How Dirk Nowitzki SAVED His Legacy!

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#NBA #dirknowitzki #mavericks

[@rustybuckets]

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[@jayherbogaming]

nice

[@anonymoususer2080]

Why do you think Tim Duncan is the greatest defensive player of all time?

[@jasonlippert8772]

Having lived in Dallas my whole life, Dirk was always the athlete I looked up to the most. He was always humble and approached the game with a team-first mentality, so it hurt seeing him fall short so many times in the 00s. I was heading into HS when the 2011 run happened, and to this day it’s still the most memorable sports moment in my life. So happy that he got the chance to change the narrative on his legacy and came through when it mattered most

[@Poopoocachoo]

Man, same. He still would have been a Dallas legend, even without the title (although not to the extent he is today), but I love that he gets the league-wide respect he deserves since that 2011 run

[@donsnow8039]

I'm a Mavs fan that's not from Dallas. I've heard that Tony Romo is more beloved than Dirk in Dallas even though Dirk is a better player in his respective sport. Is this true?

[@Poopoocachoo]

@@donsnow8039 I think Dirk is definitely more beloved in Dallas. Romo is thought of very highly, but the Cowboys have had so many other great QBs-including others that are better and won more-where Dirk is the only Mav to bring us to the mountain top. Both are super likable, but Romo has some detractors because of his December/playoff struggles. Nobody has anything remotely negative to say about Dirk here.

[@donsnow8039]

@@Poopoocachoo Thanks! I know football is king in Texas but I thought it'd be a little odd to have a pretty good player in his sport higher than an all time great in another

[@jbug1979]

i loved seeing his jersey retirement ceremony. he was so humble and seemed amazed that it was happening. and he has a lovely family. made me get misty eyed.

[@excellenceka]

A lot of people don't know what that ring means for Mavs fans. Year after year after year of playoff failure, disappointment, etc. The west was stacked in the 2000's, our own division was stacked with the Spurs and Rockets. That run, that veteran underdog team, is so special, and in my biased opinion, the greatest one off championship run in basketball. The entire city of Dallas loves Dirk for his 21 years of service.

[@jeffreyatienza635]

@Fries its not that simple. They chocked multiple times before 2011. And in 2011 no one outside of dallas believed the were finals bound. The star player was widely considered as a chocker as well. That run was magic and it was also the last season wherein they were considered as contenders. They were the 2010s clippers of the 2000s except they actually won

[@siletzwarrior641]

This championship run is my favorite run by a team that isn't my own team. It really was something special. Completely deserved, especially for Dirk.

[@richboyjullianhicks6604]

Being from Dallas I agree 🤞🏾

[@4392amtrak]

Bringing in Tyson Chandler was one of the best moves in NBA history especially for a star role player. Tyson was that defensive anchor and rim protector the Mavs needed in order to go far. Too bad Cuban decided not to bring him back the year after.

[@dr.manhattan7283]

Cuban lowkey sucks as an owner, never really gives his star players the help they need which is why that one chip is so special

[@jamesartemio1312]

@@dr.manhattan7283 or nobody just wants to be in dallas. Star players dont move as much back then. Luka about to change that one tho.

[@benjespina]

@@dr.manhattan7283 the media loves him and back in those days he was portrayed as an owner that players loved to play for. 😅

[@daensanchez3821]

They wanted to free up cap space for D12 Howard the next yr

[@stilltippin44s]

@@dr.manhattan7283 horrible take. Players love playing for Mark. He’s a great owner. Him drafting Luca says it all. Tyson wanted more money that the Mavs couldn’t afford at the time. Not that deep brother.

[@benf.thomas6627]

Shoutout the Mehmet Okur mention. A sneaky 1x All-Star, 1x Champion, and a very solid 2k player

[@kadeholman414]

Watching Dirk be unable to miss against OKC in the WCF that year was what made me a Dirk fan. The most impressive individual title run to me since I've been watching basketball

[@ilhamakbarhindarto1186]

Another factor that really saves his legacy is his opponent in the final, 11 Heat is one of the most hated team in NBA history. He got an overwhelming amount of goodwill from beating that team.

