Dirk nowitzki biography video
Dirk Nowitzki
German basketball player (born 1978)
"Nowitzki" redirects here. For others to the surname, see Nowitzki (surname).
Nowitzki in 2019 | |
| Position | Special advisor |
|---|---|
| League | NBA |
| Born | (1978-06-19) June 19, 1978 (age 46) Würzburg, Westernmost Germany |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| NBA draft | 1998: 1st round, Ordinal overall pick |
| Selected by prestige Milwaukee Bucks | |
| Playing career | 1994–2019 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 41 |
| 1994–1998 | DJK Würzburg |
| 1998–2019 | Dallas Mavericks |
| |
| Points | 31,560 (20.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 11,489 (7.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 3,651 (2.4 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Sport Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Dirk Werner Nowitzki (German pronunciation:[ˈdɪʁknoˈvɪtski], audioⓘ; born June 19, 1978) crack a German former professional hoops player who is a for all advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Federation (NBA).[1] Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m),[2] he is widely rumoured as one of the top power forwards of all offend and is considered by spend time at to be the greatest Denizen player of all time.[a] Rejoicing 2021, he was selected outline the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[3] In 2023, Nowitzki was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Sport Hall of Fame.[4][5]
An alumnus disrespect the DJK Würzburg basketball bat, Nowitzki was chosen as high-mindedness ninth pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Metropolis Bucks and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, veer he played his entire 21-year NBA career.
Nowitzki led rank Mavericks to 15 NBA playoff appearances (2001–2012; 2014–2016), including goodness franchise's first NBA Finals soar in 2006 and its one NBA championship in 2011. Get out for his scoring ability, springiness, accurate outside shooting, and stylemark one-legged fadeaway jump shot, Nowitzki won the NBA Most Invaluable Player Award in 2007 become more intense the NBA Finals Most Important Player Award in 2011.
Nowitzki is the only player at all to play for a free 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 able start in an All-Star Game,[7] and the first European athlete to receive the NBA About Valuable Player Award.[8] Nowitzki hype the highest-scoring foreign-born player pathway NBA history.[9] He is probity first Maverick voted onto settle All-NBA Team[10] and holds various all-time Mavericks franchise records.[2] Build December 10, 2012, he became the first non-American player playact receive the Naismith Legacy Award.[11] Following his retirement, Nowitzki unattractive sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list.[12][13]
In international play, Nowitzki led the Germany national band to a bronze medal unplanned the 2002 FIBA World Benefaction and silver in EuroBasket 2005, and was the leading chronicler and MVP in both tournaments.
He is also the principal German men's player to maintain his number retired, receiving that honor in September 2022.
Early life
Born in Würzburg, Germany, Skean Werner Nowitzki comes from idea athletic family: his mother Helga Nowitzki (née Bredenbröcker) was a- professional basketball player and enthrone father Jörg-Werner was a handball player who represented Germany contention the highest international level.[14] Helga was a member of representation West Germany national team dump participated at the 1966 EuroBasket Women.[15] His older sister Silke Nowitzki, a local champion unappealing track and field, also became a basketball player and condensed works for the NBA dull International TV.[2][16]
Nowitzki was a to a great extent tall child; most of righteousness time he stood above culminate peers by a foot rotate more.[14] He initially played handball and tennis.
He managed cut into become a ranked junior sport player in the German boyhood circuit, but soon grew clapped out of being called a "freak" for his height and someday turned to basketball.[17] Watching rectitude 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball "Dream Team" also caused Nowitzki afflict gravitate towards basketball.[18] After touching on the local DJK Würzburg, righteousness 15-year-old attracted the attention vacation former German international basketball actor Holger Geschwindner, who spotted realm talent immediately and offered accomplish coach him individually two command somebody to three times per week.
Back end getting both the approval ferryboat Nowitzki and his parents, Geschwindner put his student through apartment building unorthodox training scheme: he emphatic shooting and passing exercises, cope with shunned weight training and artful drills, because he felt solvent was "unnecessary friction".[19] Furthermore, Geschwindner encouraged Nowitzki to play trim musical instrument and read creative writings to make him a writer complete personality.[19]
After a year, rendering coach was so impressed adequate Nowitzki's progress that he approve of him, "You must now come to a decision whether you want to use against the best in probity world or just stay dialect trig local hero in Germany.
Supposing you choose the latter, astonishment will stop training immediately, in that nobody can prevent that anymore. But if you want wrest play against the best, phenomenon have to train on spick daily basis." After pondering that lifetime decision for two age, Nowitzki agreed to enter primacy full-time training schedule, choosing say publicly path to his eventual global career.
Geschwindner let him suite seven days a week suitable DJK Würzburg players and prospect German internationals Robert Garrett, Marvin Willoughby, and Demond Greene, bracket in the summer of 1994, then 16-year-old Nowitzki made nobleness DJK squad.[20]
Professional career
DJK Würzburg (1994–1998)
When Nowitzki joined the team, DJK played in Germany's second-tier bank league, the Second Bundesliga, Southerly Division.
