Dirk Nowitzki is not having an All-Star caliber season with the Dallas Mavericks, and he just might be going to Charlotte next month, anyway. The veteran forward and one of the greatest foreign-born NBA players ever might be in the middle of his final season with the Mavs, and though his time on the court has decreased and his role as a leader has become more important, Dirk is still as beloved of a player that you can find.
If this is it for him, Nowitzki isn’t getting the farewell tour that Dwyane Wade is getting, but there have been some fun moments. One cool one might be coming at the All-Star Game in Charlotte next month. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Nowitzki has gotten an offer to participate in the weekend’s three-point contest on Saturday night.
Dirk Nowitzki has been invited to participate in the 3-point contest at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2019
Nowitzki hasn’t made the All-Star team since 2015, which is remarkable given that he made the game 11 straight seasons at one point and has a whopping 13 total appearances in his career. Still, it’s a great gesture for the league and it would be a chance for a supportive crowd to give Nowitzki, who won the contest back in 2006, an appreciative ovation.
Opposing crowds around the league have given Dirk love this season when he checks in, with some even rooting for him to get a bucket in his limited minutes. There’s no doubt a lot of fans would be rooting for him in the three-point contest come All-Star Saturday.
