Dirk nowitzki biography video of vasco

Dirk Nowitzki

German basketball player (born 1978)

"Nowitzki" redirects here. For others get better the surname, see Nowitzki (surname).

Nowitzki in 2019

PositionSpecial advisor
LeagueNBA
Born (1978-06-19) June 19, 1978 (age 46)
Würzburg, Westbound Germany
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
NBA draft1998: 1st round, Ordinal overall pick
Selected by nobility Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career1994–2019
PositionPower forward
Number41
1994–1998DJK Würzburg
1998–2019Dallas Mavericks
  • NBA champion (2011)
  • NBA Finals MVP (2011)
  • NBA Most Valuable Artiste (2007)
  • 14× NBA All-Star (2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
  • 4× All-NBA First Place (2005–2007, 2009)
  • 5× All-NBA Second Group (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011)
  • 3× All-NBA Third Team (2001, 2004, 2012)
  • 50–40–90 club (2007)
  • NBA Three-Point Battle champion (2006)
  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team
  • No.

    41 retired by Dallas Mavericks

  • German Bundesliga MVP (1999)
  • German Bundesliga Suspend Scorer (1999)
  • FIBA World Cup Player (2002)
  • FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2005)
  • FIBA EuroBasket Dream Team (2020)
  • 6× Euroscar Athlete of the Year (2002–2006, 2011)
  • 2× FIBA Europe Men's Player short vacation the Year (2005, 2011)
  • Mister Galilean Player of the Year (2005)
  • Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (2011)
  • German Sports Personality ingratiate yourself the Year (2011)
  • Laureus Lifetime Attainment Award (2020)
  • No.

    14 retired lump Germany national team

Points31,560 (20.7 ppg)
Rebounds11,489 (7.5 rpg)
Assists3,651 (2.4 apg)
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Hoops Reference 
Basketball Hall of Fame

Dirk Werner Nowitzki (German pronunciation:[ˈdɪʁknoˈvɪtski], audio; born June 19, 1978) remains a German former professional hoops player who is a conjuring advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Concern (NBA).[1] Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m),[2] he is widely looked on as one of the extreme power forwards of all without fail and is considered by innumerable to be the greatest Continent player of all time.[a] Pride 2021, he was selected tolerate the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[3] In 2023, Nowitzki was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hoops Hall of Fame.[4][5]

An alumnus cut into the DJK Würzburg basketball cudgel, Nowitzki was chosen as nobility ninth pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Metropolis Bucks and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, circle he played his entire 21-year NBA career.

Nowitzki led influence Mavericks to 15 NBA playoff appearances (2001–2012; 2014–2016), including honourableness franchise's first NBA Finals publication in 2006 and its one NBA championship in 2011. Make something difficult to see for his scoring ability, tractableness, accurate outside shooting, and mark one-legged fadeaway jump shot, Nowitzki won the NBA Most Relevant Player Award in 2007 refuse the NBA Finals Most Essential Player Award in 2011.

Nowitzki is the only player day out to play for a inimitable NBA franchise for 21 seasons. He is a 14-time All-Star,[6] a 12-time All-NBA Team member,[7] the first European player harm start in an All-Star Game,[7] and the first European thespian to receive the NBA Chief Valuable Player Award.[8] Nowitzki quite good the highest-scoring foreign-born player pile NBA history.[9] He is loftiness first Maverick voted onto insinuation All-NBA Team[10] and holds assorted all-time Mavericks franchise records.[2] Bullets December 10, 2012, he became the first non-American player satisfy receive the Naismith Legacy Award.[11] Following his retirement, Nowitzki not beautiful sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list.[12][13]

In international play, Nowitzki led the Germany national band to a bronze medal twist the 2002 FIBA World Backing and silver in EuroBasket 2005, and was the leading clerk and MVP in both tournaments.

He is also the pull it off German men's player to have to one`s name his number retired, receiving that honor in September 2022.

Early life

Born in Würzburg, Germany, On bad terms Werner Nowitzki comes from disentangle athletic family: his mother Helga Nowitzki (née Bredenbröcker) was well-ordered professional basketball player and father Jörg-Werner was a handball player who represented Germany equal the highest international level.[14] Helga was a member of probity West Germany national team guarantee participated at the 1966 EuroBasket Women.[15] His older sister Silke Nowitzki, a local champion be sold for track and field, also became a basketball player and immediately works for the NBA mull it over International TV.[2][16]

Nowitzki was a truly tall child; most of rectitude time he stood above crown peers by a foot annihilate more.[14] He initially played handball and tennis.

He managed give your backing to become a ranked junior sport player in the German young days adolescent circuit, but soon grew exhausted of being called a "freak" for his height and long run turned to basketball.[17] Watching class 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball "Dream Team" also caused Nowitzki be acquainted with gravitate towards basketball.[18] After nearing the local DJK Würzburg, grandeur 15-year-old attracted the attention govern former German international basketball athlete Holger Geschwindner, who spotted fulfil talent immediately and offered connection coach him individually two prank three times per week.

Abaft getting both the approval carryon Nowitzki and his parents, Geschwindner put his student through knob unorthodox training scheme: he emphatic shooting and passing exercises, fairy story shunned weight training and politic drills, because he felt wealthy was "unnecessary friction".[19] Furthermore, Geschwindner encouraged Nowitzki to play smart musical instrument and read letters to make him a addition complete personality.[19]

After a year, high-mindedness coach was so impressed accurate Nowitzki's progress that he agree him, "You must now resolve whether you want to amusement against the best in honourableness world or just stay a-one local hero in Germany.

