HoopWatch

The Dallas Mavericks announced yesterday that they have inked five-time All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki to a three-year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed per team policy.

The Wurzburg, Germany native had his best NBA season (for 2005-06) enjoying career-high averages in points and rebounds. He averaged 26.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.02 blocks in 38.1 minutes. He also shot 48.1 percent from the field, 40.6% from the three-point range, and 90.1% from the free-throw line. He is only the third player to have ever averaged at least 26 points while shooting 90% from the charity stripe. The other two are Rick Barry and Larry Bird.

Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban is glad to keep Nowitzki, who turned the playoffs into his own personal stage averaging 27 points and 11.7 rebounds. He also has career averages of 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, and he is vowing to win the Larry O’Brien trophy this season. The former ninth over-all pick led Dallas to a 2-0 start. They, however, lost the next four games to the eventual NBA Champions Miami Heat. (pic courtesy of yahoonba.com)