It's harder for Dirk because his game isn't predicated on athleticism. It's all about technical skill through meticulous practice.

If anything, he mailed it in the offseason and that's why it's taken him a long time to find his grove.

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Those of you who think the first part of this shortened regular season matter more than last year's postseason and a career need to take of your anti-Dirk glasses.

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If that's the case, Michael Jordan should still be making the team.

Dirk was an all-star snub in 2001. Now he's even.

Maybe millsap or cousins will have 10 straight all-stars, dominate the playoffs with a Finals MVP then have a slow start in a bizarre lockout shortened season so they can have some justice

So are you saying he deserves it based on his performance this season?

I agree Dirk had an incredible run last season. But how does that merit an All Star THIS year?

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Maybe millsap or cousins will have 10 straight all-stars, dominate the playoffs with a Finals MVP then have a slow start in a bizarre lockout shortened season so they can have some justice

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Everyone has played with the same conditions. Dirk shouldn't get preferential treatment because he, himself, couldn't get things swinging into gear in time.

Why do you think the coaches voted for him?

He doesn't deserve it this year based on the numbers. But the timing of the lockout is a big factor for him that the coaches must have considered. And he was snubbed in 2001 so now karma evened it out

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If anything, he mailed it in the offseason and that's why it's taken him a long time to find his grove.

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That's just it. He shouldn't be rewarded for a sub par start to the season brought on by his mailing it in. He could have been more proactive before the season started. Duncan for example, at 35, works out hardcore during the offseason and therefore doesn't miss a beat in the regular season (not to say he deserved an all star nod. he didn't in this season or the last).

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Why do you think the coaches voted for him?

He doesn't deserve it this year based on the numbers. But the timing of the lockout is a big factor for him that the coaches must have considered. And he was snubbed in 2001 so now karma evened it out

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I think the timing of the lock out affected the coaches decision in that they haven't seen a lot of the competition on a first hand basis this year due to the shortened season. Therefore, they vote for Dirk based on his prior performance. I wouldn't call that karma.


[This message has been edited by ItalAggie (edited 2/10/2012 12:01p).]

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That's just it. He shouldn't be rewarded for a sub par start to the season brought on by his mailing it in. He could have been more proactive before the season started. Duncan for example, at 35, works out hardcore during the offseason and therefore doesn't miss a beat in the regular season (not to say he deserved an all star nod. he didn't in this season or the last).

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Duncan didn't play in the Euros during the off-season. That's a factor all the Dirk-haters continually ignore. He was taking a break from basketball , later than the American-born players took their breaks. Then the season started. Normally Dirk would have been doing his routine with Holger, but that never happened this year. So he did not "mail it in" and he would have done a ton of conditioning and practice, but the Euros got in the way.

Whether or not that means he deserves an All-Star nod this year is a separate issue, but don't downgrade him for "mailing it in." It's like Dino said, he struggled, but not from lack of effort.

[This message has been edited by R0GUE (edited 2/10/2012 12:11p).]

[This message has been edited by R0GUE (edited 2/10/2012 12:11p).]

I could see the Worlds a being a factor. Didn't think about that. But Manu played with FIBA as well this off-season and he was playing out of his mind to start the season until his brittle hands held him back (I use him and not Parker as a comparison because of his age.)

So Duncan does the same old boring workout routine and his numbers take a huge hit - hes clearly done and seem content with his place. Kobe on the other hand takes his workouts to yet another higher level and dabbles in questionable foreign medical treatments and had a huge resurgence. Dirk for the first time ever doesn't prepare properly for the season (and usually he's known and one of the hardest workers in the league) due to having a historic career achievement and uncertainty over the lockout. His numbers are horrendous by his standards, but he shows signs of turning it around and everyone assumes he'll be back to his usual form by the playoffs.

The lockout schedule benefits young legs and those who don't rely on super off day conditioning. Many old stars didn't make it this year - Allen, Garnett, Gasol, Duncan

Its also funny that it's the coaches at fault this time. Usually every year the fans select 1-2 old players that clearly don't deserve it. I thought maybe Dirk would finally be voted as a starter this year but it looks like he'll finish his career with 0 starts.

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hes clearly done and seem content with his place

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This is a joke. He wouldn't be putting in the hours he has if he was content. Hell, he wouldn't even be playing anymore if he was content. His numbers have taken a dive, no doubt about that. But don't think for a second it's because he's not playing the game for another championship. If Duncan got as many touches/minutes as he did in the past, his numbers would look a lot different as well.

And damn. I didn't realize Dirk has never been selected by the fans. That's crazy. I guess he was always coming behind Duncan, KG, Durant, Webber?

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I could see the Worlds a being a factor. Didn't think about that. But Manu played with FIBA as well this off-season and he was playing out of his mind to start the season until his brittle hands held him back (I use him and not Parker as a comparison because of his age.)

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Well it wasn't the Worlds it was the Euros. Was there another World or South/Central American tournament I wasn't aware of that Manu played in?

Yea. It was a FIBA Americas tournament. I think it was held in Brazil?

I agree with Coke. Both Duncan and Dirk have had amazing careers. Neither one is quite done with playoff runs but All Star appearances? I think so.

[This message has been edited by TheDino (edited 2/10/2012 12:33p).]

I'm sure Duncan still cares about winning another ring, but he recognizes that he must adapt to being a role player. He's really been doing it for 2 years now. That's fine. Kobe and Dirk are not at that point. Kobe is completely setting the new standard for elite longevity with extreme effort and medical treatments while we assume Dirk is fully focused on playoff prep and will be fine with a normal offseason. But maybe Dirk never recovers from this lapse and will have to completely adapt his game around Deron Williams next year. We'll see, but we don't know for sure right now

By the way, props to this guy for making his first all star game.


He's come a long way.

LoL is that Gasol?