The Losing List — Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki (photo. Monte Isom)You Play. To Win. The Game. One of the great football quotes of all-time, but one that also relates to every sport once you get past the Little League level. In the NBA, there are some players whose existence revolves around winning. They “get it.” They are the ones — Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, etc. — who end up with fistfuls of championship rings and never seem to play on bad teams, even at their career low-points.
On the flip side, there are those who never seem to win anything substantial. Talented, yes. Highly-paid, yes. But even if they play 15 years in the League, they won’t grasp what it’s really all about: Winning. Maybe it’s bad luck. Maybe it’s a character flaw. Maybe they just aren’t as good as we think they are.
Who are those players that perpetually find themselves catching more significant L’s than W’s? We’re calling them out one at a time:
(Note: We’re changing the name from “The Loser List.” After talking it over in the office, it seemed a bit too negative, and who are we to call a former MVP, multi-millionaire and one of the best overall players in the world a “loser”?)
Numbers: 30 years old, 10 NBA seasons, 22.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds.
Highest high: In the first two games of the ‘06 Finals, Dirk posted 21 points and 13 boards per, leading the Mavericks to a 2-0 series lead over the Heat and to what seemed like a stranglehold on their first NBA championship. (Dallas went on to lose four straight, and a few months later Finals MVP Dwyane Wade publicly questioned Dirk’s leadership.)
Lowest low: A year after the Miami series, Dirk put together an MVP season and led the Mavs to a 67-15 record, best in the League and #1 in the West. Going into the postseason as a popular pick to win it all, the Mavs were embarrassed in the first round by the Warriors, who held Dirk to 19.7 points on 38% shooting from the field. In what many called the biggest series of his career, Dirk wasn’t even the best player on his team, getting outperformed by teammate Josh Howard.
History of losing
Starting in ‘00-01, Nowitzki began two significant streaks that are still alive today: averaging at least 21 points and 8.5 rebounds per game every season, and never once missing the playoffs. But while he’s been able to make it to the party, Dirk has consistently fallen just short of the ultimate prize. Even with All-Star teammates like Steve Nash, Mike Finley, Josh Howard and Jason Kidd surrounding him along the way, Dirk’s postseason resume includes three first-round losses, three second-round losses, and one NBA Finals defeat. Since the day his team held that 2-0 lead in the ‘06 Finals, Dirk has gone 2-12 in the postseason: four straight losses to Miami, a five-game series loss to Golden State, and last year’s five-game loss at the hands of the younger, less-experienced Hornets.
Will he ever be a winner?
A decade into his career, Dirk isn’t going to change his game. And to be honest, while his style is certainly unorthodox for a 7-footer and doesn’t sit well with a lot of traditionalists, his deficiencies aren’t so much with his skills but of the intangible variety: heart, guts, clutch factor…whatever you want to call it. Popular sentiment is that today’s version of the Mavs — the one headlined by Dirk, Kidd, Howard and Jason Terry — has seen their championship window close already. And given what we’ve seen dating back to the Nash/Finley era, it’s pretty clear that Dirk isn’t someone who’s gonna outright carry a less-than-stellar collection of role players to a championship. He’ll need at least a couple of All-Stars at his side to reach the pinnacle. Having just turned 30, there’s still time for Dirk to lead a third incarnation of his franchise as a contender; he’s under contract with Dallas until 2010, plus a player-option for 2010-11. But barring some shrewd scouting (seeing as Dallas is constantly drafting in the 20s) it’ll take some major trades and/or big-time free agent signings to both rebuild without taking a step back and stay in the championship picture — which is possible given the Mavs’ financial situation and the player-friendly atmosphere in Dallas. What kind of help does Dirk need? A legit big man who can hold down the middle and allow him room to roam, guards who can create off the dribble, and ideally a secondary scorer on the wing. It’s not over for Dirk, and there’s always the possibility of him latching onto a loaded vet-heavy roster late in his career, but time is running out in terms of him being the #1 guy on a championship team.
The Losing List archive
* Ricky Davis
* Gilbert Arenas
* Vince Carter
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
How about Gilbert Arenas? Dudes got a mouth on him… Talks a lot of mess, but just can’t put it all together when it counts the most.
