dirk nowitzki – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Dallas Mavericks unveil Dirk Nowitzki statue outside arena

The Dallas Mavericks unveiled a statue to honor Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki prior to their game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nowitzki statue depicts his famous one-legged jumper, a shot that changed the game. He was a unicorn when he got to the U.S.; a 7-footer who could shoot, pass and dribble and wasn’t just a back-to-the-basket guy. Now, those skills aren’t rare to see in big men. They’re basically required.

The The tributes for Notwitzki officially started in 2019 with Dirk Nowitzki Way, a street that was renamed in Dallas to honor the greatest Mavericks player of all time. Then in January, the Mavs retired his No. 41 jersey. Then in September, Germany retired the No. 14 jersey he wore for his country.

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Dallas Mavericks hire Dirk Nowitzki as an advisor

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Dirk Nowitzki will serve as a special advisor to the franchise. Nowitzki will assist with the hiring of both a general manager and head coach as well as consult on other front office decisions.

“Mark Cuban approached me about a role as special advisor and I am happy to support my Mavs,” said Nowitzki. “Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle were both mentors and played huge roles in my career and the success of this franchise, and I am going to miss them. It is important for me now to join Mark and contribute as much as I can as we move forward.”

Nowitzki is the sole player in league history to play 21 seasons with the same franchise. He led the Mavericks to their only NBA championship in 2011 en route to being named Finals MVP.

The 14-time All-Star is the Mavericks’ all-time leader in points (31,560), rebounds (11,489), defensive rebounds (10,021), field goals made (11,169), 3-pointers made (1,982), free throws made (7,240), blocks (1,281), games (1,522), starts (1,460) and minutes (51,368). He finished his career with averages of 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.

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On the role of Dirk Nowitzki this season

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki, whose career is winding down and his role continues to diminish:

His role on the court won’t change a bit. He’ll still be featured in the pick-and-pop and the spot-up shooting roles. And the one-legged fadeaway that he pioneered will come out of mothballs every so often. What is unknown is at what points Nowitzki will be on the court during the course of games. His 22 to 24 minutes of playing time could come at the start of each half, but that would mean either Wesley Matthews assumes the sixth man role or Luka Doncic isn’t starting. And if Doncic isn’t a starter, something has gone haywire. It might make sense to bring Nowitzki off the bench as the sixth man, pairing him with J.J. Barea and maybe another guard to be named. That grouping has always been very effective. But no matter what, season No. 21 will be a celebration of Nowitzki’s basketball life. It seems likely to be his last. Maybe.

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Mavs re-sign Dirk Nowitzki, who enters his 21st season

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed 13-time NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

Per multiple reports, the Mavs legend will make $5 million for the season.

Nowitzki is now set to begin his 21st season with the Mavericks, which will be an NBA record for a player to suit up for a single franchise (previously tied at 20 seasons with Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers).

He has guided the Mavericks toward many of the team’s greatest achievements. Nowitzki led Dallas to its first-ever 60-win season in 2002-03, first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07 and to the organization’s first World Championship when the Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.

Nowitzki (7-0, 245), the most decorated Maverick in franchise history, is a 13-time NBA All-Star, earned All-NBA Team honors 12 consecutive years (2000-12), was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006-07 season and was MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. He is a six-time Western Conference Player of the Month, a 16-time Western Conference Player of the Week, has competed in the All-Star Saturday Night Three-Point Contest four times, was the 2014 Magic Johnson Award recipient and was named the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year in 2017.

The career Maverick holds averages of 21.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 34.4 minutes in 1,471 games (1,440 starts) and holds the franchise’s top-spot in several categories including points, rebounds, field goals, three-point field goals, free throws, blocks, games, starts and minutes.

In the NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki’s game elevates to average 25.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 40.6 minutes in 145 postseason games (145 starts). He has led the Mavericks to three Western Conference Finals and two NBA Finals while moving into first place in several of the franchise’s postseason categories including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goals, free throws and games.

