Dirk Nowitzki News: Pro Sports Daily

Nowitzki's huge fourth quarter rallies Dallas past Utah

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November 4

Salt Lake Tribune

"If it wasn't Dirk Nowitzki behind the history-making performance, maybe the Jazz would have greeted the one-man Texas twister that hit them in the fourth quarter Tuesday night with something resembling shock and awe. Instead, the Jazz seemed simply resigned to their fate as Nowitzki tore through American Airlines Center with a 29-point fourth-quarter spectacular, single-handedly erasing a 16-point deficit and sending the Mavericks to a 96-85 victory. Nowitzki scored 14 consecutive points during one stretch midway through the quarter and finished with 40 for the game. He hit 7 of 8 shots from the field in the fourth, including a three-pointer, and went 14 of 14 at the foul line against the ..."

Nowitzki destroys Jazz with fourth-quarter scoring explosion

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November 4

The Deseret News

"After they blew one game Tuesday night, the Jazz started playing another. It was shoulda, coulda, woulda, and every time they took a turn, Dirk Nowitzki kept coming up the winner. The NBA's 2007 MVP scored a Jordanesque 40 points, including a franchise-record 29 in the fourth quarter as Dallas overcame a 16-point Jazz lead in the final period and beat Utah 96-85 at American Airlines Center. It was the fourth straight time in Dallas that Nowitzki's scored 30-plus-points against the now 1-3 Jazz, and the 12th time in 13 tries — including five straight — that Utah has lost here. "Just another game, same story," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams, whose 22 points were a team-high. Asked if ..."

Mavericks hope supporting cast can ease Nowitzki's burden

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October 27

Dallas Morning News

"Mark Cuban made the proclamation on the first day of training camp that fans will see a different Dirk Nowitzki this season, and not just because he hasn't had a haircut since the Olympic rings were shaved into his scalp in Beijing. "I promise you Dirk's numbers willthis year," the owner said. "Dirk's numbers go down when he has confidence in the rest of his team and he doesn't have to score." Of all the things Nowitzki has done in his career, proving that less is more is still on the to-do list. History indicates it might be the best thing that could happen to him and the Mavericks. The last two NBA champions have featured superstars whose numbers dropped precipitously from previous ..."

Nowitzki's durability a blessing for Dallas Mavericks

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October 25

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki has played 236 out of a possible 246 games the last three seasons. Yao Ming has played 180 out of 246. That's an average of nearly 19 more games per season that Nowitzki has been on the floor to help his team, a number that will grow substantially this year with Yao probably out for the season. Rest assured, the Mavericks know exactly how lucky they are to have a durable superstar rather than one who has had bad luck with injuries. And they know what a difference it makes. "Look, I've been there many times, with everything from multiple suspensions to multiple long-term serious injuries to All-Star players," coach Rick Carlisle said Friday. "It's a terrible situation to be ..."

Nowitzki ejected as Dallas Mavericks win preseason finale

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October 24

Dallas Morning News

"It's unclear what the Mavericks are happier to see finished, the preseason or replacement refs. As best they could with a starter still missing, another returning for only one half and two players ejected (sort of), the Mavericks flashed their regular-season look Friday night in the exhibition finale. Based on the evidence, fans should not expect any instant gratification with this team. But the Mavericks did finish the preseason with a 98-94 victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Shawn Marion played the first half, and the Mavericks rode Dirk Nowitzki like he was Secretariat for 3½ quarters. The rotation seemed to be handled like it probably will be for Tuesday's ..."

Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki combo looks like a winner

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October 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Jason Kidd was analyzing the benefits Shawn Marion will bring to the Mavericks and besides the rebounding, steals, blocks and natural feel for the game, there is something else. "He'll help Dirk [Nowitzki] a lot," Kidd said. "Watch how much things open up for Dirk when Shawn is in there." If their first pairing, a 123-115 exhibition win against Washington on Friday night, is any indicator, Kidd has this tag-team pegged. Marion and Nowitzki fed off each other all night at Verizon Center and teamed for 40 points in 54 combined minutes, making 16 of 24 shots. It doesn't get much more efficient than that, as long as you don't look at their defense. They gave up 38 points in the 51 minutes ..."

