Dirk Nowitzki NBA Finals Player Profile
June 11th 2006 02:35
The second in our series of prominent players in the NBA Finals is my
man Dirk Nowitzki, also known in these pages as the ‘Big Sauerkraut’ amongst other things. Now, being labelled after fermented cabbage maybe deemed as an insult, but I can assure you dear, reader it is not. The writer of this page loves the big German and it is a term of endearment. Kinda, like when all of my loved ones call me ‘idiot’. No, harm, no foul!
So, why don’t we peruse some of Dirk’s details?
Name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki
Date of Birth: 19 June 1978, in Wurzburg, Germany
Height: 2.13m
Draft: 1998 (ninth pick overall)
Scoring average per game: 26.9
Rebound average per game: 9
Assists per game: 2.8
Holds Dallas records in:
• Most points in a game (53)
• Most points in playoff game (50)
• Most consecutive free throws made (60)
Mr. Diggler is also the only player in NBA history to register 150 three point field goals and 100 blocks! For anyone new to the world of basketball, that is a phenomenal statistic. The aforementioned numbers just highlights the skill and
versatility of the big fella, who has more or less redefined the role of a big man in the game of basketball.
Allow me to elaborate as to what is this writer means when the Big Wiener Schnitzel has upturned the traditional role of the big man. Players who are around the 7-foot mark as Dirk so obviously is are known to be the players down near the basket who do all the grunt work – rebounding, blocking shots and scoring baskets using their size, plus weight advantage. The traditional image of the big man is a yeomen type world where there is no glamour, and certainly no flair.
The smaller players tend to do all the shooting, running, dribbling and passing. The American manner of developing big kids has more or less stayed with the characteristics mentioned in the previous paragraph. However, the Europeans tend to coach their players in a manner where they should be able to do everything on the basketball court, including the big men.
So, what we have in the wunderkind is a new and exciting player who can do all the things those smaller players can do, while being able to use his size to his advantage. Hell, the guy is so outrageous that he won the three point competition this year at the All-Star game. An area where the ‘little’ guys tend to dominate.
Naturally, comparisons to another bad ass white boy player has become commonplace – Larry Bird. Now, I think the contrast is appropriate to a certain level, but there has never been a player like Nowitzki ever seen on the NBA landscape. He is fun to watch and plays a game that is so original in its scope and dimension that you can’t help but admire his style. Also, why should good white players be always compared to Larry Bird? Sheesh!
In previous years Dirk has been labelled ‘soft’ far too frequently. This criticism is something that gets thrown to European born players at a nauseating level. In
2006 it was a different story. Dirk got tough and nasty, so, much so, that he was third in MVP balloting, while making his second straight appearance in the all NBA first team.
Since Avery Johnson has appeared as the coach of Dallas, we have seen Dirk play a much more traditional big man game, while, still not neglecting his wonderful individual abilities. Diggler has improved his back to the basket game and become a nastier defender.
For all you readers who are just discovering the wonderful world of NBA basketball do yourself a favour and watch Dirk Nowitzki play because he is a joy to watch. Better yet you can also go to the Lowenbrau for a full German experience if you so choose! Skol!
* Facts from Dirk Nowitzki Wikipedia page.
Dirk with tongue out and ready to roll. (Image from Wikipedia)
So, why don’t we peruse some of Dirk’s details?
Name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki
Date of Birth: 19 June 1978, in Wurzburg, Germany
Height: 2.13m
Draft: 1998 (ninth pick overall)
Scoring average per game: 26.9
Rebound average per game: 9
Assists per game: 2.8
Holds Dallas records in:
• Most points in a game (53)
• Most points in playoff game (50)
• Most consecutive free throws made (60)
Mr. Diggler is also the only player in NBA history to register 150 three point field goals and 100 blocks! For anyone new to the world of basketball, that is a phenomenal statistic. The aforementioned numbers just highlights the skill and
Dirk is a standout player in world basketball. (Image from Wikipedia)
Allow me to elaborate as to what is this writer means when the Big Wiener Schnitzel has upturned the traditional role of the big man. Players who are around the 7-foot mark as Dirk so obviously is are known to be the players down near the basket who do all the grunt work – rebounding, blocking shots and scoring baskets using their size, plus weight advantage. The traditional image of the big man is a yeomen type world where there is no glamour, and certainly no flair.
The smaller players tend to do all the shooting, running, dribbling and passing. The American manner of developing big kids has more or less stayed with the characteristics mentioned in the previous paragraph. However, the Europeans tend to coach their players in a manner where they should be able to do everything on the basketball court, including the big men.
So, what we have in the wunderkind is a new and exciting player who can do all the things those smaller players can do, while being able to use his size to his advantage. Hell, the guy is so outrageous that he won the three point competition this year at the All-Star game. An area where the ‘little’ guys tend to dominate.
Naturally, comparisons to another bad ass white boy player has become commonplace – Larry Bird. Now, I think the contrast is appropriate to a certain level, but there has never been a player like Nowitzki ever seen on the NBA landscape. He is fun to watch and plays a game that is so original in its scope and dimension that you can’t help but admire his style. Also, why should good white players be always compared to Larry Bird? Sheesh!
In previous years Dirk has been labelled ‘soft’ far too frequently. This criticism is something that gets thrown to European born players at a nauseating level. In
Picture of a wiener schnitzel, because I'm hungry and it's lunch time! (Image from Wikipeda)
Since Avery Johnson has appeared as the coach of Dallas, we have seen Dirk play a much more traditional big man game, while, still not neglecting his wonderful individual abilities. Diggler has improved his back to the basket game and become a nastier defender.
For all you readers who are just discovering the wonderful world of NBA basketball do yourself a favour and watch Dirk Nowitzki play because he is a joy to watch. Better yet you can also go to the Lowenbrau for a full German experience if you so choose! Skol!
* Facts from Dirk Nowitzki Wikipedia page.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Larry Bird: Benchmark for caucasian players?
Michael Jordan: Benchmark for African/American players? And for those that aspire to greatness, of course.
Charles.
Comment by Stanley
No, in all honesty basketball is perhaps behind football in international scope and it is starting to show with players from around the world making their mark in the NBA. You have players from every continent represented and quite prominently too it must be said.
Not only are the internationals great players, but they are changing the manner the game is played. American basketball seems to be all about dunks and 3 point shots, while the international game is much more rounded. We can see this in the results of the last Olympic and world championships when the yanks came back home without the gold.
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Competition is only a good thing.
Charles.
Comment by Sisi
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
what a crazy sport!