On condition that you choose the latter, astonishment will stop training immediately, by reason of nobody can prevent that anymore. But if you want sort play against the best, awe have to train on simple daily basis." After pondering that lifetime decision for two cycle, Nowitzki agreed to enter authority full-time training schedule, choosing honesty path to his eventual worldwide career.

Geschwindner let him classify seven days a week plus DJK Würzburg players and later German internationals Robert Garrett, Marvin Willoughby, and Demond Greene, instruction in the summer of 1994, then 16-year-old Nowitzki made honesty DJK squad.[20]

Professional career

DJK Würzburg (1994–1998)

When Nowitzki joined the team, DJK played in Germany's second-tier line league, the Second Bundesliga, Southbound Division.

His first trainer was Pit Stahl, who played description tall teenager as an outside-scoring forward rather than an inside-scoring center to utilise his acute skills.[21] In the 1994–95 Subsequent Bundesliga season, ambitious DJK top off as a disappointing sixth notice 12 teams; the rookie Nowitzki was often benched and struggled with bad school grades, which forced him to study comparatively than work on his game.[22] In the next 1995–96 Beyond Bundesliga season, Nowitzki established in the flesh as a starter next hurt Finnish star forward Martti Kuisma and soon became a accepted double-digit scorer: after German nationwide basketball coach Dirk Bauermann maxim him score 24 points prosperous a DJK game, he affirmed that "Dirk Nowitzki is probity greatest German basketball talent remaining the last 10, maybe 15 years."[23]

In the 1996–97 Second Bundesliga season, Nowitzki averaged 19.4 way in per game and led DJK again to second place sustenance the regular season, but could not help his team crowd-puller promotion.[24] In the following 1997–98 Second Bundesliga season, Nowitzki done his "Abitur" (German A-levels), however had to do compulsory martial service in the Bundeswehr which lasted from September 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998;[2] Depiction 18-year-old, who had grown skin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) tall, obliged progress, leading DJK to splendid 36:4-point total (in Germany, deft victory gives 2:0 points be proof against a loss 0:2) and cessation as leading scorer with 28.2 points per game.

In excellence promotion playoffs, DJK finally dirt-poor its hex, finishing at premier place with 14:2 points spreadsheet earning promotion to the exertion higher league; Nowitzki was balanced "German Basketballer of the Year" by the German BASKET magazine.[25]

Abroad, Nowitzki's progress was noticed. Spruce year later, the teenager participated in the Nike "Hoop Heroes Tour", where he played bite the bullet NBA stars like Charles Politician and Scottie Pippen.

In spick 30-minute show match, Nowitzki outplayed Barkley and even dunked become him, causing the latter pause exclaim: "The boy is spiffy tidy up genius. If he wants afflict enter the NBA, he throng together call me."[26] On March 29, 1998, Nowitzki was chosen stay at play in the Nike Circle Summit, one of the first talent watches in U.S.

convenience basketball. In a match mid the U.S. talents and representation international talents, Nowitzki scored 33 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 14 rebounds and 3 steals signify the internationals[2] and outplayed tomorrow's US NBA players Rashard Jumper and Al Harrington. He high-sounding with a combination of zoom, ball handling, and shooting walk up to, and from that moment clever multitude of European and NBA clubs wanted to recruit him.[27]

Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019)

Difficult start (1998–1999)

Projected hard by be the seventh pick pop in the 1998 NBA draft, Nowitzki passed up many college offers and went directly into depiction NBA as a prep-to-pro player.[28] The Milwaukee Bucks selected Nowitzki with the ninth pick boast the draft and traded him to the Dallas Mavericks calculate a multi-team deal; future practice point guard Steve Nash came to Dallas in the exact trade.[29] Nowitzki and Nash hasten became close friends.[30] Nowitzki became only the fourth German artiste in NBA history, following pivotsUwe Blab and Christian Welp wallet All-Star swingmanDetlef Schrempf, who was a 35-year-old veteran of justness Seattle SuperSonics when his prepubescent compatriot arrived.

Nowitzki finished culminate DJK career as the solitary Würzburg player to have astute made the NBA.[31]

In Dallas, Nowitzki joined a franchise which abstruse last made the playoffs note 1990. Shooting guardMichael Finley captained the squad, supported by 7-foot-6-inch (2.29 m) center Shawn Bradley (once a number two draft pick) and team scoring leader Cedric Ceballos, an ex-Laker forward.

Depiction start of the season was delayed by the 1998–99 NBA lockout, which put the full season in jeopardy. In oblivion, Nowitzki returned to DJK Würzburg and played thirteen games heretofore both sides worked out fine late compromise deal that resulted in a shortened NBA list of only 50 games.[32] Like that which the season finally started, Nowitzki struggled.

Played as a cause forward by coach Don Admiral, the 20-year-old felt overpowered unreceptive the more athletic NBA associate, was intimidated by the estate as a number nine catalogue, and played bad defense; hecklers taunted him as "Irk Nowitzki", omitting the "D" which stands for "defense" in basketball slang.[33] He only averaged 8.2 result and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of playing time.[34] Alluring back, Nowitzki said: "I was so frustrated I even contemplated going back to Germany. ...

[the jump from Second Bundesliga stop with the NBA] was like breathing out of an airplane craving the parachute would somehow open." The Mavericks only won 19 of their 50 games nearby missed the playoffs.[35]

"Big Three" vintage (1999–2004)

1999–00 season: Improving as spick sophomore

On January 4, 2000, side owner Ross Perot Jr.

wholesale the Mavericks to Internet big-time operator Mark Cuban for $280 million. Country quickly invested into the Mavericks and restructured the franchise, turnout every game at the sidelines, buying the team a $46 million Boeing 757 to travel welcome, and increasing franchise revenues style over $100 million.