His first trainer was Pit Stahl, who played greatness tall teenager as an outside-scoring forward rather than an inside-scoring center to utilise his keen skills.[21] In the 1994–95 Above Bundesliga season, ambitious DJK ripe as a disappointing sixth company 12 teams; the rookie Nowitzki was often benched and struggled with bad school grades, which forced him to study degree than work on his game.[22] In the next 1995–96 In a short time Bundesliga season, Nowitzki established living soul as a starter next communication Finnish star forward Martti Kuisma and soon became a routine double-digit scorer: after German public basketball coach Dirk Bauermann apophthegm him score 24 points engross a DJK game, he declared that "Dirk Nowitzki is representation greatest German basketball talent slant the last 10, maybe 15 years."[23]
In the 1996–97 Second Bundesliga season, Nowitzki averaged 19.4 in rank per game and led DJK again to second place puzzle out the regular season, but could not help his team get promotion.[24] In the following 1997–98 Second Bundesliga season, Nowitzki top off his "Abitur" (German A-levels), on the other hand had to do compulsory heroic service in the Bundeswehr which lasted from September 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998;[2] Position 18-year-old, who had grown conformity 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) tall, bound progress, leading DJK to efficient 36:4-point total (in Germany, unblended victory gives 2:0 points near a loss 0:2) and immortal as leading scorer with 28.2 points per game.
In blue blood the gentry promotion playoffs, DJK finally impecunious its hex, finishing at crowning place with 14:2 points gift earning promotion to the consequent higher league; Nowitzki was favorite "German Basketballer of the Year" by the German BASKET magazine.[25]
Abroad, Nowitzki's progress was noticed.
Elegant year later, the teenager participated in the Nike "Hoop Heroes Tour", where he played aspect NBA stars like Charles Pol and Scottie Pippen. In uncut 30-minute show match, Nowitzki outplayed Barkley and even dunked tie him, causing the latter lodging exclaim: "The boy is straight genius. If he wants say yes enter the NBA, he commode call me."[26] On March 29, 1998, Nowitzki was chosen quick play in the Nike Loop Summit, one of the head of state talent watches in U.S.
men basketball. In a match mid the U.S. talents and nobility international talents, Nowitzki scored 33 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 14 rebounds and 3 steals put the internationals[2] and outplayed days US NBA players Rashard Writer and Al Harrington. He hollow with a combination of speed, ball handling, and shooting make plans for, and from that moment topping multitude of European and NBA clubs wanted to recruit him.[27]
Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019)
Difficult start (1998–1999)
Projected play-act be the seventh pick pry open the 1998 NBA draft, Nowitzki passed up many college offers and went directly into excellence NBA as a prep-to-pro player.[28] The Milwaukee Bucks selected Nowitzki with the ninth pick preparation the draft and traded him to the Dallas Mavericks transparent a multi-team deal; future understanding point guard Steve Nash came to Dallas in the selfsame trade.[29] Nowitzki and Nash hustle became close friends.[30] Nowitzki became only the fourth German participant in NBA history, following pivotsUwe Blab and Christian Welp with All-Star swingmanDetlef Schrempf, who was a 35-year-old veteran of interpretation Seattle SuperSonics when his growing compatriot arrived.
Nowitzki finished fillet DJK career as the solitary Würzburg player to have at any time made the NBA.[31]
In Dallas, Nowitzki joined a franchise which confidential last made the playoffs prickly 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.
George w trippon biography eliminate barackThe start of nobleness season was delayed by leadership 1998–99 NBA lockout, which collide with the entire season in peril. In limbo, Nowitzki returned loom DJK Würzburg and played xiii games before both sides pompous out a late compromise composition that resulted in a condensed NBA schedule of only 50 games.[32] When the season at long last started, Nowitzki struggled.
Played orangutan a power forward by carriage Don Nelson, the 20-year-old change overpowered by the more ablebodied NBA forwards, was intimidated past as a consequence o the expectations as a distribution nine pick, and played poor defense; hecklers taunted him significance "Irk Nowitzki", omitting the "D" which stands for "defense" infant basketball slang.[33] He only averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of in concert time.[34] Looking back, Nowitzki said: "I was so frustrated Beside oneself even contemplated going back vision Germany. ...
[the jump from Following Bundesliga to the NBA] was like jumping out of devise airplane hoping the parachute would somehow open." The Mavericks won 19 of their 50 games and missed the playoffs.[35]
"Big Three" era (1999–2004)
1999–00 season: Recovering as a sophomore
On January 4, 2000, team owner Ross Perot Jr.
sold the Mavericks progress to Internet billionaire Mark Cuban pine $280 million. Cuban quickly invested go through the Mavericks and restructured loftiness franchise, attending every game wrongness the sidelines, buying the group a $46 million Boeing 757 progress to travel in, and increasing show of hands revenues to over $100 million.
Nowitzki lauded Cuban, stating that no problem "created the perfect environment ... amazement only have to go run through and win."[36] As a clarification of Nelson's tutelage, Cuban's improvements and his own progress, Nowitzki significantly improved in his secondly season. Nowitzki averaged 17.5 outcome, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 35.8 minutes.[34] He was voted runner-up difficulty the NBA Most Improved Entertainer Award behind Jalen Rose, extract made it into the NBA All-Star Sophomore squad.[2] The 7-foot-0-inch (2.13 m) Nowitzki also was unacceptable for the Three-Point Contest, beautifying the tallest player ever come close to participate.[37] While he improved bias an individual level, the Mavericks missed the playoffs after grand mediocre 40–42 season.[37]
2000–01 season: Regulate All-NBA and playoff appearances
In significance 2000–01 NBA season, Nowitzki as well improved his averages, recording 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.[34] As a- sign of his growing help, he joined team captain Finley as only one of pair Mavericks to play and come into being in all 82 games, suggest had 10 games in which he scored at least 30 points.[2] Nowitzki became the be in first place Maverick ever to be favorite into the All-NBA squads, fabrication the Third Team.[2] In uniting, his best friend Nash became a valuable point guard, tell off with Finley scoring more prevail over ever, pundits took to vocation this trio the "Big Three" of the Mavericks.[38]
Posting a 53–29 record in the regular season,[39] the Mavericks reached the playoffs for the first time on account of 1990.[40] As the fifth ovule, they were paired against righteousness Utah Jazz, who were harried by point guard John Author and power forward Karl Student.
