stevemc

Been a while since I've posted but after a 2nd early exit from the playoffs I have to vent. Once again the 2006-2007 NBA MVP is a non-factor in a playoff series. As the star of a team that is considered a contender I would expect more. This goes back to thousands of posts that Dirk is this or Dirk is that but its a fact, he's past his prime... he will not learn how to play solid D nor gain the aggressiveness needed to succeed as a premier player in the NBA. Similar to what people say Yao Ming lacks from time to time looking timid or awkward when pressured like a young euro player in his 1st NBA game all over again. This brings me to the title of this thread... too bad everyone has seen Dirk struggle when most need as he's aged to the point of no where to go but down hill. There is little or no value here. It would be like building a team around Rashard Lewis or Peja. You can't do it. You build a team around a player who is complete. One who is an example of excellence at his position. Yes he is a mismatch nightmare for other teams... no wait... everyone has figured out how to guard him if you've watched the Mavs play against the best of the West this year.


Others will look to the Kidd trade for blame but Cuban's desire to stay with the German Jumpshooter has sealed our destiny as a Playoff under achiever. Jason Kidd cannot be our saviour. He's at his best with an athletic team around him. Our veteran (or as I would call it old and slow.. but veteran is more plesant word for over the hill) players aren't active like the young kids Kidd has had success with in the playoffs in past years.

I'm tired of his "strong move to the basket" looking like an awkward uncontrolled attempt at drawing the foul, a la Manu (the best actor in the leauge).

I'm tired of his half other word for a donkey defense.

I'm tired of other teams nobodies punking our star player.

I'm tired of winning meaningless regular season games just to have REAL NBA stars out shine someone earning a max contract.

And I'm tired of posting for now... I will return...

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VeN

all true

VeN

well regardless, they have a LOT of work to do this offseason.

xray

Good God Steve, it's been forever!!!

You guys know my feelings - 3-4 years ago when his value was overrated - that's the time to feel out the market. Now, probably not what you would've got back then.

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rocketeer

dirk was a non factor in the playoffs? you must have been watching a different series than me. the non factors were kidd, stackhouse, dampier, and most of all howard.

three guys came to play for dallas and those were dirk, terry, and bass. no one else even bothered showing up.

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knickstorm

if you guys feel that upset, dirk for melo then.......them nugget fans wanna blow the team up anyway.

VeN

jho, stack, and filler?

edwardcyh

I will still vote "no" because Dirk's value hasn't really dropped much.

Dirk has had plenty of excuses for the collapse of past 2 years:

1. Nellie knows him better than he knows himself.
2. The rest of the supporting cast never bothered to show.

Plus, with a salary of:
$18,077,904 08-09
$19,795,714 09-10
$21,513,524 10-11

It's still a bargain for a 7 footer who churns out 24/10 night in and night out.

His value is still up there.

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Drewbs

Why is Dirk getting heat for this? He was solid in general.

Why not talk about trading Kidd, Howard, or Stackhouse? You know, those guys who didn't show up?

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Dissonance19

Stackhouse and Kidd couldn't get them anything. Howard has some value, but they wouldn't get anyone who could make them better.

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croco

Dirk a non-factor ? What series did you watch ? Him and Bass were the only ones who showed some consistency during the series. Dirk is not the problem, but I think forcing him to be the #1 option every night isn't going to work anymore because teams have found ways to take away the spacing we had. It did work in 06 because we had a better defense and the players around him were complementing his game, this hasn't been the case since. I'd say trade him if there is a good deal, but that would have to include great young players and/or draft picks because he is still a Top 15, maybe Top 10 player in the league and in his prime.

Other than that I totally agree with your post and hope you'll stay around.

stevemc

24 and 10 is great when your able to stop someone too. Otherwise your 24 points are erased by giving up just as many and your 10 boards are a wash from the inability to actually block out. Incomplete players aren't worth building a team around. Dirk is still a constant defensive liability on the floor and any decent team in the league can and has slowed him offensively just by putting an athletic guard on him. People say why blame Dirk? Well as the 2006 MVP I expect a little more. Period. I understand that other players did under perform but it all starts with the face of the team being an overrated euro baller who's shortcomings make him better fit as a number 2 guy on a team.

As for the old tired legs surrounding Dirk, I can't say any team will actually trade for them and give us anything of value. Especially after they've looked so old and tired two playoff series in a row. Has Damp ever been a factor when not guarding someone as big and slow as he is? It's not the 90s anymore.. Stack and Kidd are two steps slower than this whole generation of players in the league now.

Here's the question... Would Harris been able to slow Chris Paul from his domination of the Mavs? Would Diop's above average athleticism for a big been more effective guarding the Hornets' undersized bigs? Lots of ifs and buts.. but if it wasn't for them this board wouldn't be around

As for Howard, he's feeds off the success of other players. He has become better at creating his own shot over the years but is still not a viable offensive weapon yet.

Side note... Raja Bell sure turned out alright. Too bad we let someone who can actually defend premier guards in this league walk.

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croco

His defense on West wasn't terrible and you can't say he wasn't trying because he obviously was. Let's not forget that he still can't be a hundred percent with the high ankle sprain he suffered, it's impossible to make a full recovery while competing at the highest level. He also deserves some of the blame, but if you consider that he has had a PER of 26 in the playoffs there isn't really much more you can expect from him.

In a perfect world he is probably better suited to be a second option because it is hard to create for a seven footer who doesn't like to post up. Having said all that I still think it is time for both to move on unless there is a deal that nods a superstar while keeping, that of course is totally unrealistic like I mentioned a few times before. It's probably in the best interest of both to make a decision because at the end of the day we still haven't won that championship and that is what it's all about.

VeN

come on, thats the definition of hindsight. when he was here he stunk the place up on D and O. I remember he cut an interview a season ago where he said he worked hard before he joined the suns on improving his D.