Dirk Nowitzki had just hit the winning shot in Madison Square Garden last winter. The postgame interview featured current Mavs coach Rick Carlisle talking with announcer — and former Mavs coach — Avery Johnson. Asked what play he called at the end of the game, Carlisle laughed and said Avery knows the play. He used to call it, too. It’s called “get it to Dirk,” Carlisle said. The story illustrates the fact that no matter who’s coaching the Dallas Mavericks, or who’s on the court for that matter, the main play has been the same for a long, long time in Dallas.
And despite Dirk Nowitzki’s having opted out of his contract this week, the “get it to Dirk” play figures to remain the main play in Dallas for a few more years. Opting out is just an option Nowitzki has, so he chose it. He’ll probably get to make a little extra money for his retirement. He’s been a Dallas Maverick since they drafted him in 1998. Rumors about him flying off to Golden State notwithstanding, Nowitzki will in all likelihood remain a lifelong Mavs man. Consider this:
“Dirk gets to do what Dirk wants,” Mavs owner Mark Cuban said recently about the possibility that Nowitzki would opt out. “He’s earned it.”
