want to hear Dirk choked by anyone on this board. I as many know didn't like Dirk but this post season he's proven me wrong. What he did in the first 3 rounds should'nt be tarnished because Josh howard brain stopped and Terry thought he was jordan. It's not his fault Dampier is a stooge, he played his heart out to get his teamates here to see them all fall down.
So what he did in the finals doesn't count because of Howard? He had a poor performance in the finals, simple as that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Heatfan32 @ Jun 21 2006, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So what he did in the finals doesn't count because of Howard? He had a poor performance in the finals, simple as that.</div>It does count but that doesn't define his preformances this post season. Are you going to define Lebron's post season over what happened in game 7? No way in hell.Dirk was a beast during these playoffs, if anyone should get blamed it's those idiots surrounding him particularly terry and howard who left their shooting game at home.What i'm saying is that i don't want people to say Dirk choked and forget what he did this post season.
He had a great post season but he didn't show up when it mattered. I'm not judging Dirk on 1 game here, im taking into account how he played throughout the entire finals, which wasn't very good even though he still managed to get his points.
Drik was great in these playoffs but late in the 4th quarter Marquis Daniels, Jerry Stackhouse and Josh Howard were the ones taking all the shots...Dirk didn't step up.
I think more of it had to do with the double teams. Same thing with Shaq. The other Mavs didn't hit their shots. Dirk had two bad games, but I don't think he choked. His best game was when the season was on the line, and the rest of the team wasted it.Overall Dirk stepped up his game and carried the team to the Finals, so I don't think anyone can reasonably be disappointed.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Drik was great in these playoffs but late in the 4th quarter Marquis Daniels, Jerry Stackhouse and Josh Howard were the ones taking all the shots...Dirk didn't step up.</div> Howard did not step in the 4th quarter at all. I don't know what games you were watching. He only scored 2 pts in 4th quarters in the 4 losses. Some way to step up. Daniels only played much of the 4th quarter last game. Dirk hit some clutch baskets but they were wasted because other players did not step up. Also, Dirk was in more ways forced to pass by the Miami Heat defense. While Dallas was forced to double Shaq, leaving Wade with one on one coverage. That's where we lost the series. They had 2 superstars, we had one. Dirk put up consistent numbers but had no 2nd option when it counted.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bowles @ Jun 21 2006, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think more of it had to do with the double teams. Same thing with Shaq. The other Mavs didn't hit their shots. Dirk had two bad games, but I don't think he choked. His best game was when the season was on the line, and the rest of the team wasted it.Overall Dirk stepped up his game and carried the team to the Finals, so I don't think anyone can reasonably be disappointed.</div> Dirk Nowitzki could have done a lot more, he didn't go to the rim and Shaq really intimidated him. Dirk has to realize that he's 7'0" tall,he had very good games but yesterday the Mav's needed him late and Marquis Daniels showed more.
Dirk got his team to the Finals. Then he just went on a cold streak and couldn't get on fir or get anything going.
You have to admit that dirk did choke in game 3 (along with the rest of the team). He missed a critical free throw that would have tied the game.
But, he never really had spectacular games like he did before the series. How is that not going cold? Well, what is your definition of "going cold"?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Jun 21 2006, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Drik was great in these playoffs but late in the 4th quarter Marquis Daniels, Jerry Stackhouse and Josh Howard were the ones taking all the shots...Dirk didn't step up.</div>The hell is that supposed to mean?If he tried to force some shot over 2 defenders you would be saying he's a ballhog, and he needs to involve teammates more.
He's also had guys step up over the course of the year. Did Howard have any problems in past series in the 4th quarter? Where was Harris who was a huge part in the Spurs series. Jason Terry if I read correctly missed his last 11 shots in game 6. This is a team game, one person is not going to win the game. Just look at the Heat who had other guys contribute with Wade, not just in scoring, but in key rebounds(offensively) and in defense.
If you stay around your average on free throws, I don't call that choking. That's just my opinion. I can't blame Dirk for passing out of double teams. No, he really hasn't been beating them all year especially when other teams aren't putting someone as big as Shaq on him at times. And he wasn't getting any calls when people would bang him and steal the ball. He still should have shot fewer jumpshots, obviously. So should the rest of the team.
If Howard and Terry hit their open shots and make the Heat pay for double-teaming Dirk, suddenly Dirk gets more one-on-one coverage and we're all talking about how he stepped up on the biggest stage. Yeah, his jumpshot wouldn't fall at times and he was shooting too many jumpshots, but there wasn't much else he could do.
I'm not convinced that Dirk is the leader on this team...He's a great player...an All-Star...and skill wise, the best on the team...but I think Jason Terry is better suited as a leader...he has intangibles that Dirk doesn't have...And Dirk bit the big one...all Mavs fans know it...But He's a great player and will be back next year...better than ever
