Alright, it's time for neutral perspective on the Dirk situation. There is no doubt that the TNT crew went a bit overboard, but I think I know why Mavericks fans are so upset with Barkley and Webber's comments. They are true! Dirk is soft! Period, end of story! They might have taken his quotes out of context, but I think it shows how a majority of players and former players think about the former MVP.

You either have toughness or you don't. It's not something that can be learned or acquired over time. Dirk has never been a physical player. His fade away jump shot reiterates that point. He doesn't want to get physical, so he just avoids the defense. Seven footers belong in the paint banging. Answer this honestly, five seconds on the clock, Dirk is at the top of key. Does he, drive in looking for a layup/foul or shoot a 21-foot fade away?

When Kenyon Martin pushed Dirk to the ground in Game 1, it made me think. What if Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Wade, or even Shaq had been pushed? They would have responded even if their teammates didn't. The message that Dirk sent to his team was "it's okay to be intimidated." Not to mention, Martin would have never pushed one of those players. In the NBA, showing a little heart and confidence really matter, and any lack of them is your weakness.

As soon as the statements came out from the TNT crew, the blogs lit up with defenders for Nowitzki. "Well, all this "soft" player did in game two was hit 11 of 20 shots, miss only one free throw, and grab nine rebounds.- SportsTalk Host David Marcus." I have news for you Maverick fans; you can still score points even though you are soft. I am not discrediting Dirk's efforts last night. He is the reason the Mavericks didn't get blown out by 40, but that doesn't mean I think he is tough.

I have heard the question posed: what makes Dirk different from Larry Bird? Bird maybe wasn't the guy in someone's face, but he didn't need to be. He had guys named Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to do that. Superstars are supposed to fill the void for whatever a team needs. The Mavericks need someone that can be an enforcer if necessary, Dirk can't be that.

Last but not least, please stop calling out Charles Barkley Maverick fans. Barkley never won an NBA title, but neither has your beloved German. Barkley was a true superstar. He played in the era of Jordan, Drexler, Ewing, Bird, Magic, and Isaiah. Thirty years from now, the nation will still be talking about Barkley's play, can we say the same thing about Dirk? I mean, who honestly talks about Dave Bing?

4 Comments

Joe said:

Who are you? Does your opinion really mean anything?

May 6, 2009 8:09 PM

Mike said:

I think your right. He is soft. Thats his game tho. The mavs and Dirk are not championship material, you need aggressive people in the post to win, not a fadeaway jump shot. Mavs lose this series in 5.

May 6, 2009 8:31 PM

david marcus said:

Joe, zip it. Josh probably knows 10 times as much about sports as you do, if not more. If you're going to have a take, make a case. If not, silence yourself.

May 6, 2009 10:03 PM

brian said:

Who are you David, Josh's enforcer? lol. I'm sure josh can take up for himself. btw, you didn't make a point either so take your own advice. Why doesn't anyone get upset at the other guys on the court when Dirk got pushed? I think Dampier should be the one people are upset at, without Dirk the Mavs wouldn't even be in the playoffs.

May 6, 2009 11:46 PM

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