Dad's got my back!

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 18, 2007 8:36 AM PST in Links

Amidst all the Dun hating--on the radio, on tv, on the internet--Dun Sr. has recently stepped up to defend his son. In the LA Daily News, Joe Stevens, in his article "Dunleavy Rushes to the Defense of his Son," writes that people expected too much from Dun Jr, according to Dun Sr.

"If you were looking for him to be Dirk Nowitzki, you made a mistake," the coach said. "If you're looking at him as to be a good solid player for a good team, that's who he is."

Upon first glance, it looks as if his dad is defending him. But the subtext seems to be that Dun is really NOT that good. Check the second part of the sentence. You can't expect him to be great, but you can expect him to be a good solid player for only a GOOD team, because "that's who he is" (according to Dunleavy Sr.).

With that said, does Dunleavy Sr. imply that Dunleavy Jr. cannot be a good solid player for a bad team? Or what about a so-so team like the Golden State Warriors? Does that mean he is ultimately useless for these teams?

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hmmm

I see this as a subtle (or not so subtle) dig at Nellie. Sounds like he is inferring that Nellie expected Dun to play like his other multi skilled big in Dallas, Dirk. Of course it would be unfair to try and have ANY player live up to that, but I highly doubt Nellie put those types of expectations on him. The guy just wanted him to be able to post up PG's for goodness sakes.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Jan 18, 2007 8:41 AM PST reply actions

good read

i see that now too

by Zig on Jan 18, 2007 8:43 AM PST up reply actions

um I think you are reading into

a clearly emotional comment a little much

With a little more consistency he will be a good player. That's it.

by Zig on Jan 18, 2007 8:42 AM PST reply actions

he's like scottie pippen w/o the defense, or...

whoever LeBron is making look good right now. i can see what Sr. means: Dunleavy can be an indispensable role player on a team that needs intangibles and not necessarily pure production. you can't expect jr. to score 18 points a night, or get 9 board on the regular, or even shut down a good scorer, but he can still make a team better.

basically, what i get from Sr.'s comments is: my son is a pro, not necessarily a star. he might get a championship ring someday, not because he is a key player, but because he could be a key role player.

All-time Oakland Warriors: Hardaway, J-Rich, Mullin, Mr. Mean & The Chief

by OaktownWarrior on Jan 18, 2007 9:48 AM PST reply actions

what i get from Sr.'s comments is:

"my son is a pro, not necessarily a star. he might get a championship ring someday, not because he is a key player, but because he could be a key role player."

Excellent analysis, And there's nothing wrong with being what he is. I wish him well elsewhere but am glad he's gone, he was too big a distraction here .

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jan 18, 2007 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

I think getting out from under

the expectations here can only help

by Zig on Jan 18, 2007 11:29 AM PST up reply actions

I think

he is just analyzing his son honestly, and not a "secret knock" on Nellie or anyone. He implies that he is a good all-around player, but not a GREAT all-around player like Dirk or someone.

by Zorgon on Jan 18, 2007 11:06 AM PST reply actions

last time i checked

most "good solid players for good teams" were better then just a solid player while playing for a bad team.

by travisl212 on Jan 18, 2007 12:59 PM PST reply actions

a few problems

with this analysis of Dun's game, "he is a good team player...a complimentary player on a good team...etc" is
A) he gets paid WAY WAY more than a "complimentary player"
B) that salary ain't going away with a change of address
B) he still isn't on a good team

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Jan 18, 2007 2:26 PM PST reply actions