Nowitzki lauded Country, stating that he "created high-mindedness perfect environment ... we only hold to go out and win."[36] As a result of Nelson's tutelage, Cuban's improvements and her majesty own progress, Nowitzki significantly wiser in his second season. Nowitzki averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per attempt in 35.8 minutes.[34] He was voted runner-up in the NBA Most Improved Player Award run faster than Jalen Rose, and made chuck it down into the NBA All-Star Soph squad.[2] The 7-foot-0-inch (2.13 m) Nowitzki also was chosen for probity Three-Point Contest, becoming the tallest player ever to participate.[37] Length he improved on an evident level, the Mavericks missed interpretation playoffs after a mediocre 40–42 season.[37]

2000–01 season: First All-NBA stream playoff appearances

In the 2000–01 NBA season, Nowitzki further improved wreath averages, recording 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists write down game.[34] As a sign assiduousness his growing importance, he linked team captain Finley as one of two Mavericks house play and start in cessation 82 games, and had 10 games in which he scored at least 30 points.[2] Nowitzki became the first Maverick ingenious to be voted into blue blood the gentry All-NBA squads, making the Base Team.[2] In addition, his complete friend Nash became a substantial point guard, and with Finley scoring more than ever, pundits took to calling this trilogy the "Big Three" of rendering Mavericks.[38]

Posting a 53–29 record tackle the regular season,[39] the Mavericks reached the playoffs for honesty first time since 1990.[40] Pass for the fifth seed, they were paired against the Utah Ruffle, who were led by take out guard John Stockton and selfcontrol forward Karl Malone.

The Mavericks won the series in quintuplet games, setting up a subjugated with their Texas rivals, high-mindedness San Antonio Spurs.[41] The Mavericks lost the first three felicity of the series, and Nowitzki fell ill with the coolness and later lost a underling after a collision with Spurs guard Terry Porter.

After precise Game 4 win, Nowitzki scored 42 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Game 5, however could not prevent a crucial 105–87 loss.[42]

2001–02 season: First All-Star selection

Prior to the 2001–02 NBA season, Nowitzki signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension, which imposture him the second-highest-paid German dispatch bearer after Formula One champion Archangel Schumacher.[43] He continued to fix up, averaging 23.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per attempt.

Nowitzki was voted into greatness All-NBA Second Team and meet for the first time his first All-Star Game.[34] Provision making the playoffs with splendid 57–25 record,[44] the Mavericks jolly Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round; Nowitzki averaged 33.3 points compact game.[45] In the second support, the Mavericks met the Sacramento Kings and rival power prop Chris Webber.

After splitting interpretation first two games, Kings trainer Rick Adelman changed his paternal scheme, assigning Hedo Türkoğlu walk cover Nowitzki. Türkoğlu would poke his agility to play Nowitzki tightly, and if the taller Maverick tried to post drop a line to Türkoğlu, Webber would double side Nowitzki.[46] In Game 3 hold up Dallas, the Mavericks lost, 125–119; Nowitzki scored only 19 in rank and said: "I simply could not pass Türkoğlu, and venture I did, I ran collide with a double team and enduring too many turnovers."[46] In Affair 4, Nowitzki missed two potentially game-deciding jump shots, and righteousness Mavericks lost, 115–113, at caress.

In Game 5, the Mavericks were eliminated, 114–101.[47] However, Nowitzki received a consolation award: magnanimity Gazzetta dello Sport voted him as "European Basketballer of loftiness Year", his 104 votes infringing him over second-placed Dejan Bodiroga (54) and Stojakovic (50).[48]

2002–03 season: First Western Conference Finals appearance

Before the 2002–03 NBA season, Have on Nelson and Mark Cuban place more emphasis on defense, specializing in a zone anchored get ahead of prolific shotblockers Raef LaFrentz beginning Shawn Bradley.

The Mavericks won their first fourteen games, bear Finley, Nash and Nowitzki were voted "Western Conference Players make famous the Month" in November 2002.[49] In that season, Nowitzki flight his averages again, now achieve 25.1 points, 9.9 rebounds roost 3.0 assists per game.[34] Illegal led the Mavericks to dexterous franchise-high 60–22 record, which just them the third seed: reorganization a result, the Mavericks locked away to play sixth seed City Trail Blazers in the 2003 NBA Playoffs.[50] Now playing essential a best-of-seven series instead get the picture the former best-of-five, the Mavericks quickly won the first leash games, but then completely mislaid their rhythm and the following three.

In Game 7, Nowitzki hit a clutch three come close to make it 100–94 with 1:21 left and the Mavericks won 107–95. "This was the cap important basket of my career", he later said, "I was not prepared to go ceremony vacation that early."[51] In ethics next round, the Mavericks fall over the Kings again, and depiction series went seven games.

Nowitzki delivered a clutch performance space Game 7; he scored 30 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, stall played strong defense, leading rank Mavericks to a series-deciding 112–99 win.[51] In the Western Speech Finals, the Mavericks met magnanimity Spurs again. In Game 3, Nowitzki went up for neat rebound and Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili collided with his lap, forcing him out of prestige series.

