Dirk Nowitzki on primarily playing center: 'I'm ready for everything'
Mavericks big man Dirk Nowitzki is now starting at center.
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1 min read
In his 18th season, Dirk Nowitzki is changing positions. The Dallas Mavericks star has been able to play center in spurts for many years, but coach Rick Carlisle has started him at that position for the last two games. Nowitzki said he's fine with staying there, via ESPN's Tim MacMahon:
"I'm ready for everything, whatever it may be. I think there's a few dominant forces at center that I'd rather not see, but other than that, we all know that it's not a post-up league anymore. It's a pick-and-roll league, it's a movement league, it's a transition, line-your-guy-up, drive-it league. The league has gone smaller and smaller and smaller, so if that's an option for us, great."
In a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday and a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, the Mavs started Raymond Felton, Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons and Nowitzki. This has meant that Zaza Pachulia, who was nearly voted an All-Star this year, has seen a significant minutes reduction.
Anything that is good for Dallas' spacing is good for Nowitzki's offense. He is even more dangerous than normal when guarded by centers. On the other end, there are advantages and disadvantages -- he won't have to chase around stretch 4s as much, but he'll have to try to protect the rim. In some matchups, as Nowitzki alluded to, Pachulia will still need to play heavy minutes against powerful big men. Most teams don't employ someone like Andre Drummond, though.
While we're on the subject of Nowitzki, it's worth noting how incredible he has been lately. In eight games in March, he's averaging 23.1 points and shooting 51.5 percent. The Mavs are still fighting for their playoff lives, but he's doing absolutely everything he can. Not bad for a 37 year old.
