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Dirk Nowitzki News & Rumors

Dirk stars with 33 points; Kidd offers lift in win on road
February 11
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Not that he needed validation, but Dirk Nowitzki put his stamp on why he was deserving to make the NBA All-Star Game for the 11th consecutive season. Nowitzki drilled jumpers from all angles of the Target Center on Friday night as he poured in a season-high 33 points to pace the Dallas Mavericks to a 104-97 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coupled with the return of point guard Jason Kidd, the Mavs went to battle with a full roster for one of the few times this season. The result was a road win against a team that had been 2-0 against them this season. Nowitzki converted 11 of 19 shots and has scored 112 points over the past four games. "It started early," said Nowitzki, who also"
Home game for Dirk: Mavs to play in Germany, Spain next preseason, sources say
February 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"After 14 seasons in the NBA , Dirk Nowitzki is finally going to play a home game. The Mavericks are scheduled to take part in the international portion of the NBA's preseason schedule before next season, two sources said Friday. Though dates and details are being worked out, Dallas is scheduled to go to Nowitzki's home country for a preseason game in Berlin and will play a game in Barcelona, Spain. The Mavericks have been obvious candidates for the European trip with Nowitzki, the 2007 MVP and NBA Finals MVP last season, as the face of the franchise."
Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki makes 11th consecutive All-Star team
February 10
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The NBA ignored an honest comment by Dirk Nowitzki and named the Dallas Mavericks' power forward to his 11th consecutive All-Star game on Thursday night. Nowitzki has been saying for over a week that he didn't deserve to play in this year's All-Star game, which will be held Feb. 26 in Orlando, Fla. However, the Western Conference coaches beg to differ, and used their vote to select the Mavs' No. 1 go-to guy to yet another All-Star game. "I am really excited to make the All-Star team," Nowitzki said. "It was a tough road back to full health for me, but I am honored that the coaches thought enough of me to make me an All-Star."
Dirk Nowitzki feels Lamar Odom will be 'important piece' down stretch
February 10
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki will wait until this evening to find out if he's a reserve on the Western Conference All-Star team, but he's not really sweating it. "I may be the first Finals MVP who the next year is not an all-star but I don't think that's really what it's about to me right now,'' Nowitzki said after today's practice in Minnesota. What is important to Nowitzki right now is that the Mavericks have a critical stretch of games upcoming and he wants his team to build some momentum moving forward. And he has an interesting take on who might play a vital role for the Mavericks as the season meanders past the midpoint before the All-Star Weekend in two weeks."
Dirk Nowitzki looks like All-Star again
February 9
ESPN.com
 
"Maybe this German dude has a few days left as a go-to guy after all. It could be coincidence or perhaps it was just a matter of time, but Dirk Nowitzki has suddenly looked like himself ever since Charles Barkley declared that the best player in Mavs' history was no longer capable of being "The Man." Nowitzki has scored 79 points on 61.5 percent shooting in the last three games. He had 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting and nine rebounds in Wednesday's win over the Denver Nuggets, putting up what's pretty much been a typical performance for him over the last decade. "All-Star performance, didn't you think?" coach Rick Carlisle said, poking fun at the possibility that Nowitzki's slow start could"
Mavericks guard Jason Kidd: I think Dirk Nowitzki 'is far from done'
February 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"Charles Barkley said last week that Dirk Nowitzki's "days of being the man are over" and added that the Mavericks are "too old and too slow" to repeat as NBA champs. Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who turns 39 next month, disagrees with Barkley's opinion. The 17-year veteran was asked about Barkley's comments during a Tuesday radio interview and defended his teammate."
Dirk Nowitzki says he is undeserving of All-Star game inclusion
February 7
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has played in 10 consecutive NBA All-Star games. He also is coming off a season in which he won his first championship and was named the NBA Finals' Most Valuable Player. But Nowitzki sounds like he doesn't expect to be an All-Star this year. He wasn't voted in as a starter. Those results were announced last week. Coaches vote on the seven reserves in each conference. Those results are scheduled to be announced on Thursday."
Dirk Nowitzki down on his season
February 6
ESPN.com
 
