With smaller guys, Dirk can shoot over them, and he can outquick the bigger guys. Is there anyone in the league that has the height and speed to guard Dirk?
He can get his jumper off over ANYONE...when he jumps up to shoot the ball is 9 feet in the air...The guy is unguardable, tonight I watched him lay it in, get the rebound on the other end and run it up the court and hit a jumper...then next possesion he makes a turnaround...the guy is insanely loose for a 7'1" player.
Quick, taller players like Marion can have some success guarding him, but Dirk is a superstar and no one can stop him. You can just hope that he doesen't have a huge game.
I think the answer is finally no. Tonight, Dirk showed his 6 assists and great game.You know, with LeBron, he's probably a better driver than Dirk, but making LeBron a jumpshooter stops him, I guess.As for Dirk, I'm not sure right now. Dirk is at about 86% FT on his career, 90.2% in the regular season ('05-'06), and around 89% in this postseason.As for Dirk's shot, the first series was vs. Memphis, so Dirk had 8 treys in 4 games. Against San Antonio, Dirk had to drive more and take over Bruce Bowen, and Dirk was 1-8. This series, he KNOWS he can't shoot three's because of Phoenix's running back, and I don't think he's shot any this series.As for shooting from the field, Dirk was 48% from the field in the 2005-2006 regular season, and then he is above 50% from the field in this postseason.NOW with Dirk passing, he's unstoppable.
What about Kevin Garnett? One of the more underrated defensive players. They match up well heightwise and both are equally quick. He must do well against Dirk.
Garnett is quick but still struggles to come out on the perimeter like almost all 7 footers have. Maybe he has the best chance of all that have been mentioned. Dirk has figured out I think how to be successful against smaller players. Attack the basket and get offensive rebounds.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>You could tell when Dirk went down to 81% FT.</div>What does that have to do with T-Mac shutting him down?
Tmac caused him trouble, just like Bowen did last season and Marion did in last years playoffs...But the key words there was "last year's" playoffs.Dirk has evovled into a better player...and while those guys may have a good night here and there against him, he has consistently proved, especially in these playoffs, that no ONE player can stop him, especially when his shot is on...and even when it isn't, he can still get his, by getting his points in the lowblock, and by getting to the FT line.KG has never really guarded him that well either. Remember, these two teams matched up like 2 years in a row, with a very young, and not quite as developed Dirk, and the Mavs taking dispatching them quickly.He has become the most unguardable player in the league, mainly because of his shooting, ball handling, and size.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ May 27 2006, 02:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What does that have to do with T-Mac shutting him down? </div>I mean, Dirk was averaging 11 RPG last year, so that's not too bad. He also averaged 30 PPG and 11 RPG vs. the Suns last year in the postseason.If you're talking about Houston, I SERIOUSLY think you're wrong. Before Dirk was sick, he averaged 30 PPG against the Rockets. He had brochomitis. Also, Dirk said that he wanted to get into a groove. His minutes went to around 35 MPG with Avery to make sure Dirk didn't get Dirk.NOW, Avery understands Dirk, so Dirk is fine.And last season, RYAN BOWEN guarded Dirk, the defensive specialist.
The only way to guard him is to put someone long on him, which is why I think Shawn Marion has a decent chance to low him down. Esssentially, you ned someone long, just like a TMac, a Shawn Marion. Keon Clark would fare really well against him as well...
Dirk looked to be manhandling those boys at the begining of the game last night. He can get to the basket almost at will it seemed like..I dont know if anyone on the Suns can actually stop him or keep him out of the lane
i dont think he can be stopped, the way the mavs have changed the way he attacks, there is no stopping him. He can post up marion on the block easy and take him to the basket, if they double, he can pass out and find a teammate for the easy assistedit: this ^^is just in this round of the playoffsin SA he was slowed down but not stopped, he still was able to score vs. the defense of bruce bowen and mike finley
I think Najera does as good as anyone...but still, noone can shut him down now.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Larry Hughes @ May 27 2006, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes alot of people can K.G can I seen befor and I am sure there is more.</div>Umm, no...especially not this year.If the question was, "Can anyone slow Dirk down" than it would probably be yes...but he can't be stopped when he's on, and even when he's off, he still gets his 20+ and 10 rebounds.
I would say that Rasheed Wallace can do the best job on him. He has the lateral quickness and length to give Dirk some fits.
