What if Dirk Nowitzki (White Guy from Germany) was Derrick Nelson (Black Guy from Anyhood, USA). Let me start by saying this is not a referendum on unfair treatment of a white German. With that said what more can you say about Dirks performance in this years playoffs? He has hailed more praise and respect in one playoff than analysts much older than me can remember last. All this acclaim earned over a body of work that has flown under the radar simply because the media would not acknowledge its greatness due to playoff shortcoming after shortcoming. Their was a trust issue there. A trust issue that both had Mavs fan skeptical to buy in to a playoff run this April and kept analysts from singing his praises the past few years regardless of his efficiency and talent. So, what if? What if Dirk Nowitzki from Germany was Derrik Nelson from say Georgetown(fictional black guy alter ego). I caution you again, this is NOT a racist filled rant but simply a scenario of how things could have gone different for Dirk with a more familiar NBA background. Derrick Nelson from Georgetown would not have had half as much ridicule as Dirk did being taken so high in the draft over formerly with us Tractor Traylor for starters. I assume Derrick Nelson would have had automatic "street cred" within "the community" (see italics, think exclusive). This would have meant stronger relationships with the majority of what the NBA is, young black males. Maybe Nelson would have been with Chris Paul at his birthday this year. Or Lebron may have taken his talents to South Dallas instead of South Beach. Regardless because of being an introverted white foreign raised player I believe Dirk has excluded the Mavericks from a possible higher chance at sweepstakes for major free agency due to lack of relatability. Current stars with the Mavs are second chance seat fillers here by trade or lack of demand. Ask any NBA player if on paper they wouldn't want to play with someone who has Dirks stats. Insane that Dallas has never landed a major free agent considering the city, no state tax, lower cost of living, loyal franchise fans and facilities and the fact that it is major market. I know Cuban doesn't help but really guys have not truly even bat an eye at coming to Dallas. And this is what hurts Dirk, his lack of "fitting in" (remember italics). When he hosted the All Star weekend in Dallas he came off as a rich kid who supplied the party and sat isolated while everyone else enjoyed his party for him being that none of his guests were his actual friends. That's the kindve left out I'm talking about. The questions that begged to be asked are: Would analysts be so quick to call him soft or so fundamentally sound over purely talented? This is not a Chris Bosh apples to apples comparison. Dirk is head and shoulders a more valuable player and look what Chris Bosh got recruited into 2011! Would Derrick Nelson have the work ethic like Dirk Nowitzki has? (Racist?) Could Derrick Nelson have recruited a Robin similar to the way others have recently (ie.Melo LeBron Bosh Paul Boozer) earlier in his career? Have these things hurt Dirk? I propose that at the same timethis has possibly made it harder for him it has made his pilgrimage to win a ring that much more impressive.
As "hood' as Dirk gets
So what is the upside to Dirk? The upside is Dirk Nowitzki is a white foreign born introvert with a work ethic I believe we still fully don't comprehend. He has limited distractions in his life, and short of being a black guy, could not be more positive for his team and community. Despite the fact that the current Mavs have such a large group a veterans I do not find it to be of coincidence that the Mavericks may be the only team in this playoffs that were not mentioned as having "trust" issues on the floor or anywhere else for that matter (see Pau Gasol Lakers). I attribute so much of that to the fact that Dirk never talks about "getting his" or "shine" or anything of the sort, he is about solely winning. His teammates know that and I don't know of another NBA playoff run team with more cooperative role players with more trust and focus from former #1 options like Marion, Peja and Kidd all together unwavering in their contribution towards the team goal. That's just one major intangible contribution to the franchise from Dirk. Not to mention the fact that Dirk is the furthest thing from a distraction for his franchise. He's old school in the way that the ONLY dividends he's interested night in and night out is getting better and winning an NBA Championship ring.
The 'Heatles' courtesy of @TheBlackAriGold
So in this Finals I am more than ever rooting for Dirk to beat the "The Heatles". The Overdue crew vs. The Entitled Big 3. Good vs. Evil as my favorite local radio calls it. I have been watching the Mavs long before The Big 4 Blow Up (number four being Toni Braxton). I've been around long enough to KNOW this is a special run for the Mavs, with a special superstar with a blueprint and background that favors an unorthodox approach to the game and hopefully the rare outcome of the first to four wins in these NBA Finals. Enjoy.
NOT Finished Yet...
An interesting read....but makes some fairly silly leaps of logic.
ReplyDeleteThe Mavericks chances of landing a big free agent have often been hindered more by cap space than the appeal of playing with Dirk. Players want to win, but they also want aaget paid. Offering the MLE year after year isn't going to land a big fish in free agency. (Unless you consider Erick Dampier a big fish.)
The article also has some not so subtle undertones about African American players....somehow implying that they don't work as hard as Dirk, are all extroverted and all act/think/behave in the most simple of stereotypical AA athlete behavior.
All you have to do is look 300 miles to the south to see an example of an introverted hard working AA player who has all the same characteristics as Dirk. Tim Duncan is a self professed geek. He has a wizard tattoo and liked D&D. He's as far from the simple stereotype as you laid out...and pretty similar to what a 'black Dirk' would look like. (Other than being a better overall player and having 4 rings.)
Poor example, Tim Duncan is about as African American as JJ Barea. He's from the Virgin Islands, a U.S. Territory, much like Puerto Rico, with a very separate and distinct culture. You may as well have chosen Roddy Beaubois or Desagana Diop as your example.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, you both make good points. This was an interesting post. I also feel that the younger, "cool" players can't relate to Dirk and as such, Dallas might not be appealing. I think it takes veterans who can really appreciate the all-time great that Dirk is (like Shawn Marion, Peja, etc.). It would be interesting to see a black player with Dirk's skills and where they would stand in the discussion (Kobe, Lebron, etc.). I don't think this is racist or stereotypical so much as it is a sociological commentary. I think it's important to step back and ponder these things and to consider the natural biases that are present in our society.
This spirited respectful exchange was the intention. The intention was to speculate, not to label or disrespect any race. If anything it think it makes light of the obstacles Dirk has faced and proves his work ethic and no excuses focus. Tim Duncan was a product of superb timing and damn near lead the foreign all star team with Ginobli, Parker and a few others to multiple championships. Regardless thank you for your thoughtful and well articulated comments
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