Health permitting, guys like Dirk and Ray Allen can probably play at a reasonably high level even into their late 30′s.

While he was recognized as a phenomenal player, Dirk still had his share of detractors who saw him as a choker, or someone who couldn’t get it done when it mattered. But he went on to change all that, defeating a heavy favorite in the Heat and displaying some of the best offensive moves the game has ever seen out of a seven footer.

It was to the point he scared the opposition with just his pump fakes. It seemed all his shots were finding the net, almost had a radar guided feel to them. Remember that one shot Dirk had in those finals, a 3 pointer, that clearly left the frame of view ? It was the definition of RAINBOW. (for emphasis, since I like yall, I found the link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf-JuviSUng&feature=fvwrel) .

Dirk became a beast that postseason. I was actually on an inner city New York basketball court and I heard a kid yell “DIRK” as he was shooting a jumper. Never have I heard someone yell his name in that area while playing ball…usually it’s “Kobe!” Dirk won a lot of fans after his brilliant display.