Mavs PF Dirk Nowitzki: Why He Still Deserves NBA All-Star Appearance

Dirk Nowitizki recently expressed that he's undeserving of being an All-Star due to his sub-par play this season.  

Before we analyze anything, let's stop to admire Dirk's humility, which reveals the level of play he demands from himself.  

Here's last year's NBA Finals MVP, who the Mavericks rode to that NBA championship just eight months ago, admitting his inadequate performance in this young season.  

How many superstars would willingly admit that they're unworthy of being an All-Star, especially after just raising a championship banner?

Despite Dirk's humble sentiments, let's not let his honest humility cloud the reality that he remains a deserving All-Star.

Sure, Nowitzki's numbers are down significantly: averaging 17.2 PPG (career 22.8 PPG) and 6.0 RPG (career 8.3 RPG). His field goal percentage has also taken a sharp decline.

Plus, there are a bevy of big men who are worthy of being Western Conference All-Stars, which Dirk alluded to when detailing his substandard play.

We must remember though, that Dirk's been battling a sore right knee and there's no denying that the lockout-shortened training camp was unhealthy for his 33-year old body.  

The truth is that Nowitzki will soon find his rhythm.  

Once he gets healthy and regains his confidence, he'll return to form. He's only months removed from governing one of the most historic title-runs in NBA history.

It's not like his abilities have quickly fallen off like scales. Yes, he's getting older, but he's still a top-tier player when healthy. 

Most importantly, this is a lockout-shortened season.  

We can't allow an uncharacteristic twenty or so games to define who the true All-Stars are of the league. Dirk etched his name into history last year by shutting the mouths of endless doubters.

It would be shameful to allow an injury-plagued 20-plus games to derail his All-Star hopes.

He simply deserves to be treated better than that. He's proved how valiant of a competitor and performer he is, even on the grandest of stages.

Eight months after hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy, there's no way he doesn't belong in the game that features the NBA's best.