The Smoking Cuban
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How Dirk Nowitzki Has Scored 30,000 Despite the Doubters

By Kohl Rast

Mar 3, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Today is a day that Mavericks fans will remember for a very long time. Dirk Nowitzki has now settled himself into NBA history as the 6th player to join the 30,000 club. And he has done so with more criticism than praise.

Wow, most of us knew this day was coming but were never sure when it was going to happen. After more than 18 seasons and more than 1,300 games overall, Dirk Nowitzki has joined one of the most elite groups in NBA history.

There are only 5 other players in league history that have done what Dirk accomplished today, and that is to break the 30,000 point threshold. Those players are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain. 4 of those players are Hall of Famers and the last will be a first ballot when he qualifies.

There are plenty of players in NBA history who have not received the amount of recognition that they probably deserved. In fact, Malone is 2nd in all time scoring only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and yet is one of the most forgotten players in league history. Why? Well the lack of rings of course.

Dirk, on the other hand, has a ring. He has an MVP award, a Finals MVP award, 13 All-Star appearances, the highest scoring foreign born NBA player in history, 4 All-NBA First Team Selections, and a member of the elite 50-40-90 club for a season. This feat has only been achieved 11 times in NBA history, four of which were by Steve Nash.

Yet with this completely stacked resume to his name, Nowitzki still has never been given the time of day that those in front of him (and many behind him) have been given. I have a few theories on why that is.

Next: The Unblockable Shot

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