Acht Meilen



Acht Meilen, The Dirk Nowitzki Story



My brother recently made this statement about the NBA playoffs after Dirk's insane game one, "Dirk's storyline kind of feels like the 8 Mile movie." Not sure if he was looking any further than a goofy white guy trying to succeed in a profession dominated by African Americans, but that analogy has some great depth.

Dirk is obviously B-Rabbit. Losing the '06 finals was the choke at the battle in the opening scene. During Dirk's early years, Steve Nash was the Future to Dirk's B-Rabbit. Dirk's MVP season was his coming out party, similar to B-Rabbit going off in the cypher in the club parking lot. Losing to the Warriors in the first round, that’s B-Rabbit getting jumped I'm the parking lot. Dirk even had a crazy love interest just like Jimmy in 8 Mile! Now we're entering the final scenes of the movie. Blowing past the Lakers was B-Rabbit blowing passed Lickity Split. Now Kevin Durant and the Thunder play their part as Lotto; the battle is a little closer but B-Rabbit/Dirk will prevail. Once Dirk moves onto the Finals he'll face the villains, Leaders of the Free World/Miami Heat. Will Dirk make the Heat choke like Pop-a-doc did in the Finals?

When the Mavs went up 3-0 on the Lakers, I wrote that Dirk was just setting us up for his biggest choke. However, he quieted me by finishing off the sweep and he silenced me with his game one performance against the Thunder in the conference finals. Because of their polarizing owner, Mark Cuban, the Mavs have become a bit of a polarizing team. I'm not saying they are on the Lakers/Raiders/Yankees level of polarizing sports teams, however, despite being full of relatively nice guys; the Mavs have grown into a team you either love or love to hate. But these Mavs lead by Dirk "B-Rabbit" Nowitzki might have just become the team America is pulling for.

The Heat have been patronized for the way they snagged three of the biggest free agents ever. They've even started to embrace the Yankee type sports villain role. The Bulls are lead by what could be the least charismatic MVP ever. Watching D-Rose's MVP commercials where the ad execs have geniusly created commercials staring Rose without him ever saying a word solidifies that he has zero personality. When you make Tim Duncan seem as interesting as the guy from the Dos Equis commercials, you know you have the personality of a piece of wood. The Thunder seem to do it the right way and have a good young core of guys, yet, Russell Westbrook is starting to shoot the Thunder out if the hearts of basketball purists. All that’s left is the Mavs. An aging team much more loveable then the Big Three led Celtics ever were. On one team you have Jason Kidd, a future hall of famer who is some how third on the all time 3pt field goals (After finding this unbelievable information out, I can't look at Kidd shooting wide open threes the same. Do the other players in the league know he only trails Reggie and Ray on the list?). You have ever under appreciated, hard working Shawn Marion in the twilight of his career (as a Suns fan, I can't help but pull for him), Jason Terry, a consistently scrutinized player who has fully embraced the sixth man role. Deshawn Stevenson and his Abe Lincoln tattoos are one of the few dark spots on this team.

How can you not root for these Mavs? They seemed to have compiled pieces from all of the great running teams of the last decade. Jason Kidd from the run and gun Nets teams that made two Finals, Shawn Marion from the Seven Seconds or Less Suns, Dirk from the Nellie small ball Mavs, Peja from the C-Webb/Bibby Kings. Sure some of these guys are shells of what they were on those memorable teams, however, each player knows their role and is playing it perfectly on this Mavs team. They are a lovable bunch of guys and the fact that Cuban has had a self imposed gag order put on himself for the playoffs has made them all the more likeable. I may be one person, but without a dog in this race, the Mavs and B-Rabbit  Dirk have become the team I’ll pull for in the playoffs.

Where Have the Point Guards Gone?

Basketball is an ever-evolving sport. It’s this characteristic that has made the game as popular as it is today. It started with a peach basket, then there was a multi colored ball, players began to shoot further away, then shorts got longer and the game slowly morphed from a YMCA gym in Springfield to the global entity that it is today. Most of the evolution has been good. One of the simplest aspects of the game, the dunk, has become one of the most complex and intricate parts of the game. It was initially a way for taller players to make a high percentage shot. It was then deemed too dominate and banned at the collegiate level. Then the ABA gave it flare and made it popular. The dunk has grown into something that was unimaginable by the forefathers of the move. Terence Stansbury’s Statue of Liberty Dunk was ground breaking and revolutionary at the time it was performed. We now live in an era where Javale McGee can dunk three basketballs at once and lose the dunk contest.

