By and large, Dirk Nowitzki has been the best player in this year’s postseason. Nowitzki has averaged 28 points, eight rebounds and two assists, leading Dallas to the NBA Finals. After Dallas’ Game 5 victory over Miami, led by Nowitzki’s 29 points, the team is one win away from its first championship.
Prior to the Mavericks’ deep playoff run this spring, Nowitzki has been criticized for his past playoff shortcomings, despite being one of the game’s top players. Whether it was the meltdown in the 2006 NBA Finals, or losing to Golden State in the first round in 2007.
Recently, I was able to take part in a media conference call for the American Century Championship Golf Tournament. One of the participants in the conference call was Charles Barkley. I had a chance to talk to Barkley about Dirk Nowitzki’s great postseason performance, and how it could change the perception of his overall legacy.
The Hoop Doctors: If Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks go on to lose the Finals, has Dirk still gone along way with his outstanding postseason in changing the way people look at his career?
Charles Barkley: “Well, it depends. Anybody who didn’t think he was one of the greatest players all time was an idiot. But unfortunately I’ve been very torn for this series, to be honest with you, because Dirk and Jason and LeBron are really the three guys that have something to lose. Because the loser of this series is still going to be on that list that I’m on, and I always feel bad for those guys.”
Barkley also went on to say:
“Listen, Dirk is one of the greatest players. He already was before this year. But unless he wins a championship, he’s going to be on the same list with me. And until LeBron wins, he’s going to be on the list with me. These guys are both–Jason Kidd also–all three of these guys are Hall of Famers; they’re legends. But until you win a championship, you got to stay on the list with me and Karl [Malone] and Patrick Ewing and John Stockton, all those guys. That’s just the way it is.”
If Nowitzki does end his career without a ring, there is no doubt he will be on the list of best players with no championship hardware. With that being said, I still think Nowitzki has gone along way this postseason in silencing his critics. Before his current playoff run, Nowitzki was not only a great player without a ring, but his leadership and toughness were often questioned.
Now, he is just one win away from the ultimate prize.
Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.
