Deron Williams and Dirk Nowitzki combined for 71 points last Sunday and showed what the two could have been, had they joined forces five years prior. Let’s take a look at the impressive performance against the Trail Blazers and what could have potentially been. Click ‘Read More and Comment’ below to see the rest of the article!
Both Nowitzki and Williams have had impressive careers and are currently on the unavoidable downhill slope of an NBA career. Nowitzki, an MVP winner and 13 time All-Star is having a good season putting up 18 points per game (PPG) and 6 rebounds per game (RPG). Overall these numbers are fantastic for a 37 year old who has on his 17th season, but this is also his greatest weakness. While still playing at a high level Nowitzki’s play is of course not where it used to be compared to one of his best seasons with 26 PPG and 10 RPG. On Sunday Nowitzki showed a flashback to his younger days, putting up 40 points and 8 assists. Using all parts of the game, three-pointers, dunks, free throws, mid-range, and everything in between for a dazzling performance.
Williams, a 3 time All-Star, is on the same level as Nowitzki. He was a stellar player in his youth but on a slow decline as his age increases. Currently averaging 14 PPG and 6 APG, his averages have declined greatly in the past five years, as at one point he averaged 21 PPG and 10 APG. On Sunday he put up 31 points and 16 assists on 11 for 18 shooting and dominated the passing lanes with 3 steals.
Now what if the two had joined forces five years ago? Both at the peaks of their careers the two could have been an unstoppable duo, possibly on the same level as players like John Stockton and Karl Malone or Steve Nash and A’mare Stoudemire. The show put on by Nowitzki and Williams show insight into what could have been had they two paired up in their younger days. What do you think? Was Sunday a fluke? Would Nowitzki and Williams dominate the league? Let us know in the comments below!