Dirk Nowitzki: Is Dallas Mavericks Star Fading?

Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Dirk Nowitzki, franchise player for the Dallas Mavericks, seems to be fading from superstar status. The perennial 20-point scorer is averaging 17.3 points per game, but that number falls to 15.4 since the All-Star break. Even Nowitzki admits he is no longer the Mavs go-to-scorer.

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Well before the All-Star Game, Nowitzki spoke about Monta Ellis as a potential All-Star. From Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News,

“It’s no secret this year that he’s really our go-to guy,” Nowitzki said. “He’s in his prime. He’s great at driving, but his in-between shot got better. I feel like he deserves it.”

Nowitzki not only points out that Ellis is now the main scorer, but without saying so explicitly, admits that he himself is no longer in his prime by pointing out that Ellis is “in his prime.”

If not for knee surgery at the beginning of the 2012-13 season and struggling to get back into shape and rhythm, Nowitzki would have averaged 20 or more points a game for 14 straight seasons. With the knee surgery, his streak of 20-points-per-game seasons stopped at 12. He averaged 17.3 in 2012-13 before getting back to the 20-point benchmark in 2013-14 with 21.7 per game.

With Dirk fully healthy this season, it seems that his time as a 20-point scorer is done. He is averaging 4.4 fewer points per game this year compared to last. Furthermore, as it was mentioned above, his 17.3 points per game has turned into 15.4 since the break.

He has obviously taken a step down, but how much of a step?

Next: A Fading Star