VC and T-Mac never take over in playoffs when needed the most. I don’t want to hear excuses about injuries.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
dapro says:
@Drink the Haterade
If you think TMAC doesn’t take over in the playoffs then you don’t basketball that much
I can’t call Dirk a loser just yet. He plays with more passion than people give him credit for. His game is flawed and teams know how to expose it. He needed Josh Howard to step up and that didn’t happen
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
dapro says:
“watch” basketball that much
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Patrick says:
Come on, Dirk is not on the all time loser list. That’s like calling Barkley or Malone a loser. He has obviously lost some bad series (GS) and he did fall apart after being up 2-0 against Miami in the finals, but he was still getting after it. Had Wade not momentarily turned in to Jordan (more in terms of weak foul calls than the clutch jumpers) he probably would have won.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Dapro–
Just curious to know when the last time TMac made it out of the first round? He has been playing along time and he gets paid a great deal of money to produce.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
oh and BTW I watch the Lakers… I think TMAC is overrated. I remember they used to compare TMAC and Kobe, it’s obvious Kobe is better.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
P_Dizzle says:
Where’s T-Mac? Dude has to be considered for the losing list. Hasn’t made it out of the first round yet, but has mad talent when he is healthy.
Doesn’t look like Dirty Dirk is going to get far in the playoffs this year either.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Binky says:
Drink the Haterade obviously doesn’t know basketball. T-Mac always plays his heart out in the playoffs. Get ur facts right.Ok?
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
TMAC may play his heart out, but he’s paid to produce victories in the playoffs and HE DOES NOT DO THAT!
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
ed says:
i’ve never thought of tmac as overrated, just injury plagued. what i don’t get is why the media always says hes never made it out of the first round? and to put dirk on a list with VC and ricky davis is just wrong. hes led his team to the finals and won a mvp.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
steven says:
Love the loser list! Keep it going DIME.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Smooth says:
its kind of dumb 2 put a player that led his team 2 the nba finals on a loser list its seems wack 2 me & i dont like dirks game im 1 of his haterz but i dont agree with him being on this list
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Mark says:
Certainly Dirk’s got some success under his belt (essentially being the cornerstone to possibly the worst franchise to one of the most popular ones), but his failures are comparable. I don’t really necessarily think it’s definite to put him on the loser list, as he’s one of those guys who leads by example, and most of the time the whole organization just doesn’t step up.
Granted, as the best player on the team, he should have responsibilities as a supposed ‘leader’, but his comments just never instilled his willingness nor capability of seizing the team and taking over. I don’t hold this against him, and as long as he stretches the defense and causes some matchup problems, I’m pretty fine with his game.
As for T-Mac, from my memory, he’s had some pretty crappy circumstances (Yao Ming synonym = injury), and his teams haven’t been all too well put together, but it’s pretty awful he hasn’t been in the second round. If he’s going to do it, THIS is his year (Ron Ron!).
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Clip joint says:
With Dirk, like Manu, you have got to consider international play to get the full perspective. Like how sucess in NCAA adds another layer of detail to the picture. Dirk is a world wide loser.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
it aint easy being green says:
WIN A CHIP – LEAVE THE LIST
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Jim says:
Dirk will be the only guy on the list who single handedly busted the reigning champs’ asses in a conference finals game 7 to make it to the finals. I say this as a Spurs fan and I don’t like him, but respect.
The Warriors series is a blemish, obviously. But I think the lasting image of that series should be Nellie drinking a natty lite and laughing his ass off.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
After 2010, he should leave for the Hornets, play SF for Paul and West, that would be a scary line up, and the pressure will be off him.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
craig990 says:
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for bringing the list back Dime!
Much Love!
nice read!.. do you think its time to start puttin Allen Iverson up on this list?
I mean… he is a great player but he hasn’t won a ring and the Nuggets are a waiting disaster!.. they aren’t going anywhere and A.I isnt getting any younger!
Sure..the Nuggets still have a solid team.. but solid teams aren’t good enough in the West!
If this was the East.. they could be a number 3-5 team.