Nowitzki brings carefree look into Mavs' season

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September 29

Denver Post

"Dirk Nowitzki strolled back onto the scene Monday looking like a carefree surfer, his long, curly blond hair framing a wide smile. The Mavericks forward even had a tan to boot, quite a departure from the ashen-faced All-Star who five months ago politely told reporters he didn't want to talk about the arrest at his Dallas home of a former girlfriend who said she was pregnant with his child. Dallas was days away from elimination in the second round of the playoffs by Denver when news broke of Cristal Taylor's arrest on a theft-of-service warrant and a probation violation. The 7-footer couldn't get home to his native Germany fast enough once the season was over, but he looked just as eager to ..."

Nowitzki's former fiancée not pregnant

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September 4

Dallas Morning News

"Cristal Taylor, the incarcerated former fiancée of Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, is not pregnant - contrary to what she and her attorneys had been saying since shortly after her arrest in May. Nowitzki's attorney, Robert Hart, said he received medical records Thursday from Missouri correctional facility officials that show Taylor was administered a pregnancy test Monday. The result was negative, Hart said, citing the medical record. Matthew Fry, Taylor's Missouri attorney, said he can't say for certain whether Taylor was ever pregnant or whether she miscarried while in jail. Mavericks officials said Nowitzki learned the news while in South Africa for the NBA's Basketball Without Borders ..."

Nowitzki learns ex-fiancee is not pregnant

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September 3

ESPN.com

"Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki was informed Friday that his former fiancée, who was recently sentenced to five years in prison for a probation violation in Missouri, is not pregnant as she has maintained for months. Nowitzki is in South Africa this week as part of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program and could not be reached for comment. But Robert Hart, Nowitzki's Dallas-based lawyer, said via phone that a pregnancy test given to Crista Taylor which they had sought through a July court order has been confirmed as negative."

Dirk's former girlfriend gets prison time

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August 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Cristal Taylor, the former fiancée of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for violating probation in a decade-old forgery and theft case. The sentence virtually ensures that Taylor, 38, will still be incarcerated when Nowitzki and the Mavericks open the regular season in late October. What was not made clear Monday is whether Taylor is carrying Nowitzki's child, an assertion she and her attorneys had held since late May. If the tall, still-slender Taylor is pregnant, it wasn't plainly evident as she stood before Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider's bench in loose-fitting orange prison garb. And Taylor did not mention being pregnant in the four-page ..."

Nowitzki's ex-fiancee Taylor sentenced to five years

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August 24

Dallas Morning News

"The former fiancée of pro basketball star Dirk Nowitzki was sentenced this morning to five years in prison for violating probation in a 12-year-old forgery and theft case. Cristal A. Taylor, 38, a St. Louis-area native, appeared this morning in circuit court in St. Charles. She admitted that she failed to check in with her probation officer and that she was arrested twice in Texas in 2000 for misdemeanors. Taylor had planned to marry the Dallas Mavericks player and has said she is pregnant with his child. She was arrested at his home on May 6 and accused of failing to pay for $10,000 in cosmetic dental work in Texas in 2006. The arrest brought to light her criminal record, including a St. ..."

Nowitzki files for paternity test

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June 20

Dallas Morning News

"Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's attorney has filed a petition seeking a paternity test from his ex-girlfriend, Cristal Taylor, and sole custody of her yet-to-be-born child if tests prove he is the father. The petition was filed last Friday in the Dallas County courthouse and obtained by The Dallas Morning News. And a former housemate of Taylor's told The News that Taylor gave birth to three children who are now teenagers, none of whom she raised. Meanwhile, ESPN.com reported that agents from Beaumont's FBI field office obtained recordings of allegedly threatening phone calls Taylor made from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility to Robert Hart, Nowitzki's attorney. Taylor, ..."

Nowitzki's father questions Taylor's motives

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June 3

Dallas Morning News

"Jörg Nowitzki, father of Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, questioned the motives of his son's ex-fiancee, Cristal Taylor, in a recent interview with the German newspaper Bunte. "What comes over daily from America from this woman is almost like blackmail," the 66-year-old Nowitzki said. Taylor was arrested at Dirk Nowitzki's home last month and remains jailed in Beaumont facing theft of service charges. Taylor's arrest hit Nowitzki harder than he has shown, his father said. "The whole thing has really affected him. He's more introverted, doesn't hop around like Boris Becker, but lets it eat away inside of him. But his mental strength is enormous," he said."