[@klauswagner1607]

To a degree that championship was the perfect storm for Dirk. It was against the team he lost in 2006, and the most hated at the times. And Dallas was the underdog and had with Dirk, Kidd, Marion and Stojaković four players that had their last chance to win a championship. It was nearly the plot of a Disney movie.

[@Braylon1997]

Not to mention the playoff run the Mavs had went on

[@zay_rich]

Winning really cures everything. Before Dirk won his championship in 2011 he was known as being a choker/soft. That 2011 run really changed his career.

[@HlSAlRNESSMJ]

As a heat fan that 2011 run hurts but dirk put on a show for the ages one of the greatest story lines ever and beat the likes of KOBE DUNCAN WADE N BRON all in the middle of their PRIMES. legendary stuff man

[@Late2Hoops]

I think Dirk's legacy will stay as relevant as the players in his era do. As long as someone who's guarded that one legged fadeaway face to face is alive to tell the world how Dirk was, and IS that dude. You really inspire my content style man. I appreciate you for that.

[@RecapRico]

imo he's won one of the most memorable chips all time. People don't like to remember the rhetoric that surrounded the Miami Heat in 2011. They were viewed as the KD Golden State Warriors and Dirk took them out in the most picturesque style possible. No matter what quarter you look at there's a Dirk shot that belongs on someones wall with an inspirational quote

[@Late2Hoops]

@@RecapRico I agree for sure! No one will forget that, not to mention the path he took to get there defeating the Lakers, and Thunder! Dirk was a true 1/1 talent man.

[@donsnow8039]

@@Late2Hoops Even the Blazers, who they played in just the first round, were a pretty good team. Between who they had to go through while having a lack of star talent outside of Dirk this is the most impressive championship run I've seen

[@Late2Hoops]

@@donsnow8039 Oh for sure, In my most recent video I talk about the potential of the Blazers team. Broy was HIM, just too many injuries between him and Oden.

[@infinitymixtapes9562]

That's why he broke down at the end of the 2011 finals, bro went through hell and back for the ring

[@pawananubhav12]

His one ring is more valuable than kds 2 and kd is a far better player

[@Bigsauceball]

No two rings idc how they came are more valuable than 1 you play the game to win championships

[@txrose9225]

@@Bigsauceball so would you rather have Jordan’s 6 or Robert horry’s 7?

[@stayedhumblereese3447]

@@Bigsauceball But rings have context what comes to them. KD rings were easy is hell from playing with a dynasty and sweeping every team in the playoffs. Dirk ring was from beating tough competition like Kobe’s lakers, KDs thunder( with harden and Westbrook), and beating the Miami heat in the finals ( which is lebron first year as heat member).

[@SomeGoodBroth]

Cmon we all know Dirk is better

[@toogud7918]

@@SomeGoodBroth stop it, kd is a better passer, marginally better shooter(better shooting splits) and a better defender(dirk moved like an old man)

[@couragedadawg6210]

The 2011 series was beneficial for both LeBron and Dirk. For Dirk, the video tells it all. For LeBron, it woke him up and he would finally complete his game as he would need it if he is to finally win a championship. That loss would bring us the LeBron that we would all know from 2012-current.

[@GreenEnvy.]

Lebron team hopped to a 4-6 record. It's good, not great.

[@greatgreentea]

@@GreenEnvy. ur weird

[@skywalker2676]

@@GreenEnvy. more rings than the mavs franchise lmaoo

[@manz7860]

@@greatgreentea I mean it's true. You'd think handpicking his own teams he would've won more than lost Dudes the biggest frontrunner in the nba I've ever seen. Well besides Kevin Durant lol

[@isaacdunaway7149]

@@GreenEnvy. 4 rings and 10 finals is beyond great

[@mayor_obrien6751]

Dirk had the misfortune of coming up in the era of the “Power Forward”… Tim, KG, Webber, etc. and with the way the playoffs were structured he had to go through San Antonio almost every year. It was crazy that the Mavs/Spurs should have been the WCF every year instead of a second round matchup.

