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Dirk Nowitzki to replace Anthony Davis in All-Star Game

By Cory Buck

Feb 11, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) defends against Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) defends against Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will replace injured New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.

Anthony Davis is already one of the best players in the NBA and thanks to his performance this season, the previously moribund New Orleans Pelicans franchise is battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

While Davis can expect to appear in All-Star Games for years to come, he won’t be playing in this weekend’s tilt thanks to a shoulder injury. As a result, Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki will take his place in the lineup.

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This will be Dirk’s 13th All-Star appearance in his Hall-of-Fame career. He has averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game this season, which is off from his career averages, but still is enough to put him among the best of the best for All-Star weekend.

The numbers have also been enough to vault Dirk and the Mavs to the middle of the playoff pack in the Western Conference, which is where Davis and the Pelicans are aiming to get. That’s why it makes sense for the team to shut Davis down and let him rest while the league ceases activity for the weekend.

The Mavericks are happy to get some rest as well. The team is hoping to make some noise this season as Dirk likely only has a few more years left in the tank. To that end, the Mavs acquired point guard Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics. With an elite point guard in tow, the Mavs have solidified their position in the playoff race, but only if they can stay healthy.

Rondo broke an orbital bone in his nose, which has kept him out for the six games prior to the stretch before the All-Star game, which makes the timing of this weekend fortuitous for the whole team as they look to get healthy.

There’s no word on whether Dirk will participate in any of the auxiliary events surrounding the All-Star Game, but it’s fair to say that he’d be a beast in that HORSE competition if he isn’t too late to sign up.

It’s much more likely that Dirk will just be along for the ride, content to watch the young guys jump around and dunk and shoot three-points while he rests up for a spot appearance in the All-Star game before heading back to Dallas to get ready for the stretch run.

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