Despite having his worst statistical season in over a decade, Dallas Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki was named to his 11th consecutive All-Star Game as a reserve last night.
He is now only three behind Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett's record of 14 consecutive appearances. For the first time since the late 1990's, neither Garnett, nor Dirk's long-time rival on the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, made the All-Star Game.
In 22 games this year, Dirk is averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds on 46% shooting; his worst statistical numbers since the 1999-2000 season, when he was a 21-year old second-year player still making his name in the NBA.
The Mavericks sat him out for four games to help improve his conditioning and rest his knee, as the former MVP has not looked like himself for large portions of the NBA's compressed regular-season schedule this year.
But while Dirk said he didn't think he deserved an All-Star nod this time around, there was still too much respect for the 7'0 German from coaching staffs around the Western Conference to keep him out.
The game will be held in Orlando on Feb. 25.