J-Speaks: Dirk Nowitzki Scores 30K

Back on Jan. 13, 2010 versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks forward and 2007 NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki hit a baseline jumper over then forward Lamar Odom with 10:57 left in the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter to score the 20,000^th point of his future Hall of Fame career. A little over seven years and two months later, Nowitzki was in the same position against the same team in the confines of the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX and in front of a sellout crowd made history again, while also joining an exclusive club two times over.

With the 10:58 mark of the second quarter, Nowitzki from Wurzburg, West Germany hit a one-legged fade away baseline jumper over Lakers forward Larry Nance, Jr., right in front of the Mavericks bench and became the sixth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points in his career.

“The shot that will always be remembered as associated with Dirk. To be immortalized in statue one day,” were the words from FOX Sports Southwest play-by-play announcer Mark Followill when 13-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA selection made the shot that put him at 30,000 points on the nose.   

He joined the all-time leading scorer in Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928); future Hall of Famer and former Laker Kobe Bryant (33,643) and Hall of Famers Michael Jordan (32,292) and the late Wilt Chamberlin (31,419) as the only players to score 30,000-plus points in their NBA careers. Nowitzki joined Bryant and Malone as the only players to score over 30,000 points for one franchise and the first international player to reach this milestone.

Chamberlin scored his 30,000^th point on Feb. 16, 1972 at the Phoenix Suns on a goaltend in the third quarter for the Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar, scored 30K for the “Purple and Gold,” on Nov. 19, 1983 at the Portland Trail Blazers on a free throw in the third quarter. Malone reached the 30,000-point mark on an offensive put back of his own missed shot on Jan. 29, 2000 at the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Utah Jazz. While playing for the Washington Wizards, Jordan reached 30,000 points on a free throw in the second quarter versus his old team the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 4, 2002 and Bryant hit a short jumper at the then New Orleans Hornets to reach 30K on Dec. 5, 2012. On Nowitzki and Jordan accomplished this at home.  

"The plan was to kind of find my rhythm early and get it out of the way early if I could," Nowitzki said about reaching the 30,000-point mark to NBATV's Matt Winer, Isiah Thomas and Brent Barry on "Gametime" on Tuesday night after the game. "The guys just kept finding me and I said, 'It's time to go for it. It's time to let it ride.' Hit my first shot. Then I hit my first three and as we know as shooters. When you have that confidence. You see the first couple go in and you kind of off to the races."

Just moments later, Nowitzki hit a three-pointer to give him 23 points in the first half. He scored 18 of his 25 points on the night in the opening stanza on 6 for 6 from the field, including 2 for 2 from three-point range and 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Officially, Nowitzki has scored 30,005 points in his career and finished the evening 9 for 13 from the floor taking only one shot in the second half.

It was the kind of shooting exhibition that reminded those in attendance and those watching on television how great of a player Nowitzki has been in his career with the Mavericks and his head coach Rick Carlisle has had a front row seat for the past nine seasons of that.

"For me, this was a 13:02 microcosm of one of the greatest careers in the history of this game,"  Carlisle said after the game. "Meticulous preparation, total commitment, unbelievable competitive spirit and a real flair for the moment. Watching Dirk the last couple of days, there was no doubt this was going to happen tonight." 

To put this into perspective, in the history of the NBA there have been 4,143 players to appear in at least one NBA game.

“It’s sort of surreal,” Nowitzki, who finished the night with 25 points, all coming in the first half to along with 11 rebounds said after the game to FOX Sports Southwest color analyst Jeff “Skin” Wade. “Everybody kept telling me to just be aggressive and try to get it over with and just got hot early. Got some good shots. The guys kept looking for me and to start the second quarter, I was sitting on 18 [points] and I walk out on the court and I see everybody getting up. I got a little nervous there. Hoisted an air ball, but a great feeling to share that with great teammates. With the crowd, tonight. With the coaches, Mark. It’s been a pleasure.”

When a time out was called by the Lakers at the 9:54 mark of the second quarter, Nowitzki was mobbed by his teammates, owner Mark Cuban and received a rousing standing ovation from all those in attendance at the AAC and many of them in tribute to Dirk had on short sleeve gray t-shirts that had the 30K on the front with Nowitzki taking his previously mentioned one-legged signature fall away jump shot. A shot that center Tina Charles of the WNBA's New York Liberty was practicing earlier this week and Thomas, who works for the Liberty was there to witness it.

"It's been an honor that people like that move and think it's a good move to have the your arsenal," Nowitzki said to Thomas about his move being copied by other pro basketball players like Charles. "It's fun to watch how many guys and good players really made that shot their own and its been fun to watch." 

What makes this moment even more special is that Nowitzki normally keeps his distance when it comes to his individual accolades. This is a rare occasion that he welcomed the admiration and bells and whistles that came in the lead up to this moment.