The evolution of the game has stretched beyond moves the players perform and moved onto the players themselves. Early on the game was dominated by bruising back to the basket black holes; Centers and Power Forwards. Those same players have morphed into graceful seven foot Small Forwards. The infusion of international players has drastically changed the how the Center and Power Forward position is played. It appears that one of the most basic and original positions of the game have undergone an evolution of sorts; traditional Point Guards are no more.

This may sound a tad like the beginning to a high school essay but, Merriam-Webster Dictionary.com defines a Point Guard as, “a guard in basketball who is chiefly responsible for running the offense.” A guard in basketball who is chiefly responsible for running the offense. It is a brief, yet, accurate definition of what can be considered one of the most important positions in basketball. Nowhere in this definition does it state that the point guard should take upwards of thirty shots. While it isn’t stated in this definition, another key attribute for Point Guards is the ability to knock down jump shots from a distance at a high percentage.

	Min	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	REB	AST	STL	TO	Blk	PF	PTS
Player A	37.4	8.8	19.7	44.5	1.6	4.8	33.2	5.9	6.9	85.8	4.1	7.7	1	3.4	0.6	1.7	25
Player B	33.3	5.3	10.8	49.2	1.1	2.7	39.5	3	3.3	91.2	3.5	11.4	0.6	3.5	0.1	1.2	14.7
Player C	33.9	9	20	45.1	1.4	4.3	32.3	5.9	7.1	82.8	5.1	4.7	1.2	3	0.1	2.1	25.3

Above are the ’10-11 season stats for three NBA players. One is of a Shooting Guard, one is of one of today’s “modern” Point Guard and one is of a tradition Point Guard. Player A and Player C had very similar statistical seasons. In fact just about the only thing differentiating Player A and Player C is 3 assists per game. Both take the same amount of shots, free throw attempts, shoot similar percentages and score nearly identical points per game. Then there is Player B; takes half as many shots per game as Players A and C yet shoots nearly 50%, takes half as many 3 point field goals yet shoots nearly 40% and shoots half as many free throws yet shoots over 90%. Player B also averages almost 5 more assists per game than the other two players. This was also a bit of a down year statistically for Player B. Here’s where it gets real interesting, one of these players is the MVP of the league, one of these players missed the playoffs completely and one of these players got swept out of the playoffs. Player A is Derrick Rose, Player B is Steve Nash and Player C is Kobe Bryant. Rose and Bryant’s stats are extremely similar despite Kobe being a classic Shooting Guard in every aspect and Rose apparently being a Point Guard.

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	Min	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	REB	AST	STL	TO	Blk	PF	PTS
Player A	37.4	8.8	19.7	44.5	1.6	4.8	33.2	5.9	6.9	85.8	4.1	7.7	1	3.4	0.6	1.7	25
Player B	34.8	7.5	17	44.2	0.4	1.3	32.7	6.5	7.7	84.2	4.6	8.2	1.9	3.9	0.4	2.5	21.9

Another interesting comparison above. One of these players is an MVP while the other isn’t even the best player on their team. Player A is Rose again and Player B is Russell Westbrook. The New Age Point Guard has confused the game. How can just 3 PPG separate the player who was deemed Most Valuable from the player who is second banana on their team? This new style of Point Guard seems eerily similar to the shift to mobile Quarterbacks in the NFL after Michael Vick’s initial success. While mobile Quarterbacks and these aggressive athletic new Point Guards are entertaining to watch, are they really what’s best for the game?

The NBA is seeing a changing of the
guard at the Point Guard Position

In their respective team’s last games, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook have combined to shoot 27-65 and hand out just 15 assists. Rose’s Bulls lost some he was dragged through the mud by Charles Barkley in the post game analysis despite Chris Webber’s valiant effort to back up Rose’s performance. Westbrook’s Thunder team beat Memphis so he was lauded for his big game. What goes unnoticed in Westbrook’s performance is that it took him 33 shots to score his 40 points while he handed out only 5 assists. Teammate Kevin Durant score just 5 points less while taking 13 fewer shots. How can a player who is supposed to be chiefly responsible for running the offense only acquire 5 assists while playing along side a player as hot as Durant?

