Until the Mavericks won the championship against the Meat I never really truly appreciated how Dirk played. It was easy to say yeah he was a good shooter and was easy to under-estimate but double and triple teaming him he quietly says thank you for opening up my guy there and there and oh by the way I will still get 30 points and thank you again. He only got one but he probably should have had more rings.
Amazing career. Loved the way he went out, didn't make the year about him, supported his younger teammates. Special, Special player. Ill miss that one legged, fall away.
Honestly, they should make that the new NBA logo, and take out Jerry west. His one legged shot is iconic.
I feel like the league kind of gave him no choice. Everyone made it seem like his going away party and it would've probably been awkward if he had a desire to come back. I mean, most likely, he was probably headed this way, but he never officially announced it and the way the league treated it as official was a bit forceful.
It's just funny how every single media person is fawning over Dirk now after calling him soft for the first 15 yrs of his career. He was a true game changer-- top 15 all time.
In my opinion, he was part of one of the worst/best trades in NBA history. Trying to think of one that compares. Maybe Kareem to LA, Kobe to LA?
The Aldridge and Roy trades in 2006 were pretty lopsided, not to the extent of the ones you mentioned though. As well as trading Gerald Wallace for the 1st rounder that became Dame. The Pierce/Garnett trade to the Nets also has to be up there.
Best player in the NBA. Sabonis could be argued to be better in his prime, but there's no good way to compare.
Which is why i give it to Dirk. Longer career, much better stats and a ring. Nurk will dethrone him though.