I feel bad for A.I.. this guy needs a break!.. he needs a good team! he needs a miracle!
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
dagwaller says:
Dime, this is dumb. Hopefully no one comes in here talking reckless supporting you, because then I’ll have to go back into the last couple “Losing Lists” and go ahead and show that Dirk is more of a winner than a loser…
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Diego says:
Frankly, there is a lot of being in the right place at the right time in the NBA. Yes, Rob Horry was clutch–but right place right time.
Ricky Davis? Wrong place, wrong time. (Give him a break.)
Rasho: Didn’t someone say he’s never missed the playoffs? Is that really all that significant? We’ll see with the Pacers.
A.C. Green?
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Amar says:
teeeeeeeeee maaaaaaaaaac
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
mon says:
CARLOS BOOZER.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Big V says:
Why does this list conveniently turn into the “Losing” list instead of the “Loser” list as soon as a white man makes an appearance?
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Tropic Thunder says:
@ Big V
What do you mean “you people”?
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
AZ says:
Id say steve nash, the man won two, TWO MVP’s and never got to the Finals. Has great talent around him. Atleast Dirk somewhat solidified his MVP. lol. well not in the same year. Mav’s made it to the finals without nash.
All time won’t get it list
NASH most underachieving MVP ever.
Marbury Can’t stand being #2 on any team
Ricky buckets-All about his stats
Vince carter-no heart
t-mac injuring plagued
Melo-Next DC
Yao-see t-mac
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Quest??? says:
carlos loozer
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Dagomar says:
Sorry, this is BS.
He’s gone deep into the playoffs, and he lost those Finals in part because of some very suspicious refereeing. He’s carried his team in the playoffs (and he carried his team INTO the playoffs last year on one ankle, and then was the only player on his team who showed up in the first round). He’s carried his team in international play. He can be the first option of a championship team.
Here’s where to put the blame for any failings the Mavs have had in the playoffs: 1) the lack of a pointguard with any sort of freedom, 2) Josh Howard and Terry disappearing so Dirk can be tripled. Dirk’s no Lebron or Kobe, granted. His eyes don’t light up in the clutch. But his supposed lack of heart is one of the biggest myths in basketball.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Ian says:
im sorry but i have to defend dirk sayin this
but if dirk is a loser so is iverson they both one finals apperance and thats it.
how about grant hill has never been to the second round like tmac
and that series dirk had vs the spurs doesnt seem like a loser to me
now my losers
melo
tmac
hill (i love him but no second round)
arenas (wow can this guy talk shit)
buckets
marbury
francis
if dirk is a loser
so are iverson and barkley
garnett and allen got out of the list last june
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Ian says:
clip joint
what do u mean dirk like manu
manu is the only player everrrrr to win everywhere he plays
he is tops in the winners list
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
tealish says:
This entry is bogus. I’m no Dirk or Mavs fan and while he may not have the ultimate winner quality, he definitely does not deserve to be on this list. His playoff numbers stack up against anybody’s. His W-L (aside from maybe Duncan and co.), is probably tops in the L. But just because he hasn’t won a chip, doesn’t mean he belongs on this losers list.
Dime, you’re better than catering to popular hatership.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
dat dood says:
dirk is not a loser. he is consistently good, just can’t seem to get his team to the tippy top. how are we going to debate whether an MVP, All-Star, playoffs every year player is a loser. How about you make a real loser list and list the players that are extremely hyped and seem to be dismissed by most teams or are considered laughable. (DeJuan Wagner, Darius Miles, Michael Olawakandi) Players that shouldn’t be in the same breath as dirk. How about we look at the player dirk was traded for on draft day?
