Dirk Nowitzki

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Dirk Nowitzki
Position Power forward, small forward, center
Height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Weight 245 lb (111 kg)
Team Dallas Mavericks
Nationality Flag of Germany Germany
Born June 19, 1978
Würzburg, West Germany
Draft 9th overall, 1998
Milwaukee Bucks
Pro career 1998 – present
Awards Five-time All-Star
Six-time All-NBA
World Championships 2002 MVP
Eurobasket 2005 MVP
2006 All-Star Three-Point Shootout Champion

Dirk Werner Nowitzki (born June 19, 1978 in Würzburg, West Germany) is a German basketball player for the United States' National Basketball Association's (NBA) Dallas Mavericks. Standing at 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in), Nowitzki is an all-purpose forward, able to play any position in the frontcourt (center, power forward, or small forward). Nowitzki is one of the best players in the NBA today, as well as arguably the best European player of all time. Although there have been numerous German players in the NBA, in 2006 Nowitzki became just the second German-born player (after Detlef Schrempf) to make it to the Finals.

Contents

[edit] Early life

A native of Würzburg, Nowitzki came from an athletic family; his father was a handball player, his mother was a member of the German women's national basketball team, and his older sister played basketball in the United States at Duquesne University. Nowitzki was sporadically recruited by U.S. colleges as a teenager in Germany, and seriously considered attending Pennsylvania State University, but those plans were dashed when he was drafted into a civil service regiment of the German military, where he served from September 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. However, he was allowed to continue playing pro basketball over the weekends. [1]

He was first noticed by the NBA world when a team of American pro stars, including Scottie Pippen, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton and Charles Barkley, came to Germany and played an exhibition game against a German national youth team in September 1997. During the game, Nowitzki dunked over Charles Barkley. Barkley saw a future superstar in the gangly German teenager and later admitted to offering to pay him "any amount of money he wanted if he would come to his alma mater, Auburn." [2], [3]

Nowitzki did not truly gain international attention, however, until the March 1998 Nike Hoop Summit in San Antonio, Texas, where he notched 33 points and 14 rebounds to lead a team of international juniors to a surprise victory over a U.S. junior team. [4]

[edit] NBA career

[edit] Early years

Nowitzki decided to declare for the 1998 NBA Draft at the age of 20. He had a promise from Boston Celtics head coach Rick Pitino that his team would take him with the 10th overall selection. However, one other team was interested in the German prospect: the Dallas Mavericks, and they selected him just one pick earlier. Technically, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, but the Bucks were selecting for the Mavericks; the two teams had a pre-arranged deal. The Mavericks had likewise selected Robert "Tractor" Traylor for the Bucks with the sixth pick. Even though the two teams were selecting for each other, the Nowitzki-for-Traylor deal has gone down as one of the most infamous and lopsided trades ever. The Mavericks also got the draft rights to nineteenth-overall pick Pat Garrity, but that same draft, Garrity was traded (along with other players and future draft considerations) to the Phoenix Suns for young point guard Steve Nash. On that night, the Dallas Mavericks acquired the two pieces on which they would build their franchise for years to come.

Mavs GM Don Nelson touted Nowitzki as the sure-fire 1998-99 Rookie of the Year at the draft, a lofty expectation for a 20-year-old who was in the U.S. for the first time. Dallas fans were understandably upset, then, when Nowitzki looked lost when on the floor in mop-up minutes as a rookie. Determined to prove that he could be a force in the NBA, Nowitzki returned to Germany in the 1999 offseason, working hard on sharpening his total game. The summer of work helped immensely, as Nowitzki emerged as a starter and future star in 1999-2000, when he averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, finishing second in voting for the league's Most Improved Player.

The following season (2000-01), he averaged 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds and became the first Maverick to be named to the All-NBA team, making the third team.

[edit] The All-Star

In 2001-02, Nowitzki averaged 23.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He made his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. He was again selected to the All-NBA team, this time on the second team. In the following summer, he played on the German national team that finished third at the FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis and was named the tournament MVP.

Before the 2002-03 season, he was named in a survey of NBA general managers as the league's top international player. He met those expectations; he matched his 2001-02 rebound average and increased his scoring average to a career-high 25.1 points. He was again selected to the All-Star Game and the All-NBA second team.