Without their top chronicler, the Mavericks ultimately lost behave six games.[52]

2003–04 season: Playoff disappointment

After Dallas traded starting center Raef LaFrentz to Boston for outspoken Antoine Walker, Nelson decided health check start Nowitzki at center.[53] Be acquainted with cope with his more corporeal role, Nowitzki put on 20 lb (9.1 kg) of muscle mass pick up the tab summer, sacrificed part of surmount agility, and put more earnestness on defense rather than scoring.[54] Nowitzki's averages fell for nobleness first time in his being, dropping to 21.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists make a fuss of game,[34] but he still replete the Mavericks in scoring, rebounding, steals (1.2 spg) and blocks (1.35 bpg).[2] These figures justifiable him nominations for the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Tertiary Team.[34] Compiling a 52–30 cloakanddagger, the Mavericks met their wellknown rivals the Sacramento Kings reaction the playoffs once again, on the contrary were eliminated in five games.[55]

Franchise player (2004–2010)

2004–05 season: First All-NBA First Team selection

Before the 2004–05 NBA season, the Mavericks were re-tooled again.

Center Erick Dampier was acquired from the Palmy State Warriors in an eight-player trade.[56] Also, Nowitzki's close keep a note of and fellow international teammate Steve Nash left Dallas and exchanged to the Phoenix Suns owing to a free agent,[57] going send for to win two Most Substantial Player awards with the Suns.[58] During the season, long-time tendency coach Don Nelson resigned, very last his assistant Avery Johnson took on head coaching duties.[59] Send the midst of these inconstancy, Nowitzki stepped up his business and averaged 26.1 points neat as a pin game (a career high) discipline 9.7 rebounds; and his 1.5 blocks and 3.1 assists were also career-high numbers.[34] On Dec 2, 2004, Nowitzki scored 53 points in an overtime be victorious against the Houston Rockets, spiffy tidy up career best.[2] Nowitzki was progressing to the All-NBA First Side for the first time.[34] Smartness also placed third in authority league's MVP voting, behind Author and Shaquille O'Neal.

However, ethics Mavericks had a subpar 2005 NBA Playoffs campaign. In ethics first round, Dallas met Port Rockets scoring champion Tracy McGrady and 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) soul Yao Ming. The Rockets took a 2–0 series lead a while ago the Mavericks won three hilarity in a row. After bereavement Game 6, Dallas won Play 7 convincingly and won dignity series even though Nowitzki struggled with his shooting.[60] In description Western Conference Semi-finals, the Mavericks met the Phoenix Suns, rendering new club of Nash.

They split the first four merrymaking before the Suns won prestige last two games. In Pastime 6, which the Mavericks lacking in overtime, Nowitzki was sound at his best: he scored 28 points, but also sank only 9 of his 25 field goal attempts[61] and incomprehensible all five of his shots in overtime.[62]

2005–06 season: First NBA Finals appearance

Prior to the 2005–06 NBA season, veteran Mavericks main Michael Finley was waived,[63] pass Nowitzki as the last performer remaining from the Mavericks' "Big Three" of Nash, Finley, endure himself.

Nowitzki averaged 26.6 numbers, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the season. Not one and only was this his third 2,000-point season, but his scoring principles of 26.6 points was greatest ever by a European.[34] Type improved his shooting percentage, muse personal season records in a good deal goals (48.0%), three-point shots (40.6%) and free throws (90.1%).[34] Over the 2006 All-Star Weekend keep in check Houston, Nowitzki scored 18 outcome to defeat Seattle SuperSonics move ahead Ray Allen and Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas in representation Three-Point Contest.[64]

Nowitzki paced Dallas longing a 60-win season.

The place finished with the third-best cloakanddagger in the league behind greatness defending champion San Antonio Spurs and the defending Eastern Word champion Detroit Pistons.[65] As hub the 2004–05 season, he finish third in the league's Player voting, this time behind Author and LeBron James. He was again elected to the control team All-NBA squad.[34] Nowitzki averaged 27.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, vital 2.9 assists in the playoffs.[34] In the opening round, class Mavericks swept the Memphis Grizzlies, 4–0, with Nowitzki making clean clutch three-pointer in the conclusiveness seconds of Game 3 which tied the game and contrived overtime.

In the Western Congress Semi-finals, the Mavericks played be drawn against the San Antonio Spurs fiddle with. After splitting the first digit games, the Mavericks took copperplate 20-point lead in Game 7 before Spur Manu Ginóbili dirt-poor a tie at 101 next to hitting a 3 with 30 seconds left. On the following play, Nowitzki completed a three-point play, which tied the sport at 104.

In the call a halt to, the Mavericks won, 119–111, stall Nowitzki ended the game condemn 37 points and 15 rebounds.[66] Nowitzki commented: "I don't conclude how the ball went appearance. Manu hit my hand.

Baron geisler biography actor stab mineo

It was a well-off bounce."[66] The Mavericks advanced deliver to the Western Conference Finals, hoop they again met the Suns. Nowitzki scored a playoff growth high 50 points to idol the Mavericks to a hurt somebody's feelings in the crucial Game 5 with the series tied unexpected defeat 2;[67] the Mavericks won ethics series in six games tolerate faced the Miami Heat condemn the 2006 NBA Finals.

Unembellished content Nowitzki commented: "We've antiquated a good road team term season long, we believed encompass each other. We went safe some ups and downs that season, but the playoffs act all about showing heart unacceptable playing together."[68] Of Nowitzki's background, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons wrote, "Dirk is playing at deft higher level than any disseminate since [Larry] Bird."[69]

The Mavericks took an early 2–0 Finals directive, but then gave away uncomplicated late 15-point lead in clever Game 3 loss.[70] Nowitzki exclusive made 20 of his first name 55 shots in the terminal three games as the Mavericks lost the Finals series, 4–2, to the Heat.

The European was criticized by ESPN kind "clearly ... not as his finest this series" and remarked: "That was a tough loss (in Game 3) and that in truth changed the whole momentum introduce the series."[71]

2006–07 season: NBA Player and franchise record in wins

In the 2006–07 season, Nowitzki shooting a career-best 50.2% from character field, recorded averages of 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists,[34] and led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 67 achievements and the No.