Dirk’s team always has a winning record. When his career is through he will be a Hall of Famer. Why is he considered a loser instead of the countless number of other great players to never win a championship? There are terrible players that have won championships, that doesn’t make them winners. It just means they were able to ride the coattails of great players (Scalabrine, Darko)
Is A.I. a loser? (MVP, lost in the finals)
Lebron? (Multiple All Star, lost in finals)
Jason Kidd? (Multiple All Star, lost in 2 finals)
I would say that not winning a chip, doesn’t make you a loser.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:45 am
heartbreaker85 says:
i wouldnt put dirk in the loser list alongside tmac just yet. dirk has ACTUALLY GOTTEN TO THE FINALS while tmac cant even lead his team OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:52 am
Quest??? says:
i think the next one in here in the loser list should be craig
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 am
Amar says:
lol @ carlos looser comments, for whatever reason, he’s had some of the best success in the NBA (in terms of advancing in the playoffs) out of any duke player in recent memory.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 am
tealish says:
By the way, you guys defending Mac’s playoff track record are really just fooling yourselves. The fact that he hasn’t won a single series thus far is jarring. The fact that in the first two games of ‘08 postseason (which is synonymous with “first round”), McGrady hadn’t hit a single field goal is even more unsettling.
And trust me, I get it. Mac’s likable. He’s mad talented. And meanwhile, Dirk doesn’t quite look the part. But the results are simply the results — and they’re unbiased: One failed in one series, the other hasn’t ever not failed.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 am
tealish says:
In 2 seasons, Dirk has more playoff games under his belt than Tmac in his entire career. Probably doesn’t mean anything, though.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 am
kowtz says:
Where in the list is Karl and Charles?
MVP? Scoring tittles… rebounding tittles…
But never got the chip…
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:13 am
iain. says:
For the people that say AI should be on the list, i don’t see it that way. The man is 6′ tall a, shooting guard in a (small) PG’s body. He weighs less than most junior high kids, always plays hurt, and has stayed true to himself and his fans since he came into the league. Add to that that he put THE worst supporting cast ever to make it to the finals on his back,won the MVP and however many scoring titles(?), and if you STILL think that dude is a loser then… your beyond help.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 am
ERIC says:
TMAC has still never gotten out of the first round – VINCE HAS
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 am
milky says:
He’s a big star. I am his big fan. I saw him dating on a FREE & HOT dating site called ” ___~TALLLOVING.COM~___”. Seems he is hooking up with a hottie. The girl is from California. Very soft and sexy.Is it ture or an internet rumor?? But i think these guys are real hookers
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
bill says:
you cant call dirk a loser..
i bet you he’s top 5 win/loss % if not #1 since 2000
how can that be classified as a loser?
if you’re only a winner if you win a championship then this is going to be a long list
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
Ian says:
iain
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Ian says:
iain
the point of mentioning iverson is to compare him to dirk u cant call a winner and the other a loser when both have had the same success.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Ian says:
bill
duncan is number one there but i can bet my car dirk is 2
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
ash says:
wow dime, go back and look at the win pct over the last 8 years and see how many guys are better than dirk.
KG did not win until he was with 2 future hall of famers.
I am wondering if you guys are just racist or if you guys dont like germans? your dirk hating is now at an all time high. putting him on a list of all time losers is just ridiculous. where is steve nash? where is barkley? where is malone? where is tmac? where is iverson?
how quick you are to forget that dirk came back from a high ankle sprain after ten days and basically got his team to the playoffs in one leg? thats not heart? thats not a will to win?
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
This is complete bullshit. You don’t win 55 games several years in a row and make it two or more rounds in the playoffs to be called a “loser”. Are Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and John Stockton losers too? Come on.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Flip says:
Great to see some many people coming to Dirks defence…
After all, he killed the Spurs in that conference finals series all by himself, including a buzzer beater.
Oh, and you should not forget that he played on a horrible German national squad filled with players who wouldnt even make the D-League if they tried and had some success with them ( the best player next to him was Okulaja, who was extremely injury prone and didnt even make it to the NBA, albeit a cool guy). Credit where credit is due!
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
dagwaller says:
I’m (obviously) very happy to see so much support for the Digler!
I don’t know how many more of these lists you should try, Dime – it kind of touches on a lot of people’s nerves, and it’s tough to nail down what it means to be a loser. As some people have pointed out, there are a lot of guys that will never win a chip, though they’ve done nothing but win. Then there are guys that have won a chip, even though they didn’t do jack their entire careers other than that one year.
Can’t argue with results, though – you definitely keep me coming back, so don’t mess with success I guess.