Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki is all class all the time

The news that every Dallas Mavericks fan has been dreading was finally made official last night. LeBron James has passed Dirk Nowitzki on the NBA All-Time Scoring List. Of course, Dirk’s response was all class.

It was just a matter of time until the news finally came. Yesterday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played against the San Antonio Spurs, and in the process of the game, became 6th on the NBA All-Time Scoring list. This is especially meaningful for the Dallas Mavericks because it means that King James has officially passed Dirk Nowitzki.

Yes, it’s true. The likelihood of Mavs superstar forward, Dirk, joining the top 5 in all-time scoring is very, very slim at this point. Had he played in the Mavs first five games, he would have been able to keep LeBron James at bay a little longer. Even still, it seemed more likely than not that James was going to catch Dirk before Dirk caught Wilt Chamberlain.

It just seems a little unfair that Dirk couldn’t get his spot in the top 5, even for a few days. I mean, you can literally name the people on one hand who have done what he has. Injuries at the end of last season and the start of this one have held back his productivity, but he is still very likely to pass Wilt Chamberlain during this season.

Dirk is currently 215 points away from passing Chamberlain. If he scores an average of 12-15 points per game, it would only take him between 15-20 games to get past Wilt. LeBron is averaging over 27 points per game with the Lakers right now. There is really no feasible way Dirk would have passed Wilt before LeBron.

When Dirk was asked about LBJ passing him on the scoring list, his response was all class.

In an interview with Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Dirk said, “”If he stays healthy, the way he’s looking and moving, he has a chance at Kareem.”

This is one of many instances in which Dirk has vocally praised the incredible play of LeBron James. James almost always has nothing but praises in return for Dirk.

“Dirk’s always been one of my favorite players, and I think Shaq is the most dominant player to ever play this game. So for me to be in the same conversation with those guys in anything that we’re talking about as far as basketball, it’s a tribute,” said James after the game in which he passed both of these players.

Some of the greatest players to ever pick up a basketball and there is no doubt here that game definitely recognizes game. Congratulations to LeBron James and we look forward to he and Dirk both cementing their names in the top 6 scorers of all time.