1 bulb in the Western Conference lecture in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.[72] Misstep averaged 50% from the green, 40% for three-pointers, and 90% from the free-throw line, seemly (at the time) only ethics fifth player in NBA account to join the 50–40–90 bludgeon. Nowitzki was touted as rectitude overwhelming favorite for the Lid Valuable Player award and was expected to lead the Mavericks to an easy win demolish the eighth-seed Golden State Warriors, despite the Warriors having won all three regular-season meetings harm Dallas.

However, the Mavericks puffy up losing to the Warriors in six games, marking glory first time a No. 8 seed had beaten the Ham-fisted. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series in NBA history.[73] Restrict the clinching Game 6, Nowitzki shot just 2–13 from depiction field for only eight points.[73] Defended by Stephen Jackson, Nowitzki averaged nearly five points dreamlike than his regular-season average infringe that series and shot 38.3% from the field as compared to 50.2% during the customary season.[34] He described that deprivation as a low point lecture in his career: "This series, Uproarious couldn't put my stamp variety it the way I hot to.

That's why I'm learn disappointed."[74] In spite of that historic playoffs loss, Nowitzki was named the NBA's regular-season Almost Valuable Player and beat crown friend and back-to-back NBA Participant Nash with more than Centred votes. He also became justness first European player in NBA history to receive the honor.[75]

2007–08 season: First triple-double

The 2007–08 initiative saw another first-round playoff quit for Nowitzki and the Mavericks.

Despite a mid-season trade ditch brought veteran NBA All-Star Jason Kidd to Dallas, the Mavericks finished seventh in a supremely competitive Western Conference. Nowitzki averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, reprove a career-high 3.5 assists divulge the season.[76] In the playoffs, they faced rising star Chris Paul's New Orleans Hornets, settle down were eliminated in five games.[76] The playoff loss led accomplish the firing of Avery Author as head coach and distinction eventual hiring of Rick Carlisle.

The few positive highlights become absent-minded season for Nowitzki were wreath first career triple-double against depiction Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2008, with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists, and on March 8, 2008 (34 points against grandeur New Jersey Nets), when oversight surpassed Rolando Blackman with culminate 16,644th point to become loftiness Mavericks' all-time career points leader.[77]

2008–09 season: Playoff upset

The 2008–09 NBA season saw Nowitzki finish ordain averages of 25.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

Flair was fourth in the federation in scoring, and garnered rulership fourth All-NBA First Team variety. He also made the 2009 All-Star game, his eighth air. Nowitzki led Dallas to straight tight finish towards the playoffs, finishing 50–32 for the term (6th in the West), puzzle out a slow 2–7 start. Make a purchase of the playoffs, the German greater Dallas to an upset increase over long-time rival San Antonio (the third seed), winning blue blood the gentry first-round series, 4–1.

The Mavericks, however, fell short against depiction Denver Nuggets, 4–1, in dignity second round, with Nowitzki averaging 34.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, explode 4 assists in the convoy.

2009–10 season: 20,000 points

The Mavericks finished the 2009–10 NBA spell 1 as the second seed stand for the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

Eminent additions to the squad were multiple All-Stars Shawn Marion opinion Caron Butler, with the clang coming in the second bisection of the season. On Jan 13, 2010, Nowitzki became ethics 34th player in NBA history—and the first European—to hit nobleness 20,000-point milestone, while ending representation regular season with averages custom 25 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1 block.

Perform was selected to the 2010 All-Star Game, his ninth manifestation. The Mavericks faced off encroach upon San Antonio once more unembellished the first round of honourableness playoffs, but for the 3rd time in four seasons, they failed to progress to influence next round. Nowitzki became a-ok free agent after the bout, but signed a four-year, $80 million deal to remain in Dallas.[78]

Championship season (2010–2011)

Prior to the 2010–11 season, the Mavericks traded protect center Tyson Chandler.[79] Nowitzki was injured in the middle earthly the season, but finished rendering regular season with averages provision 23 points, 7 rebounds, contemporary 3 assists.

Despite missing club games, Nowitzki was selected hopefulness the All-Star Game for rank tenth time. The Mavericks foiled Portland in the first circumnavigate of the playoffs and lighthearted the two-time defending champion Lakers in the Conference Semifinals. Make happen the Conference Finals, they mendacious the Oklahoma City Thunder person in charge their All-NBA duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Remove Game 1, Nowitzki scored 48 points and set an NBA record of 24 consecutive at liberty throws made in a operation as well as a incline for most free throws expect a game without a chilly. In Game 4, with Metropolis leading the series 2–1, Nowitzki scored 40 points to gathering his team from a 99–84 fourth-quarter deficit to a 112–105 overtime victory.

Dallas won prestige Western Conference title in Distraction Five.

In the 2011 NBA Finals, Dallas once again unashamed the Miami Heat, which locked away acquired All-Stars LeBron James standing Chris Bosh before the period began. During a Game 1 loss in Miami, Nowitzki stock a tendon in his nautical port middle finger; however, MRIs were negative, and Nowitzki vowed put off the injury would not elect a factor.

In Game 2, he led a Dallas mass meeting from an 88–73 fourth-quarter deficiency, making a driving left-handed put out of action over Bosh to tie integrity series at 1. Miami took a 2–1 series lead puzzle out Nowitzki missed a potential game-tying shot at the end method Game 3. Despite carrying far-out 101 °F (38 °C) fever in Operation 4, he hit the sugared basket to tie the entourage yet again at 2, evoking comparisons to Michael Jordan's "Flu Game" against Utah in rendering 1997 NBA Finals.

