The Dallas Mavericks are currently 15-29 on the season and are the 13th seed in the West. They are probably not the most watchable team in the NBA.
But you can't count out a team that has Dirk Nowitzki.
Father Time may be catching up with the Mavs great, but he still has some fuel left in the tank. He is averaging 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
However, it is slowly becoming apparent that Nowitzki has a diminishing role with the Mavs. He's not being on the floor at the end of games.
Harrison Wind of BSN Denver posted a video of Nowitzki addressing the issue. Nowitzki said:
“It's usually better for us to have a defensive lineup out there . . . As we know usually teams all go small nowadays, especially down the stretch. There's five shooters out there . . . We need a little more mobile guy out there.”
See the video yourself:
Dirk on what its been like not being on the floor at the end of games: “…it’s usually better for us to have a defensive lineup out there.” pic.twitter.com/cganEFUoPo
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) January 16, 2018
When you think about it, it does makes sense. It's nothing against Nowitzki, but the game is not like it has used to be. Teams are indeed going small nowadays, especially after the Golden State Warriors have proven that it could be an effective lineup.
Nowitzki, with his age and size, may not be able to keep up with a lot of these guys, especially when the game is already on the line.
You can also argue that this is also a way for the Mavs to prepare for Nowitzki's retirement. He can't play forever. The team has to learn to play without him.
But the team may be in good hands. The likes of Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr. prove so.
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