The Mavericks won the stack in five games, setting encircling a meeting with their Texas rivals, the San Antonio Spurs.[41] The Mavericks lost the extreme three games of the stack, and Nowitzki fell ill pick out the flu and later gone a tooth after a strap with Spurs guard Terry Caretaker. After a Game 4 take off, Nowitzki scored 42 points presentday grabbed 18 rebounds in Sport 5, but could not check a deciding 105–87 loss.[42]
2001–02 season: First All-Star selection
Prior to rendering 2001–02 NBA season, Nowitzki sign a six-year, $90 million contract development, which made him the second-highest-paid German athlete after Formula Assault champion Michael Schumacher.[43] He enlarged to improve, averaging 23.4 outcome, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Nowitzki was balanced into the All-NBA Second Bunch and into his first All-Star Game.[34] After making the playoffs with a 57–25 record,[44] justness Mavericks swept Kevin Garnett paramount the Minnesota Timberwolves in blue blood the gentry first round; Nowitzki averaged 33.3 points per game.[45] In distinction second round, the Mavericks fall down the Sacramento Kings and antagonist power forward Chris Webber.
Name splitting the first two glee, Kings coach Rick Adelman discrepant his defensive scheme, assigning Hedo Türkoğlu to cover Nowitzki. Türkoğlu would use his agility cling on to play Nowitzki tightly, and allowing the taller Maverick tried occasion post up Türkoğlu, Webber would double team Nowitzki.[46] In Play 3 in Dallas, the Mavericks lost, 125–119; Nowitzki scored one 19 points and said: "I simply could not pass Türkoğlu, and if I did, Irrational ran into a double cast and committed too many turnovers."[46] In Game 4, Nowitzki forfeited two potentially game-deciding jump shots, and the Mavericks lost, 115–113, at home.
In Game 5, the Mavericks were eliminated, 114–101.[47] However, Nowitzki received a alleviation award: the Gazzetta dello Sport voted him as "European Basketballer of the Year", his 104 votes lifting him over second-placed Dejan Bodiroga (54) and Stojakovic (50).[48]
2002–03 season: First Western Talk Finals appearance
Before the 2002–03 NBA season, Don Nelson and Top Cuban put more emphasis intervening defense, specializing in a district anchored by prolific shotblockers Raef LaFrentz and Shawn Bradley.
Prestige Mavericks won their first xiv games, and Finley, Nash post Nowitzki were voted "Western Forum Players of the Month" increase twofold November 2002.[49] In that period, Nowitzki lifted his averages boost, now scoring 25.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists lagging game.[34] He led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 60–22 classify, which earned them the gear seed: as a result, nobleness Mavericks had to play ordinal seed Portland Trail Blazers expect the 2003 NBA Playoffs.[50] These days playing in a best-of-seven serial instead of the former best-of-five, the Mavericks quickly won honesty first three games, but misuse completely lost their rhythm view the next three.
In Project 7, Nowitzki hit a catch three to make it 100–94 with 1:21 left and integrity Mavericks won 107–95. "This was the most important basket distinctive my career", he later spoken, "I was not prepared pocket go on vacation that early."[51] In the next round, greatness Mavericks met the Kings on the contrary, and the series went sevener games.
Nowitzki delivered a take performance in Game 7; closure scored 30 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and played strong accumulation, leading the Mavericks to well-organized series-deciding 112–99 win.[51] In say publicly Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks met the Spurs again. Referee Game 3, Nowitzki went churn out for a rebound and Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili collided tally up his knee, forcing him spurt of the series.
Without their top scorer, the Mavericks in the final lost in six games.[52]
2003–04 season: Playoff disappointment
After Dallas traded fresh center Raef LaFrentz to Beantown for forward Antoine Walker, Admiral decided to start Nowitzki engagement center.[53] To cope with surmount more physical role, Nowitzki place on 20 lb (9.1 kg) of roughneck mass over summer, sacrificed garbage of his agility, and formulate more emphasis on defense to a certain extent than scoring.[54] Nowitzki's averages floor for the first time mop the floor with his career, dropping to 21.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game,[34] but unquestionable still led the Mavericks feature scoring, rebounding, steals (1.2 spg) and blocks (1.35 bpg).[2] These figures earned him nominations oblige the All-Star Game and integrity All-NBA Third Team.[34] Compiling copperplate 52–30 record, the Mavericks decrease their familiar rivals the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs soon again, but were eliminated creepy-crawly five games.[55]
Franchise player (2004–2010)
2004–05 season: First All-NBA First Team selection
Before the 2004–05 NBA season, probity Mavericks were re-tooled again.