Is Nowitzki's ex reformed, or is this just a con?

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May 31

Dallas Morning News

"Even in jail, with her life in shambles and her hopes of marrying Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki apparently vaporized, Cristal Taylor exudes smarts and charisma. Her mother says that as a child, Cristal tested "borderline genius." The assertion is hard to doubt, even now, conversing with Taylor through glass via two-way speaker and seeing her in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. So what happened? Along life's path, she accrued felony convictions and an estimated two dozen aliases. But was that the Cristal Taylor who somehow entered Nowitzki's tightly guarded, multi-million-dollar world? Or had she truly changed, as she and her mother insist? Before her May 6 arrest in Nowitzki's $6 million ..."

Medical records show Dirk Nowitzki's ex-fiancée is pregnant

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May 27

Dallas Morning News

"The off-court drama surrounding Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki took a new turn Tuesday, when medical records obtained by The Dallas Morning News confirmed his ex-girlfriend's claim that she took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. Cristal Taylor, 37, and Nowitzki's attorney had spent the last week in a war of words over her assertion that she was tested and found to be pregnant when she was jailed after her arrest this month. After she went public in The News, the attorney issued a statement questioning whether she had even been tested. The following day, last Friday, Taylor responded by offering to take a polygraph test. During that face-to-face jailhouse interview, she also ..."

Dirk's former girlfriend says she's pregnant with his child

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May 20

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Cristal Taylor said Tuesday that she is pregnant with Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's child, that they were engaged and had set a July 18 wedding date. Then, those dreamlike plans with Nowitzki collapsed with her arrest two weeks ago at his home. Speaking by telephone from the Beaumont jail, Taylor said she had been unaware of the two outstanding warrants against her. She said Nowitzki knew about her past arrests, nicknaming her his "little jailbird." She blamed Nowitzki's longtime German coach, Holger Geschwindner, for ordering a prenuptial agreement, an investigation into her past and turning Nowitzki against her. "I've known Dirk for seven years — and, no, I didn't tell him everything ..."

Jailed ex-girlfriend says she's pregnant with Dirk Nowitzki's child

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May 20

Dallas Morning News

"Cristal Taylor told The Dallas Morning News that she is pregnant with Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's child, that they were engaged and had set a July 18 wedding date. Then, those dreamlike plans with Nowitzki collapsed with her arrest two weeks ago at his home. Speaking by telephone from jail in Beaumont, Taylor said she had been unaware of the two outstanding warrants against her. She said Nowitzki knew about her past arrests, nicknaming her his "little jailbird." She blamed Nowitzki's longtime German coach, Holger Geschwindner, for ordering a prenuptial agreement, an investigation into her past and turning Nowitzki against her. "I've known Dirk for seven years - and, no, I didn't tell ..."

Cristal Taylor says she's pregnant with Dirk's child

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May 19

Dallas Morning News

"Cristal Taylor told The Dallas Morning News that she is pregnant with Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's child and that they were indeed engaged prior to her May 6 arrest at Nowitzki's home. Speaking by telephone from Beaumont jail, Taylor occasionally broke into soft sobs. She said their engagement suddenly broke off and her life unraveled when Nowitzki's longtime German coach urged a prenuptial agreement and an investigation of her past. "I've known Dirk for seven years - and, no, I didn't tell him everything about my past because I was afraid," Taylor said. "But, I mean, now I'm pregnant and alone and broke because he is my only source of income." Taylor, 37, contacted a News reporter on ..."

Woman found in Nowitzki's home claims no funds for defense

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May 19

Dallas Morning News

"The woman arrested in Dirk Nowitzki's home in Dallas appeared before a Beaumont judge Monday, saying she has no money to fight theft charges. Cristal Ann Taylor is scheduled to return to the courtroom of Jefferson County Criminal District Judge John B. Stevens Jr. in three weeks. Taylor, a 37-year-old ex-stripper, is accused of defrauding a dentist in Beaumont out of more than $10,000 owed for dental work. She was arrested on two outstanding warrants earlier this month at Nowitzki's Preston Hollow home. Taylor, dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit and shackled in handcuffs, was returned to jail in Beaumont after her court appearance. Neither she nor her court-appointed attorney, Donald ..."

