german pronunciation born june german professional basketball player dallas national_basketball_association nba alumnus basketball club chosen ninth pick nba draft immediately traded played listed considered greatest power forwards basketball history led nba playoffs including franchise finals appearance championship time star time nba team member european player start star game receive nba valuable player award highest scoring foreign born player nba history currently ranked 6th time scoring regular season points seven players achieved season voted nba team holds time franchise records players achieve consecutive point rebound post season games led german national basketball team bronze medal world championship silver leading scorer mvp tournaments named year italian sports newspaper sport years running named european player year italian sports magazine year twice december named german sports personality year basketball player receive award december non american player receive legacy award early years born germany comes athletic family mother née professional basketball player father player represented germany highest international level older sister local champion track field basketball player works nba tall child time stood peers foot initially played tennis soon grew tired called freak height eventually turned basketball joining local year old attracted attention german international basketball player spotted talent immediately offered coach individually times week getting approval parents student unorthodox training scheme emphasized shooting passing exercises weight training tactical drills felt unnecessary friction furthermore encouraged play musical instrument read literature complete personality year coach impressed progress advised decide want play best world stay local hero germany choose stop training immediately prevent anymore want play best train daily basis lifetime decision days agreed enter time training schedule choosing path eventual international career let train seven days week players future german summer year old squad joined team played second south division trainer played tall teenager outside scoring forward inside scoring center shooting skills second season ambitious finished disappointing sixth teams rookie struggled bad school grades forced study work game second season established starter finnish star forward soon regular double digit scorer german national basketball coach saw score points game stated greatest german basketball talent maybe years finished second earn promotion losing deciding match versus game scored points second season team scorer left team replaced head coach filling void averaged points game led second place regular season help team gain promotion following second season finished german levels compulsory military service lasted september june described period tough time privileges participate drills later finishing tough intensive initial service relaxed concerning basketball year old grown tall progress leading point total germany victory gives points loss ending leading scorer points game promotion playoffs finally broke finishing place points earning promotion higher league scored points deciding win voted german year magazine abroad progress noticed wanted sign refused finishing year later teenager participated heroes tour played nba stars like minute match causing boy genius wants enter nba march chosen play summit premier talent watches men basketball match talents international talents scored points shooting rebounds steals future nba players impressed combination ball handling shooting range moment multitude european nba clubs wanted recruit dallas present difficult start leading promotion military service looked nba future projected seventh pick nba draft passed college offers went directly nba rare prep pro player particular head coaches dallas respectively highly interested acquiring minute private showcased versatile shooting passing skills boston coach immediately compared legend assured draft round draft pick plan nelson team sixth pick nelson worked draft day deals wanted reserve point guard desired muscular forward projected drafted set sights forward projected low round pick draft drafted sixth pick selected ninth nineteenth pick traded return traded retrospect coached outstanding trade instinct essentially trading future career future nba nash addition new recruits quickly close friends fourth german player nba history following star year old veteran young arrived finished career player nba dallas joined franchise playoffs shooting guard captained squad supported inch center number draft pick team scoring leader forward experienced rocky start prior nba season nba commissioner wanted introduce salary cap causing nba players union declare strike combination putting entire season jeopardy returned played thirteen games sides worked late compromise deal resulted shortened schedule instead regular season games season finally started struggled played power forward coach year old felt athletic nba forwards intimidated expectations number pick played bad defense causing stands defense basketball slang averaged points rebounds minutes playing time looking said frustrated contemplated going germany jump second nba like jumping airplane hoping parachute open won games missed playoffs completed season double digit scoring games big season nba season wanted use point forward use passing skills important moves hardwood owner bought franchise million plans investing players admitted knew little basketball january sold internet million cuban quickly invested franchise attending game buying team million star boeing traveling increasing franchise revenues million lauded cuban created perfect environment win result nelson cuban improvements progress significantly improved averages second year pro averaged points rebounds assists game minutes double double games scored career high points twice voted runner nba improved nba star sophomore squad peers traditional rookie sophomore match scored points grabbed rebounds assists overtime loss rookie team led inch chosen nba star point shootout tallest player participate draining shots shootout entered final round finished runner improved individual level missed playoffs mediocre season season nba season improved averages recording points rebounds assists game playing power forward position second player nba history score blocks regular season registering respectively sign growing importance joined team captain play start games games scored points voted nba squads making team addition best friend nash valuable point guard scoring calling trio big posting record regular season reached playoffs time fifth seed paired utah jazz time assist leader second time leading scorer losing games scored points games helped tie series game trailed entire game lay ahead seconds left jazz players missed second shots won setting meeting texas rivals lost games fell ill