"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"
Nowitzki becomes NBA's No. 22 all-time leading scorer
February 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dirk Nowitzki is probably one of the most humble superstars in the history of the NBA. With so many accolades coming his way, Nowitzki didn't even know he had passed the great Elgin Baylor on Saturday night against Cleveland to become the NBA's No. 22 all-time leading scorer. Told of the achievement after the Mavs' 91-88 loss to the Cavaliers, Nowitzki sheepishly said: "I did [past Baylor]? I didn't see that, I didn't even know that coming in."
A warm welcome 'home' to Cleveland's favorite 'Caverick'
February 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Bill Livingston
"Saturday's guest of honor came off the practice floor, the very large object of even larger civic affection. Suddenly, Dirk Nowitzki -- 7 feet tall, of German heritage, the 2011 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, a man in the employ of the opposing Dallas Mavericks for 14 years now -- was besieged for autographs. Fans at the Cavaliers-Dallas game thrust programs and photos and Dallas jerseys at Nowitzki, who signed a couple dozen in all, each with a scrawled "Dirk." "Dirk! Dirk!" they cried. Fans want autographs everywhere, but the dynamic was different here. More fans, more warmth. "When you're caught up in the Finals, you really don't know about these things," said Nowitzki afterward. The"
Nowitzki scores 30 points, but Mavericks fall to Pacers
February 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dirk Nowitzki finally rediscovered his shooting touch. Unfortunately for him, his Dallas Mavericks teammates are still looking for theirs. Paul George scored a career-high 30 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the Mavs to the finish line, 98-87, Friday night before a crowd of 20,146 at American Airlines Center. Coupled with Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City, this is the second time this season the Mavs (14-10) have dropped consecutive games at home. The defending NBA champions opened the season with home losses to Miami and Denver. About the only positive the Mavs can take from Friday's loss was that Nowitzki was able to find his shooting touch. The 10-time All-Star scored a season-high 30"
Knee injury, conditioning issues slow Nowitzki
February 3
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"It's been a week since Dallas Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki returned from a four-game sabbatical to get in better shape and rest an injured knee. His jump shot and his game are coming along slowly. Nowitzki has scored just 28 points on 11 of 39 shooting in three games since his return. He will head into tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers following a season-worst 2 for 15 shooting performance in Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nowitzki said the knee has improved and is no longer swelling after games. But he admits that his confidence has taken a hit, which is in turn affecting his game."
No question Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki has a problem with his legs
February 3
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Corbett Smith
"He's so awkward when you watch him play. There are so many moving parts, elbows and knees going everywhere, he's got a problem with his legs. There's no question he's got a problem with his legs. If Dirk want to test the knee or sit, you got to let him do that. Right now these games are irrelevant; the Mavericks are going to make the playoffs."
Dirk Nowitzki: 'I'll play for at least two more years'
February 2
Dallas Morning News
 
"Friday, Jan. 27 was a big day for Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks superstar didn't play in his team's 116-101 victory over the Utah Jazz that day but he left American Airlines Center with his first NBA championship ring and his sixth La Gazzetta dello Sport Europlayer of the year award. After receiving the award, Nowitzki stated that he wanted to win one more Europlayer crown, which would allow him to pass former Portland Trailblazers center Arvydas Sabonis. And speaking of goals, Nowitzki was also asked about his future in the NBA. "I'll play for at least two more years," he responded."
Dirk just wasn't ready for NBA season to start
February 1
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Kevin Sherrington
"On whether Dirk's problems so far have been more physical or mental: Sherrington: With Dirk it's always a combination of things. He's a guy who's very regimented and has made himself into the player that he is today. He's a great athlete for a seven-foot guy, but he's very much a made athlete. He's done everything a certain way every year and worked very hard, so I think the fact that they've crammed this season in, he was not expecting it to start when it did and I think that's really thrown him. You watch him in that game against the Spurs and there was a couple of times that he was completely lost on the floor. I think that's not so much a matter of not caring as much as "I'm not ready"
Dirk: This season's starting to feel like last year
January 31
Dallas Morning News
 
"Back on Jan. 5, after the Mavericks were blown out by 22 points in San Antonio and fell to 2-2 for the month, Dirk Nowitzki sized up the team and January's 18-game schedule thusly: "If you look at our schedule, I mean, January's a beast," Nowitzki said that night. "Maybe that's a good thing, get everybody's legs (under them) in January, keep working hard and get through this tough phase with a halfway-decent record. "And then I think we're set up to make a decent push in February, March and April because the schedule lightens up a little." Halfway decent? Dallas finished 13-5 in January. The Mavericks are 14-8 one-third of the way into the 66-game season and they're in first place in the"
Dirk Nowitzki: My knee 'had a little swelling but I think it's going to be OK'
January 30
Dallas Morning News
 
