I don't think anyone can guard him single-coverage. But if you double Dirk, who's a willing passer, you're giving up open looks to their shooters. What makes Dallas so dangerous right now is that everyone seems to be shooting lights out.
I guess as a German I don`t really count here - I root for the rockets when they play the Mavs. But this year I´d really like them to win it all. The way Dirk is playing right now he really deserves that title - if not the Mavs I´d be happy with the Bulls. I hate the Jazz with a passion - I don`t like the Spurs and I don`t like the Lakers. That`s about it when it comes to rivals.
I just can't stand Dirk, that's why I hate the Mavs. I recognize his greatness, but I'm still counting on him to fold a little when the tough gets going, either later in this series or hopefully against the Bulls in the Finals. So far, they've had a relative cake walk with the Blazers and Lakers. And that foul on Durant on the break last night was dirty chicken ****. I agree with JVG that it should have been a flagrant. Typical Dirk to me - he'll be great on offense, but he always manages to do something to make him look like a jackass. Last night, it was not even trying to go for the ball and sending OKC's star barreling into the first row.
It wasn't dirty. A flagrant would have been justified, because he didn't make a play for the ball, but it didn't at all look like he was intentionally trying to hurt Durant or send a message. I don't even think he was trying to foul him hard. He didn't want to give up a layup, he didn't exactly have the agility/athleticism to cleanly block the shot, and he didn't want to foul him while he was up in the air. So he made body contact with him just before he took off. The alternative would have been backing off and letting him score a layup in an important playoff game, in which case critics would probably call him soft or defensively timid.
So because he doesn't have the athleticism to block the shot he should just throw his body into a player running full speed at the basket? I don't think it was necessarily dirty, but I think it was lazy and not a justified basketball play. It would have been better if he had at least tried to take a swipe at the ball.
I don't get the rivalry either, both against the Mavs and the Spurs. The only time the Mavs beat us in the playoffs was 6 years ago. And the last time we played the Spurs in the playoffs was when Hakeem schooled Robinson. Why are these teams our "rivals" is beyond me. I do understand Houstonians hating the city of Dallas. But San Antonio? idk. Other than the Rockets, I root for players, not teams. Other than the Lakers, I hate players, not teams. I generally don't want success for players that are (in this order): 1. dirty 2. selfish/arrogant 3. bad characters off the court 4. too hyped up by the media
Appreciate the input y'all. I don't hate Dirk at all. He's a fantastic player, and a joy to watch. He's one of the greats, top 25 perhaps. It's just the fact he plays for Dallas that irks me. Maybe it's a pride thing, but I enjoy the Rockets having the edge over Dallas in the rings department. I want to be able to say that, our team, has held the gold twice, and that they have yet to win it all. I just can't conceive the notion of cheering for an 'enemy', so to speak. Same with the San Antonio Spurs. Though, we can't really compete with them in the ring department. The dislike on Utah and Los Angeles has to do with their players being dirty. I can understand where everyone is coming from. We all have our own views.
I don't know how Dallas became a rival to us other than to insecure people that think all things Dallas sucks and Houston RULES! lol. Come to think of it, are there really any great rivalries in the NBA outside of maybe the Celtics/Lakers? Most other rivalries were short-lived.
Honestly I have no real dislike for any team in the NBA these days, I'm a Rockets fan and I like watching/supporting the Magic in the east as most of the coverage we get where I live is eastern conference games and I like Howard. I've been "cheering" for OKC in these finals mainly because I like Westbrook as a player, and if the Rockets are out of the picture I'll support a team with players I like.
If you'll notice my handle, I'm not a big fan of the Mavs. Honestly I used to not have a hatred for the Mavs......until I moved to Dallas 6 years ago. Mavs fans are annoyingly insecure at times. I think it has to do with an inferiority complex being the only texas team not to win a chip. I guess it's also because I moved here when the rox and mavs met in the playoffs and there was such trash talk I grew a hatred for all things mavs. Most mavs fans probably don't have an issue of dissing the rockets.....it's probably just my friends here giving me a hard time bc they know I'm diehard rox fan and I'm always wearing my rockets hat. Whatever the case....i root against the mavs. I hope they don't meet the heat in the finals....bc then I'd have a serious dilemma. I don't like the spurs either, but not because there another texas team....they're just dirty. Don't get me started on Utah.
Most sports fans moving to another city would hate the fans of the local teams. This is because sports fans are mostly homers. (Guys, don't pretend that you are not homers too.) They are just annoying to fans of other teams.
I used to hate the Mavs but watching them in the playoffs I started to like them. Even started to like Dirk cause its hard to hate when he is playing that amazing. Still want the Thunder to win but I wouldnt be that upset either way. For the East/West thing, it doesnt matter to me. I root for the team i like better and i hate the Heat. 1.Thunder 2.Bulls 2. Mavs 4. lockout starts early.
