The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

40 moments to celebrate Dirk Nowitzki’s 40th birthday

By Jasmyn Wimbish

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Center Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks on before an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Center Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks on before an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next

31. Game-winner vs. Lakers

This game-winner is so memorable because not only was it against the Lakers, but despite Kobe Bryant being out for the game he still showed respect for Nowitzki after drilling the fade-away jumper right in front of him. Talk about game recognizing game. Dirk knocked down the jumper, turned around to see Kobe and the two exchanged friendly gestures. Afterward, Bryant mouthed to his teammates, “every time.” At least Kobe knows that Dirk is automatic.

32. Teammate of the Year award

We all know how great of a teammate Dirk has been over the years, but he was finally recognized on a larger scale in 2017 when he won the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award at the NBA Awards Show. Presented by former teammate Vince Carter, Dirk had to sneak in a joke by saying, “I’m pretty sure none of my teammates voted for me.” All jokes aside, as an award voted on by players this shows just how great it must be to play with an all-time great like Dirk.

33. 30K

DALLAS, TX – MARCH 7: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball to score his 30,000th career point during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 7, 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 Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 7: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball to score his 30,000th career point during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 7, 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 Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) /

On March 7, 2017 Dirk hit a milestone that only six others have done in NBA history. On his signature jumper Nowitzki hit his 30,000th bucket in his career. Currently Dirk sits sixth all-time in points scored in NBA history, and is only 223 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain for the No. 5 spot.

In the historic 30K game, Nowitzki finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Lakers. With another season guaranteed by Dirk, it’ll be exciting to see how many more points he still has left in him.

34. Loyalty to the Mavericks

It goes without saying that loyalty in professional sports is a thing of the past, and finding players who will stay with one franchise through the ups and downs is rare today. With that being said, the loyalty that Dirk Nowitzki showed to the Mavericks organization and MFFL’s everywhere is unparalleled. There were countless number of times Dirk could have joined another team to chase a title, especially after losing in 2006, but he didn’t.

Winning a title in Dallas with the only team he’s ever known was more important to him than joining another team with other superstars. Even after winning the title, when the Mavericks could have built on the momentum from 2011, Dirk stayed loyal to Dallas.

35. Paycuts

Not only was Nowitzki loyal to the Mavericks in terms of never leaving, financially Dirk always showed great generosity to Dallas. He could’ve asked for max contracts, and been the highest-paid player on the team, but the Mavericks’ financial future was more important to him than taking up most of the space on the payroll.

Currently there’s four players on the Mavs’ roster that are making more than Dirk’s $5 million contract, but he doesn’t care. Dirk epitomizes what it means to be an unselfish superstar.

Next: Dirk's greatest moments: 36-40

Home/Mavs News