The Dallas Mavericks are in deep trouble, and their legendary icon Dirk Nowitzki isn't holding back on the disastrous mess unfolding on the court. Imagine a team that reached the NBA Finals just over a year ago now stumbling out of the gate with a 2-7 record—it's heartbreaking, and it's got fans everywhere scratching their heads. But here's where it gets really interesting: Dirk is speaking out, and his words are pulling no punches. For beginners in basketball, this means the team is off to a terrible start, losing games they might have expected to win, and it's sparking big questions about their future.
This rough patch began with defeats against squads like the Washington Wizards, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Looking ahead to the rest of November, their schedule doesn't look forgiving—there aren't many easy wins on the horizon that could turn things around quickly. Basketball enthusiasts know that the NBA is a league where momentum matters, and right now, the Mavericks are struggling to build any.
What's even more alarming is that Dallas holds the worst offensive rating across the entire NBA. They're consistently ranking near the bottom in virtually every offensive category you can measure. For those new to the game, offensive rating is basically a score that shows how well a team scores points per possession— the lower it is, the more it's a sign of inefficiency. It's become such a frustrating spectacle to witness that even Dirk Nowitzki, the beloved former player, can't find a way to defend it. And this is the part most people miss: when a legend like Dirk weighs in, it highlights how dire the situation truly feels for lifelong supporters.
In an appearance on the Amazon Prime studio show, Dirk shared his candid thoughts. "I feel bad for my Mavs fans. This has been a disastrous start," he expressed. He pointed out the glaring gaps in the team's setup, especially at the point guard position, which is crucial for directing plays and creating opportunities. "Obviously, there's a hole at the point guard and playmaking position," he noted. "We knew that that hole wasn't filled this summer, so there's a hole at shot creating, there's a hole at shot making." To break this down for newcomers, a point guard is like the quarterback of the team, orchestrating the offense. Without a strong one, the whole system falters, leading to missed shots and stagnant plays.
Dirk also emphasized the importance of player health, which has been a major issue. Star guard Kyrie Irving is sidelined for a few more months, and key big men like Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively have been dealing with injuries for an extended period. "We said coming into the season that health is big for them," Dirk recalled. "Obviously, Kyrie is out for a couple more months, but you need [Anthony Davis] healthy, Lively getting healthy, and both of those guys have already been out for a while." This lack of depth is making it hard for the team to execute, resulting in what's shaping up to be one of the worst offensive starts in recent memory. "They're actually on pace to have a record bad start on offense. They can't shoot, they can't make plays, it's all kind of going side-to-side, East-West, hand-offs. It's just nobody can make shots. It's been tough to watch," he added. Side-to-side movements refer to basic passes that don't generate scoring chances, like lateral handoffs instead of dynamic drives or three-point attempts.
Dirk Nowitzki's comments were echoed in a tweet that captured the essence: "I feel bad for my Mavs fans. This has been a disastrous start. Obviously, there's a hole at the point guard and playmaking position...at shot creating, at shot making. They can't shoot, they can't make plays...nobody can make shots. It's been tough to watch" alongside a video clip (pic.twitter.com/GcCD38dshX), shared by @ohnohedidnt24 on November 8, 2025.
The Amazon Prime crew has delivered some entertaining and insightful segments, and it's a joy to see Dirk back in the national spotlight after his storied career. However, it's genuinely disappointing that he has to endure watching the Mavericks perform this poorly, just 16 months after their thrilling run to the NBA Finals. For context, reaching the Finals is a huge achievement, like making it to the championship game in any major sport—it was supposed to set a high standard, not lead to this level of struggle.
Nowitzki's actions have always been telling, and his presence at Luka Dončić's debut game as a Laker last season spoke volumes about his feelings on the trade that sent the young star to Los Angeles. This year, some fans overreacted when Dirk showed up for the Lakers' season opener, but given that the Amazon show is filmed in Los Angeles and included a feature with Dončić, it was perfectly logical. Actions like these show his loyalty to the game and its players beyond just one team.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Mavericks' current roster doesn't have the pieces to fix these problems, even if every player were fully healthy. Without sufficient shooting guards or playmakers to thrive in the modern NBA—think of how teams like the Golden State Warriors rely on versatile scorers—the offense simply lacks the firepower to compete. This has led to widespread calls for drastic changes, including firing general manager Nico Harrison and rebuilding from scratch. Is this fair, or is it too harsh? Some argue it's a necessary shake-up to avoid wasting prime years on underperforming talent, while others might say patience is key during these transitions. What do you think—should the team overhaul its front office immediately, or give them more time to adapt?
Adding to the worry is the fact that Dallas has no control over their draft picks from 2027 through 2030, a terrifying prospect for fans given the organization's current state. For beginners, draft picks are like lottery tickets for future talent—teams with more picks can rebuild faster. If a new GM could trade assets like Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, or even the doubtful Klay Thompson, who might not align with young phenom Cooper Flagg's long-term vision, it could secure those crucial picks. This trade strategy is a hot topic in NBA circles, as it involves weighing star power against future potential.
READ MORE: Dirk Nowitzki sends message to Cooper Flagg after Mavericks' struggles (https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/news/dirk-nowitzki-sends-message-cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericks-struggles/)
READ MORE: Mark Cuban says how 'painful' it is with Luka Dončić on Lakers instead of Mavericks (https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/news/www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/news/mark-cuban-says-how-painful-luka-doncic-los-angeles-lakers-instead-dallas-mavericks/)
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In wrapping this up, Dirk's outspoken critique opens the door to a bigger debate: Is this just a rough patch, or a sign of systemic issues that demand bold action? And this is the part most people miss—could trading established stars for draft picks really save the franchise, or would it risk alienating fans who still cherish the current roster? I'd love to hear your take in the comments: Do you agree with Dirk's assessment, or do you see a path to redemption without major upheaval? Share your thoughts and let's discuss!
