Fansided

NBA All-Star Game 2016: 5 biggest snubs

By Cody Williams

Apr 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) pressures Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) pressures Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts after scoring a basket against Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts after scoring a basket against Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks

In terms of players at the end of their careers coming into the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, it’s obviously Kobe and his impending retirement that are getting the most publicity and that earned him a spot in the showcase in Toronto. However, Dallas Mavericks star power forward Dirk Nowitzki is also getting close to the end of his run in the league as well and has been performing substantially better than Bryant in terms of production.

In the 43 games that he’s been a part of this season for the Mavs, Dirk has been a revelation and looked revitalized, at least in regards to the box score. The big German has put up 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 30.7 minutes per game while still shooting 44.8 percent overall and a phenomenal 39.8 percent from three. Despite looking washed up at times last season, he’s looked nothing close to that when he’s not out of the lineup for rest—he is 37 years old after all.

Though there have been plenty of other players with better production, Dirk deserves this honor once more in his career and it’s hard to predict that he’ll ever be more deserving of the honor than he is this season.

Next: No. 1 Pau Gasol

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