Former NFL QB says woman targeted him before Dirk Nowitzki

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May 14

Dallas Morning News

"Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was not the first professional athlete to have a tumultuous and bizarre relationship with Cristal Taylor. Former NFL quarterback Tony Banks on Wednesday told The Dallas Morning News that Taylor is the same woman who tried to turn his life and career upside down in 1997. When their brief relationship fizzled, Banks said, Taylor began making harassing phone calls to him, his agent and even his St. Louis Rams head coach, Dick Vermeil. Alarmed that Taylor was "trying to run my name through the mud," Banks notified team security, which learned Taylor had a criminal history and had used multiple identities. "This is unbelievable," Banks said. "This is wild. ..."

Mavericks' first priority: Find a third option

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May 14

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki is the face of the Mavericks' franchise. And he's not here to make the second round of the playoffs. He's in this thing to win a championship. Preferably championships. That's the way big-time stars think. Remember last season, after the Mavericks' season ended with a first-round loss to New Orleans? Nowitzki called it "another wasted year." It's the same this year, even if the Mavericks can feel a little better about life after advancing further than they did last season. It's still not enough for Nowitzki. Or Rick Carlisle or Mark Cuban, for that matter. Not nearly enough. But it does give hope that this team has the grit needed to be a force in the Western Conference ..."

Nowitzki named to All-NBA first team

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May 14

Dallas Morning News

"Consistency has been a hallmark for Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, and that played a key role in him being named Wednesday to the All-NBA first team for the fourth time in his career. "It means you played solid basketball for the whole season, not a week or a month," Nowitzki said. "That's what this league is all about - trying to be consistent and helping your teammates night in and night out. I'm very honored." Nowitzki shares a spot on the starting five with LeBron James of the Cavaliers, Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, Dwight Howard of the Magic and Dwyane Wade of the Heat. It is the ninth consecutive season in which Nowitzki has been named to one of the three All-NBA teams. Nowitzki ..."

Co-stars: Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony putting on a show

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May 13

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' season has reached a point where they must figure out what they believe in. Themselves? Their abilities? Their grit and determination to beat the odds that remain stacked against them in this playoff series? All worthy beliefs. But of all the things they can hang their hat on in Game 5 tonight at the Pepsi Center, one is beyond all others. Trust in Dirk. In Game 4, Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony put on the sort of show that doesn't happen very often. Only three times in history, actually. That's how many times two players have scored 40 or more points in the same playoff game. If you were at American Airlines Center late Monday night, save that mental snapshot. ..."

Co-stars: Dallas Mavericks' Nowitzki, Denver's Anthony putting on a show

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May 13

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' season has reached a point where they must figure out what they believe in. Themselves? Their abilities? Their grit and determination to beat the odds that remain stacked against them in this playoff series? All worthy beliefs. But of all the things they can hang their hat on in Game 5 tonight at the Pepsi Center, one is beyond all others. Trust in Dirk. In Game 4, Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony put on the sort of show that doesn't happen very often. Only three times in history, actually. That's how many times two players have scored 40 or more points in the same playoff game. If you were at American Airlines Center late Monday night, save that mental snapshot. ..."

Mavs, Dirk certain to feel fallout from his problem

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May 8

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Hell hath no fury, they say, like a woman scorned. Or a woman arrested. Or a woman, let me suggest, with at least eight other names. If I am putting together the story correctly, that appears to be the prevailing issue in the bizarre and untimely saga of Dirk Nowitzki and his girlfriend. Cristal Taylor — alias Christian Julie Wellington, Christian B. Travino, Crystal Nobles, Kristi Briana Westerhauf, etc., etc. — was arrested Wednesday morning at the Dallas Mavericks star's north Dallas home. Dirk wasn't at home at the time. But Taylor was still in jail Thursday afternoon while Nowitzki was at American Airlines Center, answering basketball questions from the media. Those two facts seem to ..."

