Fansided

30 players who define each NBA franchise

By Adam McGee

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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PF. Dallas Mavericks 1998-present. Dirk Nowitzki. #41. player. 79.

Honorable Mentions: Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Michael Finley

Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks to pass the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks to pass the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA fans don’t know quite how lucky they are to still be enjoying Dirk Nowitzki after all of these years. The German is set to enter into his 18th season in the league, and although time is catching up on him, he’s still coming off the back of a playoff series where he averaged 21.2 points and 10.4 rebounds.

The Dallas Mavericks had gone seven seasons without a postseason appearance before the arrival of Nowitzki. Having only come into existence in 1980, aside from a spell of brief relevance in the mid-80s, the Mavericks had earned their place as a traditional bottom of the barrel team.

Nowitzki changed that beyond belief, with the Mavericks having made the post-season for 14 of the last 15 seasons. He’s created a winning culture, given the fan base a taste of winning, and most importantly of all delivered a title to Dallas.

He’s one of the players I would allow my son to watch and pattern his game after. – Shaquille O’Neal

Mavs fans likely aren’t ready to contemplate life without Dirk just yet, but when he does eventually retire, he’ll have left them with a dramatically different franchise than the one he arrived at – along with countless memories of smooth, soft, fadeaway jumpers.

Next: Denver Nuggets

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