Dirk Gets the Triple Double

DIIIIIRRRRRRRKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!

For the last two years, I've been actively watching and hoping for the night Dirk Nowitzki would finally break all the way through and record a triple double. On many occasions, including the last three times I've seen the Mavs in person, Dirk has come within two or three assists of completing the feat, only to be let down by his teammates and their terrible shooting performances. Tonight, however, everything came together. With about four minutes left in the game, Dirk pulled down a rebound that gave him his first career triple double. More importantly, Dirk also hit two straight jumpers and made a great defensive play within 20 seconds to seal the team's victory. But there could be no denying the excitement that the team, the fans, and Dirk himself felt over the triple double. Dirk came back to the bench during a timeout trying desperately but ineffectively to hide a grin and Avery even pulled him off the floor with 16 seconds left to allow the fans to show their appreciation. It was a special night and overshadows the fact that the Mavs let a very bad Bucks team playing only 8 players on the second night of a back to back to stick around until the very end.

I'm extremely happy for Dirk. It is truly remarkable how far he has come during his 10 years in the NBA. We take it for granted but what Dirk does not only night to night but year to year is incredible. He came into this league as a wide eyed, 18 year old kid who looked like he would be nothing more than a shooter and has developed into the league's MVP. Even more impressive, though, is the additions and improvements he's made to his game every year. He started as a shooter who became a scorer, he added the rebounding, he learned to play in the post, he became a much improved defender, and now he has developed his passing skill into a real asset. Dirk doesn't get credit for either his defense or his passing but the latter often goes completely unnoticed. Dirk has gotten smashed for being too unselfish but in truth he's been making great decisions with the ball for the last two seasons, his teammates just haven't been doing their part(s). But Dirk has persisted in passing the ball in the right situations rather than forcing a shot like most superstars and tonight we saw the fruits of that labor. It was one of the more poignant moments in Mavs history to see a guy who has long been one of the toughest matchups in the league finally get a little credit for his skill as a passer. The triple double is the ultimate in personal achievement when it comes to the impact and value to the team and if I were a betting man, I'd say that tonight meant more to Dirk than winning the MVP trophy did last year.

Dirk's final box score of the night: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 block. Way to go Dirk! Now lead us to the Ring.