<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> When it comes to power forwards, the NBA belongs to two players ?Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves. But this season there could be third player to stake a claim for ownership ?Dirk Nowitzki. This could be the year that Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks shows that he can also be the type of complete player that separates Garnett and Duncan from the rest of the pack. </div> If Dirk plays the WHOLE season like hes played these last 2 games (contesting shots, going for rebounds, stealing, running after loose balls) I think he could very well emerge that high. Full Story
He'd need to learn how to play defense before he could even be put in the same sentence as Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan. He'd also need to work on his aggressiveness because he can play very soft.
In some ways, maybe. But in other ways, Dirk is a different sort of player, and bringing in Dampier to do the dirty work really means Dirk can play his natural game. He isn't the defensive presence, post player or shotblocker of KG and Duncan, but at the same time he's a better shooter, can score in more ways and will stretch defenses more. He won't get his 23/10 the same way KG and Duncan do, but he'll get it anyway.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">In some ways, maybe. But in other ways, Dirk is a different sort of player, and bringing in Dampier to do the dirty work really means Dirk can play his natural game. He isn't the defensive presence, post player or shotblocker of KG and Duncan, but at the same time he's a better shooter, can score in more ways and will stretch defenses more. He won't get his 23/10 the same way KG and Duncan do, but he'll get it anyway.</div> Actually, I have noicted, When we played the Kings the first game of the season, Whenever Brad Miller would AGRESSIVLEY man Dirk and prevent him getting the ball, Dirk probably out of anger would do EXACTLY the same to him when he was playing defense, Dirk just needs to be motivated to play D, He's an already good TEAM defender, Just has a little trouble in isolation and one on one situations.
Dirk is a very underrated defender. He's not a great off the ball defender, like Ben Wallace, that will come over and block the shots. But if all five players are playing defense (like they are now) and if the perimeter defenders are keeping their men from blowing past them (like thet are now), then Dirk can shut down his man. I think it is fair to talk about KG, Duncan and Dirk in the same breath. Dirk certainly is as (or probably more) unstoppable on the offensive end while not quite as good of a rebounder and defender. Dampier will definitely help Dirk's game, we're already seeing the benefits.
