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| Dirk Nowtizki making his 13th NBA All-Star Appearance. Photo credit: USA Today |
After having mixed emotions about cancelling a vacation to Florida in order to play in his 13th NBA All-Star game, German-born Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki has found spending the weekend in the Big Apple worthwhile.
by +Rodney FisherNew York --"Last night, I was at the Jordan party holding it down!", says the veteran Dirk, playing in his 13th All-Star game and 17th season in the NBA.
Most Mavericks fans, including head coach Rick Carlisle, felt that Dirk would spend the weekend resting, not playing. Even Dirk thinks that teammates Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler should be representing the Western Conference instead of him.
"We all feel like Monta right now is our best player. He is our closer, so it's a little unfortunate that he couldn't make it. We feel like Tyson Chandler is also having a great year. He is averaging a double-double." - Dirk Nowitzki
After arriving on Friday night and attending the Jordan brand 30th Anniversary party and participating in All-Star practice at the famed Madison Square Garden, the nostalgia of playing in New York started to entice him more.
"It's one of my favorite arenas. I like the darkness of it and the court is lit. The fans really have knowledge of the game. There is always celebrities out here. I love paying here...so leaving Florida, this was a great place to be. The Big Apple." - Dirk Nowitzki
Tim Duncan, the 38-year old playing in his 18th season, is the only All-Star older than Nowitzki. Both acknowledge the new talent, but feel great about getting the opportunity to be the elder statesmen in the game.
Coach Steve Kerr, once a teammate of Tim Duncan, says that Dirk is one of his favorite players to watch. Adding him to the roster was a no-brainer as far as he is concerned.
"All-Star weekend is about soaking it all in, and having fun, so hopefully that's what we are going to do..." - Dirk Nowitzki
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