounds? (not likely) They might as well not show up.

If you wanna win a ring u gotta play the best team at some stage, so what's the difference between the 1st round or Conference Finals?

[TEAIM]

On the flip side if he said "We want the Lakers bring on the Lakers!" he'd be considered a Class A idiot...

He doesn't have to say bring on the Lakers, all he's gotta say is, I'm confident in my team regardless of who we're playing. That's all.

[TsunamiZC]

Savage I agree that the Lakers are a tough team but Dirk looks like a pu$$y by making comments like this. What if the Lakers meet Dallas in the later rounds? (not likely) They might as well not show up.

If you wanna win a ring u gotta play the best team at some stage, so what's the difference between the 1st round or Conference Finals?

And he still would have looked like a pussy if he chose not to answer that question. Dallas is not the team it once was, and facing the Laker in the !st round gives the Mavs no chance to gel, given they are still working out kinks. Dirk is a realist.

[Magz50]

To be the NBA champion you have to believe you're the best team in the league. You need to show that belief in any interview you give, especially if you're the leader of your team. Do you think Kobe or Duncan would say "I'm glad we avoided so and so" Hell no, they'd be like bring it on. This is why Dirk needs to man up already and show some balls.

[Chubby Chaser]

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And he still would have looked like a pussy if he chose not to answer that question. Dallas is not the team it once was, and facing the Laker in the !st round gives the Mavs no chance to gel, given they are still working out kinks. Dirk is a realist.

He won't look bad at all if he answered it that way. You ask 10 other superstars the same question I guarantee you all 10 will answer it like this: "well lakers are a good team. But I'm confident if we play our style of basketball we can beat any team. We don't care who we play as long as we come out and do what we got to do then I don't see any team that we can't beat."

[Cevap]

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He doesn't have to say bring on the Lakers, all he's gotta say is, I'm confident in my team regardless of who we're playing. That's all.

so you'd rather he lie and give the same old tired response that every player gives


You're ridiculous

[TEAIM]

If he's a realist that's great. But last year they won 67 games and they were scared of an 8th seed. And what happened? They lost.

Remember Avery changing the starting lineup to match up better with Golden State? This lack of confidence holds them back. It's not just Dirk, it's the Mavs. Everyone in the NBA questions their heart. Especially opposing players.

[Chubby Chaser]

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so you'd rather he lie and give the same old tired response that every player gives


You're ridiculous

No, You're ridiculous. This is exactly what he's supposed to say. As a leader you can't admit you have an inferior team or you'll lose the respect of your teammates and no one will follow your lead.

[semi-sentient]

Dirk would have been better off not saying anything at all.

[TEAIM]

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No, You're ridiculous. This is exactly what he's supposed to say. As a leader you can't admit you have an inferior team or you'll lose the respect of your teammates and no one will follow your lead.

This is what I'm trying to say.^^

[etopn23]

How does Dirk lack balls? Tony Parker on Dirk? Are you kidding me man?

Dirk completely torched SA the last time they met in the playoffs. He just is telling the truth... if any player says they don't care about matchups they're full of ****.

[DDansby123]

Somehow I'm not shocked that one of Dirk's comments would be blown completely out of proportion.

[Rooster]

Had the Mavericks cared who they played last year, they wouldn't have rested their starters against GS in the second last game. They probably would've won and then the Clippers would've been the #8 seed. Different playoffs then, no?

Teams should absolutely be cognizant of where matchups, etc. lie. Dallas clearly has no answer for Kobe. Dirk's completely right.

If you want to talk about looking like a pussy, getting smoked in the first round will do that better than anything.

[a-rod]

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He doesn't have to say bring on the Lakers, all he's gotta say is, I'm confident in my team regardless of who we're playing. That's all.

On the flip side if he said "We want the Lakers bring on the Lakers!" he'd be considered a Class A idiot...

Or Let His Performance Do the Talking.....

[Mr. Savage]

it is funny how north americans need their star athletes to be heroes. Apart from their performance on the court, they need to have all the heroic attributes off the court. In the eyes of the fans every player needs to be uber-optimistic, super charismatic, extremely tough and absolutely fearless.

In europe, we tend to disregard this aspect and see athletes as people just like us. We don't really judge them on the things say as long as it isn't something outrageous. When they are succesful, we are happy for them because for us they are just regular people from among us who have made it on a big stage, we don't need them to be a hero or the perfect person that we can look up to. This especially true with local athletes. German's are just happy and proud for Dirk, because he is one of them and has gone to America and is big over there now. We don't hold it against him that he is realistic and honest about certain things, rather than displaying himself in a way that is not congruent with who he actually is.