It was interesting. I was watching game 4 of the Dallas/Phoenix series yesterday, and one of the commentators said the following: "Another no call for Dirk. He has got to be the least respected MVP calibre player in the NBA. He never gets calls, unless they are against him." This comment is pretty accurate. Dirk DOES NOT get any calls. I just don't get it. I was just wondering, who do you guys think is the least respected MVP calibre player? My vote goes to Dirk
If least respected means no "superstar" calls, then I'd have to disagree. I think Dirk has gotten more calls go his way this year, more than any other year. In correlation, this is the best year of his career so far. Respect from the refs is earned by your play, and as long as Dirk keeps getting better, then more "superstar" calls will go his way. I think Iverson gets the least amount of "superstar" calls go his way this year for an "MVP-caliber" player. He throws his body around and gets knocked down, but doesn't get whistle. Case in point is the Pistons series this year.
Part of the reason is because he shoots a lot of jumpers than be aggresive and attack the basket, though this year he has averaged over 8 FT attempts per game (if I'm correct). I did listen to that comment during the game, but I dont think that's an accurate statement.
Dirk fumbles the ball quite a bit from the games I have watched and he's not the smoothest guy out there. Plus its not like he gets hammered and no call is made. AI gets a ton of calls. I'd say maybe Nash. Every MVP type gets superstar calls.
I can't understand that. Throughout the Houston series, and in much of the second round, I marveled at the number for fouls Dirk would draw just be throwing himself into defenders and flailing his arms.
Just put Udonis Haslem to guard him and he won't be able to even look at Dirk without getting called for a foul
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Just put Udonis Haslem to guard him and he won't be able to even look at Dirk without getting called for a foul </div> I haven't been watching the Heat's series (mainly because they go so quickly), but has Udonis been getting unfairly officiated?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't understand that. Throughout the Houston series, and in much of the second round, I marveled at the number for fouls Dirk would draw just be throwing himself into defenders and flailing his arms.</div> I agree that Dirk got his share of "superstar" calls in their series with Houston, but not more than what McGrady and Yao got. I think ultimately, if there are "superstars" on both teams, the calls will even out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dallasdude:</div><div class="quote_post">Part of the reason is because he shoots a lot of jumpers than be aggresive and attack the basket, though this year he has averaged over 8 FT attempts per game (if I'm correct). I did listen to that comment during the game, but I dont think that's an accurate statement.</div> That's what I mean about earning respect by the way a player plays. Especially during the playoffs, the aggressor is rewarded. Dirk has his limitations driving the ball against smaller defenders, and that's why teams have put Marion and McGrady on him. That's why Dirk needs to improve his post play and his ability to pass on the move, before he can be considered a more complete player. I love the NBA, and I believe respect is earned. Dirk has earned some of that respect, but he still has a ways to go.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Iverson gets the least amount of "superstar" calls go his way this year for an "MVP-caliber" player. He throws his body around and gets knocked down, but doesn't get whistle. Case in point is the Pistons series this year.</div> That's not true, if anything he gets the most calls. I think the refs let some of them slide at times because Iverson gets into the paint so much and draws contact that he can foul out the opposing team entire frountcourt, so I believe the refs don't call of it, however they blow the whistle majority of the time for him. But you're right, in the Pistons series he wasn't getting as much calls as he usually does, but then again it's the Playoffs and it's much for physical than the regular season thus they probably let a lot of those fouls slide. Dirk on the other hand has yet to reach that superstar class. He was just an MVP candidate for this year, that's all. As the years progress and he keeps getting considered for MVP than he may reach that superstar plateau and then maybe he can get some calls. At the same time I agree with kingrex, Dirk did get more calls than he usually does this year so hopefully for him he'll get more and more calls in his favor down the line.
Dirk is a great player, All-Star for sure, but I wouldn't put him on the same level as guys like Kobe Bryant, Shaq, McGrady, Duncan or Garnett. While Dirk's offensive game is second to none at his size, his defense is still suspect. Until he develops a more well-rounded game, he wouldn't be a superstar. Even though he doesn't get a lot of calls, he still gets 10+ FT attempts on the regular when he decides to attack the basket against slower PFs defending him. I think that is enough. Although there certainly are fouls that just don't get called, it should be noted that such things occur to everyone, and Dirk gets away with some fouls on the other end himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that Dirk got his share of "superstar" calls in their series with Houston, but not more than what McGrady and Yao got. I think ultimately, if there are "superstars" on both teams, the calls will even out.</div> I strongly disagree in that Yao gets more calls than Dirk... Yao gets probably the least call for him and the most call against him mainly because he's tall. He gets hammered down in the post by double, triple teaming, and while he does fumble the ball alot but there's alot of time players just grab on to him, pushing him, shoving him and no whistles are blown for Yao cause he's tall and he's supposed to be able to take it... BS.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">I haven't been watching the Heat's series (mainly because they go so quickly), but has Udonis been getting unfairly officiated?</div>Against the Mavs he got called for some ticky tack and phantom fouls. In the 2nd game near the last minutes of the 4th, he didn't even have a hand on Dirk and got called for a shooting foul (and 1). So yeah, as long as you have some no name PF guarding Dirk (Haslem), he'll get a lot more calls to go his way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">I strongly disagree in that Yao gets more calls than Dirk... </div> I never said that he got more call than Dirk. In fact if you look at my quote, I think in the end it evens out. Especially in the NBA, the aggressor is rewarded, and when Yao and Dirk are aggressive, they get calls to go their way. But they have to earn it with their play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't put him on the same level as guys like Kobe Bryant, Shaq, McGrady, Duncan or Garnett. </div> I wouldn't either, but he took a step closer this year. He needs to get a better post-up game and be more effective at passing to get to that point. I think his one-one defense is suspect, but his helpside defense has improved.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Against the Mavs he got called for some ticky tack and phantom fouls. In the 2nd game near the last minutes of the 4th, he didn't even have a hand on Dirk and got called for a shooting foul (and 1). So yeah, as long as you have some no name PF guarding Dirk (Haslem), he'll get a lot more calls to go his way.</div> And Dampier will get it against Shaq and Josh Howard will get it against Wade. Like I said these "superstar" calls will even out in the end.
I think it showed again. Dirk was getting slapped, chopped, and kicked numerous times when the Mavs were doing what your supposed to (driving the lane and getting somekinda call to stop the other teams momentum) late in the game. And the final 3 that he took was set up the same way that Webber's was awhile back. It just didn't fall.
The great players adjust their play to what the refs are calling. Dirk whined and never adjusted his play. I love Dirk and believe he can still win a championship for this team, but he still has a lot to learn.
