MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[Jommybone]

It is based on two things: 

1) My personal eye test of having watched virtually all the minutes of both players. Luka is the far better individual player at the same age, but Dirk was the far better IMO of fitting into the team reality and helping elevate the whole of the team play. Luka has transcendent moments where he absolutely lifts the play of the whole team in incredible ways, but he has a lot of moments where he is a big detriment defensively, in effort, and in selfishness. Dirk is one of the GOATs in elevating the play of those around him. When Dirk got on the court his teams almost always became a totally different monster that were really, really hard to beat. The Mavs almost always lost games when Dirk was sitting. 

2) On/Off +/-

• Luka's four seasons (before starting a season aged 23): -3.7, +1.2, +3.0, +0.2
  
• Dirk's three seasons (before starting a season aged 23): +2.6, +5.9, +17.7
  

Also, I don't know what "best advanced metrics" you are referring to. I do not think there were any trustworthy advanced metrics in 99, 00, and 01.  

One more note: Luka has been better as a playoff performer than Dirk was at the same age.

Dude, just look at playoff production. Dirk was great, but come on. It isn’t close.