Mixing it up nixes Nowitzki

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May 4

Denver Post

"At the start of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against Dallas, one might have wondered if the Nuggets had a plan to combat Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki. Using his peculiar array of bumper-car jump shots and herky-jerky drives to the basket, the 7-footer made his first six shots Sunday afternoon and added a free throw as the Mavericks took a 19-11 lead. "We were kind of letting him do whatever he wanted to out there," Denver forward Carmelo Anthony said. That soon changed, due to an approach that, while indeed somewhat helter-skelter, proved oddly effective. While Nowitzki finished with a game-high 28 points, he was only 6-of-16 after his torrid start; and, in the Nuggets' ..."

Bumped, bruised Dirk Nowitzki doesn't get calls

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May 4

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki was slumped in a locker-room chair after the game and could feel his hours of work wearing on his head. And his shoulder, as well as his bruised and scratched hands and wrists. They had all taken a beating during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. He made four attempts at the free throw line, five if you include a technical foul shot he took. Seemed a little implausible to his coach, at least. "It's hard for me to believe Dirk Nowitzki only shoots four free throws during this game with the way he's being played," Rick Carlisle said. "And I'll look at that closely. If the referees were right, they were right. But he's being played very physically, way [out] on the ..."

Nowitzki faces specter of never having ring of a true champion

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May 3

Denver Post

"Without malice aforethought, and certainly lacking a crystal ball that could foretell the remainder of the NBA playoffs, a reporter asked Rick Carlisle if a great player on a consistently good team, such as Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, had to win a championship to validate his career. After an initial reflexive response - "You mean like Karl Malone and John Stockton?", two Hall of Fame talents who never won a title with Utah - the Dallas Mavericks coach decided the best answer was no answer at all. "The question is karmically flawed," Carlisle said. "Ask me after the playoffs. We have just as good a shot at winning as any of the other eight or nine teams going right now. To attempt to ..."

Martin expects to go solo in defending Mavs' shooting star

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May 3

Denver Post

"Nuggets coach George Karl has friends on the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff, and they had one piece of advice for him in regard to guarding Dallas' do-everything forward Dirk Nowitzki. "They doubled Nowitzki," Karl said. "And they told me not to." Good thing for him he has Kenyon Martin, whose defensive legend seems to grow with each game. But even Martin, whose fast hands, quick feet and no-easy-shot mentality make him effective, will have his hands full here. Nowitzki is just that good. Nowitzki averaged 30 points and 11.3 rebounds per game against the Nuggets this season, including a 44-point, 14-rebound performance against the Nuggets on Jan. 13 at the Pepsi Center. "I'll just go ..."

Denver's Martin: No help needed on Dirk

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May 3

Dallas Morning News

"Kenyon Martin leaves no doubt about his desire to cover Dirk Nowitzki in this series. And anybody who thinks coach George Karl is fibbing when he says he'll play Martin straight up on Nowitzki has to take the matter up with the Denver power forward. "I don't need help, I can guard him," Martin said Saturday in matter-of-fact tone. "I can guard anybody in this league. I'm not going to shut everybody out. But I can guard anybody in this league. "I've got six fouls. They give you six for a reason. I'm not afraid to use my fouls." This is the way Martin and the Nuggets roll. They are supremely confident in their ability to frustrate, if not dominate. "I'm not going to shut him out," added ..."

Nowitzki Leads Mavs to Series Win, Blazers Stall Rockets

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April 29

New York Times

"The Dallas Mavericks completed a surprise series victory over the higher-ranked San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, while the Rockets' bid for a second-round berth was grounded when Houston lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. The sixth-seeded Mavericks rode Dirk Nowitzki's 31-point performance to a 106-93 Game Five victory in San Antonio to claim their best-of-seven Western Conference series by a 4-1 margin. Houston, who could have joined the Mavericks in the second round with a win, lost 88-77 at Portland but still lead the series 3-2. In other games, the Boston Celtics overcame the stubborn Chicago Bulls 106-104 in overtime and the Orlando Magic cruised to a 91-78 win over the Philadelphia ..."

