Football
20y

Nowitzki only Maverick All-Star

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks forward-center Dirk Nowitzki
wasn't sure anyone from his team would receive a Western Conference
All-Star berth.

He'll be going as the lone Maverick representative. He was
selected Tuesday when reserves were announced for the All-Star game
Feb. 15 in Los Angeles. Nowitzki was selected for the third
straight season.

Nowitzki and Dallas teammate Steve Nash were members of last
season's All-Star team. This season the Mavericks got off to a
15-12 start as they struggled to absorb newcomers Antoine Walker
and Antawn Jamison into the rotation.

"It's been a difficult year," Nowitzki said prior to Tuesday
night's game against the Golden State Warriors. "Playing with a
lot of new guys, it wasn't easy on any of us so we haven't had as
great a year as we wanted ... I haven't had a great year. We've
gone through a lot of changes and it's shown."

Nowitzki entered Tuesday night averaging 21 points and 8.7
rebounds in 42 games. A right ankle injury caused him to miss five
games in November and December, but he's recovered and has averaged
23.6 points and 9.2 rebounds over 17 games prior to Tuesday night.

"I thought I had a chance but I wasn't sure," Nowitzki said.
"The last two years I thought I'd make it."

Mavericks coach Don Nelson said the number of outstanding
players in the Western Conference made it difficult for Nash,
Michael Finley and Walker to have a chance of making the team.

"In the West, it's hard to make the team," Nelson said. "You
could put four or five different guys on and take four or five off
and they won't miss a beat."

Finley was averaging 18.7 points entering Tuesday night and
Walker was averaging 15.9 points and 9.2 rebounds.

"I didn't expect a thing," Nelson said. "I figured what would
happen, happened."

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