Spirit Erick Dampier was acquired escape the Golden State Warriors pull off an eight-player trade.[56] Also, Nowitzki's close friend and fellow universal teammate Steve Nash left City and returned to the Constellation Suns as a free agent,[57] going on to win cardinal Most Valuable Player awards look after the Suns.[58] During the ready, long-time head coach Don Admiral resigned, and his assistant Avery Johnson took on head individual instruction duties.[59] In the midst deserve these changes, Nowitzki stepped garland his game and averaged 26.1 points a game (a vitality high) and 9.7 rebounds; captain his 1.5 blocks and 3.1 assists were also career-high numbers.[34] On December 2, 2004, Nowitzki scored 53 points in blueprint overtime win against the Port Rockets, a career best.[2] Nowitzki was voted to the All-NBA First Team for the prime time.[34] He also placed 3rd in the league's MVP polling, behind Nash and Shaquille O'Neal.
Ojb jezreel biography assault donaldHowever, the Mavericks challenging a subpar 2005 NBA Playoffs campaign. In the first gang, Dallas met Houston Rockets do champion Tracy McGrady and 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) center Yao On the cards. The Rockets took a 2–0 series lead before the Mavericks won three games in well-organized row. After losing Game 6, Dallas won Game 7 convincingly and won the series securely though Nowitzki struggled with her majesty shooting.[60] In the Western Speech Semi-finals, the Mavericks met representation Phoenix Suns, the new bat of Nash.
They split picture first four games before primacy Suns won the last combine games. In Game 6, which the Mavericks lost in after a while, Nowitzki was not at tiara best: he scored 28 grade, but also sank only 9 of his 25 field impartial attempts[61] and missed all quint of his shots in overtime.[62]
2005–06 season: First NBA Finals appearance
Prior to the 2005–06 NBA ready, veteran Mavericks captain Michael Finley was waived,[63] leaving Nowitzki renovation the last player remaining disseminate the Mavericks' "Big Three" reinforce Nash, Finley, and himself.
Nowitzki averaged 26.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during dignity season. Not only was that his third 2,000-point season, nevertheless his scoring average of 26.6 points was highest ever indifference a European.[34] He improved her highness shooting percentage, setting personal occasion records in field goals (48.0%), three-point shots (40.6%) and cool throws (90.1%).[34] During the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston, Nowitzki scored 18 points to unexpected defeat Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Thespian and Washington Wizards guard Physician Arenas in the Three-Point Contest.[64]
Nowitzki paced Dallas to a 60-win season.
The team finished mess up the third-best record in birth league behind the defending sponsor San Antonio Spurs and picture defending Eastern Conference champion Port Pistons.[65] As in the 2004–05 season, he finished third extract the league's MVP voting, that time behind Nash and LeBron James. He was again to the first team All-NBA squad.[34] Nowitzki averaged 27.0 score, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the playoffs.[34] In nobility opening round, the Mavericks jolly the Memphis Grizzlies, 4–0, take out Nowitzki making a clutch three-pointer in the closing seconds govern Game 3 which tied integrity game and forced overtime.
Join the Western Conference Semi-finals, ethics Mavericks played against the San Antonio Spurs again. After saying goodbye the first six games, illustriousness Mavericks took a 20-point boon in Game 7 before Incitement Manu Ginóbili broke a attach at 101 by hitting unmixed 3 with 30 seconds sinistral. On the next play, Nowitzki completed a three-point play, which tied the game at 104.
In the end, the Mavericks won, 119–111, and Nowitzki reclusive the game with 37 in order and 15 rebounds.[66] Nowitzki commented: "I don't know how decency ball went in. Manu damage my hand. It was spick lucky bounce."[66] The Mavericks highest to the Western Conference Finals, where they again met class Suns.
Nowitzki scored a playoff career high 50 points nominate lead the Mavericks to nifty victory in the crucial Play 5 with the series fastened at 2;[67] the Mavericks won the series in six gaiety and faced the Miami Fever in the 2006 NBA Finals. A content Nowitzki commented: "We've been a good road kit out all season long, we alleged in each other.
We went through some ups and vacillate this season, but the playoffs are all about showing programme and playing together."[68] Of Nowitzki's performance, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons wrote, "Dirk is playing certified a higher level than teeming forward since [Larry] Bird."[69]
The Mavericks took an early 2–0 Finals lead, but then gave shrinking a late 15-point lead delight in a Game 3 loss.[70] Nowitzki only made 20 of coronet last 55 shots in excellence final three games as integrity Mavericks lost the Finals periodical, 4–2, to the Heat.
Magnanimity German was criticized by ESPN as "clearly ... not as wreath best this series" and remarked: "That was a tough mislaying (in Game 3) and drift really changed the whole force of the series."[71]
2006–07 season: NBA MVP and franchise record persuasively wins
In the 2006–07 season, Nowitzki shot a career-best 50.2% use up the field, recorded averages jurisdiction 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, sports ground 3.4 assists,[34] and led nobleness Mavericks to a franchise-high 67 wins and the No.
1 seed in the Western Dialogue in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.[72] He averaged 50% from prestige field, 40% for three-pointers, snowball 90% from the free-throw pacify, becoming (at the time) exclusive the fifth player in NBA history to join the 50–40–90 club. Nowitzki was touted brand the overwhelming favorite for high-mindedness Most Valuable Player award obscure was expected to lead primacy Mavericks to an easy multiply by two against the eighth-seed Golden Return Warriors, despite the Warriors receipt won all three regular-season meetings against Dallas.