It's still Dirk's team, but the Mavs have his back

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April 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Dirk Nowitzki has shouldered his load without complaint. He's dealt with the incomparable pressure of knowing the Mavericks had no chance to win a playoff series if he wasn't at his best. Now, he sees there's another way. Liberating? Sure. It also has profound significance on this team as it moves forward. And this team will move forward. Nothing San Antonio can do now will keep the Mavericks out of the second round. Think back to the first-round loss to Golden State two years ago. The more former coach Avery Johnson raved about Baron Davis, the more he talked about his will to win and how true stars put teams on their back, the bigger indictment it was of Nowitzki. There is no need to ..."

Play an oldie - but still clearly a goodie - for Dirk

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March 12

Dallas Morning News

"There's a reason why the Mavericks' offense has been so efficient of late. It's because they dusted off an old play that has been a trusted ally for years. It's the free throw line isolation play for Dirk Nowitzki. Basically, he sets a pick above the circle, then moves in a step or two and takes the pass from the guard he set the pick for, usually Jason Kidd or J.J. Barea. From his perch in the middle of the court, Nowitzki can survey the whole court. If the opponent doesn't double-team him, which they haven't very much, he takes a dribble or two, spins and takes an easy (for him) midrange jump shot. On the rare occasion that the opponent double-teams, such as Phoenix did Tuesday late ..."

Nowitzki back on Bonner's 'hit list'

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February 24

San Antonio Express-News

"The list of players Spurs center Matt Bonner has been asked to guard this season reads like a who's-who of All-Star big men. Amaré Stoudemire. Kevin Garnett. Dirk Nowitzki. Pau Gasol. David West. Never one to be confused with a defensive specialist, Bonner self-deprecatingly calls this his "hit list." "Pretty much every game, I go in more focused on defense than on offense, for sure," said Bonner, who will start on Nowitzki again tonight when Dallas comes to the AT"

Nowitzki likes state of Dallas Mavericks

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February 14

Dallas Morning News

"Trades and rumors of trades swirl during All-Star Weekend. The Mavericks led the charge one year ago with their acquisition of Jason Kidd. Dirk Nowitzki doesn't sound like a man who buys into the idea that another major move is necessary. The team's lone representative in this year's All-Star Game said he believes the Mavericks' performance in recent weeks warrants the nucleus be kept together for the rest of the season. "I think so," Nowitzki said. "We've had a good last two or three weeks. Guys have played hard, and I'm looking forward to our last 30 games of the season." That won't stop speculation from taking place. One making the rounds is the Mavericks and New Jersey have had ..."

With Jet grounded, Dirk soars for 44 as Dallas Mavericks win in overtime

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February 8

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"With Jason Terry injured and Josh Howard rendered ineffective for most of the game by fouls, Dirk Nowitzki was left to fend for himself Saturday night. And just then, a new sidekick showed up. And that was all Nowitzki needed. With J.J. Barea offering huge support, Nowitzki stepped up with 14 points in overtime, igniting the Mavericks to a 115-114 victory over the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center. "It was an unbelievable performance," coach Rick Carlisle said. "Early in the game, Chicago was junking up the game with some switches, but he stayed patient. "And down the stretch, the shot-making was phenomenal." Nowitzki finished with 44 points and nine rebounds, not to mention three ..."

Celtics' Kevin Garnett comes out ahead in showdown with Dirk Nowitzki

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January 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Boston coach Doc Rivers was asked after the Celtics' 124-100 victory over Dallas on Sunday if Kevin Garnett, above, had extra motivation playing against Dirk Nowitzki because they are considered two of the best power forwards in the league. "I don't know that as a fact," Rivers said, "but I would say it would be human nature." With Garnett as the primary defender, Nowitzki was only 4-of-17 from the field and had 18 points. It was one of Nowitzki's poorer shooting performances of the season. "We watched a lot of tape the last couple of days," said Garnett, who had 23 points, "and I noticed he gets a lot of space. If you give him any kind of space, he's going to let the 3 go. That's probably ..."