"Returning from a four-game rest period, Dirk Nowitzki's shot was obviously rusty. But even if he missed every jumper it wouldn't have mattered, Sunday was about seeing if the seven-foot German was closing in on full-strength. Most importantly, Nowitzki, who has been working out twice a day to strengthen his legs and injured right knee, played 38 minutes, helping the Mavericks top the rival San Antonio Spurs in overtime, 101-100, at American Airlines Center. When asked how he felt after playing about five minutes more than head coach Rick Carlisle had planned, Nowitzki said he thought it was obvious."
Mavs-Spurs: Dirk's return, blown leads and a Mavs OT win
January 30
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"In this condensed, 66-game season, the Dallas Mavericks aren't too concerned about style wins. They just want to get them any way they can. The Mavs blew an 18-point third-quarter lead to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, then had to rally from a nine-point deficit to eke out a 101-100 win in overtime at American Airlines Center. The victory enabled the Mavs (13-8) to move into sole possession of first place in the Southwest Division for the first time this season. But the Mavs, who were 0-3 to start this season, don't feel like they're holding down the pole position. "You've got to be careful of watching the standings," said Jason Terry, who scored a season-high 34 points. "If you lose"
Dirk Nowitzki returns; Jason Kidd out
January 29
ESPN.com
 
"Dirk Nowitzki is back, but Jason Kidd's strained right calf will keep the Dallas Mavericks from finally being whole again for at least another week. Nowitzki was in the starting lineup for Sunday night's showdown against the San Antonio Spurs after his eight-day personal training camp of sorts designed to strengthen his bothersome right knee. Kidd, who was hurt barely two minutes into Friday's 15-point win over the Utah Jazz, received relatively good news about his injury. "It's not real serious, but it's going to take a while," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're going to say that it's going to be at least a week and it's probably going to be longer.""
Dirk as fat Shaq: Following his owner
January 29
San Antonio Express-News
 columnist Buck Harvey
"Most in the league thought Mark Cuban had it right. Why not play with an eye on the summer of 2012? Enjoy the championship glow. Don't re-sign Tyson Chandler or J.J. Barea, freeing up salary cap space. Try to win with what you have this season. And then get in line for Deron Williams or Dwight Howard or both. It is smart basketball, as well as smart business. Dallas fans, also caught up in the championship glow, aren't about to go away now. But the message drifted down, turning Cuban's best player into Shaquille O'Neal with a German accent. And this isn't what Dirk Nowitzki needed. He already had too many reasons to relax."
Nowitzki glad celebrating 'behind us now,' is eager to start 'the new season'
January 27
Dallas Morning News
 
"Nowitzki, by the way, said he got fitted for his championship ring, but the giant piece of jewelry still didn't fit. "I had it fitted for my ring finger, but it was way too big,'' he said. "So I just put it on my middle finger.'' Nowitzki is glad that the ceremonies commemorating the championship are over."
Dirk Nowitzki unsure about return
January 26
ESPN.com
 
"Originally scheduled to miss only four games with a sore right knee, Dallas Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki could possibly be out longer, he said Thursday. Nowitzki, who will miss his fourth game against the Utah Jazz on Friday, spoke to the media for the first time since being sidelined and said he's making progress. Nowitzki said a decision on his return will be made closer to game time before Sunday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs."
Cuban says Nowitzki hurt by lockout
January 24
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Mark Cuban has heard the whispers of people talking about the decline of his franchise player, Dirk Nowitzki. But the Dallas Mavericks owner brushes it aside like he does so many frivolous business deals that come his way. From Cuban's standpoint, the NBA lockout prevented Nowitzki from doing his normal off-season routine to prepare for the ensuing season."
Mark Cuban: discount everything 'til playoffs, including Dirk's knee
January 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mark Cuban said Monday evening he is "not even a little bit'' concerned about Dirk Nowitzki's physical condition and that anybody who puts stock in events like this one is headed down a bad path in this shortened season. "There's nothing you can take from anything that happens in this season,'' he said. "Absolutely nothing. Nothing.''"
Dirk Nowitzki's rehab could go longer than four games
January 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rick Carlisle stressed again tonight before the Mavericks played Phoenix that Dirk Nowitzki is working harder in his weeklong rehab assignment than he would be if he were playing games. And he also said the boot camp could last longer. "To be clear, again, he had two workouts today and there are going to be multiple workouts on most days,'' said Carlisle, who also mentioned that strategic physical recovery periods will be utilized. "We'll see what's what after four games and if he's not ready after four games, then we may extend this thing.''"
Mavericks on Dirk's upcoming conditioning week: 'He needs to work hard and he will'
January 23
Dallas Morning News
 