“When he looks back on his career, he’ll remember this night for a long time,” Mavericks color analyst and former Mavericks’, Lakers’, New York Knicks’ and Orlando Magic guard Derek Harper said during the broadcast.

He added to that by saying on "Gametime," "It was done by a special individual coming over from Germany."

On hand to witness this special moment was Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton, who played college football for Texas Christian University and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Throughout the broadcast, on social media and NBATV's postgame show "Gametime," many of Nowitzki’s former teammates and those that competed against him and the Mavericks expressed their congratulations on him joining the 30,000 club, like one who began their Maverick careers together in future Hall of Famer Steve Nash.

“Dirty. Congratulations man. 30,000 points. How do you say that in German; ‘Black hole,’” Nash, who played with Nowitzki from 1998-2004 with the Mavericks said. “I’m really proud to have witnessed you do it. To have shared in some of it with you and to see you finishing your career in this style It’s just fantastic. Congratulations my friend.”

Another former teammate who saw Dirk score at a high clip in his career was current Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Jason Terry, who played for the Mavericks from 2004-2012 and was a part of their 2011 championship team.

“Playing with Dirk was truly a blessing,” Terry said in a video message. “The second coming of Stockton and Malone, the way we ran that two-man game. But it was all possible because of you.”

Terry also said that Nowitzki showed him how to work hard and be dedicated to his craft and what it meant to be a true professional.

“So, I appreciate you and I appreciate your contributions to the game,” Terry said. “You also made me and NBA champion, which for that I will forever be indebted to you. Dirky, congratulations on 30,000 points. You’re the best.”

Barry, who went against Nowitzki many times when he was with the San Antonio Spurs congratulated Nowitzki on this historic milestone and said to him, "I'm incredibly honored to have a chance to talk to you tonight and if I can say just very proud of you. We were watching it here live and just super excited. It's been great competing against you, but obviously loved your game for a long time. So congrats."

Bryant, who was on the floor when Nowitzki reached 20,000 career points said on his twitter page @kobebyrant, "Congrats @swish41 you are a true great#fadelikedirk."

Reigning back-to-back MVP of the Golden State Warriors and brother of Mavericks' guard Seth Curry said @StephenCurry30, "Hats off to swish41 on 30K tonight. Glad to know I contributed to a few of those buckets."

The younger Curry, who had 18 points on 7 for 12 shooting, including 4 for 7 from three-point range with five assists in the victory on his Instagram page at sdotcurry, "30K is ALOT of buckets!!!! As you say in practice, 'I used to shoot over your pops. I shoot over your brother and now I'm shooting over you!' lol congrats Dirty! @swish41 #Legend."

Current Phoenix Suns center and the starting man in the middle on the Mavericks' 2011 title team Tyson Chandler said on his Instagram page tysonchandler,  "Congrats to 1 of the greatest to ever do it! My brother I love you & couldn't be more proud...it was a pleasure to lace Em up with you@swish41 #30,000 #Legend#ShouldBeOnEveryList #somebondswillneverbebroken #Champs."

Former teammate Michael Finley, who was there as well as Nash at the start of Nowitzki's NBA journey, said on his twitter page @MichaelFinley, "Who would've ever thought this kid I carried for 1 season would go on to be the player in Mavs history. Proud of you bro @swish41 #30K.

Nowitzki even got a video congrats from actor and comedian Ben Stiller, who in a comedic way said as he took a break from trying to chop wood on his farm, “I really don’t follow basketball, but that’s incredible. I mean in one game. Amazing.”  

Stiller recently attended a Mavericks game with his son, who said he loves Nowitzki and watched the game from the arena baseline.  

One person of the Mavericks organization that has seen Nowitzki from when he started to now is Mavericks’ Player Development Coach Mike Shedd, whose first encounter with him was in the summer after the 1998 NBA Finals.

Shedd said during a halftime interview with color analyst Jeff “Ski” Wade that he came to the then Reunion Arena one night where he thought that he was alone, but Nowitzki and Holger are working out. This was taking place at around 10:30 p.m.

“I was like ‘Wow.’ I’ve heard stories. Never seen it. Saw it in real life and now, I’ve seen it for 11 years,” Shedd said. “I’m just blessed to be able to see it.”   

This moment that those who witnessed it in Texas and those that watched it unfold on television may not had happened if not for former German international basketball player Holger Geschwindner, who spotted at 15-year-old Nowitzki and offered to coach him on an individual basis two to three times per week.

After getting permission from Nowitzki’s parents Helga and Jorg-Werner, Geschwindner put the future Hall of Famer through an unorthodox training regiment, which emphasized shooting and passing exercises and shunning lifting weights and tactical drills. He also encouraged Nowitzki to play a musical instrument and read literature to make his personality more complete.

That training got him a chance to in the summer of 1994 to try out for the DJK Basketball team, which he made and the rest is history.

