Dirk Nowitzki Named to All-NBA 3rd Team Despite Down Season

Even at the age of 33, Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks as best he could despite a season that was filled with more drama and turmoil than an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

But despite the fact that he scored almost 22 points a game—his third lowest point total of his career and lowest since his second year in the NBA—last year's NBA Finals MVP is being honored yet again for his hard work, and rightfully so.

As the All-NBA teams were released today, you had your usual names atop the first and second teams. But sitting at the third team for the third time, was Nowitzki.

Dirk was named to his 12th All-NBA team of his career on Thursday, joining the third team with Boston point guard Rajon Rondo, Miami superstar shooting guard Dwyane Wade, and New York teammates Carmelo Anthony and Defensive Player of the Year—and former Mavs teammate—Tyson Chandler.

Via SI.com's Chris Mannix:

"

All-NBA Third Team: Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Tyson Chandler, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) May 24, 2012"

Despite a 36-30 season and being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, Nowitzki fought as hard as he could to keep this team competitive, but it was just too much for the veteran Mavs. 

Even though he missed only four games this year, and even though he might not have come into the shortened season in shape, Dirk still scored over 20 points a game in a season for the 12th time in his career despite shooting almost 46 percent from the field. He also averaged almost 27 points a game in the playoffs, as well.

And as he approaches the ripe age of 34 years old—he'll be turning 34 on June 19—one has to wonder if his time as the No. 1 guy on the Mavericks has run out. With Dallas entering free agency under the cap for the first time in the Mark Cuban era, it's essential that management goes out and grabs another scorer to complement Dirk.

Perhaps with a full training camp and a summer to get back into full-time shape, Nowitzki can still put up over 20 points a game if he wants to. He still has the ability to take over a game if he wants to. But with the chance to get another scoring option like Deron Williams or Eric Gordon in the fold, there's no time better than the present to look at ways to ease the pressure off of Dirk.

But rest assured, Father Time hasn't caught up to him yet.