GER - Nowitzki to defend shoot-out title

DALLAS (NBA) - After last season's historic win in the Shoot-out, German superstar Dirk Nowitzki will defend his title on NBA All-Star Saturday night in Las Vegas on February 17.

The 7ft Nowitzki made history by becoming the tallest winner of the three-point shooting contest last season in Houston, defeating Seattle's Ray Allen and Washington's Gilbert Arenas in the final round.

It was not a dominating performance by Nowitzki, whose winning score of 18 matched the lowest total since 2000, but he is looking forward to coming back and improving on that number.

The other competitors for this year's event will be announced on Thursday.

"It's a fun event. I've been in it now three times and was able to win it last year," Nowitzki said.

"It's an honour just to be selected, to be one of the best shooters in this league, in this world. So, hopefully, I can go down there and have some fun. We'll see who wins it."

One of the best shooting big men in the history of the game, Nowitzki joined Larry Bird, Glen Rice and Serbia`s Peja Stojakovic as the only forwards to win in the 21-year history of the event. None of those winners were taller than 6ft 10in.

With Allen known as one of the purest shooters in the league, Nowitzki was not the favourite last season, but at the 2007 event, the bright lights of Las Vegas will be focused on his attempt at a repeat.

His stellar season only heightens the expectations.

Having an MVP-calibre campaign, Nowitzki is averaging 29.4 points and 9.4 rebounds while notching career highs in field goal percentage (49%) and three-point accuracy (41.5).

Most importantly, however, the superstar forward has led the Mavericks to the NBA's best record (40-9) through 49 games and has cemented Dallas as a favourite to return to the NBA Finals in June.

Ian Parker
FIBA