Dirk Nowitzki gets 11th All-Star nod
Dirk Nowitzki said his sluggish start wasn’t deserving of an 11th consecutive All-Star selection. Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and the majority of his Western Conference counterparts disagreed with the reigning Finals MVP.
Despite posting some of his lowest numbers since his rookie season while being hobbled by a sore right knee, Nowitzki was announced Thursday as one of seven reserves for the West squad and will be the lone representative for the defending champs.
The Mavs avoided the distinction of becoming the first reigning champion in NBA history not to be represented in the mid-season showcase. The first All-Star game was played in 1951 and no team without an All-Star selection has ever gone on to win the championship.
Head coaches picked seven reserves from their respective conferences. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love and Portland Trailblazers forward and Dallas native LaMarcus Aldridge were selected as expected. Nowitzki nipped All-Star hopefuls Pau Gasol, Rudy Gay and Paul Millsap.
They’ll join Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant and power dunker Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. They won the fan vote and will start the Feb. 26 game in Orlando, likely the first of a long All-Star run as a starting tandem.
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Jeff Caplan
ESPNDallas.com
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Jeff "Skin" Wade
Jeff Wade joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN, and also works as sideline analyst for the TV broadcast of all Maverick home games.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast ESPN's Stephen A. Smith chimes in on the Dallas Mavericks' season, their free agency plans and more.
Play Podcast Mike and Mike join Ben and Skin to discuss Jerry Jones' window and the Mavs future. They don't see Dirk Nowitzki leaving even if the Mavs miss out on the dream of Deron Williams or Dwight Howard.
Play Podcast Mavs F Dirk Nowitzki says he's too old to stay with a rebuilding franchise but couldn't imagine himself leaving the city of Dallas.
Play Podcast Is the Dwight Howard to the Mavs dream alive? Dwight still wants out of Orlando and it could open the door for the Mavs to put a proposal together.
Play Podcast Mavs guard Delonte West dishes on his desire to return to the Mavs, his relationship with Lebron James and how he ended up hanging out with Dez Bryant over the weekend.
Play Podcast Ben and Skin discuss the three most important figures for the Rangers, Mavs, and Cowboys. Who is the most vital to the ultimate success of each organization?
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.4 | ||||||||||
| Assists | J. Kidd | 5.5 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Kidd | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.3 | ||||||||||
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