This just in, Dirk Nowitzki will be returning for yet another season with the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk, the gift that just keeps giving. ESPN’s Mac Stein reports that unless something drastic happens, Dirk says he’ll lace ’em up one more year.
I know Dirk isn’t what he once was but let’s appreciate the time we have watching greatness. The same can go for Vince Carter, these guys seem ageless and it’s truly a blessing for us. In an injury plagued year, Dirk is still averaging 13.6points and 6.4 boards a game while shooting a respectable 36.8 from three. He’s got the best fade away jumper I’ve ever seen and I’m thrilled he’s returning for another one, as Khalid would say.
The best part about this return is Dirks commitment to his word and success for that matter. “I said last summer: I signed a two-year deal (and) that obviously meant I want to play for two more…I want to complete that deal.” Wow, just wow. In an era where sports stars seem to be greedy divas and loyalty is questionable, we have Dirk fucking Nowitzki. He doesn’t care who he is or what his name value is, Dirk is a man of his word. So often do we see players cut out early of their deals with no penalty, just because they can. There’s simply no accountability on the player’s side. It’s more than refreshing to see an all-time great like Dirk honor his word in a genuine manner.
I don’t think people realize how great Dirk actually is. He’s sixth all-time in points for the NBA, seventh if you count the ABA, Dr. J would be the one ahead of him. He’s also just 48 points shy of 30,000 for his career. The names to score 30,000 in order; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain. Unreal list if I’ve ever seen one. In addition to the scoring, Dirk has done all his 20 seasons with the Mavericks. The only other player to do this is Kobe Bryant. Whenever you’re in a category with just you and Kobe, you know you’re doing something right.
Unfortunately, we may have seen the last of Dirk in the playoffs. The Mavs cut Williams and traded Bogut and look to be rebuilding younger minus, Dirk. They’re just 3.5 games out of the eight seed in the west but according to ESPN’s NBA Basketball Power Index, they have just a 4.0% chance of making the playoffs. So unless they make some big moves this offseason, we may have seen the last of this German legend in the playoffs. Enjoy him while he’s here, as well as any legend, regardless of your love or hate, towards the player. They won’t be here forever.
