Mav's Nowitzki eager to grab elite power spot

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Mavs' Nowitzki eager to grab elite power spot
By David DuPree, USA TODAY

When it comes to power forwards, the NBA belongs to two players —Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves. But this season there could be third player to stake a claim for ownership —Dirk Nowitzki.

Dirk Nowitzki can score, but will his hard work in the offseason help his passing and defense?

This could be the year that Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks shows that he can also be the type of complete player that separates Garnett and Duncan from the rest of the pack.

Two weaknesses for Nowitzki have been his passing and defense. He worked hard in the offseason and has improved greatly in both areas. After two games, Nowitzki is averaging 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, but he is also averaging 5.0 assists. Defensively, he is getting out on his man and putting as much effort in at that end of the floor as at the offensive side.

"To be a great all-around player, you have to be a better passer," coach Don Nelson told Nowitzki, who averaged only 2.4 assists a game in his first six NBA seasons. "He has the ball in his hands a lot now, and it's not always to shoot," Nelson added, referring to the fact that Nowitzki's friend, point guard Steve Nash, signed with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent this summer.

"The way the team is set up, the ball is going to go through Dirk," said shooting guard Michael Finley. "He's really stepping up and taking that role."

With a true center in the lineup now in Erick Dampier, Nowitzki doesn't have to be matched against centers at the defensive end anymore.

"Whatever I need to do, I'm willing to do," Nowitzki said. "I'm not a complete player yet."