Dirk Set for Vacay – Instead Named an All Star

Dirk was halfway to Florida after the Mavs defeated Utah Wednesday…okay, not really. Sounded like he was set for a family vacation, but moments later turned out he’d been called on to his 13th All-Star selection, replacing New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis.

With the Mavs finishing up the “first-half” of the season, no players had made the All-Star game, which takes place Sunday in New York City.

In the locker room, one big question was “what are you doing for the break” – Mark Cuban was going to NYC for a conference, bringing along his family, Monta Ellis said he would stay in Dallas. “Ya know, you been doing this for 10 years, I don’t need me spending no money right now.”

Then there was Dirk. Let’s set up the Q&A: “This is really different for you, not going to the ASG – what are you going to do with your time down?”

“Leave town a little bit, enjoy my time away and hopefully come recharged – come right out of the gate with OKC and the Rockets, get away a little bit and somewhat stay fit.”

Dirk jokingly wouldn’t tell the media where he was headed.

Nowitzki becomes the 12th player in NBA history with 13 or more ASG selections, joining the likes of Kareem, Kobe, Duncan, KG, Shaq, MJ, Malone, Jerry West, Wilt, Cousy and Havlicek.

Rick Carlisle — “Well, he’ll make the best of it (chuckles). No matter how you look at it, it’s a great honor and he is deserving – which game is this, 13th – how many guys have played more than that. It’s a short list and he’s compiling one of the all time great resumes in NBA history and this is part of it and so we’re proud of him. It’s a little disappointing that he can’t just kind of disappear and enjoy some real off time but this is one of the responsibilities that comes with greatness and he understands that.”

During last year’s game in New Orleans, Dirk played all but eight minutes, going 0 for 2 (one missed 3-pointer) and had one rebound.

Next: Mavs Look to Head Into All-Star Break in One Piece

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