NBA Playoffs 2012: Dirk Nowitzki's Strong Play Will Help Mavs Shock NBA World

When you look at teams throughout the NBA that could potentially come from a low seed and shock the entire league, many would lean towards Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. However, don’t make the mistake of overlooking Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. If one team can defy the odds, it’s the defending champions.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Nowitzki and company this season as the Mavs got out of the gate slow and were never able to put together a long enough win streak to get them in contention.

Yet, if we learned anything from last season it’s that Nowitzki’s brilliance can carry a team to a championship.

Sure Dallas lost a couple key components from last season’s championship team, but they have enough parts that if they can play consistent basketball for close to the next two months, they could be a major factor in the playoffs.

The main key for Dallas is Nowitzki's performance.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Nowitzki as well, but he’s really picked things up during the second half.

After averaging only 15.1 PPG throughout the month of January, Nowitzki picked it up in February and upped that average to 22.3. It was after the All-Star break when Nowitzki really found his groove, averaging 25.2 throughout March and backing that up with a solid 23.6 throughout April.

When he’s playing well, Nowitzki’s a tough cover for every team in the NBA, but if any player in the NBA can put his team on his back and carry them through the playoffs, it's Nowitzki.

Of course it won’t be easy for Dallas, considering they are 4-15 on the season against the top four seeds in the Western Conference. However, two of those wins have come against San Antonio, who they could potentially draw in the first round.

If Nowitzki could somehow lead them to a victory there, anything can happen if the Mavs get on a roll.

Dallas knows now what it takes to win a championship and leaning on Nowitzki was a big part of winning one. The strategy will be the same for Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. We will just have to wait and see if Nowitzki has some more magic up his sleeve.