DALLAS - Not a big shock to see that Dirk Nowitzki was named to the All-NBA second team.
First Team
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Dwight Howard
Kobe Bryant
Derrick Rose
Second Team
Pau Gasol
Dirk Nowitzki
Amar'e Stoudemire
Dwayne Wade
Russell Westbrook
Hard to argue with these two teams.
But Dirk will never, get credit for the defense he plays. No Euro will ever get credit for that. But Rick Carlisle is a believer that his best player is one of his better defensive players.
"His length, and he's one of the best defensive rebounders we have," RC said today. "Those are strong factors towards a team playing better defensively. When he was out our numbers were not good. ...
"Dirk's underrated. He knows tendencies, he knows his own capabilities and limitations. And he knows he has certain strengths as a defender. One is length. The other is the fact he plays in a system that covers him when he needs help."
Dirk will never be confused for Rodman, but he's not Glenn Robinson, either. But he's not a massive liability out on the floor, and teams don't "go at him" to exploit an unwillingness to guard. He tries, and most defense is about effort.
@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
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