NJNJ Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Nine years ago, Dirk Nowitzki(notes) was being championed as a should-be All-Star by Charles Barkley, in Barkley's first season on TNT's "Inside the NBA." Actually, perhaps that's not the best place to start. Ten years ago, Dirk Nowitzki was putting up 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, remarkable numbers for his first full season as a starter, and at only 21 years of age. Mark Cuban had just bought the Dallas Mavericks a week earlier, the team was about to threaten for a playoff berth and the future looked bright. Not the best place to begin, either. Twelve years ago, Dirk Nowitzki was just starting to gain some steam as an unknown possible entrant into the 1998 draft, based on a dominant performance the summer before against a group of U.S. juniors. Again, wrong. Hard to find some drama in this guy's, um, basketball life. OK, 11 terrible years ago, Dirk Nowitzki was about to start his rookie season. One that would see him bounced in and out of the Dallas lineup even after Mavericks coach Don Nelson guaranteed he'd win the Rookie of the Year award. He looked unsure and lacking confidence at times, and his play (relative to the rest of the league) was subpar. Subpar! And, really, despite all the nasty growing pains in that truncated lockout season, Dirk's averages of eight points and three rebounds in 20 minutes at age 20? While acclimating to a new league, a new language, a new lifestyle and a new position? Pretty remarkable. CONTINUE READING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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