shi-woo wrote:It's always fun as a huge Dirk fan to look back on his career. Dirk always led these mediocre teams with guys like Terry, Stackhouse, Finley, and Howard to 50+ wins, and deep playoff runs, but the narrative for almost the entirety of his prime was "Doesn't bang in the post or play center," "Does protect the rim and is super soft," and my favorite after the GSW upset them, "Just isn't a winner, and doesn't have the it factor."
Dirk was always awesome, and none of those things were ever true about him outside of his first couple of years. I feel bad for him, because the Mavs blew it big time in 2004. They had a super talented team with the likes of Dirk/Fin/Antawn/Walker/Nash/Howard and somehow in their ineptitude entered the next season with Jason Terry as Dirks robbin. Kind of a real let down, and shaped the entirety of his career.
Letting talent like Nash (two time all-star at the time, future MVP), and Antawn Jamison (Fomer 25/9 player in his prime, just won 6th man of the year, would be an all-star the following year), was absolutely mind boggling, and Don Nelson should have been let go sooner for not realizing that. Especially when you realize both players signed for less than what the Mavs gave Keith Van Horn...
Flipping through those rosters, and man, I have no idea how Dirk dragged them to 60+ wins in deepest conference in modern history. The dude was it to the finals in 2006 with a team of misfits, and people are shocked that he lost to a team with Shaq, Wade, Toine, Payton, Posey, Zo, and J-Will...
Dirk man, true warrior for sticking it out and getting one, and is a prime example of how narrative and player perception by the media plays a role in shaping how fans think of a player.
Just curious but were you a close fan of the Mavs during Dirk’s early years? I’m just asking because everything you are saying are facts however you’re leaving out context. JET, Stackhouse, and Finley were all great 2nd options. Although Finley was still the lead dog for a while after Dirk and Nash got to Dallas. Then Nash took over as the lead dog.
The problem with Nash is that the played played so freaking hard he was always getting injured. And it was almost always his back. He used to have to lay down on the floor when he wasn’t in the game (almost Bird like). So when his contract came up Cuban had to make a decision to give him Kobe money or let him walk. Cuban made the wrong choice in hindsight. At the time though it was a tough choice because of his health.
As for the Dirk/Jamison/Walker/Nash/Howard team. That team had so many holes in it, it was crazy. Jamison and Howard were the only two that could play defense. That didn’t matter though because Nellie didn’t want them playing defense. He had this idea of Walker being a point forward. He was ahead of his time, so much so that it didn’t work. Walker had the skill but not the inclination to be a true point. Also Walker, Dirk, and Jamison all played the same position. In today’s game that might work but not in the early 2000’s. Dirk was more of a SF in those days than he was a PF. Jamison was more the 4 on that team. The chemistry was just off and it didn’t work even though all those guys were talented. Jamison was traded for Stackhouse and the pick that became Devin Harris. Both help lead the Mavs to the ‘06 Finals (where they were robbed).
Through all of that though that’s why it was so great to see Dirk lift that Championship trophy. Dude was clutch, super humble, a great guy in the community, and loyal. He was everything you want a super star to be. I live in Dallas and when it comes to sports Dirk reach a point where his lore is right there with Roger Staubach. If you’re from Texas you know that’s a pretty huge deal. He could run for mayor and win in a landslide.
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