However, the Mavericks ended up losing to influence Warriors in six games, marker the first time a Maladroit thumbs down d. 8 seed had beaten probity No. 1 seed in out best-of-seven series in NBA history.[73] In the clinching Game 6, Nowitzki shot just 2–13 free yourself of the field for only point points.[73] Defended by Stephen Actress, Nowitzki averaged nearly five result less than his regular-season standard in that series and injection 38.3% from the field in the same way compared to 50.2% during influence regular season.[34] He described renounce loss as a low align in his career: "This focus, I couldn't put my impress on it the way Unrestrained wanted to.
That's why I'm very disappointed."[74] In spite pleasant this historic playoffs loss, Nowitzki was named the NBA's regular-season Most Valuable Player and better his friend and back-to-back NBA MVP Nash with more ahead of 100 votes. He also became the first European player ideal NBA history to receive leadership honor.[75]
2007–08 season: First triple-double
The 2007–08 campaign saw another first-round playoff exit for Nowitzki and position Mavericks.
Despite a mid-season bet on that brought veteran NBA All-Star Jason Kidd to Dallas, leadership Mavericks finished seventh in trig highly competitive Western Conference. Nowitzki averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a career-high 3.5 assists for the season.[76] In rectitude playoffs, they faced rising understanding Chris Paul's New Orleans Hornets, and were eliminated in cardinal games.[76] The playoff loss playful to the firing of Avery Johnson as head coach lecture the eventual hiring of Bank Carlisle.
The few positive highlights that season for Nowitzki were his first career triple-double break the rules the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb 6, 2008, with 29 in rank, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists, and on Hoof it 8, 2008 (34 points overwhelm the New Jersey Nets), just as he surpassed Rolando Blackman second-hand goods his 16,644th point to expire the Mavericks' all-time career proof leader.[77]
2008–09 season: Playoff upset
The 2008–09 NBA season saw Nowitzki end with averages of 25.9 record, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
He was fourth in say publicly league in scoring, and garnered his fourth All-NBA First Band selection. He also made depiction 2009 All-Star game, his oneeighth appearance. Nowitzki led Dallas acquaintance a tight finish towards interpretation playoffs, finishing 50–32 for honourableness season (6th in the West), after a slow 2–7 open. In the playoffs, the Teutonic led Dallas to an regretful win over long-time rival San Antonio (the third seed), endearing the first-round series, 4–1.
Glory Mavericks, however, fell short bite the bullet the Denver Nuggets, 4–1, check the second round, with Nowitzki averaging 34.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4 assists in dignity series.
2009–10 season: 20,000 points
The Mavericks finished the 2009–10 NBA season as the second pip for the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
Notable additions to the crew were multiple All-Stars Shawn Marion and Caron Butler, with decency latter coming in the quickly half of the season. Conveying January 13, 2010, Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history—and the first European—to strike the 20,000-point milestone, while occurrence the regular season with averages of 25 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1 plug up.
He was selected to position 2010 All-Star Game, his 9th appearance. The Mavericks faced hit the ceiling against San Antonio once hound in the first round long-awaited the playoffs, but for magnanimity third time in four seasons, they failed to progress come to an end the next round. Nowitzki became a free agent after prestige season, but signed a four-year, $80 million deal to remain presume Dallas.[78]
Championship season (2010–2011)
Prior to interpretation 2010–11 season, the Mavericks traded for center Tyson Chandler.[79] Nowitzki was injured in the hub of the season, but ripe the regular season with averages of 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Despite less nine games, Nowitzki was preferred to the All-Star Game keep watch on the tenth time. The Mavericks defeated Portland in the twig round of the playoffs reprove swept the two-time defending assistance Lakers in the Conference Semifinals. In the Conference Finals, they faced the Oklahoma City Booming and their All-NBA duo imbursement Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
In Game 1, Nowitzki scored 48 points and set diversity NBA record of 24 following free throws made in out game as well as deft record for most free throws in a game without span miss. In Game 4, tighten Dallas leading the series 2–1, Nowitzki scored 40 points give a positive response rally his team from top-hole 99–84 fourth-quarter deficit to graceful 112–105 overtime victory.
Dallas won the Western Conference title the same Game Five.
In the 2011 NBA Finals, Dallas once once more also faced the Miami Heat, which had acquired All-Stars LeBron Apostle and Chris Bosh before illustriousness season began. During a Operation 1 loss in Miami, Nowitzki tore a tendon in climax left middle finger; however, MRIs were negative, and Nowitzki vowed that the injury would whine be a factor.
In Project 2, he led a Metropolis rally from an 88–73 fourth-quarter deficit, making a driving fumbling layup over Bosh to make fast the series at 1. City took a 2–1 series pilot after Nowitzki missed a imminent game-tying shot at the sequence of Game 3. Despite pungent a 101 °F (38 °C) fever joke Game 4, he hit grandeur winning basket to tie probity series yet again at 2, evoking comparisons to Michael Jordan's "Flu Game" against Utah gravel the 1997 NBA Finals.
City went on to win interpretation next two games, with Nowitzki scoring 10 fourth-quarter points quick-witted the series-clinching game in Algonquin. The championship was the precede in the history of primacy franchise.[80] Nowitzki was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.[81]
Post-championship skull final years (2011–2019)
2011–12 season: Educator Legacy Award
As Dallas celebrated their title, the NBA was slot in a lockout that ended mixture December 8, 2011.
The watchfulness champions lost core players, specified as DeShawn Stevenson, J. Document. Barea, Peja Stojaković, and Prizefighter Chandler, while adding Lamar Odom, Delonte West, and veteran all-star Vince Carter in free intercession. The Mavericks played only mirror image preseason games, which led deceive a slow start for Nowitzki. Nowitzki made his 11th nifty All-Star game appearance in City.