Geschwindner was on hand for Nowitzki’s entrance into the 30K club and when the moment happened, tears came down his eyes as it was shown during the broadcast and on the main scoreboard in the AAC.

"When he told me basketball was jazz, I thought this old guy is nuts," Nowitzki said about his early interactions with Geschwindner. "We started working together when I was like 15 and I think some of his methods were different and I was kind of the only guy really believing in it and sticking with it and it really worked for me. We built a great relationship together and I kept getting better. So, seeing results and that's why I stuck with it and the rest has been history."

Nowitzki and Geschwindner still work together to this day work out in the summer time adding new things to his game and keeping in tip-top condition. Over the past few days, Nowitzki and Geschwindner had been working on his jump shot.

"He's still a great mentor. Great supporter of mine and it's probably fair to say that I wouldn't be here without him," Nowitzki said.  

After the game, Nowitzki showed his appreciation to those in attendance at the AAC to witness him make some more NBA history by saying, “Thank you guys for coming out in support. It’s been a crazy ride with a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but you guys stuck with me and we hung in there and hopefully a lot more to come.”

When a player like Dirk Nowitzki is drafted by a franchise that is trying to pull itself out of the basement of the NBA where the Mavericks were when he was drafted, the hope is that he has the work ethic and commitment to turn their respective team into a winner.

Nowitzki not only had that amazing work ethic and commitment to his craft and that commitment made him the league MVP in 2007. A perennial All-Star, 13 times as mentioned earlier. A four-time All-NBA First-Team, five-time Second-Team and three-time Third-Team selection. A NBA champion, which he led the Mavericks to in 2011 when the beat the Miami Heat in six games and the sixth all-time leading scorer in NBA history.  

On top of that, he was as durable a player as any that graced the NBA hardwood. Excluding this season, Nowitzki has missed just 114 games in his 19-year career, which averages to just six games missed in those previously mentioned seasons.

Not only that, he made his own path to greatness. For starters he really did not have any particular player before him that he could pattern his game after. He never played high school or college basketball and when he came to the Mavericks, there was question on how good he could even be, especially after less than stellar rookie season. 

He not only made his own path, he made a major statement for all international players in the NBA today that with hard work and dedication you can be just as great as those currently and players from before. 

To put the cherry on this sundae, Nowitzki became great and the carrier of the Mavericks for nearly two decades without the assistance of another Hall of Fame caliber teammate. While he had current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd for a brief time a few years ago, that was on the final leg of his career when they as mentioned earlier won it all six seasons back. 

Co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" Tony Kornheiser said on Wednesday show of the 38-year-old Nowitzki's accomplishment that he is, "the most underappreciated basketball player of all-time in the entire world." 

"It is amazing how he got to this point. He grew up in Germany. He didn't go to high school her [U.S.]. He didn't go to college here. No body brought him over for the AAU tour. He's growing up in a country where there's nobody he can look at and say, 'I want to be him. I've seen that before.' Not in this country. Dirk Nowitzki is unbelievable."    

The performance that Nowitzki put on Tuesday night and how the rest of the team performed against an inferior opponent was a display of how far the Mavericks have come since his arrival 19 seasons ago and the kind of mark he has made in the NBA.  

As a player he was one of the best, but Dirk Nowitzki was an even better human being and that was also on display when he was mobbed by his teammates and Cuban when he scored point number 30,000.

The hope of more to come this season that Nowitzki was talking about in his postgame thanks to the crowd is the Mavericks (27-36) making the playoffs for the 16^th time last 17 years and with their 122-111 victory over the Lakers, their 14^th consecutive win over the Conference rivals from California on Tuesday night pulled them to within two games of the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, which is currently occupied by the Denver Nuggets (29-35), who were not scheduled to play. Nowitzki even said that he may even return for season No. 20 next year.

"It's been an incredible ride for almost 19 years," Nowitzki said. "They stuck with me in Dallas when things weren't going so well. My first year we struggling. Playoff year after year we lost and I was down and the fans were down on me at times. But they kept sticking with me and now were here. So, it's been an incredible ride and thank you guys for all the support hopefully there's a couple more baskets to come."

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 3/7/17 8:30 p.m. game between the Los Angeles Lakers versus Dallas Mavericks on FOX Sports Southwest with Mark Followill, Derek Harper and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 3/8/17 6 a.m. edition of NBATV's "Gametime," presented by Kia Motors with Matt Winer, Isiah Thomas and Brent Barry; 3/8/17 5:30 p.m. edition of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," presented by Guinness Irish Wheat with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon; 3/9/17 2 a.m. edition of NBATV's "Gametime," with Vince Cellini, Dennis Scott and Derek Harper; www.nba.com/games/20170307/LALDAL#/boxscore/recap; www.espn.com/nba/standings; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dallas_Mavericks_seasons and http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki#Early_life.