Dirk Nowitzki Research Paper

Dirk Nowitzki: NBA-Superstar from Europe

Since the NBA was founded in 1946, you have seen many great players from the United States. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-

Jabbar were for the most the greatest players in NBA History. All these players were from the United States. There were already some players from Europe, but it was always harder to get a spot in the NBA when you are not from here. Only the best players from Europe get in the Roster of the NBA-Teams, because Basketball is not the most favorite sport outside the United States. Dirk Nowitzki from Germany made it in 1998, and became the greatest NBA-Basketballer from Europe and one of the best Power Forwards in NBA-History, and the 7th overall scorer in the

He was now one of the best player in the NBA. In 2002, after a great season for him, he was chosen the first time in the NBA All-Star Game. His strengths: 90% Free-Throw Percentage, his Rebounds, and his shot variety. Kobe Bryant said about Dirk: ”He has a ballhandling, and passing like a Point Guard. But the biggest things he brought to the game is his Lay-Up!” But now he wanted his first NBA-Championship. Since 2002 he was chosen every year in the All-Star Game. In 2004-05, he averaged 26.1 points per game. He also qualified again for the NBA-Playoffs. But the Dallas Mavericks team was not good enough in the tough games, the playoffs were again over after the 2nd round. Nowitzki knew, he must lead Dallas to a championship, if he wants a title. Before the season 2005-06, Dallas counted as one of the favorite teams for the NBA-championship. Everybody in the city wanted the Championship in this year. And Nowitzki lead the “Mavs” to the NBA Finals. He played the best season in his whole career, but couldn’t protect the defeat in the finals against Miami. Dallas lead the Finals with 2-0, but Nowitzki and his teammates couldn’t stay on this level, and were defeated 2-4. Nowitzki was now in the focus of the critic: The people said: He is among the best players in the NBA, but can’t win the important

They finished as first in the Western Conference, and Nowitzki was chosen to the NBA-Most Valuable Player Award. He had a Field-Goal Percentage of 0.50%. But again, Dallas couldn’t bring these performances to the Playoffs. They were defeated in the 1st round by Golden State. Nowitzki was the 1st player from Europe, that won the MVP title. But Nowitzki’s goal, to win the championship, was not reached. Again. He was now in the middle of the critique around Dallas. They said again, that he is the best player from Europe, but not a champion. In the next years, Nowitzki was now 30 and older, the people said: His best time is behind him. He still scored about 24 points per game, but the team of Dallas splitted up, and it became harder for them, to qualify for the Playoffs. Nowitzki stopped playing for the German National Team in 2008, so he can concentrate to play great for Dallas and get his championship. But not many people believed in him. He would be too old, they said. After these unsuccessful years, the team splitted up. Just a few players of the 2006 team stayed in Dallas, one of them was Nowitzki. He signed a new contract for less money, so they can push more money in new players to get their first