Dallas Mavericks history: 5 all-time players we’re most thankful for

Dallas Mavericks history: 5 all-time players we’re most thankful for

The Dallas Mavericks take a back seat in the minds of Dallas sports fans every Thanksgiving as the Cowboys play their annual Turkey Day game. After a hectic and stressful year, Mavs fans should take a moment to remember some of their favorite players from the team’s 40-year history on this holiday.

Mavericks fans have been blessed with 21 years of Dirk Nowitzki, a young star in Luka Doncic, and a rich playoff history in the 1980s. Not every moment has been sweet. The Mavs had the worst record in the NBA in 1993 finishing with just 11 wins. Knowing what it feels like to be on both sides of the coin is a reason to be thankful for the team and its future.

The current Mavs should have fans excited. Doncic is a superstar at 21 years old. Dallas is moving into title contention built around two young stars. They have won one championship in their franchise’s history and even being mentioned in the conversation for future championships is exciting.

Dallas Mavericks fans have plenty of be thankful for this holiday season

Mavericks fans should not just be thankful for players. There have been plenty of people involved in the organization to be grateful for including first owner Don Carter, Marc Cuban as one of the best owners in sports, and Donnie Nelson for “finding” Dirk.

The Mavs have had a plethora of standout players. From Jason Kidd to Michael Finley, James Donaldson, and Shawn Marion there are way more than five players to be thankful for. So, how can one nail it down to just five? The following list is comprised of players who displayed not only the best talent but the most excitement and loyalty to the Dallas Mavericks organization.

Next: No. 5

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Dallas Mavericks players we’re thankful for: 5. Brad Davis

The Mavs have retired three players’ jerseys in team history. Dirk Nowitzki will soon join Brad Davis, Derrick Harper, and Rolando Blackman. Only one of those men has been involved with the organization since the beginning.

Davis bounced around the NBA and even ended up playing in Alaska before the Mavericks were formed as an expansion team. According to Mavs.com, “Brad Davis was on the verge of giving up on basketball when the Dallas Mavericks came calling.”

The 6’3 point guard had never averaged more than six points per game, but the Mavericks decided to take a chance on him. Davis remained a member of the team until he retired 12 years later at the age of 36. He was a strong contributor on the Maverick’s first playoff win, first series win, and their famous trip to the Western Conference Finals against the Los  Angeles Lakers in 1988.

Davis’ best statistical season was in 1982 when he averaged 12.1 points and 6.2 assists per game. In the following year, Davis also led the team in win shares at 7.4.

Besides his on the court presence, Mavs fans should be thankful for his commitment to the team after retirement. Davis has been a valued member of the Mavericks radio broadcast for many years and his love for the team deserves plenty of thanks from Mavs nation.

Next: No. 4

Dallas Mavericks players we’re thankful for: 4. Luka Doncic

While many Mavs fans are older than Luka and he has only been on the team for two years, the 21-year-old may be the most exciting prospect and talented player the franchise has ever had. Doncic has already become a walking record-breaking machine, won Rookie of the Year, and was named first-team All-NBA.

As a magician on the court, Luka led the league in triple-doubles and made every game must-watch television. his IQ, unbelievable finishes, step-backs, and passes should have fans giving thanks. The potential future championships and joy Luka will bring to the whole city of Dallas is something nobody should take for granted.

The team has already shown how much they appreciate Luka with their offseason acquisitions, and the fans should make sure to do the same so Luka never wants to leave Dallas. While it may seem premature to have Luka on this list, he should continue to rise and maybe even compete for the number one spot by the time his career comes to a close.

Luka should continue right where he left off last year and be an MVP candidate as he propels the Dallas Mavericks into championship contention. While there are always areas to improve and ways to criticize the team, make sure to be thankful for Luka Doncic not only during Thanksgiving but for the whole year.

Next: No. 3

Dallas Mavericks players we’re thankful for: 3. Steve Nash

Although Steve Nash only spent six of his 18 NBA seasons in Dallas, his impact on the Mavs both on and off the court cannot be understated. He was a wizard on the court. Nash always made the right pass and gave it his all, no matter how destroyed his body appeared to be. The 6’3 guard’s mentorship and friendship with Dirk Nowitzki changed the course of the Mavericks and the NBA forever.

While he was still playing and since he retired, Dirk constantly reveals that there was no way he would have stayed in Dallas after his rookie year without Nash. Without the Hall of Famer, Nowitzki would have returned to Germany and the Mavs would be a different franchise today. Nash helped the Mavericks GOAT acclimate to a new country and league.

Without Steve Nash, do the Mavericks win the title in 2011, does Dirk win an MVP, do other players start shooting a one-legged fade away, do big less big men become 3-point shooters? Mavericks fans should be thankful for Nash because there legitimately is no Dirk Nowitzki without the 6’3 point guard.

On the court, Nash also helped the Mavericks end their long playoff drought and was selected to two All-Star games during his time in Dallas. Every NBA fan knows the name Steve Nash, but Mavericks fans should make sure to hold a special place in their hearts for him.

Next: No. 2

Dallas Mavericks players we’re thankful for: 2. Rolando Blackman

Blackman’s Jersey hangs in the rafters of the American Airlines Center for his dominance on the court, and never-ending loyalty to the Dallas Mavericks franchise. After being one of the team’s first draft picks in 1981, he played 865 games and 11 seasons with the Mavs including making four All-Star appearances.

Blackman along with Derrick Harper, Mark Aguirre, and Brad Davis gave the city of Dallas a team they could be proud of and put them on the map in the NBA. In his best scoring season, Blackman averaged 21.5 points per game on 51.4 percent shooting. From the beginning of the organization, Blackman was one of the most exciting players for fans to watch.

From Moody Madness to the Western Conference Finals to making two free throws to send the 1987 All-Star game into overtime, Blackman helped give the Mavericks respect as a young franchise. Without Blackman, who knows what would have happened to the Mavs. They could have fallen deep into the shadows with the Cowboys in town.

Blackman achieved a top-five offensive win shares season and two seasons in the top 10 in scoring. No matter what happened, his commitment to the organization never wavered. According to RealGM, Blackman served as an assistant coach twice in 2001 and 2005, as well as the Director of Basketball operations since 2006 and as the head of Corporate Relations as of 2019.

From his shooting and scoring expertise to his loyalty and passion for the organization, Blackman has been there every step of the way and all Mavericks fans, no matter how old, should be thankful.

Next: No. 1

Dallas Mavericks players we’re thankful for: 1. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is the only player in Mavs history to be named regular season MVP, finals MVP, and lead the team to their only NBA championship. For 21 seasons, He displayed what it means to be selfless, hard-working, and passionate. Dirk was and continues to be a role model.

Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to play 21 seasons with one team, and he changed the way the NBA game is played. Before Dirk, big men did not shoot threes regularly, rarely put the ball on the floor, and nobody dared to attempt a one-legged fadeaway. Maverick’s fans will never be able to put into words what the Tall Baller from the G means to them and the rest of the world may not either.

In his playing days, Dirk achieved a 50/40/90 season. He averaged 21 points and seven rebounds per game during the 2011 championship run. Nowitzki stayed committed to Dallas regardless of what happened. He won a championship without any other All-Stars on his team and did it by taking down LeBron James’ big three in Miami.

Dirk already has a street named after him, his jersey will soon be retired, and he will have a statue in front of the American Airlines Center. Dirk provided Mavericks fans with the ultimate joy, happiness, sadness, tears, and every emotion in between.

As a Dallas Mavericks fan, it would be a crime to not be thankful for Dirk every day. Be sure to be a little extra grateful for Nowitzki this holiday season.