flu later lost tooth collision spurs guard game win scored points rebounds game prevent deciding loss sports_illustrated pointed shot badly game lauded scoring playoff career high points said disappointment end season season prior nba season signed year million contract extension second highest paid german athlete formula champion continued improve averaging points rebounds assists game voted star game games points rebounds powered new recruit high scoring sixth man big convincingly playoffs record swept round nba playoffs points game versus second round met sacramento kings rival power forward splitting games kings coach changed defensive scheme defended kings coach ordered smaller quicker player cover use agility play tightly taller tried post double team game dallas lost scored points said simply pass ran double team committed game frustration awaited german gave away point lead entire kings starting center power forward small forward injury eliminated closing stages game missed potentially game deciding jump shots lost home game match spirited kings lost eliminated remarked kings defended better games counted sacramento meaning kings averaged easy points game received award sport voted european year votes lifting second placed season nba season emphasis defense training drills zone defense anchored prolific won games nash voted western conference players month november season lifted averages scoring points rebounds assists game addition german double double games seventh highest figure season averaging european score points season reward voted nba second team runner german athlete year election losing ski led franchise high record earned seed result play sixth seed portland trail nba playoffs playing best seven series instead best quickly won games completely lost rhythm game portland held game close hit clutch left won important basket career later said prepared vacation early later added espn interview physical paint rebound ball worked hard season home court advantage advantage today round met kings losing game home points veteran sixth man led dallas spectacular game win scored points half helped fact kings star forward injured led win game dropping game scored points ejected angrily kicking load splitting games delivered clutch performance game scoring points grabbing rebounds playing strong defense led series deciding win espn lauded big winning game german added learned close games met spurs game san_antonio scored points duncan led team win game duncan quickly foul trouble spurs series win game went rebound spurs guard collided knee forcing series scorer fought trailed spurs guard got hot arc late game help san_antonio clinch series victory later commented playing long dropped went cold wrong time took little fact voted european year named best european general survey nba general managers season nba season cuban nelson decided add offensive wing players squad result acquired star forwards golden state warriors star forward role players came center basketball experts wary trade sent away starting center argued left hole middle aging injury prone backup pivot fill anymore unable trade new center nelson decided start prolific pivot walker usual power forward spot played high scoring sixth man cope physical role muscle mass summer sacrificed agility emphasis defense scoring result averages fell time career dropping points rebounds assists game led scoring steals blocks figures earned nominations compiling record met familiar rivals sacramento kings eliminated franchise player present season nba season defensive center acquired golden state warriors close friend left dallas returned free agent season long time head coach resigned assistant took coaching duties midst changes stepped game averaged points game career high rebounds blocks assists career numbers addition scored points game players registered steals blocks game second point season points scoring average set new record european player december scored points overtime win career best reward voted nba team time placed league mvp voting nash elected nba team player attend united_states high school college nba team nba playoffs campaign round dallas met houston rockets scoring champion center expected average high figures forward described versus german instead limited points game points game hit shots field rockets took series lead won games row losing game dallas won game convincingly won series struggled shooting met new club nash split games won games game lost overtime best scored points sank field goal attempts addition visibly irritated repeatedly shouting teammates missing shots season prior nba season veteran captain waived summer player remaining big nash sole franchise player averaging points rebounds assists point season scoring average points highest european improved shooting percentage setting personal season records field goals point shots free throws star weekend houston scored points defeat guard guard point shootout contest paced dallas win season team finished best record league defending champion defending champion season finished league mvp voting time nash elected team nba squad confirmed superstar status playoffs averaged points rebounds assists swept scored clutch closing seconds game tied game forced overtime played splitting games took point lead game broke tie hitting seconds left play completed point play tied game end won ended game points rebounds commented don know ball went hit hand lucky bounce advanced met scored points lead victory crucial game series tied won series games faced miami heat nba finals content commented good road team season long believed went ups downs season playoffs showing heart playing performance espn columnist wrote playing higher level forward larry bird took early lead gave away late point lead game loss finally fell scoring onslaught wade wade scored points games heat won shots final games lost finals series heat german criticized espn clearly best series remarked tough loss game changed momentum series got confidence played lot better mvp season season year named league valuable player shot career best field recorded averages points rebounds assists led franchise high wins meant dallas earned seed nba playoffs averaged field free throw line time fourth player nba history join club touted overwhelming favorite valuable player award expected lead easy win eighth seed despite warriors having won regular season meetings dallas ended losing warriors games marking time seed beaten best seven series nba history game shot field points defended averaged nearly points regular season average series shot field compared regular season described loss low point career series couldn stamp way wanted disappointed spite historic playoffs loss named nba regular season valuable player beat friend votes european player nba history receive honor season campaign saw round playoffs exit despite mid season trade sent veteran dallas finished seventh