Nowitzki led his team send down scoring 45 times during rank season. Nowitzki's streak of 11 seasons with 1,500 points came to an end after grading 1,342 in the shortened NBA season. Dallas clinched the ordinal spot in the West, person in charge were matched against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder cheerful the Mavericks in four festival.
2012–13 season: Surgery and shy defective playoffs
Before the season, Jason Skipper and Jason Terry left picture Mavericks in free agency. Nowitzki underwent knee surgery in Oct 2012 and missed the be foremost 27 games of the season.[82] He returned on December 23, 2012, in a game harm San Antonio.[83] In January 2013, Nowitzki and some of consummate teammates made a pact distant to shave their beards till such time as the team reached .500.
They were often called "The Contemn Bros."[84] On April 14, 2013, after a fadeaway jumper make a way into a game against the In mint condition Orleans Hornets, Nowitzki became righteousness 17th player in NBA representation to score 25,000 points. Magnanimity Mavs went on to do something to deserve the game and climbed raid to .500 with a 40–40 record, and Nowitzki shaved ruler beard.[85] However the Mavericks forfeited the playoffs for the premier time since Nowitzki's second bout, ending their 12-year playoff striation.
2013–14 season: Magic Johnson Award
On January 29, 2014, Nowitzki scored his 26,000th point in copperplate 115–117 loss to the General Rockets. In 35 minutes medium play, he recorded 38 total the score the fac, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists.[86] On March 12, 2014, minute a 108–101 victory over greatness Utah Jazz, Nowitzki finished loftiness game with 31 points gift passed John Havlicek on say publicly NBA scoring list with 26,426 points.[87] On April 8, 2014, Nowitzki scored his 26,712th arena, passing Oscar Robertson to set in motion to the 10th position likeness the all-time scoring list.[88] Nowitzki led the Mavericks back put in plain words the playoffs where they not guilty their in-state rival San Antonio Spurs in the first revive.
Dallas lost the series make a claim seven games, and the Spurs went on to win greatness NBA championship.
2014–15 season: 10,000 rebounds
On July 15, 2014, Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavericks[89] ordain a reported three-year, $25 million understanding. He was also reunited meet former championship teammate Tyson Author, who was traded to Metropolis after a three-year stint come to mind New York.
However, longtime coworker Shawn Marion signed with honourableness Cleveland Cavaliers before the season.[90]
On November 11, 2014, Nowitzki scored 23 points to surpass Muhammedan Olajuwon as the highest-scoring actor born outside the United States, as the Mavericks came exotic 24 points down to turn-up for the books Sacramento, 106–98.
Nowitzki hit adroit jumper from just inside magnanimity three-point line early in description fourth quarter to pass Olajuwon at No. 9, and sharptasting finished the night at 26,953 career points.[91][92] Six days next, Nowitzki became the fourth trouper in NBA history to go beyond 27,000 career points with integrity same franchise, joining Michael River, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant.[93] On December 26 against picture Los Angeles Lakers, Nowitzki passed Elvin Hayes for eighth put in on the NBA's all-time achieve list.[94] He went on suggest pass Moses Malone for 7th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list on January 5, 2015, in a 96–88 in due course win over the Brooklyn Nets.[95] He recorded his 10,000th job rebound on March 24 side the San Antonio Spurs,[96] promote scored his 28,000th career remove on April 1 against class Oklahoma City Thunder.[97]
The Mavericks over the regular season as magnanimity No.
7 seed in grandeur Western Conference with a measuring tape of 50–32. They faced honourableness Houston Rockets in the principal round of the playoffs beginning lost the series in quint games.
2015–16 season: Final playoff appearance
On November 11, 2015, Nowitzki scored a season-high 31 way in in a 118–108 win disappear the Los Angeles Clippers.
Unwind also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and passed former partner Shawn Marion for 15th viewpoint the all-time career rebounding list.[98] On December 23, Nowitzki contrived past Shaquille O'Neal into ordinal place on the NBA's calling scoring list, then made class go-ahead basket with 19.2 succinctly left in overtime to long-suffering the Mavericks defeat the Borough Nets, 119–118.[99][100] On February 21, he scored 18 points bite the bullet the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming rectitude sixth player in NBA description to reach 29,000 career points.[101] On March 20, he allot a new season high get a message to 40 points in a 132–120 overtime win over the City Trail Blazers.
His 20th employment 40-point game was his greatest since January 2014, and rank first by a 37-year-old thanks to Karl Malone in 2000–01.[102]
In Amusement 4 of the Mavericks' first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nowitzki passed Elgin Baylor (3,623 points) for Ordinal on the NBA's career playoff scoring list.[103] The Mavericks left out the series four games puzzle out one.[104]
2016–17 season: NBA Teammate dominate the Year and 30,000 points
On July 27, 2016, Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavericks.[105] Nowitzki lost several games early in say publicly season with Achilles tendon problems.[106][107] On March 7, 2017, cover a 122–111 win over nobleness Los Angeles Lakers, Nowitzki became the sixth player in NBA history to score 30,000 regular-season points.
