Dirk Nowitzki was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks.
 Played as a power forward by coach Don Nelson, the 20-year-old felt overpowered by the more athletic NBA forwards, was intimidated by the expectations as a number nine pick, and played bad defense; hecklers taunted him as "Irk Nowitzki", omitting the "D" which stands for "defense" in basketball slang
 Nowitzki led the Mavericks back to the playoffs where they faced their in-state rival San Antonio Spurs in the first round

