The future of Dirk Nowitzki's legendary career is still uncertain. Dirk revealed that his decision to retire will be based solely on his health. He said that if he ends the season healthy like last season, he will still play in the NBA.
The 39-year-old German power forward is entering his 20th season in the NBA after being drafted ninth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA draft.
Dirk Nowitzki's journey in the NBA
After being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, Dirk Nowitzki together with Pat Garrity was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Robert Taylor.
Dirk spent all of his 20 seasons with one team and one team only, the Dallas Mavericks.
Dirk Nowitzki has had quite a few accolades and has received numerous awards. Dirk is a 13-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA team member, the Most Valuable Player awardee for the 2006-2007 NBA season, a one-time NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks, and a one-time Finals Most Valuable Player awardee.
Nowitzki started all of the 54 games that he had played in the past NBA season and averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He averages 21.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game throughout his entire career.
Dirk and Dallas' 2016-2017 NBA season
The Dallas Mavericks finished 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 33-49. Dirk Nowitzki was great going into the season but an Achilles injury in his right foot caused him to be sidelined for two months.
Dallas started last season with a 3-17 record and failed to recover. The Dallas Mavericks was ranked 25th on offense and 15th on defense.
Despite all these, there were a few bright spots for the Mavericks in the past NBA season.
Harrison Barnes, whom Dallas signed to a $95 million over a four-year contract, led Dallas in scoring last year. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.
The emergence of young guards like Yogi Ferrell and Seth Curry was also one of the few highlights of Dallas' season.
Both Ferrell and Curry averaged over ten points per contest and shot over 40 percent from three.
The Mavericks were also able to get consistent contributions from veterans in the likes of Wesley Matthews, Deron Williams, JJ Barea, and Nerlens Noel.
Dirk Nowitzki is considered to be one of the greatest if not the greatest foreign player to play in the NBA. Dirk is a proven scorer and is also a proven clutch performer in the NBA throughout his entire career.
