Not really sure it has anything to do with his "stones". If your definition of "stones" means him hard-fouling and potentially hurting the other team's star player, I guess he doesn't. If your point is just that Dirk really isn't the type of player to put the hurt on someone, we agree. That's not really his game.

Personally I wouldn't risk Dirk drawing a flagrant 2 just to put a hard foul on Durant. If we really wanted to do that, put in Brian Cardinal or some ****.

Either way, Dirk showed his "stones" playing basketball last night. Not some cheap shot crap.

Yeah I know, I would never wany durant to do that either, which is why my comment was more of a joke.

That's the best part of this series, is we get to watch the top 2 players in the west go at it

Right now, I'd say Dirk is the best in the WC, with Durant running a close second.

Durant's style relies so much on his youth/athleticism, not saying he won't develop his game as he ages but i could also see him not having near the sustaining power that Dirk's had over the past 10+ years.

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Durant's style relies so much on his youth/athleticism, not saying he won't develop his game as he ages but i could also see him not having near the sustaining power that Dirk's had over the past 10+ years

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Uh, what you described is Blake Griffin's style. Durant is basically the exact opposite.

I think Muy is somewhat on the right track, but he's not the high flyer that really depends soley on jumping and what not. The guy is still longer than anyone guarding him, which will always allow for him to get off shots he shouldn't be able to.

Dirk doesn't live above the rim, so you're correct there.

not saying Durant's a high flyer and he does have an outstanding jump shot, but i also don't see him developing a strong inside game as he ages, and if he puts on weight he's not going to have the quickness that he relies on so much today.

I don't think Durant relies on "quickness" that much. The guy really isn't that good at beating guys off the dribble and blowing by them. If he did get a bit stronger and developed a little back to the basket game that'd be awesome, but with time he will. Kobe didn't develop that till later in his career either.

Durant is going to be good for a long time. He reminds me of Kobe - well rounded offensive arsenal. He can pull up and shoot the J or take it to the basket and throw it down.

Young Kobe was better off the dribble than Durant is now.

But Durant is a better pure shooter, and has the length that makes that jumper tough to guard. Sure he relies on athleticism right now, but once he loses a step (as we're seeing with Kobe) he'll be in a better position to continue playing at a high level because he has such a sweet J.

Agreed, I'm not saying he will drop off, but in comparison to Dirk, Dirk has already proven he can change (hell, improve) his game with age.

Durant is tall and smooth - two factors that will serve him very well as he hits his 30's.

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The guy really isn't that good at beating guys off the dribble and blowing by them.

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Durant read this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os79bvZLnmc

Then that happened.

dude it was Peja...Peja

i've seen him too much at the end of games, isolated with a player not in a walker, and he struggles to beat them off the dribble.

It's almost digusting how much Guitarsoup hates the Mavericks

Very astute observation. Each and every post I have made on this thread is more hate-filled than the last.

You'd literally saw your own dick off before you gave Dirk anything more than a half-assed "Yeah, but he'll never be so and so" compliment

Dirk has taken it to a new level this season ... dude has been un-guard-able in the playoffs. Tonight, Dirk shot like crap and still put 18 pts.

The tale of two Dirks:

Game 1: Hit every shot from every location on the floor with a sweet stroke. Usually with the jump fade.

Game 3: Miss almost every shot from every location on the floor. Most always this means he is being played physical and the no-calls are getting to him.

But this is why he is one of the all-time best (top 30)...he has the ability to hit the shots when they matter the most. He is always a threat to score THAT shot that will kill you.

Yes

hmmmm. which one would I have taken tonight?

Yes, but careful, some idiot will think the question is "who would you build your brand new franchise around?"

Durant can't shake loose Marion and Kidd. He'll work on a post game and will get a better coach next year

It's amazing to me how so many people refuse to see the parallels between "young" Dirk and Durant. Both are long, lanky, athletic players who have a tendency to hang out at the three point line jacking up shots, rather than taking advantage of their height on the blocks. Both receive criticism for not attacking the basket enough. Both receive criticism for being too nice and refusing to be a vocal leader. Both have had their "toughness" called into question. Of course, that comparison will never be made in the nationl media for obvious reasons.

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NBAHistory NBA History
Dirk's Double-Double: became the 1st player since Diesel (2000 Finals) to have 2 40 pt, 60% games in the same playoff series(!)

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#Dirk is averaging 9.8 pts in the 4th qtr this postseason - highest in the NBA. His 53.3% fgs in the 4th is also 1st (min. 40 att).
TweetDeck • 5/25/11 2:45 PM

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Dirk finished 59-61 on FTs - 96.7%. Per NBATv that's highest free throw percentage ever in a playoff series.

Just thought I would bring this back up. I think the resounding answer to my original question at this point is clearly YES. Honestly you could argue that he is the best in the entire NBA right now, and certainly the most clutch.

He was the best player in the playoffs. Period.