"OK, Dirk Nowitzki has never set any speed records, but his game has evolved to include face-up moves to the basket. That's one of the things that was lacking in his game early this season and why he is going through a weeklong conditioning program. "I couldn't go by anybody off the dribble and that's part of my game right now," Nowitzki said. "I was just a pop-up shooter because I couldn't make a move and get by anybody. So that's something I got to work on this week, putting the ball on the floor and getting comfortable and getting confidence in my leg strength and getting that back and get back to being myself.""
Jason Kidd won't let team limp through Nowitzki-less stretch
January 23
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Mavericks will not be in the business of holding the fort down during Dirk Nowitzki's absence. Jason Kidd doesn't embrace that idea and he doesn't want his teammates thinking like that, either. "We got to go out and win games," Kidd said. "We're not trying to hold anything. We're trying to get better as a team and when he gets back, it'll just make us that much stronger.""
Dirk Nowitzki getting shut down for knee, conditioning problems
January 22
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Mavericks have made the difficult decision to sit Dirk Nowitzki out of games for the next week and put him through a rigorous conditioning program to aid his balky right knee and his overall physical shape. "We're going to shut Dirk down for four games, from game activity,'' coach Rick Carlisle said. "At this point, we feel he needs an uninterrupted eight days of work to resolve some physical issues and some conditioning issues. This is the decision of (athletic trainer) Casey Smith and me. "If it were up to Dirk, he would play. But right now, we feel the right thing is to take this time, get some things resolved and hopefully by next Sunday, he'll be feeling a lot better and ready to"
Dirk Nowitzki's knee achy, but improving
January 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"As it turns out, Dirk Nowitzki's start to the season - his scoring average of 17.9 points is the lowest since his second season - has happened for a reason. Nowitzki said after Wednesday's 91-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that he's been battling a sore right knee that has limited his mobility. The good news, he said, was that the worst appears to be behind him."
How Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki upset vegans with his bank commercial
January 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is in some hot water with vegetarians in his native country. In a German TV commercial for the bank Ing-Diba, Nowitzki appears in a butcher shop and eats some wurst sausage offered to him from the woman behind the counter. According to NBC Sports, he responds to a question of "What did we always used to say?" with "So you grow big and strong" in regards to eating sausage."
Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki sporting protecting sleeve on right knee
January 18
Dallas Morning News
 
"Most people have noticed that Dirk Nowitzki has been wearing a protective sleeve on his right knee the last few games. He hasn't missed any time and doesn't appear to be impeded by his knee, but anytime the face of the franchise has a new piece of protective gear, it draws attention. It's the same knee Nowitzki injured last season in December, which kept him out more than two weeks."
As usual, Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki trails young guys in All-Star voting
January 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"The early results of fan balloting to determine the NBA All-Star starters is predictable. The sizzle is beating the steak once again. Dirk Nowitzki, who has always said he's not the kind of player fans want to see in an All-Star Game, is well behind the young, trendy (and good) young forwards as the NBA just released the early returns from fans."
West, Nowitzki lead Mavericks to first road win of season
January 11
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"While Dirk Nowitzki was rediscovering his jump shot, the Dallas Mavericks were collecting their first road win of the season. And along the way, the Mavs discovered a capable backup to the injured Jason Kidd. A good time was had by all Tuesday night as the Mavs beat up the hapless Detroit Pistons 100-86 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. In sending the Pistons to their fifth straight loss, the Mavs forced 20 turnovers, shot 55.1 percent from the field and were relentless on defense. Nowitzki, who entered the game with just 16 points on 5-of-22 shooting during the past two games, busted out of his slump by scoring 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Yet it was the solid all-around play of point"
Dirk contemplates possibility of American citizenship
January 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"As the Mavericks prepare to visit President Barack Obama and the White House on Monday, it will provide Dirk Nowitzki time for introspection. The Big German is hugely proud of his Deutschland roots. One of his favorite moments was carrying the flag for his country in the 2008 Olympics. But as he moves along in life, he said he's already contemplated the possibility that, one day, he might be The Big American."
Steve Nash on title for Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd: 'I was excited for them'
January 5
Dallas Morning News
 
