DIRK’S ON FIRE

I stay glued to the boob tube last night watching the encore telecast of the “Battle of Texas” rematch between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. Mark Cuban’s boys got back at the Alamo outfit, 99-94 in overtime to extend their winning streak to four games.

It was a pulsating victory for the Southwest Division leading Mavericks (9-3) but what caught my attention was the dazzling display of offensive wizardry in Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki pumped in 32 big points in the second half and overtime to finish with 41 markers. His shooting prowess was awesome as he scored on almost all angles in which ESPN analyst Mark Jackson can’t help but praised the 7-foot scoring machine as “the greatest seven-foot shooter of all-time”.

Prior to the Spurs game, the 32-year old Wurzburg native scored on a buzzer-beater as he uncorked his patented fall-away jumper to whipped the Milwaukee Bucks, 115-113.

“With Josh out and Marion out, I’ve just got to keep going offensively and make things happen,” Nowitzki said after his 14th career game of 40 or more points.

Even his teammates spoke highly of the MVP-like efforts of the German bomber. “He’s playing great basketball and (I) think he’s one of the top guys right now in the league,” Mavs power forward Drew Gooden said. “He’s really playing at a high level. We need that because of all the injuries we have right now and he’s doing everything he can to carry this team.”

Nowitzki is currently posting norms of 27.5 ppg and 9.3 rpg in 12 outings so far with the Mavericks. With his present form, Nowitzki is sending a strong message to all 29 other teams to watch out for Dallas this season and from all indications, it looks like another MVP season is in the works for the sweet-shooting blonde bomber.

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Herewith are the completed NBA transactions covering the period November 11 to 16:

Monday, November 16

Memphis waived guard Allen Iverson.

Toronto signed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu.

Golden State traded guard Acie Law and forward Stephen Jackson to Charlotte for guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

Saturday, November 14

Memphis signed guard Jamaal Tinsley.

Friday, November 13

Houston waived forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu.

Thursday, November 12

New Orleans fired head coach Byron Scott and named Jeff Bower head coach and Tim Floyd assistant coach.

Toronto waived guard Quincy Douby.

Wednesday, November 11

Washington signed guard Earl Boykins and waived forward Paul Davis.