Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is an all-time NBA great. On Monday when he signed his contract to stay in Dallas, he became the lone NBA player to ever play 21 consecutive seasons for the same franchise according to the Associated Press. It's a feat that highlights his longevity and loyalty to the Mavs.

The 13-time All-Star and former MVP's loyalty to the Dallas Mavericks is rare to see. The new zeitgeist of the NBA is all about player movement and forming super teams. Nowitzki never resorted to that.

Instead, he has spent 21 years in Dallas and his commitment paid off in 2011. Nowitzki and the Mavericks knocked off LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals to secure the championship that had previously eluded the Tall Baller from the G.

It's fitting that Nowitzki knocked off one of the most notorious superteams in the NBA's history. Nowitzki carried the Mavericks to that championship without the help of another superstar, which was an anomaly at the time. Now, it seems downright impossible.

Dirk was surrounded by a collection of role players including Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler. Nowitzki's 27.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game led the way for the Mavs.

Unfortunately, Nowitzki's career is winding down, and that could mean the end of an era. Of course, a handful of players will play the entirety of their career with one team. But, seeing a single star put a team on his back en route to a championship looks like a thing of the past.