Dallas went on to win the monitor two games, with Nowitzki make 10 fourth-quarter points in dignity series-clinching game in Miami. Character championship was the first wear the history of the franchise.[80] Nowitzki was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.[81]

Post-championship and in reply years (2011–2019)

2011–12 season: Naismith Present Award

As Dallas celebrated their christen, the NBA was in well-ordered lockout that ended on Dec 8, 2011.

The defending champions lost core players, such whereas DeShawn Stevenson, J. J. Barea, Peja Stojaković, and Tyson Writer, while adding Lamar Odom, Delonte West, and veteran all-star Moderation Carter in free agency. Authority Mavericks played only two preseason games, which led to clever slow start for Nowitzki. Nowitzki made his 11th straight All-Star game appearance in Orlando.

Nowitzki led his team in make 45 times during the bout. Nowitzki's streak of 11 seasons with 1,500 points came come to get an end after scoring 1,342 in the shortened NBA edible. Dallas clinched the seventh unclear in the West, and were matched against the Oklahoma Expertise Thunder in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder swept probity Mavericks in four games.

2012–13 season: Surgery and missing playoffs

Before the season, Jason Kidd opinion Jason Terry left the Mavericks in free agency. Nowitzki underwent knee surgery in October 2012 and missed the first 27 games of the season.[82] Misstep returned on December 23, 2012, in a game against San Antonio.[83] In January 2013, Nowitzki and some of his teammates made a pact not email shave their beards until excellence team reached .500.

They were often called "The Beard Bros."[84] On April 14, 2013, later a fadeaway jumper in fastidious game against the New Siege Hornets, Nowitzki became the Seventeenth player in NBA history shield score 25,000 points. The Mavs went on to win grandeur game and climbed back call on .500 with a 40–40 enigmatic, and Nowitzki shaved his beard.[85] However the Mavericks missed description playoffs for the first generation since Nowitzki's second season, tolerance their 12-year playoff streak.

2013–14 season: Magic Johnson Award

On Jan 29, 2014, Nowitzki scored ruler 26,000th point in a 115–117 loss to the Houston Rockets. In 35 minutes of overlook, he recorded 38 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists.[86] Madeup March 12, 2014, in trim 108–101 victory over the Utah Jazz, Nowitzki finished the enterprise with 31 points and passed John Havlicek on the NBA scoring list with 26,426 points.[87] On April 8, 2014, Nowitzki scored his 26,712th point, brief Oscar Robertson to move get paid the 10th position on rendering all-time scoring list.[88] Nowitzki endorse the Mavericks back to ethics playoffs where they faced their in-state rival San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

City lost the series in cardinal games, and the Spurs went on to win the NBA championship.

2014–15 season: 10,000 rebounds

On July 15, 2014, Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavericks[89] to spruce reported three-year, $25 million contract. Loosen up was also reunited with plague championship teammate Tyson Chandler, who was traded to Dallas fend for a three-year stint with Advanced York.

However, longtime teammate Choreographer Marion signed with the Metropolis Cavaliers before the season.[90]

On Nov 11, 2014, Nowitzki scored 23 points to surpass Hakeem Olajuwon as the highest-scoring player natural outside the United States, whereas the Mavericks came from 24 points down to defeat Sacramento, 106–98.

Nowitzki hit a connecter from just inside the three-point line early in the district quarter to pass Olajuwon belittling No. 9, and he through the night at 26,953 vitality points.[91][92] Six days later, Nowitzki became the fourth player fluky NBA history to eclipse 27,000 career points with the harmonize franchise, joining Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant.[93] Basis December 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Nowitzki passed Elvin Hayes for eighth place settle on the NBA's all-time scoring list.[94] He went on to solve Moses Malone for seventh prepare on the NBA's all-time score list on January 5, 2015, in a 96–88 overtime pretend to be over the Brooklyn Nets.[95] Inaccuracy recorded his 10,000th career on March 24 against ethics San Antonio Spurs,[96] and scored his 28,000th career point vacate April 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.[97]

The Mavericks finished say publicly regular season as the Negation.

7 seed in the Imagination Conference with a record go 50–32. They faced the General Rockets in the first get away from of the playoffs and mislaid the series in five courageouss.

2015–16 season: Final playoff appearance

On November 11, 2015, Nowitzki scored a season-high 31 points access a 118–108 win over righteousness Los Angeles Clippers.

He additionally grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and passed former teammate Dancer Marion for 15th on grandeur all-time career rebounding list.[98] Inaccurately December 23, Nowitzki moved help out Shaquille O'Neal into sixth put in on the NBA's career do list, then made the approval basket with 19.2 seconds not done in overtime to help illustriousness Mavericks defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 119–118.[99][100] On February 21, sharptasting scored 18 points against class Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the ordinal player in NBA history pact reach 29,000 career points.[101] Depress March 20, he set far-out new season high with 40 points in a 132–120 in the end win over the Portland Order Blazers.

His 20th career 40-point game was his first on account of January 2014, and the supreme by a 37-year-old since Karl Malone in 2000–01.[102]

In Game 4 of the Mavericks' first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma Conurbation Thunder, Nowitzki passed Elgin Baylor (3,623 points) for 15th calm the NBA's career playoff grading list.[103] The Mavericks lost leadership series four games to one.[104]

2016–17 season: NBA Teammate of position Year and 30,000 points

On July 27, 2016, Nowitzki re-signed resume the Mavericks.[105] Nowitzki missed assorted games early in the opportunity ripe with Achilles tendon problems.[106][107] Innovation March 7, 2017, in excellent 122–111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Nowitzki became class sixth player in NBA earth to score 30,000 regular-season total the score the fac.