Loyal Nowitzki staying with Dallas Mavericks far into future

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January 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Believe it or not, Dirk Nowitzki is aware that Kevin Garnett was traded from the Timberwolves to the Celtics in the summer of 2007. What Nowitzki does not quite get is what that has to do with him. In recent weeks he has had to answer questions connecting his future to Garnett's past as if the two situations have something in common. "They don't," said Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey, who was Garnett's head coach for a season and a half in Minnesota. "They are two totally different situations." The theoretical link between Nowitzki and Garnett, who will line up against each other when the Mavericks meet the Celtics at noon today on ABC (WFAA/Ch. 8), is that each had had a long career in ..."

Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki enjoy rare late-game rest against Pistons

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January 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki watched much of the fourth quarter of their game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday from a strange place: the bench. It was a wish come true. They sat because the Mavericks had a comfortable lead. They still played their regular complement of minutes - Nowitzki 37 and Kidd 33. But there was no late-game stress or wear and tear on their bodies. Nowitzki has said several times recently that he'd like to rest late in the game, but the Mavericks seem to play so many close games that it's not possible. "We've really been grinding out games all year long," he said. "But if that's the way we're going to play, we just have to deal with it. At least we've found a way ..."

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January 22

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"As the Mavericks head into the second half of the season, they certainly are handicapped by not having a miracle worker as their head coach. The last time anyone checked, Rick Carlisle can't magically turn the Mavericks into a team that overachieves, gets lucky or finds the fountain of youth. Despite that, Carlisle finds himself optimistic about the Mavericks and their chances of success this season after the season's first 41 games. "I like this team a lot," he said Tuesday. "There is a formula for success and it involves consistency and being a strong rebounding team defensively, and offensively being efficient. When we do those things, we're very difficult to play against. We have a lot ..."

Nowitzki takes it out on Jazz

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January 18

The Deseret News

"Maybe it was Dallas' four-game losing streak. Perhaps it was because he's been suspended for one game after two of the last three times the Mavericks have faced the Jazz. Or it could have been simply sensing that when the middle of the season morphs into the end, there's a distinct possibility the two teams that played here Saturday night will be among those fighting for the eighth and final playoff position in the NBA's Western Conference. Whatever the case, Mavs All-Star Dirk Nowitzki played with a cause at sold-out American Airlines Center. The former NBA MVP scored a game-high 39 points and shot 16-of-20 from the field to lead Dallas past Utah 115-108, sending the Jazz into the ..."

Rick Carlisle keeping Dirk Nowitzki's minutes under control

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January 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Dirk Nowitzki played 33 minutes Friday at Phoenix, his lowest total in six weeks - excluding the ejection at Utah - but stewing on the bench in a blowout loss, solace did not accompany his rare rest. The Dallas Mavericks' leading scorer and rebounder is logging heavy minutes this season on the heels of a busy summer guiding the German national team to the Olympic Games. A full season at this rate, a team-high 37.5 minutes a game, might risk burnout by April, but the exceedingly durable Nowitzki and coach Rick Carlisle say the power forward is capable of handling the load for the long haul. "I think 38 [minutes] is fine for him. I don't think he has any problem," Carlisle said. "I'd like to ..."

Dirk down on NBA suspension process

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December 31

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"Dirk Nowitzki isn't happy about how the NBA handled his suspension. And he shouldn't be. But the best news out of the incident against the Jazz last week is that the Mavs' superstar is learning to be more disciplined on future trips to Utah. Nowitzki talked for the first time about the suspension that came after his backhand swing at Utah's Matt Harpring on Friday. "I was disappointed they didn't tell me Saturday," he said. "Their excuse was the investigation took all day. I don't buy that." Not that the suspension was unexpected. Earlier this season, Boston's Kevin Garnett got a one-game suspension for a similar blow to Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut. Nowitzki said it's more than a ..."

Mavs' Nowitzki appears clear to play against Clippers

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December 28

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"It appears the Dallas Mavericks will head into this afternoon's game against the Los Angeles Clippers with leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki available for service. The 7-footer faced a possible league suspension as a result of the Flagrant-2 foul called on him Friday night for striking Utah Jazz forward Matt Harpring in the face during the fourth quarter. A Flagrant-2 foul carries an automatic ejection and review by the league. But with no word filtering out of the NBA's New York offices Saturday night, it appeared Nowitzki had escaped further penalty. A Mavericks official said Nowitzki was in contact with NBA officials Saturday afternoon, but that he was not made aware of a decision. Nowitzki ..."

