Does Dirk Need This Ring to be a Legend?
Dirk Nowitzki has stood the test of time in a way that few others from this generation have done, in fact I would make the argument that has defense has improved. As we watch the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, and others slow down. And we watch people like Allen Iverson, Tracy Mcgrady, Vince Carter, and Jermaine O’Neal become basically non-existent.
We watch Dirk Nowitzki put on basically the best shooting performance in playoff history, making 36 out of 39 shots attempted. (That would be got wide-open during shoot around but, he did it against a real playoff team in the Western Conference Finals) Dirk is arguably playing the best basketball of his career on an aging team that needs to win now but, this aging team is playing light years tougher than they have ever played before.
Dirk still has the sour taste of the 2006 NBA Finals and a young Dwayne Wade completely outperforming him in the big spotlight. Dirk is doing his best to turn the sour taste and to the sweetest feeling ever for an NBA Player, a championship. Jason Kidd is also playing for his first championship and man can he still pass.
The Mavericks have shredded defenses on their way to the Western Conference Finals. They dominated in aging Lakers team that never felt right but, you figured the two time defending champs would just pull it together like they usually did. Well they didn’t, Pau Gasol was embarrassing and I’m pretty sure Artest just made Barea angrier when he hit him at the end of Game 2. Kobe had a looking on his showing that there was nothing more he could do because the Mavs were just playing too well. When Dirk plays the ways he’s playing and the Mavs are hitting open 3’s. They are very difficult to best. They have an added toughness defensively that is led by Tyson Chandler but, do not forget the effort Dirk put forth on Pau and now on Ibaka. The Mavs still have to win 3 more games and the Thunder is not going away easily, at least Kevin Durant isn’t. He had 40 and although Dirk broke the free throw shooting record (24 in a row), Durant went 18-19.
(looks like his little brother that must play much bigger)
A guy by the name of Russell Westbrook went 3-15, that does not necessarily exemplify 2nd all NBA team. Russell Westbrook reminds me of a worse version of Derrick Rose which, means I expect much from him in this series. He makes 4 more shots and were talking the Thunder possibly stealing a game in Dallas. The real story of the game (besides Dirk’s absurd performance, which I cannot re-emphasize how elite it was) was the referees who were absolutely horrendous. 79 Free Throws!! I am fairly certain David Stern will prevent the sequel to “Dirk and Durant’s Free throw Extravaganza” featuring Russell Westbrook, since nobody besides them took more than 4 free throws.
I am still curious though, is this the Dirk Nowitzki we will see for the rest of the playoffs? Or is this some optical illusion (Anchorman reference) that will eventually run out? Kind of like what happened from ‘06 Finals until this postseason. The Mavs were supposed to continue on this route after their NBA Finals defeat. Instead, they were defeated as a 1 seed by the 8 seeded Warriors, they lost to Chris Paul & co. in 08 and lost in the semis last year against the Nuggets in 5. Dirk was there every year and I guess you can argue they are better team this year but, what is to say the Mavs won’t choke as usual. My one friend says I put too much stock into Championship rings but the truth is, what else can you use to separate elite players? Duncan has 4, Garnett has 1, Malone has been to 2, and Barkley has been to 1.
Dirk is going to be considered as one of the best pure shooters and hybrid power forwards of all time. But without a ring, it is going to be difficult for him to solidify his glorified status in the NBA’s elite. It’s kind of like an actor who does not win any Oscar’s; he has some great performances but, has never been able to do enough to get Mark Cuban has first championship ring. There is no clear cut favorite this year and it may be one of their last chances to do so. BTW, doesn’t it kind of seems like the Mavs should have traded Rodrigue Beaubois; I mean JJ Barea is the “white Allen Iverson” (I forget what TNT announcer said that) Man has he been good but, if I’m the Thunder you put Westbrook on him and make sure he does not destroy you with the pick and roll. Dirk has the opportunity of a lifetime this year. He can attempt to go through Kobe and the 2 time defending champs, KD and the loudest crowd in basketball, and possibly the Big 2 and a half (Wade, Lebron, and Bosh?) or this season’s MVP. I think that has German 30 for 30 written all over it. Or instead they could flop and people can say “they are who we thought they were” to quote the great Dennis Green. All I know is I will be tuning in the rest of this 2011 playoff regardless.(Random final though: When did Peja remember how to shoot 3′s? I swear he had repressed anger for the Lakers and that officially got him going)