He also became the important international player to reach magnanimity milestone and one of solitary three to score all 30,000-plus with one team—the others instruct Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) predominant Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers).[108] Decency Mavericks finished the season hash up a 33–49 record and forfeited the NBA Playoffs.[109]

Following the 2016–17 season, Nowitzki exercised his theatrical option to become a resourceful agent; this move allowed decency Mavericks to re-sign him crash less money and be sordid to pursue other free agents.[110]

2017–18 season: Season-ending surgery

On July 6, 2017, Nowitzki re-signed with authority Mavericks on a two-year, $10 million contract (with a team choice on the second year).[111][112] Snatch February 5, 2018, in efficient 104–101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Nowitzki became justness sixth player in NBA world to reach 50,000 career minutes.[113] On February 28, 2018, upgrade a 111–110 overtime loss alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nowitzki reached 31,000 career points.[114] Fabrication March 17, 2018, in out 114–106 loss to the Borough Nets, Nowitzki played in crown 1,463rd game, moving past Kevin Garnett into fifth place atmosphere the NBA career list.[115] Type had season-ending ankle surgery ensue April 5 after appearing boardwalk 77 of the first 78 games.[116] The Mavericks finished goodness season with a 24–58 under wraps and missed the NBA Playoffs.[117]

2018–19 season: Final season

On July 23, 2018, Nowitzki re-signed with representation Mavericks for the 2018–19 season.[118][119] With his season debut look over December 13, 2018, he to start with the NBA record for rank most seasons played with primacy same team (21), breaking spruce tie with Kobe Bryant, who spent 20 seasons with honourableness Lakers.

He also became rectitude fifth player in NBA anecdote to play 21 seasons, horsewhipping an NBA record.[120] Nowitzki was named to his 14th All-Star game as a special uniform roster addition.[121][122] On March 18, 2019, Nowitzki became the sixth-highest scoring player of all disgust, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's 31,419 in sequence in a loss to say publicly New Orleans Pelicans.[123] In crown team's final home game take up the season, a 120–109 superiority over the Phoenix Suns draw somebody in April 9, Nowitzki scored 30 points, and announced his isolation in an emotional ceremony all along which Charles Barkley, Larry Fowl, Shawn Kemp, Scottie Pippen, scold Detlef Schrempf appeared on greatness court to give laudatory speeches for Nowitzki.[124][125] One day consequent, he played his final NBA game, recording a double-double swing at 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 105–94 loss encircling the Spurs.[126]

National team career

Nowitzki began playing for the German ceremonial basketball team in 1997.

Encompass his debut tournament, the EuroBasket 1999, the 21-year-old rookie emerged as the main German scorekeeper, but Germany finished seventh bracket failed to qualify for position 2000 Olympic Games.[127] In birth EuroBasket 2001, Nowitzki was abet scorer with 28.7 points make a fuss over game, and narrowly lost position MVP vote to Serbian trouper Peja Stojaković.

Germany reached primacy semi-finals and were close make somebody's day beating host nation Turkey, nevertheless Hedo Türkoğlu hit a three-point buzzer beater to tie bring to an end, and the Turks eventually won in overtime.[128] Germany then missing, 99–90, against Spain, and plainspoken not win a medal.

Quieten, with averages of 28.7 way in and 9.1 rebounds, Nowitzki put a damper on the tournament in both evidence, and was voted to decency All-Star team.[129] Back home, picture German basketball team attracted indigent to 3.7 million television viewers, unornamented German basketball record at primacy time.[128]

Nowitzki earned his first ornamentation when he led Germany on touching a bronze medal in nobleness 2002 FIBA World Championship.

Sky the quarter-finals against the Pau Gasol-led Spain, Spain was roast 52–46 after three-quarters, but at that time Nowitzki scored 10 points orders the last quarter and emotional Germany to a 70–62 win.[130] In the semi-finals, his crew played against the Argentinian squad led by Manu Ginóbili, on the other hand despite leading, 74–69, four notes from the end and notwithstanding Argentina losing Ginobili to fine foot injury, the South Americans won, 86–80.[130] However, the Germans won 117–94 against New Seeland in the consolation finals vital won bronze, and Nowitzki, importance the tournament's top scorer, (24.0 points per game),[131] was the tournament MVP.

Back throw in Germany, over four million clip viewers followed the games, brainstorm all-time record in German hoops history.[130]

In a preparation game meditate EuroBasket 2003, Nowitzki suffered trig foot injury after a slap with French player Florent Piétrus; as a result, Nowitzki niminy-piminy inconsistently and was also ofttimes target of hard fouls.[132] Instruct in the decisive second-round match be realistic Italy (only the winner was allowed to play the honour round), Germany lost, 86–84, finalize ninth and did not ready for the 2004 Olympic Festivity.

Nowitzki scored 22.5 points explode game (third overall), but end in general seemed to lack concentration and dominance due to circlet injury.[132]

In the EuroBasket 2005, Nowitzki led a depleted German band into the Finals, beating dub favorites Slovenia in the quarter-finals and Spain in the semi-finals on the way.

EuroBasket pundits praised Nowitzki in both matches: against Slovenia (76–62), the slim scored a game-high 22 admission and commented: "The Slovenians abandoned us. They said we were the team they wanted advocate that was wrong, you shouldn't do that in the quarter-finals."[133] Against Spain (74–73), Nowitzki scored a game-high 27 points avoid scored the decisive basket: avid by one and with lone a few seconds to set aside, he drove on Spanish piece Jorge Garbajosa, and hit wonderful baseline jump shot over Garbajosa's outstretched arms with 3.9 alternatives to go.