He suffered through nagging ankle injuries in 2003-04, but still managed to finish in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring, at 21.8 ppg, and added 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He was again selected for the All-Star Game, and again made the All-NBA team, this time on the third team. Nowitzki was one of the Mavericks' few bright spots in a five-game loss to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2004 playoffs, averaging 26.6 points and 11.8 rebounds for the series.

[edit] The franchise player

Before the 2004-05 NBA season, Nowitzki's best friend Steve Nash left Dallas and returned to the Phoenix Suns as a free agent after Mavericks owner Mark Cuban refused to match Phoenix's offer. Without Nash, many feared Nowitzki's game would falter, but precisely the opposite occurred. Nowitzki would score 26.1 points a game, a career-high, and net 9.7 rebounds. His 1.5 blocks and 3.1 assists were also career numbers. On December 2, 2004, Nowitzki scored 53 points in an overtime win against the Houston Rockets, a career best.

Nowitzki was voted to the first team All-NBA squad for the 2004-05 season, although the Mavericks were ousted from the playoffs by the Nash-led Suns. That season Nowitzki also placed third in the league's MVP voting, behind Nash and Shaquille O'Neal. By being elected to the first team All-NBA, Nowitzki became the first player who did not attend a United States high school or college to be on the All-NBA first team.

Disappointed in his team's early exit from the playoffs, Nowitzki looked forward to the next season. Teammate Michael Finley was waived over the summer, and now Nowitzki was the last player remaining from the Mavericks' "Big Three" of Nash, Finley, and himself. He was now the unequivocal leader of the team.

Under the tutelage of coach and former teammate Avery Johnson, who acceded to the head coach position when Don Nelson stepped down late in the 2004-05 season, Nowitzki made strides in his inside game. Long considered as a "soft" jump shooter in the mold of many European players, Nowitzki cut back on his three-point attempts and concentrated on his inside game. He went on to have another career year, with averages of 26.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He improved his shooting percentage, setting personal season records in field goals (48.0%), three-point shots (40.6%) and free throws (90.1%). On January 3, 2006, Nowitzki broke a Mavericks franchise record, previously held by Nash, by making his 50th consecutive free throw. On January 6, his record streak ended at 60. During the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston, Nowitzki scored 18 points to defeat Seattle Supersonics guard Ray Allen in the Three-Point Shootout contest.

Perhaps more importantly, under Johnson, a coach nicknamed "The Little General" for his diminutive height and born leadership, Nowitzki learned to lead his team by example, and he paced the Mavericks to a 60-win season. The team finished with the third-best record in the league, behind the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs and defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons. As in the 2004-05 season, he finished third in the league's MVP voting, this time behind Nash and LeBron James. He was again elected to the first team All-NBA squad.

Nowitzki would confirm his superstar status in earnest during the playoffs as he averaged 27.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. The Mavericks would sweep the Memphis Grizzlies (in Game 3 he would convert a wild three-point attempt to tie the game and force overtime) and defeat the San Antonio Spurs in seven gruelling games (in Game 7, with the Mavs down by 3, he converted on a three-point play and forced overtime) to advance to the Western Conference Finals, where they would again meet Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. Nowitzki scored 50 points to lead the Mavericks to a victory in the crucial Game 5 with the series tied 2-2; the Mavericks would go on to win in six games and face the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals. Of Nowitzki's performance, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons would remark, "Dirk is playing at a higher level than any forward since Bird." [5] The Mavericks lost the Finals series 4-2 to the Heat after leading 2-0.

Nowitzki, the first European player to become an NBA superstar, is thought by some to be leading a revolution in how the game is played. Helped by rule changes meant to discourage contact and increase scoring in response to flagging interest in the league and the poor performance of American players in international competition, the NBA game has gone from a tough, grinding affair to a more finesse-oriented game, as evidenced by the recent success of teams such as the Mavericks and Suns who place a premium on speed and scoring rather than size and physicality. Miami Heat center, 2000 NBA MVP, and three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal said of Nowitzki, "The game is changing and the rules are changing. The NBA centers are going more toward the European player. I tell my kids you won't be able to play the game your daddy played. It's becoming a different game. He is where the big-man game will be in four or five years. When you talk great big men, it'll be based on whether guys can play like Dirk or not. Stepping out, shooting the three, midrange game and the low-post game. I'm going to actually let my children watch his game." [6]

Nowitzki is tied with Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers for sixth place among active players who have played their entire NBA career for one team (8 seasons). (Kevin Garnett leads all active players, having played 11 seasons for the Minnesota Timberwolves.)

