ballocks

i think it's interesting that people are starting to perceive nowitzki as overrated (i think there's a thread about it on the main board). when you think about how soon it's come after his mvp win last season, you start to wonder.

i think 7' jumpshooters are fighting a tough battle. anyone who's a bit of an anomaly like that faces the same ups and downs. 'people' highlight their achievements like they're the best things since sliced bread, and rag on their failures like they couldn't be any worse. the highs are very high and the lows are very low. meanwhile, player types with firmly established precedents in this league face the opposite- it probably takes them longer to stand out initially, but when they do, it's for the count. i'm thinking of first option shooting guards, for example: mcgrady, carter, pierce, etc. i mean, they're not as lauded for their milestones but it's rare that you see the word 'overrated' associated with them either. they're kind of in between, while their play varies equally.

bargnani is not nowitzki but i'm talking about tall jumpshooters, of whom he is certainly one. he'll probably have to endure frequent periods of criticism throughout his career- and he'll have to improve in spite of them. i think his 'toughness' is as important in this area as it is to our team right now. long-term, he'll need it to survive in the league; short-term, we need it to take our team to the next level.

peace