DALLAS -- Here's a news flash: Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest player in Dallas Mavericks history.
OK, so he's probably had that distinction for a while. But the big German cemented his status Saturday night by moving to No. 1 on the franchise's career scoring list.
"Yeah, he's the best player in Mavs history. That's for sure," said Rolando Blackman, the previous scoring leader and one of two players whose numbers have been retired. "By the time it's all over, of course, he'll have all the records to prove it."
Actually, Ro, he pretty much does.
Of the 22 categories the team charts in the "career leaders" section of its media guide, Nowitzki is among the top 10 in all but field-goal percentage. Even before this weekend, he was No. 1 on six lists, including most rebounds, 3-pointers and free throws.
Then, with 4:38 left in a runaway win over New Jersey on Saturday night, Nowitzki made a fadeaway 18-foot jumper, giving him 34 points on the night and 16,644 in his career, one more than Blackman for the top spot on the scoring list.
"Ro has supported me ever since I got here, so it hurts a little to take his record," Nowitzki said. "But it's definitely a great honor."
Being the best Mavericks player ever isn't the same as being among the greats for the Celtics or the Lakers. Heck, Dallas has only the third-best history among NBA teams in Texas. (Shawn Bradley is among the most productive big men ever to wear the blue and green.)
Yet Nowitzki is a major reason the club's reputation is as good as it is.
Only San Antonio has won more games than Dallas since he arrived in 1998-99. If that doesn't impress you, then you've forgotten that the Mav-wrecks had the lowest winning percentage of teams in all four major pro sports in the 1990s.
Nowitzki got Dallas to its first NBA Finals in 2006. He helped the Mavs challenge the league record with 67 wins last season and became the club's first MVP winner.
He's made All-NBA the last three years and played in eight straight All-Star games. He became the first 7-footer to win the 3-point shooting contest. Only Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson have scored more points than Nowitzki over his 10 seasons.
"It's been an amazing ride," Nowitzki said. "When I first got here, I don't think a lot of people believed in me. They saw a skinny little 7-footer who could shoot a little bit but really had nothing else to him.
scoofer 