The NBA has undergone a shift. The evolution of the game has turned the reigns over to the little guy. Prior to 2005, Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson were the only Point Guards to be named MVP. Since then, Nash has won twice and Rose became the fifth member of the Point Guard MVP club. While analysts continue to tell us that this is the best crop of young Point Guards the league has ever seen, I’m left to wonder if they are even Point Guards. Players like Rose, Westbrook, Rondo, Tyreke Evans and John Wall have all been crowned as the next generation of great Point Guards, yet all have one common knock on their game, they can’t knock down jump shots on a consistent basis. Do you think any one went under a screen on John Stockton or Steve Nash? If they did then they certainly paid for it. An aging Mike Bibby stands about 5 feet off of Rondo and almost dares him to shoot jumpers.

NBA Point Guards have suddenly turned into scoring threats and are being applauded for it. In years past this same attribute has been the demise of players considered tweeners. Jason Terry and Gilbert Arenas were constantly doubted from college to the pros, called Shooting Guards in Point Guard’s bodies. Each player even found most of there success after being moved to Shooting Guard. Allen Iverson is playing in Turkey because of the same style of play that just won Derrick Rose an MVP.  Bob Dylan sang that “Times, they are a changing” and that statement couldn’t be more true about the NBA. Defensive changes have opened the game up and allowed these Point Guards more freedom. Is this transformation of the Point Guard position good for the game? It has certainly made it more entertaining. One thing is for sure, when Dr. James A. Naismith tacked a peach basket up in a YMCA, I don’t think he ever envisioned that a 7ft German who does most of his damage from 20ft from the basketball and speedy players under 6’3 would be dominate forces in his game. The game has evolved and will continue to do so; the biggest question is what comes next?

The Dirk Dilema



As I watch the two time defending champion Lakers fall into a 3-0 hole, one thought is prominent in my mind. What is Dirk doing to his legacy? Is he breaking away from the Charles Barkley/Karl Malone mold as colossal playoff choke artist or is he just setting us up for his greatest choke ever? 

"Wait, let me explain what I'm doing"



There is no denying the greatness of this future hall of famer. Hands down the greatest European player ever, best shooting 7 footer that has and ever will play and he is certainly etching his way onto the NBA’s 50 greatest of all time as he continues to perform at a high level year in and year out. However, despite all of the things that are great about Dirk, his off the court antics (i.e. this, this or especially this which is surprisingly the only picture where he's sober) are almost as entertaining as his game performances; it is hard to look past his post season failures.



	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
Player A	36	8	15.6	0.51	5	6.8	0.69	3	8.4	11	3.1	0.7	2.3	2.6	3	21
Player B	37	8	16.8	0.48	6	6.5	0.88	1.2	7.2	8.4	2.7	0.9	1	1.9	3	23

Above are the career stats for two Power Forwards from the modern era. Which player would you rather have? Player A will give you three more rebounds and an extra block per game but Player B has the edge in just about ever other category; more PPG, better free throw percentage, less turnovers. Both players are former MVPs, both players have been to the Finals, both are 10+ times All Stars, both have multiple All NBA first teams. Most of you would probably take Player B. The truth is Player A is Tim Duncan, Player B is Dirk. Now you would probably take Player A. If we’ve learned anything about sports, it’s that people value rings over statistics. This is why we consider Bill Russell and Will Chamberlain equals despite the fact that Wilt once scored 100 points in a game. It’s the reason why Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning is a worthy debate. It’s the reason some think Derek Jeter is the greatest short stop ever. Rings are what count; finishing on top at the end of the season. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett’s legacies are written entirely different if they didn’t capture the Celtics 17^th title. Tim Duncan has four rings, Dirk has none. There isn’t a single statistic that will ever show which of the two players had a better career like the number of rings they have.

They are more alike than you think
or are they?

While Dirk is in rare company with just two other players to average 25 PPG and 10 RPG for his career in the playoffs, he is also in distinct company for being the best player on teams that have had monumental collapses. The Dirk led Mavs are the only team since 1985 to blow a 2-0 lead in the Finals. The Dirk led Mavs are one of just four teams to lose a playoff series to an eighth seed. The Dirk led Mavs are also one of the few two seeds to lose in the first round and they are certainly the only team to ever lose to an eight seed and a seventh seed in consecutive years. Sure you could place the blame on everything but Dirk. The refs certainly facilitated Dwayne Wade’s ’06 Finals heroics. Don Nelson out coached Avery Johnson by insane measures in the Mavs/Warriors series and lasts year’s Spurs aren’t your typical NBA seventh seed. However, blowing the Finals like they did is one thing, losing to an eighth seed is one thing (the afore mentioned Duncan just lost as the top seed), even dropping out as the two seed in the first round is forgivable. What is not easy to over look is that Dirk was not only the common thread on all of these teams; he was the leader and best player.

