I've always liked Dirk a little, but I've noticed something the last couple years. He's a very vocal presence on the bench, but it's not always for the right reasons. Last night was yet another example of his team being down, and when someone blew a defensive assignment, Dirk was in the guy's (in this case Harris) face, yelling at him about a defensive mistake. This also happened in the Phoenix series in the playoffs last year. What's up with him? A leader is not a guy who chews his guys out on the bench in front of the cameras all the time, if that's what Dirk is trying to accomplish. Dirk is not always up to snuff on the defensive end in his own right, so I find it interesting that he seems to be constantly in the grill of his teammates letting them know every time they make a mistake. Any thoughts from a fan who sees Dirk/the Mavs on a more consistent basis would be appreciated.
I've wondered about this myself. What's his deal? There are guys all over the league that try to drive their teammates hard, but few of them seem to employ the same tactics. And yet, I've heard little complaint of his methods. Perhaps we just don't know the whole picture. Anyone who can help?
well... Dirk comes off as an easy-going type of guy generally. I believe AVERY told him to chew guys out if they screw up. He never did this in the Nellie era that I have seen. Okay, it's more his team now, but still I don't believe he was waiting for Finley to leave so he could tell people they screwed up. Also his teammates have good comments about him in the post-game - the other day Jason Terry called him the MVP, even though let's face it he was beyond an outside shot at winning it last year. While Nowitzki has not earned the respect of Tim Duncan or MJ, as leaders of their team, those guys wouldn't put up with sloppy play on the court either. Bottom line, if it takes Nowitzki being a dick for the Mavs to go further this year, AVERY WILL TRY IT.
He'll yell at all his teammates alright, but never takes responsibility or accepts fault for his poor outing during yesterday's game or any other game for that matter. If he's a leader, he doesnt lead by example. He should've been the first of the former big three to be moved.
After Dirk ripped Dampier, it worked and Dampier stepped up his game. I think Dirk is coming out of his shell and is trying to be the vocal leader on the court for the Mavs. On TV all they highlight are his outbursts, but there must be some positive reinforcement following his tongue lashing, otherwise players wouldn't respond to him anymore. I do agree, leading by example is the most effective and Dirk has to do a better job of this. He has several defensive lapses and he's not getting to the line like he was a year ago.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dallasdude:</div><div class="quote_post">He'll yell at all his teammates alright, but never takes responsibility or accepts fault for his poor outing during yesterday's game or any other game for that matter. If he's a leader, he doesnt lead by example. He should've been the first of the former big three to be moved.</div> WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dirk yelling at teamates is not the best thing for him to do but, it's not that he's a jerk about it and does it every play. And Dampier and Devin respect Dirk enough to listen whenever he has an outburst. But Dirk must think he's in Germany where he can yell at the Coach if he wanted to. But to say that he should be moved from Dallas is crazy. The Shaq deal if that's what your reffering to was never gonna happen even with Dirk involved cuz The Lakes didnt want shaq in the west. You think Cuban is stupid enough to keep Dirk over SHAQ. But Cuban had to say that he wasnt going to deal Dirk publicly or else Dirk would be gone from Dallas because Dirk wanted to leave.
I'm not talking about the deal for Shaq specifically, but they could've tried for similar lucrative offers. If only any other all-star caliber player was in his place during the big three era, the mavs would've fared much better in the playoffs. Think about KG or Jermaine Oneal or Elton Brand surrounded by the talent Dirk had with his team. Back to the original topic, there are quiet leaders like Duncan and more vocal leaders like Iverson. Dirk's probably the best international player to play the game, but he fits in neither category, crumbles under pressure and disappears in clutch situations. Dirk has a chance to prove me wrong if the mavs make it to this post season though
yeah last year in the phoenix game, wen nash hit a 3 in the last few seconds, dirk went over to terry and yelled at him =/ but i dont no why he does this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VeNMaN:</div><div class="quote_post">lol god what a bunch of fairweather fans, who have absolutely 0 idea wtf they are talkin about.</div> This thread is about Dirk and not the posters. How about posting something that's related to the discussion here?
