Almost his whole entire career Dirk Nowitzki has taken shots from his critics, including me, about being too soft and that the Mavericks will never go any where with him being the star of that team. Well last night Nowitzki silenced his critics, even if for just a little while, by coming back earlier then expected from an ankle injury and leading his team to a much needed win against the Golden State Warriors. Dirk and the Mavs blew the Warriors out of the building 111-86 and took a huge step in making sure that they will be in the Western Conference playoff picture. Nowitzki was not even expected to play in the game but shocked everyone by starting and scoring 18 points. Now Dirk said after the game that if the game would have been played in November there was no way that he would of played but with it pretty much being a do or die situation he had to go out there and give it all he had. I have to say that I am really impressed with this performance by Nowitzki. I have been one of those critics all along that have questioned his toughness but he definitely showed me something last night. Now I am not saying that the Mavericks are going to make a deep run in the playoffs but I am saying that Dirk finally proved once and for all that he is the leader of this team and if the Mavericks do want to do anything it is all going to rest on the shoulders of number 41.
Now what I want to know from all of you out there is did this change the way you think about Dirk Nowitzki? Do you feel he can step up and be the leader of this team or do you still feel like he is just a really good player that will never be able to lead his team to a championship? Let me know your thoughts.
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