[@GONZUdAce11]

There were also the suns and later Lakers in that conversation. The western confence was just nuts.

[@shastealyomeal]

Dirk just had to deal with the 2000s Western Conference

[@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

@Fries Defence, rebounding, inside scoring

[@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

@Fries a center

[@lancel.7737]

Lemarcus Aldridge went hard too but dirk stomped him in that 2011 playoff run.

[@4392amtrak]

Dirk played in a PF dominant era playing against the likes of Duncan, KG, C-Webb, Sheed, Gasol, Boozer, Amare, Bosh

[@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

Boozer 😭😭😭

[@Solznmid]

@@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee boozer was lethal… to the ref’s nuts

[@slimypickle19]

Dirk was stuck in teams comparable to Harden's Rockets. Solid role players, but nothing more. Yea you can say he had Nash for a bit, but god those teams were AWFUL defensively. The fact that Dirk won a Finals, went to 2, & went to 3 West Finals with his teams was a damn good accomplishment. He didn't have Prime Shaq or Prime Tony Parker & Ginobili to fall back on when things got tough. The one time he had talent was in 2011, when Cuban FINALLY gave him defensive help with Tyson Chandler.

[@atlien1988]

Dirk has always played with great talent from Michael Finley, Nash, Jamison, Juwan & Josh Howard, Nick Van Exel, and Antoine Walker during the early 2000s. Dirk was partly responsible for the team's poor defense. He wasn't a particular great rebounder or rim protector. For a 7-footer, he was average at best. There's a reason why this video was mad because Dirk was underachieving in Dallas. Sure, he never played with another top 10 player in their prime, but he almost always had great rosters with good/great coaching. The 2011 team complimented his skill set the most, but he was rarely devoid of talent in his prime.

[@Mark-The-Tenor]

I remember following all the struggles for Dirk and the Mavs. I thought they would never win. 2011 was an amazing year. Dirk Really had overcame so much.

[@Tanner17]

Even before 2011 dirk still had some of the best playoff translation in the league, outside of a few series he was always playing better during the playoffs

[@Tanner17]

@Fries im saying no one really knew dirk as a choker bc he really only choked two series in so may other series he dominated teams, some of them elite all time defenses so he lets see he loses in the finals, he's still a top 20 player ever

[@Tanner17]

@Fries yes people over blow his failures then forget he averages 28 points on it was like +11 rts(shooting above league average) against a top 10 defensive team ever (2006 spurs -6.6 relative defensive rating) and other great performances against elite defenses, and some were just great to his standards, every star has bad playoff series

[@ownedboi]

Damn love the video man as a MFFL the city of Dallas went ballistic after that ring; we honestly didn't deserve him for how much he gave us and the loyalty but damn I enjoyed myself some dirty from 2000-2011. Please make sure to like and subscribe to help the algorithm and feed Rudy!!!!!

[@NoahBrwn]

People forget about Dirk's mobility and athleticism as a 7 footer was so underappreciated. especially on his first 10 years in the NBA

[@DonMaximus98]

Me personally Dirk Paved the way for the PF position, cuz nobody was shooting the shots he was as a power forward because you’ll get benched but him he adding a 3PT shot to his Arsenal only made him more deadly. He’s got a signature One leg fadeaway which to me personally is deeply underrated. Championship or not Dirk change the Game and we need to give him his flowers, as “fans” we gotta stop nitpicking and appreciate greatness 💯

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Correction: Dirk was league MVP in 2006-07

[@Cornelius87]

As a mavs fan I remember Dirk being constantly criticized on espn and tnt for always falling short. They would say he needed to shoot less even though he had good numbers. It's crazy now seeing a guy like Luka shoot so many 3s and Barkley and Kenny are like "oh well" but back in the day they were on Dirk's neck for shooting a handful per game. I get the game has changed but that shouldn't excuse you from getting called out when you shoot like crap.

[@stayedhumblereese3447]

It’s going to happened to luka sooner just watch. If he wins a lot of mvps in his career and keep losing in the playoffs,eventually espn and tnt will be on his neck soon.

