"Dirk Nowitzki doesn't believe he should be selected as an All-Star for the 11th consecutive season when reserves are announced Thursday.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar has struggled by his standards this season, averaging 17.2 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season in 1998-99. Nowitzki also recognizes that the power forward position is loaded in the Western Conference with talented young players.

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was voted by the fans to make his first All-Star appearance as a starter. A couple of potential first-time All-Stars -- the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge and the Utah Jazz's Paul Millsap -- and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love, who was an injury replacement last season, are among the West power forwards who have made better cases in this lockout-condensed season than the reigning Finals MVP."