highly competitive averaged points rebounds career high assists season playoffs faced rising star eliminated games playoff loss led firing head coach eventual hiring positive highlights season career triple double milwaukee february points rebounds career high assists march points surpassed point time career points leader season nba season saw finish averages points rebounds assists fourth league scoring garnered fourth nba team selection star game eighth appearance led dallas tight finish playoffs finishing season 6th west slow start playoffs german led dallas upset win long time rival san_antonio seed winning round series fell short second round averaging points rebounds assists series season finished nba season second seed nba playoffs 10th consecutive season regular season wins notable additions squad multiple stars coming second half season january 34th player nba history european hit point milestone ending regular season averages points rebounds assists block selected star game ninth appearance faced san_antonio round playoffs time seasons failed progress round consistent player series averaging points outing second leading scorer averaged points game compared regular season despite free agent july agreed remain dallas signing year million deal championship season significant change team roster arrival trade injured middle season recorded worst losing streak decade finished regular season averages points rebounds assists despite missing games selected star game tenth appearance concluded regular season wins spurs nba playoffs playoffs despite predicted dallas lose round portland blowing point fourth quarter lead game series appeared ready postseason collapse dallas won final games advance swept time defending champion semifinals final year nba coach faced oklahoma city thunder nba duo game scored points shooting field setting nba record consecutive free throws game free throws game miss game dallas scored points rally team deficit fourth quarter minutes left eventually win series lead dallas overcame fourth quarter deficit game win dallas faced heat acquired stars season began game loss miami tore left middle finger negative vowed injury factor game led dallas rally fourth quarter deficit capped driving left handed tie series miami took series lead missed potential game tying shot end game despite carrying fever game hit winning basket tie series comparisons flu game utah dallas went win games scoring fourth quarter points series game miami bringing championship franchise series scored points total fourth quarters combined fourth quarter output james wade named joining list players nba champion nba regular season mvp time star playoffs averaged points rebounds assists games season dallas celebrated title nba ended december defending champions lost core players adding veteran star free agency played preseason games led slow start soon player nba history play games received championship ring january scoring point passed time scoring list passed 19th scored point april blocked shot block players nba history blocks joining 11th straight star game appearance orlando scored points second half houston april including fourth quarter marked highest scoring half dallas player franchise history points fourth quarter represented highest scoring quarter career carrying load led team scoring times march led points including game winner magic streak seasons points came end scoring shortened nba season clinched seventh spot west matched nba playoffs thunder swept games season failing sign free agents roster letting acquiring younger players veteran big men plans play remainder year million dollar contract underwent knee surgery october missed games season returned december game san_antonio january teammates including brand carter teammate jones pact team reached called beard april fade away game 17th player nba history score points went win game climbing record shaved beard missed playoffs time second season ending year playoff streak season start season let players signed year like room signing shooting guard point guard november victory finished game points passed nba scoring list points november victory houston rockets finished game points passed nba scoring list points december victory houston rockets finished game points passed nba scoring list points january scored point loss houston rockets minutes play recorded points rebounds assists march victory finished game points passed nba scoring list points april scored point passing 10th position time scoring list led playoffs face state rival round dallas lost series seven games spurs went win nba championship season july signed reported year million contract reunited championship teammate traded dallas year stint new_york come new_york point guard big season considerable talent signing rising small forward veteran point guard later signed championship teammate waived november scored points surpass highest scoring player born outside united_states came points defeat sacramento 21st straight regular season win home kings hit inside point line early fourth quarter pass finished night career points days later fourth player nba history eclipse career points franchise joining prestigious group includes december passed eighth place nba time scoring list went pass moses seventh place nba time scoring list january overtime win brooklyn nets career rebound march scored career point april oklahoma city thunder finished regular season seed record faced houston rockets round playoffs lost series games season november scored season high points win grabbed team high rebounds passed teammate 15th time career list december loss moved past 16th time point shots finishing game career december moved past sixth place nba career scoring list ahead basket seconds left overtime help defeat january overtime loss 14th nba player reach career minutes january tied season high points rebounds sixth double double season overtime win february scored points philadelphia sixth player nba history reach career points days later set new season high points loss march set season high mark points overtime win 20th career point game january year old april win utah jazz clinched spot playoffs 15th time years hit 15th player nba history career triples game round playoff series oklahoma city thunder passed points 15th nba career playoff scoring list season july agreed sign year million contract international career began playing german national basketball team debut tournament european championship year old rookie emerged main german scorer germany finished seventh failed qualify olympic games european championship scorer points game narrowly lost mvp vote serbian player germany reached semifinals close beating host nation turkey hit point tie turks eventually won overtime germany lost spain win medal averages points rebounds led tournament statistics voted star team home german basketball team attracted million television viewers german basketball