[@dylannoblett]

Dirk was my idol growing up…. Miss seeing him play

[@juanio7036]

That 2011 run was amazing

[@MrZablon]

I've grown up in Dallas, and cried the whole game 6 in 06 (I was 9 lol) when the Heat finished off the Mavs. Seeing Dirk get that chip in 11 for the city and to do it against the Heat incredible to watch, the run it self all the way up was honestly jarring

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Dirk was also robbed of a title in 2006

[@Puruvian]

nah, his lack of defence contributed to wades explosion, there is no way he was robbed

[@gangstagummybear3432]

@@yeahrell Wade even said he exploited the rules in the 06 finals on his interview with Knuckleheads, so yeah, also the addition of Shaq in that team wasnt really talked about at all in Mr.Rusty's video, that was a huge factor in shutting down Dirk.

[@gangstagummybear3432]

@@yeahrell "A little bit?" Lol, man had nearly 100 free throws in 1 series, with hack a Shaq on the court, and you're saying, "a little" lol, that is hilarious. You people over credit Wade as a scorer, the guy has never been a consistent 30 ppg scorer, so I'm not sure how he generated all these fouls in the first place, unless it was simply the fact that hand checking was gone. I dont really care how, "mediocre" Shaq supposedly was in the finals, Shaq is still at any and all times an all hands assignment, if he gets the ball, it is all eyes on Shaq, Wade wouldnt have been as effective whatsoever, if Shaq wasnt on the floor, that is the simple truth. So in addition to putting up his shots on Haslem, he also had to score over Shaq, which not many could do as a primary assignment, let alone a help assignment, along with Haslem. No cap here friend

[@winter9242]

Only casuals who looked solely at the box score would say he was robbed

[@gangstagummybear3432]

@@winter9242 Or people that saw 97 freethrows taken by 1 player that was a good scorer, but not an earth-shattering one, it wasnt like he was "unstoppable" as a scorer, his only scoring title came in like what, 2009?

[@DrZoomer]

A very pleasantly unexpected video. My favorite player of all time, and my favorite sport moment of all time. I hope one day to feel that feeling again as a Mavs fan

[@spliffsforbreakfast]

I’m gonna out myself and admit that I do watch a majority of your videos and I don’t tend to hit the like button but that “fuck hope” line at the end really just solidified my decision at the very last second to like this video.. well played

[@JoshuaFrick3]

The ‘08 ‘09 seasons were tough more Mavs fans too, and tough for Dirk with the rumors about his ex-gf. Dirk’s bounce back was so incredible that most Mavs fans didn’t even believe it was possible. Dirk got so dialed in that ‘11 season. It’s like he was communicating directly with God. Whole other wavelength 🙌🏼

[@RamsesTheStone]

German athletes just aren't taught to be ego driven and chasing personal glory. In general the German mentality is not one driven by individuality. Very rarely and mostly in sports we've been historically good at you see someone break that pattern. Even German soccer (football) players sometimes crumble under pressure when they go to play in big clubs outside of Germany. Dirk overcoming that and literally carrying that Dallas team on his shoulders was amazing for me to see.

[@TheJacqueswong]

This was also Jason Kidd and Marion's redemption story too.

[@jbug1979]

this was a great rusty video. also, i really appreciated the dirk/jordan analogy (breaking barriers)

[@jeffstewart2083]

In summation, "It's a good story, I don't know what to tell you." Rusty Buckets, master wordsmith, lol. We really do appreciate your vids man!

[@imhotepnixon]

I’m a simple Mavs fan I see Dirk I click

[@vick0602]

i love seeing your videos at 1:00 am getting back home from working! much love from barcelona

[@snow4767]

You been killing it with the content man!

[@pawananubhav12]

Dirk would kill in today's nba even more with the spacing now

[@CarlosCrc1]

He's a basically a more athletic Nikola Jokic with worse passing.

[@trashsevennews1160]

@@CarlosCrc1 no

[@calebangell77]

Eh. Dirk's my second favorite player of all time but the defense is an issue for today's NBA. He's too slow for even He's neither good on switches nor a good shot blocker/paint protector. I could absolutely see him being a great 6th man though.

