Dirk Nowitzki has been selected to his 11th consecutive NBA All-Star game. Many people suspected this NBA All-Star game would be the first in a decade without Dirk Nowitzki. How ever a late offensive surge might be to credit for Dirk Nowitzki making the NBA All-Star game for the 11th time.

Other notable streaks coming to an end are Boston Celtic’s Kevin Garnett’s streak of 14 consecutive All-Star games. San Antonio Spurs Power Forward Tim Duncan had his streak of 13 consecutive All-Star games come to an end this season too.

Dirk’s season was off to a slow start as he’s posted his lowest career numbers since his second year in the league. In February so far he is averaging 21.8 points and 8 rebounds per game, including a 25 point outing to end Dallas’s losing streak against Denver Wednesday night.

In the past 3 games alone, Dirk has especially improved. He’s averaged 26.3 points and a 62.1% shooting percentage.

By Dirk being selected as a reserve, he’s never been voted in as a starter, it means the Dallas Mavericks avoided being the first reigning NBA Champions to not have a representative at the All-Star game.

I don’t want to say that Dirk was grandfathered in, or that he was selected because he hadn’t earned it. His surge this month I’d like to think has something to do with it. Coaches probably are awarding him for his stellar performance in the playoffs last year. I think he deserves it. He has had a rough start and is correcting his problems. Hopefully this team can get hot at the right time, and Jason Kidd’s should only help Dirk out and eliminate some simple mistakes through out the course of the game.