[edit] Playing style

Nowitzki is one of the best shooters in the NBA, capable of shooting a high percentage from both medium range and beyond the three-point line, an exceptional skill for a 7-foot forward. His tall frame makes it difficult for defenders to guard and contest his jump shots. Nowitzki utilizes a fadeaway jumper which is difficult to block, and he is outstanding at the free throw line (over 90% in 2006). Some critics note that, for a man of his size, he should be able to score more from the low post, although in recent years his inside game has improved. Dirk also has perhaps the most effective high post game in the NBA today. He often receives a pass near the top of the key and brings the ball down to the low post to score on a drive. This element of his game has developed mostly in the past year.

Nowitzki was a great complement to former teammate Steve Nash on the pick and roll. Though Nowitzki now has to create his own offense more without the benefit of Nash's pinpoint passes, he was able to adjust to the change fairly easily with a combination of driving and stopping in the lane for jump shots.

Early in his career, Nowitzki had a reputation for lackluster defense; one critic joked that Nowitzki should be referred to as "Irk" because "he had no D[efense]."[citation needed] However, Nowitzki's defense has improved under the tutelage of current Dallas coach Avery Johnson. Recently, Nowitzki notched a career high in blocks on January 6, 2006, with 7 against the Denver Nuggets. In comparison to his shooting ability and his improved defense, note that Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to register at least 150 three-point field goals and 100 blocks in a season (he had 151 three-point field goals and 101 blocks in the 2000-01 season), which is a remarkable result for a forward to be able to face the best guards inside the NBA beyond the three-point line and simultaneously matching the blockers on his power forward position.

Nowitzki is frequently compared to Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, as both are considered among the best shooters of all-time and both are prolific scorers. Both Bird and Nowitzki are three-point contest champs and excellent free-throw shooters. However, those who make such comparisons acknowledge that Bird had a more developed all-around game and was a better passer, defender, and clutch player. Also, Bird was an immediate sensation in the league winning the Rookie of the Year honors, while Nowitzki, who entered the league three years younger than Bird, took some time to develop. Nowitzki's scoring pace has now caught up to Bird's, but his rebounding and ball sense still fall short; Nowitzki has never averaged more than 10 rebounds per game in a season, while Bird, in the first six years of his career, never averaged fewer than 10. [7] [8]

As a side note, Dirk chose his number 41 because he wore 14 during his early days; but when he joined the Mavs, the 14 was taken by Robert Pack. Nowitzki decided to switch the digits and wore 41 from then. [9]

[edit] Awards/achievements

[edit] NBA highlights

  • 5-time NBA All-Star: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • 6-time All-NBA:
  • First Team: 2005, 2006
  • Second Team: 2002, 2003
  • Third Team: 2001, 2004
  • NBA-MVP:
  • Third Place: 2005, 2006
  • Fourth in free throw percentage (90.1): 2006
  • Seventh in points per game (26.6): 2006
  • NBA regular-season leader, PER: 2006 (28.1) [10]
  • 2-time NBA regular-season leader, Win Shares: 2005 (47), 2006 (52) [11]
  • NBA All-Star Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout Champion: 2006

[edit] Lifetime stats

Regular season, after the 2005-06 season

  • Games: 603
  • PTS: 13,257
  • PPG: 22,0
  • RPG: 8.5
  • APG: 2.5
  • SPG: 1.0
  • BPG: 1.0
  • FG%: .466
  • 3P%: .379
  • FT%: .863

Postseason, after the 2006 playoffs

  • Games: 76
  • PTS: 1,952
  • PPG: 25.7
  • RPG: 11.1
  • APG: 2.4
  • SPG: 1.3
  • BPG: 1.0
  • FG%: .449
  • 3P%: .389
  • FT%: .881