As I watched the Blazers come back in game four after making just two field goals in the third quarter, I couldn’t help but think that Dirk was going for the trifecta. He’d already lost as a one and two seed, why not do it as a three seed. Now, unfortunately, as the Mavs hold a 3-0 lead on the Lakers, with game four looming in what promises to be rabid American Airlines Arena, I can’t help but wonder if Dirk is simply setting us up for his grand finale. 3-0 collapses are few and far between, but Dirk has showed us he isn’t afraid of breaking new ground in playoff chokery. Even if the Mavs do make it past the Lakers and eventually get back to the Finals, there is a very good possibility that D. Wade and the Heat could be waiting again.

Russell knew what it was all about... Rings

NBA Playoffs

Now that game one of each of the NBA playoff’s second round series is in the books, here are my thoughts on the NBA playoffs thus far. I have to be honest; I thought that the playoffs would be slightly more exciting than they have been. Knicks swept, Magic gone in 6 uneventful games, outside of a controversial tip in, not much drama in OKC. Nonetheless, the playoffs have still been entertaining. Memphis’ unlikely monumental upset, the Hornets pushing the Lakers a little more than most expected and the Heat seemed to have realized who they have on there team and are starting to play as good as Heat fans expected and the rest of the NBA feared (Although the verdict may still be out; it was just the 76ers.). Without a horse in this race, I’ve been able to watch these playoffs from a far and take in everything it has to offer. From this observation, I’ve learn three things about the NBA.

Item number one that I’ve learned; Mike Woodson is going to have a tough time finding a new job any time soon. The sports industry is sometimes perplexing when it comes to hiring and firing coaches. Rod Marinelli was the head honcho for the only NFL team to ever go 0-16, yet the Bears found him to be the best candidate for an open coordinator position. Vinny Del Negro has a job.  Yet despite some lapses in judgment, professional coaches work experience is visible to everyone and future employers often take into account what you did with past opportunities. Mike Woodson did a great job turning around the team in Atlanta; however, this year’s Hawks minus Woodson have gone further than they ever did with him. They didn’t exactly make major personnel changes either. Outside of swapping Mike Bibby for Kirk Hinrich, the 2010-2011 Hawks aren’t any different from the previous year’s model. Last year’s Hawks suffered through an embarrassingly lopsided sweep at the hands of the Orlando Magic. Facing a similarly constructed Magic team this year, the Hawks moved on to the second round with a fairly easy 6 game series win. Sure, you could say that Dwight Howard turned into ’09-’10 Lebron and put up gaudy stats while simultaneously playing uninspired basketball while his team fell apart. However, the Hawks just stole away home court from the top seeded team in the East lead by the presumed MVP. In my eyes, all signs point to Woodson. Maybe the players had just tuned him out but I don’t think NBA teams with coaching vacancies will be ringing Woodson’s phone any time soon.

Sorry New Orleans, but CP3 will most
likely be waving good-bye soon

Item number two… Chris Paul needs to be on a contender. Sorry, New Orleans, this means he needs to leave (Don’t worry you will still have Drew Brees, even if the NFL season doesn’t happen.). Paul’s knee problems let him slip under the radar this season. His worst statistical season left us thinking that players like Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook even eventual “MVP” Rose were better point guards. When those players develop a jump shot (You know a jump shot, something that used to be a staple for point guards) maybe we can compare them to the great point guards in the league. Paul made a statement at the beginning of the playoffs saying that the regular season doesn’t matter come playoff time. Maybe, Paul’s down statistical year was because he was pacing himself for the playoffs. In game one of the Laker’s series, CP3 reminding us that he was second to Kobe for the MVP three years ago. Paul had transcendent performances against the Lakers but it just wasn’t enough for the much less talented Hornets to push the Lakers any further than 6 games. The truth is, this is the norm for Paul. Sure he’s only played in 23 playoff games but he is the only player in the history of the NBA to average 20 points and 10 assists in the playoffs for a career (He’s actually averaging closer to 23 and 11). The only player ever. Can an NBA that is facing an impending lockout really afford to have a player of Paul’s caliber exiting after the first round or missing the playoffs entirely? I don’t think so. The simple fact is the NBA needs to get back to the glory days of the 80’s and 90’s. This means that we need super teams. Miami was the biggest off season news and Melo joining Amar’e in New York was the biggest mid season news. Now that there is more teams in the league this means that more smaller market teams may suffer. But it can be done, Oklahoma City is living proof that if you do it right and catch a few breaks small markets can compete. So when Paul leaves for a super team, know that it is for the best of the league New Orleans. The NBA needs Chris Paul in meaningful playoff games.

