Re: Nba 2005/2006
There is only one MVP of the league this year, and his name is Dirk Nowitzki. All these mismatches and lineup adjustments are because of him. It's not unheard of to start two lighting quick point guard together, but when you have a 7'0 power forward with unreal range, it opens up the middle, forces your big man out, or forces you to put a small forward on him and a power forward on a small forward, or to change your starting lineup altogether.
I've always said that the Spurs are a reflection of Tim Duncan. Quiet yet dominant, humble, well-rounded, consistent and so on. That's still true. It has been a testament to Tim Duncan's greatness that his fingerprints are all over the Spurs success in his career. It's him providing that foundation.
Well the Mavericks are a matchup nightmare, and that's ultimately a reflection of Dirk Nowitzki. He has become the foundation of this team. He is the only reason it works.
If the Mavericks go on to the finals this year, Dirk Nowitzki should be sitting at the top of everyone's best players in the league list. This season has defined greatness for him as an individual player. How he didn't get MVP in the regular season is beyond me, and he is proving in these playoffs that giving it to anyone outside of him was a mistake.