Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Once More, with Feeling

Let’s start with some nice things about Dirk.

First, the bad news: on offense, he’s at 20.0 pts and 2.3 assists per game, on 40.9% shooting. To get those up to his season average tonight, he’d have to score 43 on 18/24 FG and 8 assists. That’s a stretch.

On the other hand, his defensive numbers have been really good: 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.8 blocks. That’s up from 8.9, 0.7, and 0.8. Overall, if you just add up his stats (points + rebounds + assists + steals + blocks), Dirk is down about 0.3, from 38.4 in the regular season to 38.1 in the playoffs.

So what I see is a frustrated guy who’s getting flustered on offense, but is making up some of it on defense.

But my brother Jeremy raised what seems like a fair question: Has there ever before been a guy whose entire career was riding on a single game?

23 comments:

JKnott said...

Watching the first 7 minutes, I have to ask: Who are you guys (oh yeah, the ones who won 67 games), and what did you do with that team that played the first four games?

JKnott said...

Whatever it was, I hope they never come back.

JKnott said...

Next 3 minutes: Oh, there you are.

scoots said...

Haven’t the Mavericks already opened two games this series like this? I’m just saying…

JKnott said...

Sort of, yes. If they think they're off the hook, they're crazy.

But they just finished the first quarter with the same number of points they had at halftime of game 1.

A good start, that's all.

scoots said...

Yeah, I just think it’s ridiculous that Dick Stockton is talking as if this game is different. The only time this game can get different is in the second half.

JKnott said...

Yeah. At this point the only safe lead is about 55.

JKnott said...

Dirk in foul trouble. Well, if he plays hard like this the whole game, but fouls out, I would be happier than if he backs off, plays like he did the first 4, and doesn't foul out.

JKnott said...

That last bit of the half was painful. But hopefully they'll come out with a killer instinct and actually have a solid second half for once.

JKnott said...

As of the half, Dirk has only shot 11. Does that surprise you?

JKnott said...

What's with the low energy here in the second half??

Mr. Parker said...

Is it just me, or is it not allowed to touch a Warrior in the paint? Mavs should be able to dominate no matter the officiating but still.

JKnott said...

Why did that commentator call Howard "Baron Davis?"

JKnott said...

Howard is still playing decent, but where did Dirk's aggressiveness go? Are the Warriors really that much more conditioned than the Mavs???

JKnott said...

Is it IMPOSSIBLE to guard the 3-point line???

JKnott said...

Well, if it ends tonight, at least I won't have to suffer like this anymore. Aaaarrrrggghhh!

JKnott said...

WHy am I the only one posting??


Is Stackhouse a &*%@$$! numbskull or what??

Texpat said...

time for the mvp to demand the ball.

scoots said...

You think your night is going badly? I think my computer just died in the middle of finals. (I’m posting on an old backup.)

Texpat said...

finally dirk shows something. now that he's got nothing to lose!

JKnott said...

Lord this is stressful! Couldn't we have had ONE blowout? Can we possibly win the last two when it takes so much energy?

JKnott said...

So much for the philosophy that says the Mavs need a low-scoring game to win!

JKnott said...

Finally...did they discover what to do with Baron Davis at the end there? I sure hope so.