In an agreement with the infamous Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki will not be playing for him homeland Germany in the European Championship next month. Dirk seems fine with the decision as Cuban has let him represent his country every year since he joined the Mavs.
I don’t blame Cuban, who is looking to get the Mavs back to the NBA Finals. I don’t think they have any chance to compete with the Los Angeles Lakers, new-look San Antonio Spurs, or the Denver Nuggets for the top spot in the West, but with Dirk on the squad you never know. Also, if I was paying somebody’s $19.8M contract next year (according to HoopsHype), I wouldn’t want them playing anywhere, but for me. Injuries happen all the time, as was seen with Tony Parker several weeks back when he was playing for his native-France team. Plus, this will be Dirk’s 12th season with the Mavs, who have payed him an estimated $125M, including this year!
This Nike-sponsored athlete is coming off of a monstrous year. The 7-footer who can do just about everything other than guard the other team’s PG (or anybody for that matter…just joking) averaged a ridiculous 25.9 points (4th in the NBA) and 8.4 rebounds last year. He made his 9th consecutive All-NBA Team (1st Team for the 4th time in his career) and 8th straight All-Star Game.
Cuban was quick to point out that Dirk “is not retiring from International Competition.” This is just a one year handshake agreement. I think that is a classy and understandable move by somebody who is so often picked apart by the media.
Random Fact: Dirk Nowitzki is the second Dirk to play in the NBA. From 1985-88, Dirk Minniefield played for the Cavs, Rockets, Warriors, and Celtics.
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Do you call this writing? Don’t write about Dirty Dirk if you expect Americans to read this…and cut your hair
I want Americans and everybody to read it. Dirty Dirk is the man.