The star 7-footer was only needed for 22 minutes and finished the game with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting as the Mavericks cruised on to win the game – their fourth straight victory – 102-76 at American Airlines Center.

“Twenty-three thousand is great, but I think I say it over and over, right now that’s not really what I’m playing for,” Nowitzki told ESPN in a post game interview. “All the milestones are going to be great when I look back on my career in 10, 15 years, but as of right now, I’m trying to keep going and help this team and this franchise win as many games as I can. We’ve been playing better so that’s really all I’m worried about right now.”

According to ESPN, Nowitzki needs 326 points to surpass Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley and Robert Parrish and crack the top-20 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Nowitzki, 33, is in his 14th NBA season. Acquired by the Mavericks during a draft-day trade, Nowitzki is the team’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, field goals, field goal attempts, games and minutes.

In addition to his recently acquired 2011 NBA Finals MVP, Dirk’s other awards include: 2006-2007 NBA MVP, All-NBA first team four times and 10 All-Star selections.

“He’s one of 12 or 13 players to be a 10-time All-Star, a league MVP and a Finals MVP. So, that puts him in the top 12 or 13,” Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said. “I don’t think that can be disputed. He’s had a staggeringly awesome career. There’s no debate now, he’s up there.”

Dirk Nowitzki talks about reaching his milestone 23,000th career point in the video clip below:

Dirk Nowitzki Scores Milestone 23,000th Career Point in Win over Bucks is a post from: The Inquisitr

Dallas Maverick’s player Delonte West won’t be joining his 2011 championship team during their visit to meet President Barack Obama at the white house after he was “banned” from the landmakr.

Two year’s ago West was involved in a high profile arrest and after the President’s security team ran a routing background check they chose to deny Delonte West access to the White House and the President.

West told the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram

“I’m banned from going to the White House, so I’m not going to make it,” while adding, ”But I’m going home to D.C., I’m just not allowed to go to the White House. That’s what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can’t go to the White House.”

I’ve been there 100 times in my lifetime,” said the D.C. born west “I live right around the corner. I live in D.C. It’s going to be a ashamed the President isn’t going to get a chance to meet me. I’m the president of my house.”

After his omission West went on Twitter and began attacking just about everyone who has covered him over the years. He has since deleted those tweets.

Since 2004 Delonte West has been a dynamic player to watch however even under his most medicated of days his tantrums remind his fans and reporters just how childish he truly is.

Do you think Delonte West got what was coming to him? I’m personally glad he won’t be stinking up the White House with his own special brand of stupidity.

In the meantime here’s a screen grab of Delonte West using his Twitter account to practice his favorite swear words:

Delonte West Banned From White House Ahead Of Dallas Mavericks Visit is a post from: The Inquisitr

On Saturday afternoon Lamar Odom learned that he would be traded to the Dallas Mavericks, a trade exception that gives his former Los Angeles Lakers the Mavericks’ first-round draft pick in the 2012 NBA draft.

Following his trade it was wife Khloe Kardashian who tweeted the news while noting:

“We are sad but positive energy gets you farther then negative.”

After concern from fans Khloe went on to tweet:

“I am sure I will love it but I am a tad thrown off.”

When rumors of a possible trade first started Kardashian had taken to twitter on Friday for a show of support for her husband:

“I would go anywhere with my hubby,” and ”I can survive anywhere. People are acting crazy! LOL New Orleans is a great place. As long as I’m with Lam, I’m good.”

The news of a trade comes just after rumors surfaced that Khloe and Lamar plan to use in vitro fertilization treatments in an attempt to get pregnant.

Continuing her string of optimistic tweets Khloe wrote:

“I am blessed and happy anywhere as long as I am with my family!” and ”God is great!! Blessed beyond words! I love ALL of my dolls!”

While she may be playing the “strong NBA wife” it’s not as if she’s the first NBA players spouse required to relocate, she’s just better at attracting extra press for such a routine action.

According to reports it was actually Lamar Odom who asked for the trade after he felt hurt by the potential of a Chris Paul trade with the New Orleans Hornets, a trade that was shot down by the NBA which currently owns the Hornets franchise.

Do you think Khloe Kardashian is making more out of Lamar Odom’s trade then it deserves, especially if he requested to leave the team?