"Steve Nash got a vicarious thrill when the Mavericks won the championship. But he never felt like he missed out on anything. Hard to believe the former Maverick is in his eighth season with Phoenix after joining the Suns in the summer of 2004 as a free agent that the Mavericks elected not to re-sign. When Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the title last summer, it made Nash proud. "It was amazing, to see Dirk and Jason (Kidd) win a title,'' Nash said. "Both of them have been with this franchise a long time, Jason in two parts and Dirk from Day One. So to see guys who have meant a lot to the community and meant a lot to the franchise over the years kind of turn the corner and win a"
Five Mavs on All-Star ballot; is this the year Dirk gets voted in as a starter?
January 5
Dallas Morning News
 
"There were five Mavericks on the All-Star ballot that was announced Wednesday: Dirk Nowitzki , Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. There is no question Nowitzki will be at the game in Orlando -- his 11th consecutive trip to the All-Star Game. But could this be the first year he's voted in by the fans as a starter? "He's got a shot," coach Rick Carlisle said. "When you become the MVP of the Finals and your team wins, globally, there's a greater awareness. But the greatest thing about Dirk is he doesn't care about that.""
Nowitzki not 100 percent yet
December 22
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dirk Nowitzki doesn't want anyone reading anything into that sluggish 2-of-10 shooting performance he had Tuesday night against Oklahoma City. It was Nowitzki's first game in a Dallas Mavericks uniform since Game 6 of the NBA Finals against Miami last June. Nowitzki only played 23 minutes and scored just six points and said he was a bit winded. "I'm fine, nothing hurts,'' Nowitzki said. "The wind will come back, but it's definitely better than what it was two weeks ago when we started camp."
Nowitzki takes a break from practice
December 15
Dallas Morning News
 
"Apparently, the grueling practice schedule has gotten to Dirk Nowitzki. The superstar left Wednesday morning's workout early because he wasn't feeling well, meaning the Mavericks still haven't had their full compliment of players for a complete practice. He may be back at the evening workout."
Dirk Nowitzki on how Lamar Odom will fit into Mavericks lineup
December 12
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki sounded like a regular guy, which he is except for the $19-million salary and being one of the best basketball players ever. He was talking about the trade that netted Lamar Odom and couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "Excited, I mean really to get Lamar Odom for a trade exception - and I don't even know what that is - so we turned nothing into a great player.''"
Dirk Nowitzki knows Mavericks are a business that could lose some of its key pieces
December 9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"With NBA training camps set to start today, Dirk Nowitzki knows the world champion Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of going through a makeover. He just hopes it's not the type of makeover that would hamper the Mavericks' chances of repeating as NBA champs. Nowitzki, 33, discussed several issues on the eve of training camp. How has this past summer been different for you than other summers? There's this satisfaction that comes with winning it. Every summer would end in the playoffs with a loss, and you're disappointed and you're not happy and it takes a couple of months to get over it and get fired up again for a new try. And this year we reached our goal, we reached our dream. From that"
Dirk: Tyson "going to be family'' no matter where he goes
December 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki had some great things to say about the state of the Mavericks as he took to the practice court to workout with a few teammates on Thursday. Here's the highlights, particularly as it pertains to Tyson Chandler's likely exodus to another team via free agency and J.J. Barea, who could follow him. "Hopefully, he's going to come back,'' Nowitzki said of Chandler. "If not, we wish him obviously the best of luck. "When Devean George was here, he obviously won it with the Lakers, I saw him hug somebody at half court almost every game and I was like: what are you doing every game hugging somebody? And he said once you win the championship, it's like a bond. It's family forever. It's"
Dirk Nowitzki looks at playing overseas
November 19
ESPN.com
 