I do think that this situation has been blown a little out of proportion. It didn't seem as if Dirk was really yelling at Devin but leave it to ESPN to make a situation more than it was. I do like Dirk stepping up and being a vocal leader of this team and at least he stepped up and admitted his fault in the Mavs losing the game as he was the Bucks 6th Man.
that's funny Lakers didn't want to do the trade because Shaq would be in the West?? they didn't even make the playoffs last year I don't think they would be playing that card. Cuban said Dirk was untouchable and I believe him. IF Cuban would have budged, Lakers SHOULD have traded for Dirk instead of Loser Odom and Brian Grant who I like, but is not athletic enough to be in the NBA at this point. A team with Kobe and Dirk would have made the playoffs no question even with the Hamblem/Tomjanovich debacles.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SMDre:</div><div class="quote_post">I do think that this situation has been blown a little out of proportion. It didn't seem as if Dirk was really yelling at Devin but leave it to ESPN to make a situation more than it was. I do like Dirk stepping up and being a vocal leader of this team and at least he stepped up and admitted his fault in the Mavs losing the game as he was the Bucks 6th Man.</div> Bingo! BSPN has become a sports tabloid, they are selling drama and nothing else. If this was a big deal Mark Cuban would address it in his blog and Avery Johnson would discipline Dirk for crossing the line with his teammates. It's really funny how Dirk gets criticized for not speaking out and not being a leader a few seasons ago. Then he starts yelling at teammates who make mistakes, and he gets criticized for speaking out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It's really funny how Dirk gets criticized for not speaking out and not being a leader a few seasons ago. Then he starts yelling at teammates who make mistakes, and he gets criticized for speaking out.</div> Yelling at teammates and disrespecting opponents isn't leadership though. I don't know what's happened to Dirk, but i was very disappointed with his reaction to Pau's 36 and 15 last week. Rather than give Pau credit and admit he wasn't good enough to stop him on the night, he decided to rip on Pau and proceed to blame everyone (except himself) for Pau's big night. A real leader accepts responsibility and shows respect to his opponent (see Tim Duncan).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers didn't want to do the trade because Shaq would be in the West?? they didn't even make the playoffs last year I don't think they would be playing that card. Cuban said Dirk was untouchable and I believe him. IF Cuban would have budged, Lakers SHOULD have traded for Dirk instead of Loser Odom and Brian Grant who I like, but is not athletic enough to be in the NBA at this point. A team with Kobe and Dirk would have made the playoffs no question even with the Hamblem/Tomjanovich debacles.</div> Dirk is not a leader and can't lead a team no more than how good his teammates are. Like you mentioned Kobe and Dirk would be a good fit, where Dirk doesn't have to be responsible for nothing and play beside a superstar.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Yelling at teammates and disrespecting opponents isn't leadership though. </div> Watch this one guy named Michael Jordan. You would all agree he was a great leader right? He was constantly yelling at all of his teammates from Scottie to Dickey Simpkins, I suggest reading "Jordans Rules" by Sam Smith it will let you see a season around Jordan, and how he was a complete a-hole to most of the guys around him, including the front office. With that being said, its hard to tell if yelling is good leadership, some players are receptive to that sorta stuff (See any team Bob Knight coached), some players get motivated if their mad, some don't it sorta depends on the player...
dude dallasdude, you said "Dirk is not a leader and can't lead a team no more than how good his teammates are. Like you mentioned Kobe and Dirk would be a good fit, where Dirk doesn't have to be responsible for nothing and play beside a superstar." obviously you're not a fan of Dirk's. But if you think he doesn't want responsibiltiy then you're wrong. He demands the ball in pressure situations as hard as any leading scorer on any team. Watch him in fourth quarters scream for the ball. He's leading his team pretty well this year a hell of a lot better than Kobe.
