What's new

George Karl would take Dirk Nowtizki over Charles Barkley and Karl Malone

Chad Feldheimer

Well-Known Member
Reaction Jazz fans

Has Dirk passed Karl on the all-time greats list?

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl joined the show to talk about NBA playoffs and more.

Dan asked Karl how do you stop Dirk Nowitzki. ”When he’s playing like he did last night, there might be nothing you can do,” Karl said. “I still think you’re going to have to play him straight up most of the time.” Karl suggested making him go right and make him put the ball on the floor.

Dan asked Karl if he’s a top 10 all-time player. Karl said in his time, Nowitzki is in the top three or four of all time. He’d probably put him above Karl Malone and Charles Barkley. He said Malone was a close comparison to Dirk.

https://www.danpatrick.com/2011/05/18/george-karl-says-nowitzki-among-top-forward-hes-ever-seen/
 
Meh. Dirk fever is all the rage and the perceived worth of accomplishments fades with the passage of time. Does anyone talk about how many championships Russell won anymore? But plenty would probably argue he is not even a top 10 center anymore. This too shall pass.
 
It's hard to say, if Dirk can keep his dominance into his mid to late 30's though like Malone did and still be making deep playoff runs, its possible.
 
Also, there is more you can do defensively. Try double teaming him and not fouling him all the time. Make him make shots, or make him pass. Anything is better than sending him to the line 23 times.
 
Keep in mind George Karl hates the Jazz from all the way back to Supersonic days. Maybe before that.
 
I would put Perkins on him, tell him to man him up as close as possible without fouling. If he gets pass him off the bounce the rotations have to come in fast.
 
Barkley and Malone were better players, but the 2011 NBA as it is now might give Dirk the edge. No handchecking, so put your hand on Dirk's hip when he faces up and it's a foul. 5-second backdown rule so Barkley can't pound the ball inside like he did in his prime. No illegal defense so you can front Malone in the post and zone him from behind. The NBA has tried to take away the physicality of the game - and Karl/Chuck were two of the most physical players of their era. Dirk's a HOF and once in a decade player - but you let a Rodman, a Mahorn, a Pippen, a Derrick McKey handcheck and bump him and he might be a 20&10 guy instead of 25&10.
 
I would put Perkins on him, tell him to man him up as close as possible without fouling. If he gets pass him off the bounce the rotations have to come in fast.

Perkins is too slow. Dirk got around Ibaka with ease all night, Perkins would look like he was standing in cement. It would lead to too many uncontested midrange jump shots.
 
Barkley and Malone were better players, but the 2011 NBA as it is now might give Dirk the edge. No handchecking, so put your hand on Dirk's hip when he faces up and it's a foul. 5-second backdown rule so Barkley can't pound the ball inside like he did in his prime. No illegal defense so you can front Malone in the post and zone him from behind. The NBA has tried to take away the physicality of the game - and Karl/Chuck were two of the most physical players of their era. Dirk's a HOF and once in a decade player - but you let a Rodman, a Mahorn, a Pippen, a Derrick McKey handcheck and bump him and he might be a 20&10 guy instead of 25&10.

I'm just calling this game "Basket" because there ain't no balls in it anymore.
cubanhand.jpg
 
Meh. Dirk fever is all the rage and the perceived worth of accomplishments fades with the passage of time. Does anyone talk about how many championships Russell won anymore? But plenty would probably argue he is not even a top 10 center anymore. This too shall pass.

What moron would argue Russell is not a top 10 center anymore?
 
Back
Top