1. Big Game Experience
Dirk Nowitzki is the shining example of a player making an extraordinary transition and taking every punch on the chin. He made the jump from Europe to the NBA before it was common and endured years of criticism before he finally won over the local and national fans.
Most importantly, Nowitzki faltered on the biggest of stages before he finally redeemed himself with one of the greatest postseason runs in NBA history.
Nowitzki led a relatively star-less Dallas Mavericks team to the 2011 NBA championship. During that spectacular run, he averaged 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 3-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .485/.460/.941.
Nowitzki led a cast of 30-plus veterans to series victories past teams led by Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Pau Gasol, James Harden, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Russell Westbrook.
Having the perspective of what it takes to win at the highest possible level makes Nowitzki the perfect mentor for Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is attempting to end a 44-year title drought and the New York Knicks will need him to perform at Dirk-like levels to do so.
There’s no guaranteeing a championship, but Nowitzki could provide the insight that Porzingis needs from a player who has done it before.
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The question is: will the future of the New York Knicks and the greatest player in Dallas Mavericks history get together during the 2017 offseason?