record time finally earned medal led germany bronze medal world championship quarter finals spain spain quarters scored points quarter led germany win semi finals team played squad led despite leading minutes end despite argentina losing foot injury south americans won germans won new_zealand finals won bronze tournament scorer elected mvp germany million television viewers followed games time record german basketball history european championship proved major disappointment german squad preparation game suffered foot injury collision french player result played target hard decisive second round match italy winner allowed play medal round germany lost finished ninth qualify olympic games scored points game overall general lack focus dominance injury european championship came strong surprisingly led depleted german squad finals beating title favorites quarter finals spain semi finals way praised matches forward scored game high points commented said team wanted wrong shouldn quarter finals spain scored game high points scored decisive basket seconds drove spanish forward hit jump shot arms seconds german later commented kind pushed went despite losing finals greeks tournament leading scorer second leading rpg shot voted valuable player tournament end final received standing ovation crowd later recalled best moments career world championships led german team eighth place commented tough luck overall finishing eighth world bad european championship teams automatically qualified olympics led germany fifth place leading scorer points game fifth place meant germany fell short direct qualification allowed participate olympic qualifying tournament led germany decisive match puerto_rico remaining slot crucial match scored game high points vital win sent german basketball team olympics summer olympics chosen flag bearer olympics led german team tenth place finish averaged points rebounds tournament european championships july said skip world championship summer played germany team reached ninth place captained germany won game eliminated group stage home soil january officially announced retirement germany national team career germany senior men national team averaged points rebounds assists game player profile versatile player plays power forward position played center small forward career exceptional shooter size free throws nearly field goal attempts nearly point shots won nba star point shootout competition fifth member nba club players shot better field better better free throws single season achieving nba league minimum number makes category career responded increased pressure playoffs increasing productivity end season averaged points rebounds regular season playoffs averaged points rebounds managed pressure packed games playoff elimination games averages points rebounds elimination games scored points ties time elimination game performances years best performances player nba time frame shooting accuracy combined long seven foot frame unique shooting mechanics having release point head makes jump shots difficult start called legged second additionally ball drive perimeter like able size versatility stating forward times pivot strike fear opponent rebound leads break prepares launch point bomb says best way guard cigarette later career developed unorthodox post game backing opponents free throw line near middle key opening floor multiple passing angles double team come way defenses guard biggest men pulled perimeter net effect statistics actually compromised position rebound easy close range basket rest team potent defense having spread floor creates teammates exploit system international play exposed open passing game making dangerous point forward post averages block game playing perimeter took position typical power forward overall defensive stats despite rarely blocking shots ranked 8th active players defensive win shares july 17th player nba history european hit point milestone apart time leader points rebounds field goals field goal attempts point attempts free throws free throw attempts nba star games thirteen times nba teams times voted nba season european player receive honor mvp nba finals achievements include winning nba star point shootout voted european year times row sport leading scorer mvp world championship tournaments called current players alongside nearly successful era basketball career statistics nba statistics correct regular season regular season playoffs triple doubles international statistics career highlights mvp nba valuable player nba star nba team second team point shootout champion nba shooting stars champion ranked 6th time scoring ranked 8th time defensive rebounds time free throw percentage consecutive free throws longest streak time players points rebounds assists steals blocks players blocks single season players career average rpg rpg postseason seven members club players surpass mark blocks career players surpass marks points rebounds career holds record free throws single playoff season free throws time statistical leader games points rebounds field goals point field goals free throws german national basketball team world championship bronze medal mvp scorer tournament team silver medal mvp scorer tournament team world championship scorer tournament team golden honorary ring second leading scorer points history scorer history german national basketball team points international games member german national basketball team voted year achievements highlights mvp europe men player year europeans player year german national flag bearer summer olympics beijing china best nba player award best male athlete award outstanding team award dallas nba decade second team year ranked greatest nba players time list legacy award personal life older sister described confident low key character money fame enjoys reading playing saxophone passed examination founded charity aims fighting poverty africa dated female basketball player local club relationship started lasted years eventually ended said end found developed separate ways work anymore good friends added surely want start family kids imagine happening met began dating sister twin swedish marcus couple got married july home dallas daughter born july son born march considered acquiring citizenship remains german national acknowledged close ties mentor called best friend good friends teammate nash said playing joining new club living new city single outsiders creates bond life easier friendship solid volatile world added good friend met supermarket books career chronicled books written german sports journalists published page hardcover book follows beginnings native documents entry ascent nba ends beginning nba season november local newspaper published page book written sports journalists die world accompanied career collecting interviews photos book looks strong focus relation hometown career progression beginning features insights coaches family members friends
Dirk Nowitzki