J.J. Barea has played more seasons with Dirk Nowitzki than anybody else on this year’s Mavericks’ team.
This is his eighth season teaming with the face of the franchise.
Watching Nowitzki drag his right leg around because of painful Achilles inflammation isn’t easy for Barea.
“It’s tough when your main man - even if he’s in his last couple years, he’s still our main guy - is out,” Barea said. “It’s time for everybody else to step up and help the team out.”
And help Nowitzki out.
For the better part of 18 seasons, Nowitzki has been the anchor for the Mavericks, sometimes picking them up and carrying them kicking and screaming to victories, the playoffs and, in 2011, a championship.