[@trashsevennews1160]

@@calebangell77 tim dunkin your first

[@calebangell77]

@@trashsevennews1160 no, Giannis

[@benjespina]

Mavs fan here from '99. 2010-2011 was the perfect storm for Dirk and those who LOVE talking narratives. From a numbers perspective, Dirk's run doesn't even look that amazing (and his Finals performance would look lackluster if you didn't watch the games) but the fact that the Mavs swept the defending champ Lakers, beat an up and coming young team in the Thunder and then beat the most hated team in the league (the league was still reeling from The Decision) made Dirk the hero that he never was. That run also saw a lot of 15 pts or more comebacks - in all of the last three series they came back after being down big. It's quite cool that they did that since they squandered a 20+ point lead against Portland in Game 4. *see?! NARRATIVE!!! Haha. The people who like "loyalty" also get to have their moment with this championship. Everyone was split on Dirk up to that point. He wasn't a hero that people wanted to see succeed. It took him beating the Lakers and facing the game's most polarizing villain at that point to be a figure that people rallied around. These angles made that championship more culturally memorable than just about any in the last 30 years.

[@EnZo7992]

As much as all the great teams Cuban has done for the Mavs since being the owner, he really mismanaged Dirks prime and latter part of his career chasing after big name FA’s that never came and the ones he did sign were just a name at that point in their career. Dirk is an All-Time Maverick great, and if it wasn’t for how great and loyal of a guy he is, he could have asked out or really put pressure to give him the biggest contract he could ask for, and God knows there were more than a couple of times where if he did it would have been completely understandable.

[@Conquistador76]

We appreciate your perseverance Rusty. 10 videos in a day 💪 (get some rest dude)

[@AnotherDamnBob]

Appreciate you rusty ❤️

[@MithrandilPlays]

Dirk was my first sports icon, even though I'm from California, I bandwagonned onto Dirk in 2011 as an eight year old and am still a mavs fan lol

[@martinvaillancourt5962]

lmaooo that ending, dirk one of my fav players tho v good video

[@Salsainglesa]

I loved that one. Took me back to watching the nba

[@thomasharrison8926]

Nice video topics lately 👍🏽

[@splashed5439]

His career reminds me of ginnas

[@bartholomew1608]

I still remember where I was the night the mavs drafted tractor trailer and traded him for Dirk. I was like 12 years old with my dad and for years he told me don't give up on this team, they will be good eventually. I never expected the Baller from the G to bring that to fruition but it still feels amazing looking back

[@Jyfujmtg98]

My favorite NBA player of all time, he was not only amazing on the court but off as well. Just an all around great person and I was so damn sad to see him retire.

[@martavioustisby4942]

Dirk Nowitzki

[@bpdmf2798]

He just remembered to hold reset while pressing the power button to not corrupt his saved legacy. Then he blew on the cartridge.

[@moisturizedkev]

It's never too late, Rusty

[@enanebres6481]

Love this video

[@noahhenriksen9410]

bang great video!

[@Mornings]

I feel like Luka is on the same path tbh will fall short and eventualy break through for the ring when we least expect it

[@toogud7918]

Except luka doesn’t loose because of himself but in spite of him

[@ryanflynn6819]

Great story 👍💪💪

[@davidmartinez52420]

Dirk is just another guys that proves that rings matter to individual legacies no matter how much a particular group of fans like to dismiss them as "team accomplishments".

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

they are 1st and foremost team accomplishments that impact an individual's legacy.

[@dreday5880]

Dirk legit went GOD mode in the second half. You know which game I'm talking about.

[@royjones8312]

That title run was everything. For any player, being able to take that fuel from any detractors is huge.

[@pawananubhav12]

You look like a Walmart Mac Miller 🤣🤣

[@colewrld901]

Yep Dirk went from a playoff monster to going on a massive choking spree from the 06 finals to 2010 lol, he erased all that in 2011

[@colewrld901]

@Fries yeah he was really good.