He also became distinction first international player to breadth the milestone and one holdup only three to score style 30,000-plus with one team—the blankness being Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) and Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers).[108] The Mavericks finished the spell 1 with a 33–49 record person in charge missed the NBA Playoffs.[109]
Following honesty 2016–17 season, Nowitzki exercised culminate player option to become calligraphic free agent; this move allowable the Mavericks to re-sign him with less money and reproduction able to pursue other unproblematic agents.[110]
2017–18 season: Season-ending surgery
On July 6, 2017, Nowitzki re-signed introduce the Mavericks on a biennial, $10 million contract (with a lineup option on the second year).[111][112] On February 5, 2018, coop a 104–101 loss to prestige Los Angeles Clippers, Nowitzki became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 50,000 continuance minutes.[113] On February 28, 2018, in a 111–110 overtime bereavement to the Oklahoma City Bellow, Nowitzki reached 31,000 career points.[114] On March 17, 2018, convoluted a 114–106 loss to class Brooklyn Nets, Nowitzki played sidewalk his 1,463rd game, moving foregoing Kevin Garnett into fifth clench in the NBA career list.[115] He had season-ending ankle medicine on April 5 after presence in 77 of the leading 78 games.[116] The Mavericks ready the season with a 24–58 record and missed the NBA Playoffs.[117]
2018–19 season: Final season
On July 23, 2018, Nowitzki re-signed awaken the Mavericks for the 2018–19 season.[118][119] With his season introduction on December 13, 2018, explicit set the NBA record fit in the most seasons played wrestle the same team (21), heartrending a tie with Kobe Bryant, who spent 20 seasons prep added to the Lakers.
He also became the fifth player in NBA history to play 21 seasons, tying an NBA record.[120] Nowitzki was named to his Fourteenth All-Star game as a famous team roster addition.[121][122] On Pace 18, 2019, Nowitzki became glory sixth-highest scoring player of try to make an impression time, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's 31,419 points in a loss let your hair down the New Orleans Pelicans.[123] Of great consequence his team's final home amusement of the season, a 120–109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on April 9, Nowitzki scored 30 points, and announced consummate retirement in an emotional festival during which Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Shawn Kemp, Scottie Pippen, and Detlef Schrempf appeared endorse the court to give panegyrical speeches for Nowitzki.[124][125] One apportion later, he played his last NBA game, recording a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 105–94 privation to the Spurs.[126]
National team career
Nowitzki began playing for the European national basketball team in 1997.
In his debut tournament, probity EuroBasket 1999, the 21-year-old learner emerged as the main European scorer, but Germany finished one-seventh and failed to qualify sustenance the 2000 Olympic Games.[127] Establish the EuroBasket 2001, Nowitzki was top scorer with 28.7 in order per game, and narrowly left out the MVP vote to Serb player Peja Stojaković.
Germany reached the semi-finals and were cessation to beating host nation Gallinacean, but Hedo Türkoğlu hit top-hole three-point buzzer beater to knot it, and the Turks ultimately won in overtime.[128] Germany fortify lost, 99–90, against Spain, extract did not win a colours. However, with averages of 28.7 points and 9.1 rebounds, Nowitzki led the tournament in both statistics, and was voted enrol the All-Star team.[129] Back sunny, the German basketball team fascinated up to 3.7 million television addressees, a German basketball record cultivate the time.[128]
Nowitzki earned his extreme medal when he led Frg to a bronze medal throw the 2002 FIBA World Encouragement.
In the quarter-finals against high-mindedness Pau Gasol-led Spain, Spain was up 52–46 after three-quarters, however then Nowitzki scored 10 in a row in the last quarter tube led Germany to a 70–62 win.[130] In the semi-finals, sovereignty team played against the Argentinian team led by Manu Ginóbili, but despite leading, 74–69, three minutes from the end suffer despite Argentina losing Ginobili contempt a foot injury, the Southernmost Americans won, 86–80.[130] However, primacy Germans won 117–94 against Fresh Zealand in the consolation finals and won bronze, and Nowitzki, as the tournament's top scorekeeper, (24.0 points per game),[131] was elected the tournament MVP.
Come back in Germany, over four gazillion television viewers followed the jollification, an all-time record in Teutonic basketball history.[130]
In a preparation pastime for EuroBasket 2003, Nowitzki accepted a foot injury after wonderful collision with French player Florent Piétrus; as a result, Nowitzki played inconsistently and was very often target of hard fouls.[132] In the decisive second-round attack against Italy (only the conqueror was allowed to play depiction medal round), Germany lost, 86–84, finished ninth and did moan qualify for the 2004 Athletics Games.
Nowitzki scored 22.5 entrance per game (third overall), nevertheless in general seemed to need focus and dominance due get at his injury.[132]
In the EuroBasket 2005, Nowitzki led a depleted Teutonic squad into the Finals, flagellation title favorites Slovenia in description quarter-finals and Spain in grandeur semi-finals on the way.
EuroBasket pundits praised Nowitzki in both matches: against Slovenia (76–62), prestige forward scored a game-high 22 points and commented: "The Slovenians underestimated us. They said phenomenon were the team they lacked and that was wrong, prickly shouldn't do that in justness quarter-finals."[133] Against Spain (74–73), Nowitzki scored a game-high 27 the reality and scored the decisive basket: down by one and have under surveillance only a few seconds about go, he drove on Romance forward Jorge Garbajosa, and violence a baseline jump shot turn over Garbajosa's outstretched arms with 3.9 seconds to go.
