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Dirk Beginning to Take New Role With Mavericks

By Evan Siegel

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Mavs defeated the Nets 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Mavs defeated the Nets 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks are the luckiest team in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki’s unconditional loyalty makes him one of the most beloved players in the NBA, and this coming season will be another example of his incredible character.

Dirk Nowitzki’s 20th season with the Dallas Mavericks will solidify him as one of the sport’s most loyal and unique players in its 71 year history. Nowitzki’s all-time great status is indisputable, but this season will feature Nowitzki in a far different vein than what we are all used to.

The Mavericks have entered a rebuilding phase, there is no question about it. Despite the rebuild appearance, the Mavs have kept enough veterans on the roster to keep them mildly competitive in the saturated western conference.

DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Seth Curry #30 Harrison Barnes #40 Dirk Nowitzki #41 Wesley Matthews #23 and Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks pose for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Seth Curry #30 Harrison Barnes #40 Dirk Nowitzki #41 Wesley Matthews #23 and Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks pose for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dallas will emphasize playing to their strengths this season. The team is loaded with talented on-ball defenders, something Nowitzki has never excelled at. Now at his advanced age of thirty-nine, Nowitzki is a complete liability on that end of the floor, forcing Rick Carlisle to try to hide Nowitzki on defense.

Dallas Mavericks

Offensively, the Mavericks would ideally like to play an up-tempo, fast-break oriented style that can showcase Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes, and Seth Curry. The Mavs’ offense has more talent than it looks on paper, considering their starting lineup features multiple players known for their defensive capability.

Nowitzki is beginning to take a long-term role with the Mavericks.  A mentoring figure by nature, Nowitzki is beginning to focus on making the team’s young, developmental players as impactful as possible. While all the noise is surrounding Dennis Smith Jr., Seth Curry, Dorian Finney-Smith and Nerlens Noel are all extremely important players in the Mavs’ rebuild.

Nowitzki no longer fits the Mavs’ offensive or defensive scheme and game plan. The Mavs are right to send Dirk off as gracefully as possible, but his playing time, numbers, and impact on the game will genuinely diminish this season.

If the Mavs surprise us and begin to have a chance to make the postseason, Nowitzki may return to his old playing time stats and become more of a force with the team, but as the organization begins to shift into a post-Dirk world, they are rightly beginning to prepare for it ahead of time.

Next: Mavs Open Practice: Is Salah the Odd Man Out?

Nowitzki is one of the most likable and respected athletes in all of sports, and this year will only be another example of his unwavering loyalty and team-first mentality.

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