re: In case you still think the Mavs aren't soft

clueless as usual

Okay, I misunderstood what you were trying to say. I thought you were saying he should abandon the fade. And, by the way, it's not JUST the fade. His primary shot still seems to be a face-up jumper. And that theory applies to both. There are still way too many players between him and the basket to justify putting the defense at a disadvantage by crashing the boards. I guarantee you the mavs specifically tell dirk to fall back after his shots. Just like they'd tell any other who's 18ft from the basket to do so.

So the issue isn't that he's not crashing the boards. It's an issue of where his shots come from. And, sure, you can tell him to play closer to the basket, but that's like telling Tim Duncan to shoot a 3. If Dirk played closer to the basket, yes, he would absolutely get more offensive boards. But his offensive efficiency would decrease. You saw it in the 1st half against miami. he drove relentlessly and didn't finish a few times due to a little bit of contact. That's all he needs to do, though. Just keep on making the defense honest. If they're playing as high as they are, continue driving. Just gotta hope that he can get more calls or finish.

And getting to the FT line has never been a problem for dirk. In this HARD CORE, GANGSTA(!!!) version of the NBA, Dirk gets plenty of foul shots due to all of these NON-soft guys trying to block an impossible shot. He's crafty.

Seriously. I don't see how you guys can sit here and question anything about Dirk's offensive game. It's beyond reproach.

And his defense has gotten SO much better since Avery Johnson's stint. At the very least he's an average defender, just like Van Gundy said last series I believe. He's an average one-on-one defender and a good team defender.

The ONE thing I can see people really getting on him for THIS year is his rebounding. And I really don't have an explanation for that. He's got to be more aggressive on the boards. But he's certainly done that in the past. So this finite statements like "Dirk is soft," or "Dirk is a pussy" are pretty juvenile and completely ignore Dirk's body of work.

It stinks of haterade.

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I was with ya till you said this. I have no problem with him as a JUMP shotter. YOU say he is a PREMIER offensive player, BUT NOT being able to drive the lane and get shots to fall means ALL he can rely on is his SHOT. Thats NOT a premier player IMO.

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I was referring to game 1. He CAN score in the paint, but it's not his BEST option. Fadeaway, jumper, then drive. That's his game. It's also why his game hasn't deteriorated much over the years. And it's why it won't for at least a few more years to come.

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WELL he IS 7 feet tall. YES he moves around great for a guy that tall. But lock-down D he will NEVER B.

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I never said he would be.

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AGAIN have I EVER said this???? Careful who you are pointing AT.

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I wasn't referring to you specifically, just the general theme of this thread.

PERMA MOTHER frickING BAN BET that the mavs dont win 4 straight..

He's not going to change his whole game this late in his career

I've read thus entire thread and all of your wisdom. With all due respect you like to talk about basketball but you really dont understand the game at all. Did you ever have a good coach, Dad, or basketball expert teach you anything? Did you ever get any significant playing time in organized basketball?

You're really way way off and remember I said with all due respect.

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I've read thus entire thread and all of your wisdom. With all due respect you like to talk about basketball but you really dont understand the game at all. Did you ever have a good coach, Dad, or basketball expert teach you anything? Did you ever get any significant playing time in organized basketball?

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ALL DUE RESPECT BOMBER!! BUT what the frick are you talking about????

He says Dirk should play in the post because he's 7 ft. The guy is one of the best shooters the league has ever known. Dirk plays facing up, that's his game. He will end his career in the Top 5 or 6 alltime scorers.

Playing Dirk in the post would be akin to telling Shaq he needs to shoot more 3's to round out his game.

He obviously hates Dirk so anyone regarding his discussion ad genuine is like thinking I can have an unbiased debate in the virtues of Lebron James.

You are so butthurt that Dirk skullfricked "your team"

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Payroll =/= talent. How many other all-stars does dirk play with? I'm curious when the last time ANY of dirk's teammates MADE an all star team. Alternatively, I believe miami has 3 in their starting lineup that have made all star teams for years and continue to do so.

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Yeah b/c we all know allstar teams are always an accurate reflection of talent