Re: German's versatility redefines the way 7-footer's play German's versatility redefines the way 7-footer's play12:12 AM CST on Friday, February 17, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsHumility prevents Dirk Nowitzki from saying it, so we will.The giant German has helped revolutionize the NBA, or at least his little corner of it, as it is played in the new era of athleticism over brute strength.The power forward began morphing into a new animal with Karl Malone, who still had the power game, but gradually moved the position from the low post to the wing. Then, along came Nowitzki, who rewrote the rules of the position and extended it beyond the 3-point line.There was a time when NBA 7-footers who made a living on the perimeter were known as softies or less-desirable names. Think Brad Sellers.Nowitzki, along with Kevin Garnett, has converted the position into something different.Maybe it should be the shower forward for the way he can sprinkle in 3-pointers whether he's covered or not.Or perhaps, it should be the tower forward for his ability to stand above all those smaller defenders who try to hack at him."He's unique," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "I don't know if I'd say he's revolutionized it. But there are a lot of people out there who want to be like Dirk. And I think in the future, it's inevitable that you'll see more guys who are as big as Dirk and Kevin Garnett who can shoot like they can."Dirk shoots to thrillWhile Amare Stoudemire ensures the prototypical power forward isn't going to go extinct, the movement clearly is toward more versatile players at that position. The same can be said for every position in the NBA.Sunday's All-Star Game, which will be Nowitzki's fifth straight, is a great example. Fans and coaches had to vote for centers, forwards and guards, but the lines blur more now than ever from position to position.Stan Van Gundy lamented playing Dallas as much as any team when he was coaching Miami. The Heat has the NBA's most difficult matchup in Shaquille O'Neal. But Van Gundy listed Nowitzki as the next toughest player to defend because of his rare versatility."The game goes more to the perimeter-type of big guys now," Nowitzki said. "Every power forward almost can shoot the little 15- or 16-footers and put the ball on the floor. Even the centers now are very mobile and can take their guys in a variety of ways."With the rules now, the league goes away from the back-to-the-basket, 10-dribble post-up, like Charles Barkley."Ahhh. Finally a way to get back at all those hollow insults that Barkley hurls at the Mavericks from the safety of that TV studio.Consider some of these numbers that document Nowitzki's status:?He's made 831 3-pointers in fewer than eight seasons, including his first season that was shortened to 50 games by the lockout. In his first eight seasons, all-time leader Reggie Miller had 1,035. No. 2 Dale Ellis had 625. The only forward among the top 10 all-time, Glen Rice, had 1,086 through eight seasons.?Nowitzki has 12,419 points in 574 games, a 21.6-point average. In his first eight seasons, Garnett had 11,877 points in 611 games, a 19.4-point average.Sharing the loadThe interesting thing about Nowitzki's trip to this year's All-Star Game in Houston is that his numbers say he's doing virtually everything he's done before, and more.But he's also doing less in many ways. His playing time is down slightly, and it will go down further if coach Avery Johnson has his way. Nowitzki's rebounding is lower than it's been since his second season. And he's not afraid to allow teammates to take on larger roles.These things are by design.MICHAEL MULVEY/DMNBig men in the NBA used to play with their backs to the basket, but Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett have shown that 7-footers can attack from the outside, too."Once everybody came back and we had the whole team [healthy], we asked: Is every individual guy willing to drop down his average and do all the other things, because we have so many scorers and so many guys who can make plays and score for themselves?" Nowitzki says."I think we've all sacrificed. We know [how many guys] can get 30 every night. But it's all about winning and playing together. We've had four or five guys in double figures every game, and we're a tough team when that happens."Nowitzki knows that he can make another half-dozen All-Star games, and some skeptics will continue to think of him as a soft 7-footer who happened to be able to shoot 3-pointers better than anybody else his size in the history of the game.Come to think of it, that's not such a bad legacy.But he wants more. And if people want to label him, so be it."I think if you're a jump-shooter first, you'll always be considered soft first," he says. "I never really cared about being called soft. I just tried to go out and help my team win. If that meant getting 15 rebounds or driving to the basket, then that's what I'd do."But I don't consider guys who elbow you in the face tough. Tough, to me, is going out every night and playing for a team no matter if you're sick or hurt. You want to be out there with your teammates and get the job done. That's my definition of tough."E-mail esefko@dallasnews.com.
Re: German's versatility redefines the way 7-footer's play To long to read. But yes, he has redefined the way 7-footers play basketball. You normally dont see someone 7 feet shooting the 3 ball, and shooting it good. Its also another advantage when some PF's and C's have to defend him because they are use to defending down low
Re: German's versatility redefines the way 7-footer's play Yeah it also really opens up the lane for slashers like Josh Howard to go to work. All this about low post prescence but you need outside shooters to have room for this. Dirk makes Josh Howard's job much easier by taking a big out.
Re: German's versatility redefines the way 7-footer's play It's great and refreshing that a 7 footer like him can shoot.
