The Worst of The Very Best: Dirk's Dallas Mavericks

From the hip with no editing:

Every once in a while someone will write up his "top" power forward list.  These are always fun.  They stimulate debate, people get to yell at each other (lots of WTF action), and we all have a good time trashing each other's favorite players.  Good times.

I have some basic criteria on these lists.  I expect to see Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Garnett in some order at or near the top of your list.  Okay - call Timmy a center and I'll give you pass.  But otherwise I can't take your list very seriously. 

Moreover, I'm a Dirk fan (through good and bad) so my bias is towards Nowitzki.  He's an astonishing power forward.  So I pay attention to where you put Dirk on your list.  I don't particularly care if you put him first.  It's like the general debate - is he top five?  Is he top ten?  Who cares?  He's pretty damn good, is what he is.

So why the "from the hip with no editing" post, Dan?  Nowitzki will almost always show up in a power forward top five list (usually at the top).  He'll usually be in the top ten on the more general "best of the NBA" lists (seven or eight seem to be favorite slots).  

But there's this thing.  It's a weird thing.  And I see it time and time again.  Writers who cover the NBA turn into Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when they discuss Dirk.  He's one of the premier offensive players of our era.  He's a loser.  He's too fast for the big men and too big for the little men.  He's got failure written all over his face and in his blood.  He's a franchise player.  Did you see him fold in the Golden State series?  He's a clutch super freak.  He should have made that free throw against Miami in the finals.  He's the prototype of the great modern power forward.  

The same applies to Dirk's Mavericks, not surprisingly.  As goes the opinion on the franchise so goes the opinion on the franchise player.  A lot of the grief given to Nowitzki comes from the Maverick's inability to grab the ring, even if only once.  They have that ring and people (sane people) shut up about Dirk. 

As it is Nowitzki comes under a huge amount of criticism for such a successful player - far more than superstars playing on genuinely pathetic teams.  I think the only superstar who takes more grief is Tracy McGrady (hell, they made Tracy cry).

So why the over-the-top criticism of a bona fide super star?

Because Dirk's Mavericks occupy the very strange position of being the Worst of the Very Best.  

Let's look at it.  The Mav's have won 50 (yes, 50) or more games for nine straight years.  One of those years they won 67 games.  67 wins - what is that, fifth on the all time list?  Tied with the 1991-92 Chicago Bulls and the 1985-86 Boston Celtics.  Good company.  I've been told that there are only four teams in NBA history with that sort of record for consecutive seasons with 50+ wins.  Who are they?

1. The sixties Celtics.  Bill Russell's team.  

2. The eighties' Celtics.  Larry Bird's team.

3. The eighties' Lakers.  Can you say Magic Johnson and Kareem?

4. The Spurs of the last decade.  Timmeehh!!

So Dirk's Mavericks are hanging out with some pretty incredible company.  These are the best franchises in NBA history.  You will find them on lists of the best teams in NBA history.  These are the dynasties.  And the Mavs deserve to be there.

But here is the rub.  These are all teams that won multiple championships.  At least one.  Usually more.  The Spurs have won four. Magic Johnson's Lakers won four.  Bird's Celtics had three.

So at the end of the day that really is the issue.  Dirk is up in the stratosphere of the NBA along with Magic, Tim Duncan, Kareem, Larry, Kobe, Jordan, Shaq, and Bill.  But somehow that doesn't quite seem right - where are the rings?

Hence the dichotomy.  We are bipolar about Dirk.  He is the worst of the greats.  How do you handle that position?  He's good enough to join the club but once inside he'll feel pretty humble.  It is in this odd sense that Dirk is a "loser".  It is only in the context of comparing him to his real peers (the Duncans, Birds, and Jabbars) that Dirk looks wanting.

But having said all that, on any given day he still may walk out onto that court and kick your favorite team's ass, leaving you muttering under your breath "I didn't realize he was that good".  How good is he?  He's pretty damn good, is what he is.