[Image via Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com]

Lamar Odom Traded To Dallas Mavericks, Khloe Kardashian Tweets About It is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Texas Rangers recently asked Major League Baseball (MLB) officials for the right to have Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki throw out the first pitch at a World Series game, a request that has been denied.

Nowitzki was part of a “first-pitch” list that the team had compiled before entering the world series however the league denied his name and they have not given a reason for their action.

During the regular season MLB teams have the right to approve or deny any first-pitch requests that are made, however during the World Series the decision comes down to front office officials.

One source told ESPNDallas.com that it’s likely MLB officials want to stand beside their NBA counterparts who are currently locked in a 111 day battle that has already witnessed the cancellation of the leagues first two weeks of play. However, according to MLB spokesman Pat Courtney:

“MLB absolutely denies that any part in selecting the first ball pitcher had anything to do with the current labor situation in the NBA,” and “You want the club’s input in what makes sense for them and then we talk about what makes sense for the team and a good broad-base national appeal.

“It’s a nice problem to have that you get a list of 10 or 15 names and you work your way through them. We know Nowitzki’s been at the games, and that’s wonderful. We’re glad he’s there.”

The Dallas Mavericks player has denied commenting on the situation at this time but he did tweet the following message:

“Thanks every1 on the support regarding first pitch. Its ok.Mlb is too old school. I will still be there to support our boys. Let’s get game1″

Nowitzki was last seasons move valuable player and he is a diehard Texas Ranges fan who watches every playoff game and he also attending Game 6 of the ALCS.

If selected it would be the second time Dirk Nowitzki has thrown out the first pitch, his first occurring on June 25 when the Rangers took on the New York Mets.

Are you surprise the first pitch request was denied by MLB officials?

MLB Officials Deny Dirk Nowitzki’s First Pitch Nomination is a post from: The Inquisitr

On one hand the Dallas Mavericks are a team that has somehow managed to stay relevant in a tough NBA Western Division. On another they are a team that has never recovered from an historic collapse in the 2006 NBA finals. While they seem to be a great team on paper, their Western Conference opponents seem to take them less and less seriously. With that in mind the Mavericks made a few changes of the off season.

While they may have one of the worst or best NBA owners, depending on one’s perspective, in one Mark Cuban no one can doubt his passion for his team. While some get tired of his carnival act, in the end it seems that Cuban is good for this league and he gives the mavericks everything they need to go out and win.

Rick Carlisle is the Coach of this team, and a more experienced leader would be tough to  find. Carlisle had much success in Detroit and Indianapolis before coming to the Mavs. In his first year with the team they went 50-32 and beat the San Antonia Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. However they looked meek against the Denver Nuggets in the second round and lost that series in five games.

This off season, the Mavs added Shawn Marion to their core of Dirk Notwitzki, Jason Kidd, and Josh Howard. Who knows if Marion will be anything he has in the past, but it makes the Mavs different and at least on paper better.

2009-10 NBA preview: Dallas Mavericks is a post from: The Inquisitr

Crystal Taylor, ‘girlfriend’ of Dallas Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki is in Dallas County Jail after being arrested on 8 warrants.

Crystal Taylor (Cristal Taylor on the police records), 37, was in Dallas County jail Thursday night with her bail set at $20,000 on on charge of theft of services and no bail was allowed on the charge of violating probation. Taylor will likely face an extradition hearing sometime in the next few days.

Crystal Taylor Previous Charges

Crystal Taylor is no stranger to run-ins with the law, it seems. She has a history of financial crimes and has multiple fake identities. Her previous crimes date back at least a decade and spans two states. How much, if any, Nowitzki knew about her criminal history is unclear, but there is little doubt they had a close relationship.

Some are speculating that because of Dirk Nowitzki’s close relationship with Crystal Taylor, he may be in a spot of trouble himself. If he was aware of Taylor’s crimes and did nothing to curtail them or report her to the police, there’s a possibility he could be charged with aiding and abetting.

Nowitzki had been warned about Taylor’s past by other Mavs team members and his own family.

Crystal Taylor’s Dallas County Jail Report

Here’s a link to (allegedly) Crystal Taylor’s jail report filled out during booking at the Dallas County Jail.

[Source & Photo: Dallasnews.com]

Crystal Taylor Arrested in Mavs Dirk Nowitzki’s Home on 8 Warrants is a post from: The Inquisitr