[@sakamoto8354]

@Fries He was great. The stigma of him being a choker was in 06 finals when they lost 4 straight to the Heat after being up by 2, and it escalated more in 07 where they lost to the 8th seed Warriors.

[@cdog-gd3df]

As someone pointed out, a surely unexpected video...but a welcome from a MFFL (Mavs Fan For Life)

[@sa1sa624]

Dirk if he ring chased like Bron or kd. He'd have more rings than both.

[@trashsevennews1160]

But what are they worth. Dirk being the biggest texas undestatement.

[@itsallenwow]

He wouldn’t have more than KD or Lebron I feel like this video is making people swing the other way

[@Uncletiki1]

Dirk didn't just change the perception of big shooters, but of foreign players as well. The narrative of Dirk being a loser/choker went hand-in-hand with the narrative of European players being too soft or not good enough to compete in the NBA. And as a Dallas, watching the moment where they win the championship and Dirk has to RUN off the court into the tunnels to compose himself because he's just overcome with emotion, makes me tear up. That championship meant SO much to him.

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

I find it funny how that stigma on European players persisted as late as 2011. Euro players in the 1990s and 2000s were already making steady headway (at the expense of White Americans) in proving they can compete in the NBA. Prior to Dirk's historic 2011 win, Pau Gasol was already sealing his own legacy with the back to back rings in 2009 & 2010 as a Laker. Yes, Kobe was the main man, but Gasol impact in those wins should not be overlooked. Gasol was often called soft prior to those rings, while it did still follow in his twilight years, it wasn't as bad as his early years. I think Darko Milicic's 2nd round overall pick dud may have played a role in reinforcing such stigma, despite the consistent individual brilliance of both Pau & Dirk in those years (2004-2011). So you combine the rings of Pau & Dirk in 2009, 2010 & 2011... it then effectively shatters the stigma on Euros and proved once for all they can become HOF-level NBA players.

[@aesir1ases64]

Dirk is a legend! Few rings are worth more than his, if any.

[@StretchDaily]

"You know about the 2011 run if you're a real NBA fan" This is why people think you're way older than you are. You were in elementary school when that happened. Calm down.

[@jayherbogaming]

If he never won a ring, he would be know as the biggest playoff choker

[@fabo2blazed380]

I love Derek Harper,Luka and dirk💙

[@adamtsuch]

Liking this so that Rudy doesn’t starve in Rusty’s basement

[@Kennyisdarkvanilla]

I will be back here when Dame has his 2011 Dirk championship run this season with the Blazers.

[@4392amtrak]

If you take away that championship, he would probably be viewed like Chris Paul. Both of their teams were up 2-0 in the finals and then lost the next four.

[@ryangobasco920]

Took it so long because Dirk did it the RIGHT WAY...

[@remusciuciu2840]

My man realized he’s 33 and said fuck it

[@4stringjoe2]

Detlef walked, so Dirk could run...

[@ijoseph7343]

Great vid! Have you touched on lebrons vanishing act in 2011?

[@kc070]

Dirk was a legend regardless but that ring saved him from a lot of slander

[@josephmatthews7698]

If you don't love Dirk you don't love basketball.

[@Wetcamerainc]

Dope video My life was awful but i do remember watching game 7 and feeling pretty empty….but anyway

[@charles7558]

You sound drunk in some of these videos🤣 still a solid video

[@royalmcmorris1211]

Love wen u snappy and I fucking liked the video bro

[@nicholassaucedo9184]

No one cares

[@farstrider4592]

I’m so happy for Dirk. Even at the cost of my favorite team Lakers a championship that year, where Dirk and the Mavs straight up embarrassed my team 😭

[@Itisthemuffin]

No one thought big men was the best postion to build around. Every finals mvp was small forward 2010s apart from derk. Between 1988-1998 8 out of the 10 finals mvps were guards. And magic johnson and larry bird dominated by these awards too

[@tacocruiser4238]

We Believe. Never forget.

