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Dirk Nowitzki

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Five time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA member and the only player in NBA history to register 150 three-point field goals and 100 blocks in a season.

All of this and the poor guy is barely recognized in his home land of Germany, because some soccer player is king of the public.

Dirk Nowitzki was the first Dallas Mavericks player to be named to an All-NBA team in 2000-01. He is also the first Maverick to ever be selected to an All-NBA First Team while putting up career numbers in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Despite all of these accomplishments in the U.S. and just recently being named Europe’s Player of the Year, Nowitzki still plays second fiddle to soccer player Michael Ballack in Germany.

That’s not to say Nowitzki is complaining, however, as he is considered a superstar in Dallas and for Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Nowitzki’s style of play has been compared to Boston Celtic great Larry Bird. He is obviously considered a big man at 7’0”, who can play a physical game down low in the paint. But he also has the shooting range that could nail a 3-pointer from behind the arc, making him multi threat every time he steps onto the court.

Nowitzki possesses a good fadeaway jumper, which is often impossible 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.

But who is complaining about Nowitzki’s game now? The power forward has led the Marvericks to their first Western Conference Championship and their first trip to the NBA Finals.

Even though Dirk has never captured an M.V.P. trophy to go along with his dazzling career, one is sure to follow if he keeps the Mavericks in contention year after year. He did finish third in M.V.P. voting two years in a row (2005, 2006).

As far as the NBA is concrned, he is on an Island by himself with a comination of size and rare shooting ability. And perhaps most importantly for players outside of the U.S., NBA teams are already scrambling to find the next Dirk Noitzki.

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News and Commentary

Dirk a World apart
In his native land of Germany, Dirk Nowitzki is far from a star. Money quote:

"It's just not that important here in Germany if Dirk is in the Finals," said Patrick Kull, a reporter from Die Welt, a national newspaper based in Berlin. "If he wins the championship, then we'll pay much more attention."

Time.com Person of the Week: Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki became Time.com’s Person of the Week not only for his lofty NBA stats, but for also fulfilling a promise of globalization through basketball.

World of talent: Dirk more than a player of import
Dirk Nowitzki’s impressive style has NBA teams scouring Europe for the next big man who can also shoot.

Nowitzki honored by Player of the Year status
Dirk Nowitzki was named the 2006 Europe Player of the Year. Here is a full interview with the Dallas Maverick superstar on winning the award.

Dirk named first team All-NBA
Dirk Nowitzki was named firs team All-NBA for the second consecutive year in 2006.

On a role: Dirk Nowitzki is erasing any doubts about his ability to be the Mavericks' leading man
The Sporting News goes deep into how Dirk Nowitzki is taking aim at being the Dallas Mavericks franchise player.