The Dallas Mavericks may not be one of the NBA’s most historically dominant franchises, but they had a player who elevated them to the league’s pinnacle. Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest player in franchise history, leading the team to its first championship and winning the league MVP award in 2007.
At the time, however, Nowitzki faced skepticism from the media and even some fans. Despite his stellar regular season, the Mavericks suffered a shocking first-round playoff exit against the Golden State Warriors, raising questions about his ability to lead a team to a title.
So how did Nowitzki respond? He decided to take time off, embarking on a trip to Australia to clear his mind. In a 2007 interview with Marc Stein, then with ESPN, Nowitzki explained his decision.
“First of all, I always wanted to see Australia,” Nowitzki said. “But I really just wanted to get away [after the Golden State series]. Hopefully, our season is never going to be that short again, so this was my chance to get away for a good four or five weeks. It seemed like Australia was the best spot to go. Nobody cares about the MVP down there. It wasn’t hard at all [traveling] around. It was great, actually.”
The trip was a true retreat. Nowitzki camped out, slept in his car some nights, and even grew a full beard. “I shaved the night before we left and then I said that I’m not even going to take a razor,” he recalled. “After about three weeks, I had a full beard and I couldn’t even look at myself. But I had to keep it until I got back to Germany. I wanted everybody [in the family] to see it.”
Nowitzki’s MVP season
Nowitzki’s 2006-07 campaign was the finest of his career, cementing him as one of the best players of his generation. He led the Mavericks to an NBA-best 67-15 record, showcasing elite efficiency. He averaged 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting an impressive 50.2% from the field, 41.6% from three-point range, and 90.4% from the free-throw line. In doing so, he became the first player in NBA history to join the exclusive 50-40-90 club while scoring over 2,000 points in a season.
However, his MVP year was overshadowed by the Mavericks‘ stunning first-round playoff exit. Despite being the league’s top team, Dallas fell to the eighth-seeded Warriors in one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. Nowitzki struggled in the series, averaging 19.7 points on just 38.3% shooting, leading to widespread criticism.
Though his MVP season ended in disappointment, it laid the foundation for his ultimate redemption. Nowitzki’s resilience and leadership eventually propelled the Mavericks to their first championship in 2011, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greatest. Over time, his impact on the sport has only grown, and his 2007 season remains a defining chapter in his Hall of Fame career.