[edit] Milestones

  • Became the only player in NBA history to register 150 three-point field goals and 100 blocks in a season (he had 151 three-point field goals and 101 blocks in the 2000-01 season)
  • Became the first player in Dallas Mavericks history to be named to an All-NBA team (2000-01), and is the only Maverick to be named to an All-NBA First Team (2004-05 and 2005-06)
  • Became the first player in NBA history who did not attend a United States high school or college to be on the All-NBA first team (2004-05)
  • Became the third player in NBA history (after Rick Barry and Larry Bird) to average 26-plus points while shooting 90% or better from the line (2005-06)
  • Surpassed the 10,000 point plateau in his career on January 18, 2005 against the Washington Wizards.

[edit] Dallas Mavericks franchise records

[edit] Other

  • Named MVP and was the leading scorer of the 2002 Basketball World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, winning the bronze medal with the German national team
  • Named MVP and was the leading scorer of the 2005 European Championship, winning the silver medal with the German national team
  • Named FIBA European Basketball Player of the Year in 2005.
  • Named European Basketball Player of the Year by Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Runner-up in the 2005 edition of Germany's Athlete of the Year Award (Sportler des Jahres)
  • Nicknamed the "German Sensation"
  • He is the tallest NBA player to win the 3-point shootout at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m).

[edit] Personal life

  • The low-key, humble Nowitzki prefers to keep his private life sheltered. In his biography German Wunderkind, he mentions he has a girlfriend
  • In his free time, Nowitzki is an avid saxophone player. Dirk picked up the skill as a teenager, when his coach, Holger Geschwindner, made him learn the instrument as a way of teaching him the art of improvisation, something Nowitzki would need to do on the court as well
  • Is the godfather of close friend and former teammate Steve Nash's daughters
  • Nowitzki's most popular nicknames are German Wunderkind, The Dunking Deutschman, Dirk Diggler after the infamous pornstar from Boogie Nights and Dirk the Work for his immaculate work ethic. At the beginning of his career, he was also called Irk because "he had no D", making fun of his subpar defensive game
  • Nowitzki has been lauded throughout his career for his work ethic [12]. In an April 2006 interview with German tabloid Sport-BILD he stated, that he admires Larry Bird for his combination of skills, work ethic and winner mentality. [13]

[edit] In popular culture

  • Nowitzki became a victim of the famous prank show Punk'd, set up by his then-teammate Michael Finley. In that episode, Finley and Nowitzki are eating dinner in a restaurant when a boy (Rob Pinkston) recognizes Nowitzki and asks him to autograph ridiculous amounts of merchandise (Nowitzki signs two Lakers hats and a LeBron James jersey).
  • Sportfreunde Stiller wrote the song "Dirk, wie ist die Luft dort oben?" (Dirk, how is the air up there?) about Nowitzki for the album Burli.
  • Dirk had a stint in the movie Like Mike with Steve Nash and Michael Finley, playing the guitar.
  • Nowitzki once remarked that he hums the tune Looking For Freedom by David Hasselhoff to relax before taking free throws. The song was a big hit in Germany when Nowitzki was a youth. During the 2006 NBA finals, a Miami radio station handed out papers with Hasselhoff's face to the fans sitting behind the baskets for Nowitzki. In addition, Miami fans chanted "David Hasselhoff" when Nowitzki visited the free throw line in an attempt to distract his concentration. [14]

[edit] References

    [edit] External links

    EA Sports NBA Live Cover Athletes

    '95: 1994 NBA Finals action shot | '96: Shaquille O'Neal | '97: Mitch Richmond | '98: Tim Hardaway | '99: Antoine Walker | '00: Tim Duncan | '01: Kevin Garnett | '02: Steve Francis | '03: Jason Kidd | '04: Vince Carter | '05: Carmelo Anthony | '06: Dwyane Wade, Yuta Tabuse (Japanese cover) | '07: Tracy McGrady, Pau Gasol (Spanish cover), Boris Diaw & Tony Parker (French cover), Dirk Nowitzki (German cover)
    Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/i/r/Dirk_Nowitzki_4f5b.html"