Oh, a face only a mother could
love... and no one else

The final thing I learned from this year’s first round, unless you live in Chicago, are a Bulls fan or are related to him, it is impossible to like Joakim Noah. The same people who loved him for the back to back championships he helped bring to the University of Florida probably hate him now. Noah getting under the skin of NBA superstars is no new news, but the way that he was able to turn a laid back, harmless team like Indiana into haters of the Noah was quite impressive. Here is a team with guys like Tyler Hansbourgh, Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger making remarks about Noah. Has anyone on this current Pacers team ever had a bad thing to say about another player? Nothing I can recall in recent memory. I mean Hansbourgh helps random kids find lost dogs in his spare time. Kyle Korver summed it up best when he recently stated that Noah is the type of player that you hate if you play against him, but love if he is on your team.

Suns are a real Underdog

Richmond, VCU, Marquette, Butler. Everyone loves an underdog. Duke is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country. Multiple National Titles, All-Americans, NBA All-Stars; Duke is undoubtedly a basketball powerhouse. Yet, when they faced off against Butler in last year’s National Title game, you can bet a fair share of Americans were rooting for Butler (Especially those who reside in the Chapel Hill area).

More Americans wanted this Butler
shot to fall more than any Duke
shot on that day

With that being said, would a Rudy Gay-less Memphis Grizzlies or a Houston Rockets team that lacks anyone of real interest make a good underdog? The Eastern Conference playoffs will surely be full of excitement with many teams improved over the years passed. For the first time in many years, the Western Conference will be lacking great match ups in the early rounds. A big reason for the lack of intriguing match ups is the potential pairings of the higher seeds against the lesser talented lower seeds.

Memphis has improved over last year and has shown that they are capable of competing with and beating the leagues upper-echelon of teams. However, the recent injury to Rudy Gay that has put him out for the rest of the season is a serious blow to their playoff chances. Houston consistently overachieves in the absence of Yao Ming, yet does any one really think they could push the likes of San Antonio or Los Angeles.

"Yeah, three over times."

Last night’s Suns/Lakers triple overtime game was just the latest chapter in their storied rivalry. With Steve Nash running the show and the Sun’s ability to shoot the three, the Suns are consistently in games. Like Rocky Balboa, the Suns have a punchers chance. Was Rocky the best contender for Apollo? Are the Suns a title contender? At just one game over .500, the Suns are certainly the most entertaining team on the outside of the playoffs.

The top two teams in the West are currently the Spurs and the Lakers. Both teams are heated rivals of the Suns. Tim Duncan’s recent ankle injury could make them less then 100% come playoff time. After last years second round sweep, if the Suns and Spurs matchup in the playoffs, it would most likely be the most entertaining first round series in the West. Duncan’s ankle injury could be the break for the aging Suns similar to what Mason Dixon’s broken wrist was for Rocky in his final fight. Despite many obvious matchup problems, the Suns and Lakers continue to play exciting games. The Suns are 1-3 this season against the Lakers, yet have only been out scored by 9.

The underdog Suns might just
have one last fight in them like
Rocky did

The best part about an underdog is rooting for them to shock the world. While everyone loves to root for an underdog, no one expects them to win. While no one expects them to win, they do expect them to put up a fight. This is why we root for the Seahawks at home against the Saints in the playoffs, but don’t exactly pull to hard for Hampton against Duke. Memphis or Houston against San Antonio or Los Angeles is Hampton vs. Duke. Phoenix against either of these teams is must see T.V. Maybe the series only goes six games, maybe it even only goes five games. But you can guarantee that every game will be exciting.

Maybe the Suns lack the talent and perfect storm conditions that made the ’94 Nuggets and ’07 Warriors successful. One thing is certain; these Suns are meant to be in the playoffs. They are meant to play against the Spurs or Lakers. They are meant to push them to the edge. And most likely they are unfortunately meant to once again get their hearts broken by one of these teams. But that why we want to see them there.