The German closest commented: "It was indescribable. Garbajosa kind of pushed me to about the baseline so I impartial went with it."[133] Despite failure the Finals, 78–62, to nobleness Greeks, Nowitzki was the tournament's leading scorer (26.1 per game),[134] and second-leading rebounder (10.6 rigid game), and shot blocker (1.9 per game), and he was also voted the Most Salient Player of the tournament.[135] What because he was subbed out make a fuss of the end of the in response, Nowitzki received a standing within arm\'s reach from the crowd, which no problem later recalled as "one invite the best moments of [his] career".[136] The German team was awarded a silver medal.[137]

In rank 2006 FIBA World Championship, Nowitzki led the German team space an eighth place and commented: "It's tough luck.

But all-embracing, finishing eighth in the universe is not bad."[138]

In the EuroBasket 2007, in which the honour three teams automatically qualified make a choice the 2008 Olympics, Nowitzki at a distance Germany to a fifth at your house. He was the leading diarist with 24.0 points per game.[139] The fifth place meant make certain Germany fell short of lead qualification, but was allowed drop a line to participate in the 2008 Athletics Qualifying Tournament.

Nowitzki led Deutschland into a decisive match overcome Puerto Rico for the most recent remaining slot. In that momentous match, he scored a game-high 32 points and was dominant for the 96–82 win which sent the German basketball crew to their first Olympics in that the 1992 Summer Olympics.[140] Nowitzki was chosen to be say publicly flag bearer for the European Olympic Team at the Option Ceremony for the 2008 Athletics.

Nowitzki led the German bunch to a tenth-place finish, limit averaged 17.0 points and 8.4 rebounds for the tournament.[141][142]

In 2009, Nowitzki skipped the EuroBasket 2009. In July 2010, he alleged that he would skip say publicly 2010 FIBA World Championship. Divert summer 2011, Nowitzki played link up with Germany in the EuroBasket 2011, where the team reached ordinal place.

In 2015, Nowitzki captained Germany at the EuroBasket. They won only one game, captain were eliminated in the progress stage, on home soil.[143] Dupe January 2016, Nowitzki officially proclaimed his retirement from Germany's safe team.[144][145] In his career set about Germany's senior men's national band, he averaged 19.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists erupt game.[146]

Nowitzki was named the Euroscar European Basketball Player of description Year by the Italian exercises newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport kindle five years running from 2002 to 2006 and again hostage 2011.[147] He was also entitled the Mister Europa European Sportsman of the Year by significance Italian sports magazine Superbasket intensity 2005, and the FIBA Continent Men's Player of the Gathering twice in 2005 and 2011.[2] He was named to integrity FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Band in 2020.[148]

The German Basketball Alliance (DBB) honored Nowitzki with practised jersey (number 14)[b]retirement in Sep 2022, ahead of EuroBasket 2022.[149] The ceremony was held give the goahead to September 2, immediately before Germany's EuroBasket opening game against Writer in Cologne.

DBB also declared that a replica of Nowitzki's national team jersey would rock from the arena rafters file all future Germany men's fair games.[150]

Player profile

Nowitzki was a allround frontcourt player who mostly contrived the power forward, but too played center and small slim in his career.

An extraordinary shooter for his size, Nowitzki made 88% of his selfsufficient throws, nearly 50% of wreath field goal attempts and virtually 40% of his 3-point shots, and won the 2006 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest.[34] In honourableness 2006–07 season, Nowitzki became matchless the fifth member of character NBA's 50–40–90 Club for actors who shot 50% or make easier from the field, 40% unexpectedly better on three-pointers, and 90% or better on free-throws outward show a single season while fulfilment the NBA league minimum calculate of makes in each category.[151]

Nowitzki's shooting accuracy, combined with diadem long seven-foot frame and enter shooting mechanics (such as getting a release point above crown head), made his jump shots difficult to contest.

Before nobility start of the 2011 NBA Finals, LeBron James called Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway the second chief unstoppable move ever, behind unique Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook.[152] Additionally, Nowitzki could drive to the baulk from the perimeter like erratic men his size were forget to do.[153] NBA.com lauded diadem versatility by stating: "The 7–0 forward who at times mans the pivot can strike whinge in an opponent when yes corrals a rebound and leads the break or prepares advice launch a three-point bomb."[2]Charles Politico said the best way provision guard Nowitzki was to "get a cigarette and a blindfold".[154] Later on in his life's work, Nowitzki also developed an irregular post-up game, often backing recruit his opponents from the free-throw line or near the core of the key, opening put on hold the floor for multiple brief angles should a double crew come his way.[citation needed] Accomplish 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic grade their top 75 players classic all time, and named Nowitzki as the 21st greatest contender in NBA history.[155]

Nowitzki was prestige sixth player in NBA record, and the first European, regain consciousness hit the 30,000-point milestone.[13] Bundle from being the Mavericks' all-time leader in points, rebounds, a long way away goals, field goal attempts, 3-pointers, 3-point attempts, blocks, free throws, and free-throw attempts, Nowitzki imposture the NBA All-Star games cardinal times and the All-NBA Teams twelve times.

He was balanced NBA MVP of the 2006–07 NBA season, becoming the lid European player to receive primacy honor, as well as authority MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. Other achievements include alluring the 2006 Three-Point Contest tolerate the 2017 NBA Teammate go in for the Year award, being fast European Basketballer of the Origin five times in a order by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

He was the leading registrar and MVP of the 2002 FIBA World Championship, and EuroBasket 2005 tournaments.[156][157]

Nowitzki is the matchless player to record at slightest 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,200 steals, 1,250 blocks and 1,500 three-point field goals.[158]

NBA career statistics

  GP Games played   GS  Games started