My Letter to Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk, Dirk, Dirk,

There's a saying in sports -- "Special players make special plays on special days." Now granted, you are a special player -- in terms of your skill level. You're seven feet tall and are arguably the best shooter in the league (I choose Ray Allen, but I digress). However, and this is important for you to grasp in order for you to take that next step as an NBA superstar, you're VERY mentally WEAK. You're the exact definition of a "front-runner." When things are great and the Mavs are winning, you're unstoppable. But, and this is a huge, Buffie the Body-type but, when there's adversity, you shrink like a cheap white tee. How the hell do you allow 6'7" players lock you up on D? You're big. Use your one true advantage to score. I know, I know. You're not a traditional post player because you shoot so well, but there are guards that'll go on the box if they have a mismatch. Go study tapes of Gary Payton or Sam Cassell or something if you need help. Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes got you on straps. German please. MVP????
Yes. Let's talk about that award. Most Valuable Player. I know it's a regular season award and the playoffs should have no bearing on the winner (for the record, Nash should win it again, but that's for another day); but if in all likelihood you do win, you should be ashamed and utterly embarrassed to receive it. The performance you had in those six games against Golden State was pathetic. Before the series started, you were hands down the best player on either side. Now, there were at least 8 players that can say that had a better first round than you, especially Game 6. 2-13 FIELD GOALS???? Are you kidding, Dirk? That's not very valuable. In fact, you've confirmed my suspicions of you: that you can't put a team on your back and lead them to victory. And this is not personal preference, or even hate -- I root for really talented players -- but emotionally you're a rold player. You can't shine when the spotlight is at its brightest.So Dirk, you have a few questions you need to answer about yourself. If you're the superstar that Mark Cuban believes you are, you need to get your mind right--literally. Oh, before I forget, congratulations on a terrific season.



Sincerely,
Johnathan Tillman