Dirk can understand what LeBron is going through

Dirk
Nowitzki said today that he can relate to LeBron James, who continues to get a
national bashing for not doing enough in the NBA Finals.

 

Much
of Nowitzki’s career has been spent getting criticism for being too soft
or not winning the big game or whatever. James, who is coming off a
triple-double in Game 5, has been getting heat for perhaps deferring too much
to teammates and coming up empty in crucial fourth-quarter situations.

 

“Sometimes,
when you don’t win, criticism comes with it,’’ Nowitzki said.
“That’s just a part of the game if you’re the star or the
face of the franchise. If you win, it’s great for you and everybody looks
at you. If you lose, you’re going to get hammered.’’

 

Nowitzki
has been mostly a stellar performer throughout his career in the playoffs. The
exception came in 2007 when he was stifled by the Golden State Warriors, who
upset the Mavericks in the first round.

 

But
even in the best Maverick seasons before this one, he wasn’t always
appreciated.

 

“It’s
part of the business,’’ he said. “We understand that.
We’ve been around long enough. I got hammered the last 13 years,
basically. So hopefully this year I can make the hammering go away for one
year.’’

 

Eddie
Sefko