Is Nowitzki getting his proper respect?MAVERICKS PLAYBOOKIs Nowitzki getting his proper respect?By ART GARCIAStar-Telegram Staff WriterTORONTO - Avery Johnson could only turn back to the bench, arms in the air and exclaim, "What was that? Oh, my!"It was all the Mavericks coach could do not to get a technical.His frustration had to do with Dirk Nowitzki not getting a foul call after a strong drive and dunk over Raptors rookie Andrea Bargnani with 1:54 left in Sunday afternoon's 97-96 win over Toronto at Air Canada Centre."I thought it was an 'and one,' said Nowitzki, who averaged 40.5 points on the two-game road trip. "But they probably thought I was complaining too much."Nowitzki had gotten a technical less than a minute earlier for protesting an offensive foul. Johnson can't help but wonder if Nowitzki receives enough credit for his willingness to get physical inside."With the pounding he takes, in comparison to some of the other MVP or superstar players, he still doesn't get [to the line] enough," Johnson said. "He goes to the basket just as strong as anybody, but he doesn't get [to the line] enough. But that has more to do with perception."Heading into Sunday, Nowitzki was 11th in the league with eight free-throw attempts per game and is eighth with 7.2 free throws made. He was 7-for-9 at the line against Toronto and finished with 38 points.At this point in his career, one would think Nowitzki has earned his share of respect from officials and opponents."If he's not a highly respected player, then it's personal," Johnson said. "You're not really watching the games."Diop downA quick glance at the stats shows very little drop-off between last season and this one for DeSagana Diop. Of his two main duties, rebounding is marginally up, and blocked shots are down a smidge.Effectiveness isn't always measured with numbers. Avery Johnson hasn't seen the same level of consistency from Diop this season, and the backup center would agree."Some games I'm able to block shots and rebound, and other games, like the Indiana game [Friday], guys are just scoring on me," Diop said. "I can't worry about it. I have to keep working and doing what I'm doing."Diop is trying not to stress about his struggles, especially because the Mavs are winning. He's extended his workouts with developmental assistant Popeye Jones.Diop didn't play against the Raptors, his first "DNP-Coach's Decision" of the season. He made his mark last season by being active on the defensive end, and his 146 blocks led the team.But Diop has found himself in foul trouble often lately and hasn't blocked a shot in eight of his last 11 games. Johnson was at a loss to explain Diop's struggles."Who knows? I can't pinpoint it," Johnson said. "But he's going to have to accept the responsibility. We've coddled, we've disciplined, we've pointed out. Now, it's pretty much on him."Howard's rewardThe game-winning final basket wasn't about redemption for Josh Howard in a game in which his shot wasn't falling. The small forward struggled, shooting 5-of-17, with his only basket of the second half coming with 0.9 seconds left."It's just good to get this win," said Howard, who added eight rebounds and five assists. "That other stuff isn't even a concern for me."
I think the bigger tale of the article is Diop being in Avery's doghouse. As for Dirk, I think he gets calls his way more than your average player. Maybe not as much as the usual superstars but he gets them nonetheless. This article makes it seem Dirk gets no calls his way and I believe that's false.But back to Diop, kind of expected as I said before Diop has regressed this season from last. I don't know why but I expected improvement and it's like the same Diop. That's obviously not up to Avery's expectations and he's getting the pine. Can't really argue with Avery there and it helps that we can go small with Howard/George/Dirk in the frontcourt this year. I just hope Diop comes around and this wakes him up. We'll need him definately despite going small because if Diop ain't seeing time. Our frontcourt looks a bit thin.
I kinda doubt this tactic from Avery is going to work. Diop needs to get worked harder. Maybe more minutes to get in better shape is the answer. Also watching Diop's diet somehow would help. I don't care about his offense as long as he rebounds and plays defense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I kinda doubt this tactic from Avery is going to work. Diop needs to get worked harder. Maybe more minutes to get in better shape is the answer. Also watching Diop's diet somehow would help. I don't care about his offense as long as he rebounds and plays defense.</div>This post and your Damp thread, shows you favor one player over the another. When there is clearly a better player between the two. And that is Dampier, Diop should not be given more minutes when he's not producing in those minutes like Dampier is. That makes no sense, even though Damp was in a slump, he was still better than Diop. Dampier at least had reasons for his numbers being down, Diop doesn't. And I don't see his diet having anything to do with it. He's about the same weight last year and in fact looks slimmer. If you were for Dampier being benched to pick up his game, than this shouldn't be different. Playing a guy over another whose playing better makes no sense, your basically awarding a player for doing sh*t. And that's going to help Diop how? And don't tell me minutes will give him more experience to play well because Diop needs to be known he's not playing up to par and this should do it.
