Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense Is it me or does it seem like a ton of people still think Dirk is a horrible defender? I'm still seeing stuff saying that Dirk can't guard anyone and that his defense is horrible when in fact its not as bad. Sure he's never going to win Defensive Player of the Year, but for crying out loud, he is a middle of the road defender. If he sucks on defense so much then why is he on the court when its the last possession of the game and the other team has the ball? Wouldn't it make more sense to put a better defender in there since Dirk is so horrible at defense? What I really think is that everyone that says Dirk is a bad defender doesn't watch the Mavericks play. Dirk is the most underated defender in the league. A lot of people think players like Gasol are better defenders when in reality they aren't. Anyone else agree?
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense I think Elton Brand is the most underrated defender in the NBA. He average about 2 or 3 blocks per game last year and 12 rebounds per game I think. Dirk is also very underrated. Maybe it's because he has to guard either quicker guards or stronger forwards which leaves him at a disadvantage.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense I agree. Dirk is very underrated as a defender. People like to crack jokes like he is soft and plays no defense but that specifically is not the case for a couple years now.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense All eurpean players get labled as "soft"(believe me...memphis fan here), but Dirk has nice defensive stats, just isnt a lockdown defender. Not that dominant on defense.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense His defense isnt all that but its not that bad.. He does tend to play a little soft at times. You have to admit that.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense He still isnt a defensive stopper, but his defense is SOLID to say the least and is just gonna improve.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense <span style="font-family:Book Antiqua">I would go so far to claim that Dirk is a horrible defender. It's just that when Dirk does get the chance to do a spectacular defensive stop, he doesn't do it. For instance, he got dunked on by Boris Diaw. How the hell did that happen? Not even Steve Nash would get dunked on by Boris Diaw!Anyway, if anything, Dirk is a better defender than Nash. Everytime Nash goes for a charging foul, he gets dunked on (ex.: Kobe or Ricky Davis, anyone?).I think Dirk has room to improve, yet he's a very solid defender. He doesn't play lock down D, but he can stop players every few possessions like anyone else can. He won't ever be compared to incredible defenders, such as Ben Wallace, but he won't ever be compared to horrible defenders like Ha Seung Jin neither.</span>
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense Wow, he got dunked on. So has every other player in the League. I didnt believe Mav fans at first when they said that Dirk's defense has improved, but after watching most of the Mavs playoff games, I can honestly say that Dirk's defense has improved, and I dont think you can call him a "bad" defender anymore. He is an average defender.
Re: Dirk Nowitzki's Defense <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I would go so far to claim that Dirk is a horrible defender. It's just that when Dirk does get the chance to do a spectacular defensive stop, he doesn't do it.</div> <span style="font-family:Book"><span style="font-family:Arial">Well watching games from last season, I don't see how you can say he doesn't step with a late defensive play. He's had key blocks in the 4th quarter of games last year.</span></span> On topic, he'll always be labeled with that stigma of being a soft/no defense player because that's how people label foreigners. If he continues to improve, it'll rub off but it's hard to do with people these days. A lot of people, not just ball players get labeled one thing and stays with them for life. Despite any change, never got why, never will.