On March 17, 2017, Nowitzki became just the sixth player in NBA history and first international player to register 30,000 career points. He currently sits at 31,187 career points, just 232 points behind the great Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. Among other all-time NBA lists, he ranks 27th in rebounds, eighth in field goals, 11th in three-point field goals, sixth in free throws, fifth in games and third in minutes.

Nowitzki has also served as a pioneer for European players becoming the first European-born player to earn First Team All-NBA (04-05), start an All-Star Game (2007, Las Vegas) and be named the MVP (06-07).

The Wurzburg, Germany, native was the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and was acquired through a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 22, 2001. He then signed a contract extension with Dallas on Sept. 26, 2006, re-signed on July 9, 2010, re-signed again on July 15, 2014, re-signed again on July 27, 2016 and re-signed once more on July 6, 2017.

Mavs reportedly plan to re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

It seems like a given that the legendary Dirk Nowitzki will spend his entire NBA career as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. With his playing days and effectiveness dramatically winding down, he could retire any season now. It therefore it makes sense that the Mavs sign him to one-year deals. As for this current offseason, here’s the Forth Worth Star Telegram with the latest:

The Dallas Mavericks will decline Dirk Nowitzki’s $5 million option for next season, but intend to re-sign the longtime face of the franchise, according to multiple reports.

It’s more of a paperwork move that was a mutual decision to clear cap space in the Mavs’ pursuit of free agent center DeAndre Jordan. The Mavs and Nowitzki are expected to reach an agreement in July.

Nowitzki, 40, has not said whether next season will be his last. He’s on a year-to-year basis, but is not interested in a farewell tour.

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Mavericks re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki (7-0, 245) will return for his 20th season with the Mavericks in 2017-18, joining Kobe Bryant (Lakers) as the sole members of the NBA’s 20-year, only one-team club.

During his 19-year career in Dallas, Nowitzki has guided the Mavericks to many of the franchise’s greatest achievements. Nowitzki led Dallas to its first-ever 60 win season in 2002-03, its first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07 and the organization’s first NBA championship in 2011. He also led the Mavericks to the playoffs 15 times in a 16-year span (from 2001 to 2016).

Nowitzki, who has scored 30,260 points in his illustrious career, is the NBA’s top foreign-born scorer of all-time, the league’s active leading scorer and the longest tenured player with one team.

In addition to appearing in a franchise-record 13 NBA All-Star Games, Nowitzki earned 12 consecutive All-NBA Team selections (2000-12), was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006-07 season and voted MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. He is a six-time Western Conference Player of the Month, a 17-time Western Conference Player of the Week and has competed in the All-Star Saturday Night Three-Point Contest four times. Nowitzki was also the recipient of the 2014 Magic Johnson Award and the 2017 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

The career Maverick holds averages of 21.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 34.9 minutes in 1,394 career games (1,363 starts). He is the franchise leader in several different categories including points (30,260), rebounds (10,893), field goals made (10,688), 3-pointers made (1,780), free throws made (7,104), games played (1,394), games started (1,363) and minutes played (48,673).

In the NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki’s game elevates to averages of 25.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 40.6 minutes in 145 postseason contests (all starts). He has led the Mavericks to three Western Conference Finals appearances and two NBA Finals berths while moving into first place on several of the franchise’s postseason categories including points (3,663), rebounds (1,446), assists (360), blocks (129), steals (149), field goals made (1,220), free throws made (1,074) and games played (145).

Last season, Nowitzki became the sixth player in NBA history and the first international player to reach the 30,000-point plateau against the L.A. Lakers on March 7. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) in the NBA’s exclusive 30,000-point club. Nowitzki also became just the third player in league history to score 30,000 points with one franchise, joining Malone (Jazz) and Bryant (Lakers).

Nowitzki has also served as a pioneer for European players, becoming the first European-born player to earn First Team All-NBA honors (2004-05), start an All-Star Game (2007, Las Vegas) and be named MVP (2006-07).

Dirk Nowitzki passes 30,000 NBA points scored

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who has now scored over 30,000 points in the NBA:

Dirk Nowitzki didn’t waste any time giving the people what they wanted. Poised to etch his name in the history books alongside some NBA legends, Nowitzki poured in 25 points Tuesday night to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 122-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers before an energetic American Airlines Center sellout crowd of 20,484.

