Editing Dirk Nowitzki (section)

=====1999–00 season: Improving as a sophomore=====
On January 4, 2000, team owner [[Ross Perot Jr.]] sold the Mavericks to Internet billionaire [[Mark Cuban]] for $280&nbsp;million. Cuban quickly invested into the Mavericks and restructured the franchise, attending every game at the sidelines, buying the team a $46&nbsp;million [[Boeing 757]] to travel in, and increasing franchise revenues to over $100&nbsp;million. Nowitzki lauded Cuban, stating that he "created the perfect environment{{nbsp}}... we only have to go out and win."<ref>Sauer, 74–75</ref> As a result of Nelson's tutelage, Cuban's improvements and his own progress, Nowitzki significantly improved in his second season. Nowitzki averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 [[assist (basketball)|assists]] per game in 35.8 minutes.<ref name=stats/> He was voted runner-up in the [[NBA Most Improved Player Award]] behind [[Jalen Rose]], and made it into the NBA All-Star Sophomore squad.<ref name=nbabio/> The {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|adj=on}} Nowitzki also was chosen for the [[Three-Point Contest]], becoming the tallest player ever to participate.<ref name=Sauer77>Sauer, 77</ref> While he improved on an individual level, the Mavericks missed [[2000 NBA Playoffs|the playoffs]] after a mediocre 40–42 season.<ref name=Sauer77/>