Well maybe Diop is better as a starter. All this rewarding and punishing stuff doesn't work imo. They all are trying hard but in some positions they are comfortable more than others. Maybe Diop is more comfortable as a starter. Dampier is comfortable both ways. Taking Diop out to prove a point is just stupid imo. Diop is definitely a better option than playing Dirk at center and going small.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>All this rewarding and punishing stuff doesn't work imo.</div>So why punish Damp? I'm not for starting a player over another who earned it. Dampier has said he's not happy about coming off the bench and that's why he wanted a chance to earn his spot back in camp. Diop just needs to have the same drive.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Taking Diop out to prove a point is just stupid imo.</div>Many coaches do this, it gets a players attention. Diop is not an attitude guy and should see this as a sign he needs to buck up. I'm confident that Avery will give Diop minutes the next game as we'll need him this season. He just needs to play smarter. Foul prone and his inability to finish(Damp at least finishes with power, Damp finishes like Bradley sadly) are his main issues that he needs to improve on.
Well in this case I doubt Diop has had motivational problems. I mean this team is one of the favorites to win a championship. I would think Diop would be doing everything possible to get there. As for Dampier I guess he outplayed Diop so far this year but at times he seems to play better off the bench.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>As for Dampier I guess he outplayed Diop so far this year but at times he seems to play better off the bench.</div>And he's played off the bench how many times this year?
Well I guess I can't argue with that. I think Diop is getting punished by how much heart he played with last year and it is not all there now.
Well I guess I can't argue with that. I think Diop is getting punished by how much heart he played with last year and it is not all there now.
Dirk doesn't get respect, I know ya'll are talking more about Diop but just hear thisLast night in the pre-game show of the Suns vs Grizz game they had a poll and it said Who has the best chance at winning MVP this season?ChoicesSteve NashDwyane WadeKobe BryantOtherThat's a disgrace to not have Dirk in the top 3.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Saint Baller @ Jan 16 2007, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dirk doesn't get respect, I know ya'll are talking more about Diop but just hear thisLast night in the pre-game show of the Suns vs Grizz game they had a poll and it said Who has the best chance at winning MVP this season?ChoicesSteve NashDwyane WadeKobe BryantOtherThat's a disgrace to not have Dirk in the top 3.</div>Yeah that pisses me off. Not a surprise though from the TNT dipshits. Dirk just isn't a popular player compared to the other superstars.
Dirk does get more calls than the "also-rans" in the NBA...but he doesn't get the respect of most kids like Lebron, Wade, and Paul, but he's a better player than most of these guys really.He should be top 3 in everyone's MVP race.Hell I remember last Friday, during the Spurs game, the announcers Barry and Walton, said "He's definately in my top 5 MVP race right now" after he exploded against the Spurs...like he wasn't even considered before that, lol.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Dirk doesn't get respect, I know ya'll are talking more about Diop but just hear thisLast night in the pre-game show of the Suns vs Grizz game they had a poll and it said Who has the best chance at winning MVP this season?ChoicesSteve NashDwyane WadeKobe BryantOtherThat's a disgrace to not have Dirk in the top 3.</div>That's a different type of respect. This article focuses on refs. Dirk has garnered the respect of the officials. He gets calls his ways, you can't deny that.
^He does get calls, more than the average players.But even you have to admit, he doesn't get the same respect as guys like Lebron, Wade, and even Melo.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>But even you have to admit, he doesn't get the same respect as guys like Lebron, Wade, and even Melo.</div>Yes, already mentioned that in my first post.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry, must have skimmed past it </div>Did you just roll your eyes at me?
