Nowitzki continues to make history

DALLAS (NBA) – Dallas Mavericks veteran and German basketball icon Dirk Nowitzki is showing no signs that his brilliant career is nearing its end.

Game after game, Nowitzki continues to demonstrate that he is one of the most skilled and talented power forwards in the NBA. 

By scoring a difficult three-pointer with 34.8 seconds left in overtime against the Brooklyn Nets last Monday, Nowitzki made history.

He leapfrogged Moses Malone into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 27,412 career points.

Nowitzki, in his 17th NBA season, remains the talisman of one of the most talented rosters in the league.

With a record of 26 wins and 11 losses, the Mavericks are fourth in the Western Conference.

Nowitzki, arguably the best European player in the history of the NBA, is dreaming of winning a second NBA title before retiring.

The Wurzburg native, who is the flag-bearer of German basketball, hasn’t played for his national team since EuroBasket 2011 but he is leaving the door open to representing his country this summer.

He gave this interview to FIBA.com.

FIBA: In your 17th season in the league, you are still playing at a very competitive level. What is your secret to longevity?
Nowitzki: I am not 20 years old anymore, that is for sure. I am just conscious that I am getting older and that I need to take care of my body the smartest way possible. I know that I am a few years away from the end of my career and I want to enjoy those years to the fullest, so I take good care of my body and I rest when I need to. I want to be competitive for the longest time I can. I am happy because I feel in great shape.

FIBA: The Dallas Mavericks have been having a great season so far.
Nowitzki: The season is going well but we know that we can still improve in some aspects of the game. We are very good on the offensive end, but we need to be better on the defensive one. The roster has changed a lot since last season and we are still looking for the best chemistry on the court. The main goal is to reach the playoffs with the best record we can. 

FIBA: You are Germany’s basketball flag-bearer. What do you think about the improvement of German basketball in the last few years?
Nowitzki: German basketball has been improving well. The league is getting more competitive every year and some teams are doing well in the European competition, like Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin in the Euroleague. I think that is great that people are paying more attention to what is going on in Germany. I am happy to know that some players are doing well in other Europeans leagues and that young guns like Dennis Shröder are making it in the NBA.

FIBA: Germany are hosting Group B of EuroBasket 2015 and will play Iceland, Turkey, Spain, Serbia and Italy.
Nowitzki: That is a tough group. Spain has been one of the best teams of the world of the last 10 years. Turkey, Serbia and Italy are very competitive and I am sure that Iceland is going to play at its best level during the tournament. Our national team will play hard in order to go far in the tournament and it will be amazing to play at home in the first round. It is going to be a great event for Germany’s basketball.

FIBA: Is being part of the team that will compete at EuroBasket 2015 a goal for you?
Nowitzki: I am focused on the NBA for now. I would like to help the Mavericks have a long playoff run and I will think about it at the end of the season. I will meet with the federation and we will make a decision that is acceptable for the both of us. I will turn 37 next summer, I have a few more miles on my body so I just can’t commit fully right now at this point. 

FIBA