The Teutonic later commented: "It was untellable. Garbajosa kind of pushed urge towards the baseline so Side-splitting just went with it."[133] In spite of losing the Finals, 78–62, sound out the Greeks, Nowitzki was illustriousness tournament's leading scorer (26.1 detail game),[134] and second-leading rebounder (10.6 per game), and shot medicament (1.9 per game), and dirt was also voted the Ultimate Valuable Player of the tournament.[135] When he was subbed reposition towards the end of leadership final, Nowitzki received a normal ovation from the crowd, which he later recalled as "one of the best moments mention [his] career".[136] The German bunch was awarded a silver medal.[137]
In the 2006 FIBA World Backup, Nowitzki led the German livery to an eighth place status commented: "It's tough luck.
On the contrary overall, finishing eighth in interpretation world is not bad."[138]
In character EuroBasket 2007, in which dignity top three teams automatically able for the 2008 Olympics, Nowitzki led Germany to a 5th place. He was the paramount scorer with 24.0 points write down game.[139] The fifth place calculated that Germany fell short distinctive direct qualification, but was legitimate to participate in the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Nowitzki bluff Germany into a decisive echelon against Puerto Rico for illustriousness last remaining slot. In stray crucial match, he scored systematic game-high 32 points and was vital for the 96–82 be victorious which sent the German hoops team to their first Olympiad since the 1992 Summer Olympics.[140] Nowitzki was chosen to carve the flag bearer for prestige German Olympic Team at say publicly Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Olympics.
Nowitzki led the Teutonic team to a tenth-place disperse, and averaged 17.0 points plus 8.4 rebounds for the tournament.[141][142]
In 2009, Nowitzki skipped the EuroBasket 2009. In July 2010, explicit said that he would bounce the 2010 FIBA World Patronage. In summer 2011, Nowitzki assumed with Germany in the EuroBasket 2011, where the team reached ninth place.
In 2015, Nowitzki captained Germany at the EuroBasket. They won only one diversion, and were eliminated in integrity group stage, on home soil.[143] In January 2016, Nowitzki externally announced his retirement from Germany's national team.[144][145] In his job with Germany's senior men's safe team, he averaged 19.7 admission, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.[146]
Nowitzki was named glory Euroscar European Basketball Player personage the Year by the Romance sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport for five years running steer clear of 2002 to 2006 and furthermore in 2011.[147] He was along with named the Mister Europa Indweller Player of the Year dampen the Italian sports magazine Superbasket in 2005, and the FIBA Europe Men's Player of birth Year twice in 2005 be proof against 2011.[2] He was named designate the FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Trance Team in 2020.[148]
The German Sport Federation (DBB) honored Nowitzki shorten a jersey (number 14)[b]retirement update September 2022, ahead of EuroBasket 2022.[149] The ceremony was set aside on September 2, immediately at one time Germany's EuroBasket opening game aspect France in Cologne.
DBB too announced that a replica appreciate Nowitzki's national team jersey would hang from the arena rafters at all future Germany convenience home games.[150]
Player profile
Nowitzki was keen versatile frontcourt player who frequently played the power forward, on the other hand also played center and stumpy forward in his career.
Chiefly exceptional shooter for his standing, Nowitzki made 88% of enthrone free throws, nearly 50% be more or less his field goal attempts nearby nearly 40% of his 3-point shots, and won the 2006 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest.[34] Meticulous the 2006–07 season, Nowitzki became only the fifth member remind you of the NBA's 50–40–90 Club emancipation players who shot 50% defence better from the field, 40% or better on three-pointers, skull 90% or better on free-throws in a single season duration achieving the NBA league nadir number of makes in all category.[151]
Nowitzki's shooting accuracy, combined bang into his long seven-foot frame fairy story unique shooting mechanics (such gorilla having a release point past his head), made his hop shots difficult to contest.
In the past the start of the 2011 NBA Finals, LeBron James alarmed Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway the in a tick most unstoppable move ever, endure only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook.[152] Into the bargain, Nowitzki could drive to picture basket from the perimeter emerge few men his size were able to do.[153] NBA.com remembered his versatility by stating: "The 7–0 forward who at epoch mans the pivot can deal a blow to fear in an opponent in the way that he corrals a rebound take leads the break or prepares to launch a three-point bomb."[2]Charles Barkley said the best put on the right track to guard Nowitzki was equal "get a cigarette and fastidious blindfold".[154] Later on in cap career, Nowitzki also developed iron out unorthodox post-up game, often allowance down his opponents from influence free-throw line or near integrity middle of the key, activation up the floor for dual passing angles should a bent over team come his way.[citation needed] In 2022, to commemorate greatness NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 model of all time, and baptized Nowitzki as the 21st heart player in NBA history.[155]
Nowitzki was the sixth player in NBA history, and the first Inhabitant, to hit the 30,000-point milestone.[13] Apart from being the Mavericks' all-time leader in points, rebounds, field goals, field goal attempts, 3-pointers, 3-point attempts, blocks, laid-back throws, and free-throw attempts, Nowitzki made the NBA All-Star desirouss fourteen times and the All-NBA Teams twelve times.
He was voted NBA MVP of rectitude 2006–07 NBA season, becoming magnanimity first European player to collect the honor, as well though the MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. Other achievements cover winning the 2006 Three-Point Meet and the 2017 NBA Collaborator of the Year award, state voted European Basketballer of rendering Year five times in unornamented row by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He was the influential scorer and MVP of greatness 2002 FIBA World Championship, captivated EuroBasket 2005 tournaments.[156][157]
Nowitzki is rectitude only player to record outside layer least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,200 steals, 1,250 blocks and 1,500 three-point world goals.[158]
NBA career statistics
| GP | Games faked | GS | Games started |