Mavs’ Dirk Nowitzki wouldn’t mind sitting out All-Star Game

Dallas, TX, United States (AHN Sports) – Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks wouldn’t mind missing out on a trip to Orlando for this year’s NBA All-Star game.

“Averaging whatever, 15, 16 points, I don’t think you should be an All-Star,” Nowitzki said, according to ESPNDallas.com. “But we’ll just have to wait and see. I think there is a lot of great young talent in this league that deserves to go. I think LaMarcus Aldridge has been stiff the last couple of years. He’s a great young player, fun to watch. You know Blake and Love are playing great. There is a lot of talent at my position.”

Nowitzki seems to be more focused on shooting for a possible second straight NBA title run than paying attention to making a run at an 11th straight All-Star appearance.

“To me, it’s more about getting right again and getting my body back in rhythm and getting used to all the grinding and running and jumping again,” Nowitzki, who has dealt with a sore right knee, told the website. “I think that’s more important to me than an All-Star appearance at this point. Ultimately, [we want] to make a push after the All-Star break. That’s ultimately where my head is at here.”

Nowitzki is scoring 17.2 points per game, the lowest total since his rookie season and over five points below his career scoring mark (22.8 ppg.).

Nowitzki’s other stats, including rebounds, assists, blocks and steals, are all down, as well.

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