[@harrybthyname_]

There’s a theory that the 2006 NBA Finals were rigged in the Heat’s favor after Dallas went up 2-0. Through Games 3 to 6, it is believed that the refs gave the Heat more free throw opportunities, most notably to D Wade. What do you think? You can check the series stat on BBR

[@drevil2675]

Everyone loves Dirk, aka the Lebron destroyer.

[@tmac731]

Dirk belongs on the MT Rushmore of the nba

[@tomek6132]

This should be “he won a championship” end of video

[@hahasofunnyhaha]

the german greaseball

[@jamespain2138]

It’s crazy Lebron choking has saved dirk’s legacy just shows how Goated Bron is 🐐!

[@itsallenwow]

I don’t understand this logic at all

[@jamespain2138]

@@itsallenwow Dirk’s career was on a decline until he beat Bron in the finals lol what are you not getting ??? If we call dirk a legend then what should we call Bron ??? Besides the 🐐 hope this clarifies brother if not oh well.

[@hyem6263]

@@jamespain2138 insane d riding

[@jamespain2138]

@@hyem6263 I love how you riding me in the comments 😭

[@geordiejones5618]

Maybe the best example of salvaging legacy in NBA history. He was on the verge of being known as super consistent in the regular season but not being able to match that consistency in the playoffs. 06-07 was him at his best but resulted in a blown 2-0 Finals lead and a first round exit to an 8 seed. Everyone forgets about that bc he got revenge against Wade and Miami in 2011.

[@Michael-kw1mz]

Liking bc if not I'm scared Rusty will be disappointed

[@dovahkiinondrugs8878]

I've always hated that people argue that Michael Jordan broke the idea of the need of a big man to win a ring when IsaiahThomas won It before and was even smaller than mj and didnt have a Big time scoring big man

[@streetpresident8343]

He is a NBA legend not known as one

[@flyingpigmonkey1]

I used to get those big old ingrown hairs in my stache too. They fuckin suck. Good luck.

[@sydoesgames]

2011 chip singlehandedly saved him from being at like the carmelo anthony status. probably bolted him up 40-50 spots all time lmao

[@josephhanicak7922]

Dwade had an amazing performance in the 2006 finals, but the refs won that series, not the Heat. Dirk choked, that much is true. But the Heat were very blatantly favored by the refs to a game changing degree. Mark Cuban even hired a fucking former FBI agent to investigate the league, and was told that he would easily win the lawsuit against the NBA for fixing the series, but also that it would seriously damage the league as a whole, so he decided not to.

[@quincybryant5231]

Smaller players gave him problems. Big dudes didn’t. That was known. He changed his game. And starting destroying those little mfs in the post. Easy answer.

[@MrOctober44]

Not only winning a championship, but beating LeBron in the finals should be a game changer on how you're perceived, lol

[@matthewsmith1779]

Avery Johnson doesn't get enough credit for how Dirk changed his game for the second half of his career.

[@mavssami41]

Actually it was the opposite...he held back the teams many times with his coaching decisions. He benched the starters vs the warriors when he knew we struggled with them. If we play the starters and win it changes everything. Also the 1st game of the series he changed the starting lineup and took out our center and forced dirk to play center. That just destroyed the teams confidence. How do you change ur 64 win team lineup game 1. The mavericks were better off if they kept Nash and hired dantoni.

[@matthewsmith1779]

@@mavssami41 I'm talking about how he convinced Dirk to play in the post and switch to PF instead of trying to be a 7 foot wing.

[@mavssami41]

@matthewsmith1779 dirk played in the post all of his career. It was a misconception. In 02 03 season he shot 70%at the 3ft to the rim. Dude just played some outside game. He also took almost 7 free throws a game which shows he wasn't afraid of contact. If you watched dirk vs kg in the 02 playoffs. You will see he wasn't soft and was in the paint all the time. He dropped 33 and 17 on em in a sweep. He also got alot of points attack the point and post ups on kg. I think johnson held back the team with his coaching decisions. He never doubled Wade in the finals. I mean get the ball out of his hands. Dirk was making that jump no matter what bc he had to make up for the lost of Nash. Dirk in alot of plays would just make a 1on1 play