Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain on the illustrious list.
It didn't take long for the NBA to acknowledge Nowitzki's milestone, which he achieved with a familiar face-up jumper during a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Steve Nash, who joined the Mavericks during Nowitzki's rookie season in 1998-99 and played with him in Dallas until 2004, congratulated the 13-time All-Star on Instagram.
Several other former teammates of Nowitzki's praised him on Twitter. Shawn Marion and Brian Cardinal played with Nowitzki on the Mavericks' 2010-2011 championship team, while Justin Anderson shared a locker room with him in Dallas for the past season and a half before he was traded last month.
Congratulations to my man @swish41 what an accomplishment #Respect that's what's up ....#Champs all day baby
— Shawn Marion (@matrix31) March 8, 2017
Congrats to my guy @swish41 !!! 30k points for the Tall Baller from the G!!! Getting it done. Love it!
— Brian Cardinal (@BrianCardinal) March 8, 2017
Congrats to my guy @swish41 words can't describe how happy I am for you killa! #AllTiggidy #6ix pic.twitter.com/8clI1HMNWk
— Justin Anderson (@JusAnderson1) March 8, 2017
Nowitzki, who is in his 19th season, received shout-outs from both veteran and younger peers. Frank Kaminsky and Nikola Vucevic each used the word "idol" to describe the 2007 NBA MVP.
Congrats @swish41 you are a true great #fadelikedirk
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 8, 2017
Congrats DIRK!! #legend
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) March 8, 2017
Congrats to @swish41 !!! 30K
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) March 8, 2017
Congrats to one of the greatest players to ever play the game and my idol growing up on 30000 points!!! @swish41 #DirkNowitzki @NBA
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) March 8, 2017
Congrats to an idol and the man who has influenced the way I play the game I love @swish41 #Dirk30k
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) March 8, 2017
Congrats my brother @swish41 #30K career points. Amazing 🙏🏻
— Zaza Pachulia (@zaza27) March 8, 2017
Nowitzki, a virtual lock to one day join the Hall of Fame, garnered compliments from those already enshrined there. The Mavericks also published a tribute video that included messages from fellow German athletes and the NBA released a statement from commissioner Adam Silver.
Watching @Lakers vs Mavs game. Congratulations Dirk on becoming the 6th player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 8, 2017
Kareem, Mailman, Kobe, MJ, Wilt, and now, Dirk. Congrats on joining the 30,000 point club, @swish41! pic.twitter.com/VMbNeOHMzm
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 8, 2017
A special congrats from friends in Germany as Dirk hits his 30K! #Dirk30K pic.twitter.com/KnVKBH41Gq
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 8, 2017
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the @DallasMavs' @Swish41 surpassing 30,000 career points pic.twitter.com/sUADVDrc9w
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2017
LeBron James shared a moment congratulating Nowitzki, adding that he'd like to one day join Dirk in the 30,000 club. And actor Ben Stiller provided some comic relief in applauding the 7-footer.
.@kingjames comes through with a huge congrats to Dirk Nowitzki on joining the 30,000-point club. pic.twitter.com/CaOsYAnXFI
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) March 8, 2017
.@RedHourBen congratulates @swish41 on 30K points! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/yt6GPwOAsZ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 8, 2017
Nowitzki entered the week averaging 13.6 PPG and 6.6 RPG for Dallas. He recently announced his intention to return for a 20th season.
-- Nick Ostiller
