DIRK

Early this morning while listening to sports talk radio the host mentioned that Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick ‘Flipper’ Carlisle recently said that his player, Dirk Nowitzki is a Top 10 player in NBA history.

Not believing Flipper made this comment, I checked Google to find his quote, and sure enough, it was said.

Look, Dirk is good, but not top 10 of all-time good. Plus I know Flipper is building up his guy but top 10 of all-time?

Here’s Flipper’s comments via ESPN Dallas.com by Tim MacMahon.

“In my opinion, he’s a top 10 player in NBA history because of the uniqueness of his game and how he’s carried this franchise on his back for over a decade,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told “ESPN First Take” on Monday. “He’s just right. He’s leading the team. His shot-making is great. He’s passing the ball great. He’s one of the guys that’s directing traffic for us defensively.”

In the past I wasn’t a Nowitzki fan (neither was Charles Barkley), but as of late, I have come around and have taken an interest in the 7-foot jump shooter.

Matter of fact, I really enjoy watching him play. But top ten of all-time, I don’t think so.

I stayed up pretty late Monday night to watch the Memphis Grizzlies and OKC Thunder 3-overtime game. The Thunder won 133-123. Memphis blew an 18 point second quarter lead but it was the 1-2 punch of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook that got the job done.  Westbrook scored 40 points and Durant had 35. Durant also added 13 rebounds. Zach Randolph added 34 points for the Grizzlies including 16-17 from the free throw line. The series is now tied at 2 while they make the trip to OKC.

The Thunder had a chance to use the @CoachLok strategy not once, but twice. Both times, with OKC on defense and just a few seconds to play, Scott Brooks, Thunder head coach elected to defend and paid for it dearly. On Twitter, Ray Lokar often tweets about fouling when up 3 and less than 5 seconds. Lokar has the evidence to back his argument.  I am on the fence about this strategy, but have to admit I am leaning towards fouling next season. By the way, if you are on Twitter, it might be a good idea to follow Lokar.

Michael Conley made a three point shot to send the game into overtime and Greivis Vasquez also made a three point shot in the first overtime to send the game into double overtime.

But when it was all said and done, OKC won the game. What are your thoughts as a coach when put in this situation? Do you defend or foul?

Just wondering department; How does Westbrook (who happens be a great player) in 51 minutes shoot the ball 33 times while Durant, in 57 minutes of tick attempts 20 field goals? Most impressive thing about Durant was in the 3rd overtime he scored 6 points. What was so impressive about that? He had fresh legs on his jump shot while other players looked tired.

hoops135@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore

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