THE FRANCHISE
Dirk’s everything the Knicks hope KP will become
This could be the last go around for Dirk Nowitzki, which would mean a final game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday for the greatest European player in NBA history.
A long and loud ovation during player introductions — not that Nowitzki wants that — would be appropriate.
Nowitzki’s career accomplishments are staggering; a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and perhaps most impressive of all, 20 seasons with one organization.
In the era of super teams, the German-born Nowitzki, like Tim Duncan, is the quintessential franchise player.
And he is everything the Knicks are hoping Kristaps Porzingis will one day become.
“Good luck,” says Derek Harper, the former Knicks point guard and current Dallas Mavericks television analyst. “I think Porzingis should look at Dirk and want to model his game and career after him. But here’s the thing, if he’s going to do it the work ethic has to be there.
“There were times when they had to change the lock to the practice facility to keep Dirk out of the gym. The guy lives in the gym. I hear that Porzingis is a hard worker as well. He could be better than Dirk. He handles the ball better. But with Dirk we’re also talking about a very unique guy. He’s rare.”
Harper played in New York with Patrick Ewing and spent his final NBA season in Los Angeles with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. He knows firsthand that those franchise players have special qualities and carry a heavy burden. There is the pressure to win and elevate those around you on a nightly and yearly basis.
“Patrick was scrutinized a lot,” Harper said. “Maybe it’s because he was coming right from Georgetown and playing for John Thompson. Dirk had his moments when people said he wasn’t a leader. It’s hard to be that No. 1 guy.
“But Dirk always let his game do the talking. When you do that you are focused on the right things. And Dirk is always focused on getting better and winning.”
Nowitzki, who turns 40 in June, isn’t the nearly the same player that beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2011 for the championship. He plays fewer minutes and has slowed down considerably.
The Mavs have also slowed down. Dallas is headed to the draft lottery for a second straight season.
KNICKS vs. MAVERICKS 7:30 on MSG