Along the way, Nowitzki became only the sixth player in NBA history to score at least 30,000 points for his career. And it was the way Nowitzki reached his milestone that had the crowd in an electrifying mood.

Anxious to reach his appointed destination with history in a hurry, Nowitzki came out firing. Needing just 20 points to reach the 30,000 barrier, the 19-year veteran popped in 18 points in during a red-hot first quarter in which he made his first six shots, including 2-of-2 from 3-point territory.

Those were the most points in a quarter by a Mavs player this season.

On the future of Dirk Nowitzki

It’s safe to say that Dirk Nowitzki’s entire NBA playing career will be with the Dallas Mavericks. The only question now is how many more years Dirk will play and what his contract will look like. Here’s the Dallas Morning News with the latest:

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has previously said that he is going to opt out of the final season of his three-year contract. He also has reiterated what he’s said all along — that he’s only doing so to help get the wheels in motion for putting together next season’s roster.

Nowitzki planned on re-signing with the Mavericks after July 1, probably for two seasons, he said on KTCK-AM 1310 The Ticket early May.

Wednesday, Nowitzki joined the “Ben & Skin” show on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan and said he hasn’t completely made up his mind on opting out of his deal with Dallas. Nowitzki, who already has met with general manager Donnie Nelson and says he’ll meet with owner Mark Cuban soon, has until the final week of June to accept or decline his player option.

Dirk Nowitzki 2016 Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on Dirk Nowitzki’s celebrity baseball game, which donates proceeds to charity:

The Dallas Mavericks superstar will host his Dirk Nowitzki’s 2016 Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game on Friday, June 10, at 7 p.m. at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco…

Among the celebrities scheduled for the game are Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley and defensive back Byron Jones; Mavericks players Deron Williams**, Chandler Parsons, J.J. Barea, David Lee, Devin Harris**, Wesley Matthews, JaVale McGee, Salah Mejri, Justin Anderson, Jeremy Evans, Dwight Powell and coach Rick Carlisle**; Plano-raised actor Chace Crawford (TV series Gossip Girl and Blood and Oil) and actor Geoff Stults (TV series The Odd Couple and upcoming movies Hey Brother and The Kicker); and former Texas Rangers players David Murphy and Michael Young.

Dallas Mavericks re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed 12-time NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

According to several reports, the deal may be for $3 years, $25 million.

During his 16-year tenure in Dallas, Nowitzki has guided the Mavericks toward many of the franchise’s greatest achievements. Nowitzki led Dallas to its first-ever 60 win season in 2002-03, first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07 and to the organization’s first World Championship when the Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.

Nowitzki (7-0, 245), the most decorated Dallas Maverick in franchise history, is a 12-time NBA All-Star, earned All-NBA Team honors 12 consecutive years (2000-12), was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006-07 season and was MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. He is a six-time Western Conference Player of the Month, a 17-time Western Conference Player of the Week and has competed in the All-Star Saturday Night Three-Point Contest four times.

The career Maverick holds averages of 22.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.9 minutes in 1188 career games (1157 starts) and holds the franchise’s top-spot in several categories including points, rebounds, field goals, three-point field goals, free throws, games, starts and minutes.

In the NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki’s game elevates to average 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 41.1 minutes in 135 postseason games (135 starts). He has led the Mavericks to three Western Conference Finals and two NBA Finals while moving into first place in several of the franchise’s postseason categories including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goals, free throws and games.

Last season, Nowitzki shot his way into the record books by moving into the Top 10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list by passing the likes of Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkins, Alex English, Reggie Miller and Jerry West. He has

also served as a pioneer for European players becoming the first European-born player to earn First Team All-NBA (04-05), start an All-Star Game (2007, Las Vegas) and be named the MVP (06-07).

The Wurzburg, Germany native was the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and was originally acquired through a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. He re-signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 22, 2001, signed a contract extension on Sept. 26, 2006 and then re-signed again on July 9, 2010.