"After two months of traveling, playing tennis, soaking in every pitch of the Texas Rangers' playoff run and generally recharging, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki has a basketball in his hands again. The reigning NBA Finals MVP recently returned to Germany to resume his customary workout routine with longtime shot doctor Holger Geschwindner and told ESPN.com on Saturday that he's going to find a team in Europe "soon" with the NBA lockout well into its fifth month without a settlement. "It's going to take me a few weeks to get in basketball shape," Nowitzki said, "but then I'm ready. I can't stand not playing." Although he continues to express optimism that the NBA season will be saved,"
Dirk will wait until January before looking outside NBA
September 21
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki has had a busy 12 months and because of that he's going to give the NBA every chance to settle its labor dispute with players before committing to play in another league. Holger Geschwindner, longtime personal coach and close friend to the Mavericks' perennial all-star and NBA Finals MVP, said Tuesday that Nowitzki plans on waiting until January before striking any deal with a German or other European club. January is widely considered the drop-dead month for the NBA having to reach a new collective-bargaining agreement and still being able to conduct a shortened season -- presumably 50 games like the one played in 1999, the last and only time the league has lost"
Gasol brothers get the best of Dirk Nowitzki, Germany, 77-68
September 8
Dallas Morning News
 
"Brothers Marc and Pau Gasol combined for 43 points to lead defending champion Spain past Germany 77-68 Wednesday at the European basketball championship."
Report: Chinese team offers Nowitzki $1.5 million a month
August 9
Pro Basketball Talk
 
"It's been expected that if Dirk Nowitzki decides to play overseas during the lockout, he would return to his native Germany. Bayern Munich reportedly has had interest as would plenty of teams. But could he turn down $1.5 million per month? That is what the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association are reportedly offering him, according to the German publication Bild. This wouldn't be the first rumor of a big-money offer from China, Dwyane Wade was reportedly offered $2 million a month (something both sides denied). The Chinese league does not start play until December, so this all could be very preliminary."
Mavs' Dirk Nowitkzi not interested in playing abroad during lockout
August 5
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki says he will play for Germany at the upcoming European Championship when Olympic berths will be at stake, but that appears to be the extent of his time abroad this summer. While Jordan Farmar and a host of other NBA players have already agreed to play abroad next season, Nowtizki said he won't follow the money outside the league and play elsewhere in event of an extended lockout. Speaking to ESPN's Marc Stein, Nowitzki made it clear that despite the interest from teams with deep pockets abroad, he plans on heading back home to Dallas to rest following the Euro Championships. "I'm going to play the Euros and then see where the lockout is after that," Nowitzki told Stein."
Dirk Nowitzki has no overseas plans
August 5
ESPN.com
 
"There have been offers from China, feelers from teams around Europe and, of course, aggressive interest from Bayern Munich and other top clubs in his native Germany. But Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki isn't ready to think about playing abroad in the event of an extended lockout. Two weeks into his training for the upcoming EuroBasket tournament in Lithuania with the German national team, after a month of championship celebrations that he says went by way too fast, Nowitzki told ESPNDallas.com in a phone interview Thursday that he plans to wait until after the European championships before he thinks seriously about playing in a foreign league. Spending the week in Berlin to combine a"
Nowitzki becomes NBA's most marketable player
August 2
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dirk Nowitzki doesn't care about gathering lucrative endorsement deals, he made that clear in a letter to Bloomberg last month. But that hasn't prevented him from becoming the NBA's most marketable player, according to a recent Nielsen/E-Poll. SportingNews.com reported Monday that Nowitzki's N-Score, which measures name and image awareness, appeal and personality attributes, topped the survey. "The extreme N-Score declines of LeBron and Dwyane Wade demonstrate that endorsement potential is about much more than consumer awareness," Stephen Master, vice president at Nielsen Sports said in the article. "From endorsement superstars to being knocked off the top 10 list, they've learned the hard"
Dirk Nowitzki to play for Germany
July 22
ESPN.com
 
"Dirk Nowitzki says he will play for Germany at the upcoming European Championship when Olympic berths will be at stake. The Dallas Mavericks forward says the break after the NBA Finals was brief, but he'd "like to help the young German team have success." Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the NBA championship over the Miami Heat and was named the series MVP."