Legitly more sad to see him go then Wade. He was one my favorite players that never played in a rockets uniform. Just like Duncan and few others. Thanks for all the memories Dirk. You will be missed in the league.
Not really a Dirk fan. But I think we won't see a player stick with one team for his whole career anymore. Him and Duncan were the last of the breed.
Steph? There might be some anti-switchers. Damian keeps beating the drum of not leaving Portland. Of course, Damian won't be as revered as Dirk if he doesn't win a ring. Giannis is trying to imply he'll go down that path, but LONG way to go. Maybe Russ just sticks with OKC his whole career. And as insane as it sounds now, Doncic might follow in Dirk's footsteps. Precisely because Dirk is there and will stick around, and Cuban does seem to have a bro-affair with guys like that. And also, I think what made it "easier" for Dirk in a sense was the fact that he was from Europe, so was travelling back in the offseason, treated Dallas as a true second home... which Doncic may be able to do as well. But indeed, Dallas is not California, Miami types so who knows. Steph, obviously, though. And if Steph plays till 41, he wouldn't retire until like 2029 or 2030, lol, so who knows. I can see him playing for Charlotte towards the end of his career.
He had Jason Terry and Jason Kidd. Tyson Chandler. I know Kidd wasn't an all star then, but that squad wasn't too bad. He had more than Hakeem did in 1994, but he's the second player to win the big one without much help. He was amazing that year. A sight to behold.
I really like Dirk, but I absolutely HATE his game. With the exception of his Championship run, his game was defined by shooting fadeaways, playing absolutely NO defense and being softer than Charmin. If he'd come in to the league a decade earlier, he'd have been destroyed.
We're arguing small details. However, in hindsight Dream had a decent amount of help. Horry won 7 championship, Cassell became an all star, Mario won another championship, and Thorp was a former all-star.
The difference between how Dirk retired and how Wade retired reminds me a lot of the difference between Duncan and Kobe. I really prefer the Dirk/Duncan way.
Horry averaged 11.7 ppg in the playoffs that year, Cassell 9.4, Mario 5.8 and Thorpe 11.3. To me the support looked better for Dirk, but I agree that it's somewhat small yet clear. Both balled out against some worthy competition.
didn't duncan and dirk consistently take pay cuts for their teams? the owners can't take credit for that.
Yes but that reflects on the player but the owner has to be willing not to be cheap. For example, the Laker fans wanted Kobe to end his career as a Laker regardless. Can you imagine if Kobe went to the Raptors because he wanted like $1 million more and the Lakers didn't give it to him and rather have Kelvin Cato get paid?
Out of all these guys, I'd say Westbrook probably has the best chance of staying with OKC till the end. Steph is likely but I wouldn't be surprised if he bolt after he starts to decline. Winning a championship early in your career helps. You don't feel the pressure of chasing after a ring.
I dun get why Steph would bolt. He got everything, he is boss, a new Stadium to play in. I can see him getting traded at Hakeem's age to a team like Raptors. But him going willingly, I dun really think that. He is like a symbol for the franchise and for the league in terms of 3pt shooting legend.
Wow, I had no idea that that happened. https://clutchpoints.com/nba-histor...hael-jordan-and-scottie-pippen-for-52-points/
Dude Cuban went all out for Dirk's last home game, bringing in Bird, Shremp, Barkley, etc. Les didn't do give this much time and effort at all for Dream and I think Yao's was too short @chievous minniefield
