D uring the lockout the reputation of both NBA players and NBA owners has taken a nose dive. The longer the lockout lasts the more damage that will be done to the marketability of basketball, particularly however the public perception and marketability of the NBA. And this isn’t just a matter of opinion either, this is a cold hard fact according to the Q Scores Company, which measures public and consumer appeal of organizations, brands, athletes and celebrities.

But there is one player in the NBA that hasn’t seen a dip in his Q Score Rating. In fact this newly crowned champion of the NBA, Dirk Nowitzki, has seen a 38.8% increase in his consumer appeal. Amazing what being the new face of winning in the NBA can do for your marketability, huh?

“It was unbelievable, the response I got. My Twitter blew up that day,” Nowitzki says. “I’m really excited at the feedback of the fans.” That’s the only league-sanctioned activity Nowitzki can partake in these days. But the lockout hasn’t lowered the enthusiasm for him. His image has never been better, according to Henry Schafer, executive vice president of The Q Scores Company, which measures consumer appeal of athletes and other celebrities bi-annually. While the Q rating of most NBA players has leveled off or dropped precipitously since March, Nowitzki’s jumped in September from 18 to 25, a 38.8% increase.

[Quote Via USA Today]