No ruling yet on Dallas Mavericks' Nowitzki

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December 28

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks will try to salvage their three-game trip against Western Conference teams this afternoon, and it appears they will do so with the help of Dirk Nowitzki. Saturday night passed with no word from the NBA on possible sanctions against Nowitzki, who was assessed a flagrant foul Friday night in Utah, and it looked increasingly likely that he would play today against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the league is still reviewing the play and could render some punishment today. Normally, the league's rules regarding a punch are clear: Whether it lands or not, a punch results in a suspension for at least one game. While nobody from the league or the Mavericks commented, it ..."

Dirk Nowitzki's flagrant foul a trend in Utah

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December 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"For the second time in as many seasons, a Utah Jazz forward got under Dirk Nowitzki's skin. Last March Nowitzki tangled with Andrei Kirilenko under the basket and drew a Flagrant-1 foul when Kirilenko was slammed to the court on his back. Friday night, forward Matt Harpring irritated Nowitzki to the point that the 7-footer retaliated - he seemed to contest the intentionality - with a fist to Harpring's face. Whistled for a Flagrant-2, Nowitzki was ejected with 9:48 to go in the fourth quarter. The possession turned into five points and netted the Jazz an 83-68 lead. Nowitzki, clearly annoyed by the call, atypically opted not to talk about it after the 97-88 loss. "It appeared to me that it ..."

Jazz has way of getting under Dirk's skin

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December 27

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki blew his stack once. But at least he knew that doing it twice wasn't going to make things any better. For the first time in at least seven seasons, Nowitzki left an NBA building after a game without talking to media members. It was the smart thing to do. He clearly wasn't happy about what happened Friday night against the Jazz. He didn't want to talk about his flagrant foul, probably because he knew he'd say something he'd regret later. And that he'd probably get fined heavily for. Better to let the league have its say first, which it will. Nowitzki has been mild-mannered through most of his career. But Utah's home floor brings out the Mike Tyson in him. Last March, he ..."

Nowitzki ejected as Dallas Mavericks fall to Jazz

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December 27

Dallas Morning News

"The Utah Jazz may have been undermanned Friday night. But they still had a surplus of nastiness, plenty to agitate Dirk Nowitzki and confound the Mavericks. Nowitzki lost his cool just long enough to earn a flagrant foul, penalty two, and the accompanying ejection. Even after a brief rally, that was probably the blow that knocked out the Mavericks, who went on to lose, 97-88, at EnergySolutions Arena. It was a push-and-shove game from the tip, which meant the Jazz had the Mavericks right where they wanted them. Even without Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Paul Millsap - Utah's top three scorers - the Jazz barged to a double-digit lead in the first half, then never let the Mavericks get ..."

Dirk's generosity could help Dallas Mavericks in 2010

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December 25

Dallas Morning News

"Let's start with the most important thing. All of us at Inside the Mavericks want to wish you and your family a happy holiday season. OK, let's be honest. I'm the one extending this wish. Big Ed is probably face down in a bowl of egg nog by now. In this season of giving, we focus on Dirk Nowitzki's offer to take less money in 2010 if that will help the Mavericks be a player in the free agent market. Nowitzki is scheduled to make $21.5 million in 2010-11, the final year of his current contract. But the All-Star forward has an early termination clause. He can opt out of the contract, sign a new deal that will give him long-term financial security but take less for the 2010-11 season. That ..."

Nowitzki proves too much for OKC

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December 14

The Oklahoman

"It took the third highest scoring game of Dirk Nowitzki's career for the Mavericks to overcome the Thunder's best outing of the season. Nowitzki scored a season high 46 points to lead Dallas to a 103-99 win Saturday night in front of the 287th consecutive sellout American Airlines Center crowd.Nowitzki matched his career high for made field goals. The former league MVP was 17-of-30 from the field, 10-of-10 at the line and tossed in two 3-pointers. Jason Terry chipped in 28 for the Mavs."It took their two top players to have monster games," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "Unfortunately they did. Our guys continue to battle. We're going to win some games."Led by 25 points from Jeff Green, ..."