How Good Was Dirk Nowitzki REALLY? 

How do you think a Prime Dirk would do in the 2020 NBA??

Dirk is a legend and the championship run was ridiculous

That's what makes Dirk special, he didn't go after winning lots of championships. He stayed loyal and worked with whatever he had. That 1 single championship he had will always stay special.

It’s cool this man isn’t part of the “goats without rings” conversation. Very easily could have been, his 2011 playoff run was something nobody could stop. Took out the lakers who were looking to 3peat and defeated the super team in Miami. Legendary run that year

Dirk was ahead of his time. A 7 foot tall guy that is a midrange god and can have 50/40/90 season or close to it. The Mavs were a team that played a really slow pace after Nash left and the Mavs still were one of the best offenses in the league. Dirk is the face of the stretch 4.

You forgot to mention that in a sports world with so many huge egos he was the nicest and kindest guy you could imagine.

I'll always love him for derailing the Miami hype train in 2011 😂

I live in dallas, and dirk is so much of a legend here he has a street named after him. People love this man cause of that loyalty and because of how nice and down to earth he is. He’s been to my old job a few times (sadly I wasn’t there to meet him) but everyone tells me how nice of a dude he is and on a side note i met shawn marion on my birthday just at the store and he’s super nice also. I told him thanks for that 2011 championship and he said “thank you guys for supporting us”

Trust me mavs love dirk we would have let him stay till he’s 55 Btw dirk >Malone prove me wrong

Dirk's one ring for me is greater than anybody else's multiple rings.

Dirk was perfect combination of the perfect jumpshot, post moves, and just enough handles. There should be a documentary about that 2011 season.

"He did it his way." That sums up everything about great Dirk.

People forget that Dirk was actually very quick in his prime

I think one thing people always forget to mention when they bring up Dirk, is just how physical he was in the low post. Sure, he basically defined what it means to be a stretch 4, but people forget that the reason he was so good was because he had a variety of post moves, and he always attacked the basket. Yes, his fadeaway became a legendary move that is associated with him, but if you go back and watch a lot of his highlights, you'll see that he consistently got a big chunk of his points by attacking the basket and getting to the foul line(where he was almost automatic). It's really what separates him from other stretch 4s like, say for example, Porzingis. Dirk would consistently get to the foul line because he was in attack mode, it wasn't just shoot a jumper or a fadeaway. Even on nights where his shot wasn't falling, he would still end up with 25 just because he would end up with like 10+ points from free throws. It's something that is often forgotten, and it's what separates him from many other stretch 4s.

I think the most crazy Thing is that Dirk came out of nowhere …. literally ….not even German Basketball Fans knew of him because he was only playing in the 2. league in Germany ….but his Würzburg Team won the title in that league and relegated into the 1. League...much respect to the People who scouted him….I don't know of any other Player nearly as good as him who came from Overseas and had not even played in the highest league of his country

I’ve lived in Dallas for 35 years, and dirk and I are the same age. He’ll always hold a special place in my heart. The Mavs may have only won the one title with him, but the way they did it with Dirk’s loyalty and perseverance makes it so much more special than even my cowboys 3 rings in the 90’s (and I LOVE my cowboys).

Dirk in his athletic prime would’ve dominated today’s league easily. Especially when defense is less of a priority nowadays -_-

there are many good points u can make on dirk: NEVER complained about to few help, NEVER lost class on other players, NEVER took the easy way, ALWAYS was a gym rat, ALWAYS didnt take his career for granted and ALWAYS loved the fans!

That 2011 playoff run was one of the greatest runs I have seen. He would dominate every team he faced, he was so locked in that no one was taking them down.

loyal player . much respect for him hands down man. one european legend 👍🏻

Thank you for this vid. Dirk means everything. I miss seeing 41 on the court every game I see. This city was so lucky to have him here. Never will be anyone quite like Dirk. Thanks for making me shed some tears.

*THE MOST BELOVED PLAYER OF ALL-TIME*

Thx for making this vid about my favourite nba player ever

I'd argue that Dirk changed the game more than Steph. Before him bigs were NEVER considered to be reliable deep shooters. Sure, Bol or Laimbeer will knock down a couple per game but not to where you can build your offense around that. Dirk showed what was possible when your big spaces the floor and is still a legit threat.

I forgot he’s scored 30K points. That’s a very impressive feat

Dirk is one of the GOATS, coming from Germany in a time where you just couldn’t expect anything from a German basketball player (Soccer/football is the sport they play especially back in the days now BBall is a thing) Super down to earth , never switched clubs when he could have easily got to LA to play with Kobe and win some rings etc. Took pay cuts to get better players which’s till weren’t big time greats. Unlucky lost in my opinion because of the ref in 06 but his 2011 playoff run beating every super team out there basically by himself (besides the fever game) NOBODY will ever recreate this run and I’m so happy that people finally give this man credit. The Mavs good bye ceremony is one of the best things I saw a organization do for his star. looking forward for the “greatest and most badass statue in front of the arena” :)

Love the channel, your content is awesome...Dirk is a legend, very few players stay will their team for a career....much respect for this man..

He is actually one of the most influential players ever. And definitely a game changer. Just look at today's NBA and how many big men are as versatile as him.

as usual very well said Jonny . . . his fade-away shot is a classic on its own . . .

Most unstoppable shots in NBA history: 1. Kareem's Skyhook 2. Dirk's Fadeaway 3. Mike's/Kobe's Fadeaway 4. TD's Bankshot 5. McHale's Up and Under

We were blessed to witness 3 of the top 5 PFs of all time in the 2000s era with Timmy, Dirk, and KG.

The reason I'm a Mavs fan.. That first finals loss was my first sports heartbreak

I think Luka is the perfect representation of how Dirk would be in today’s NBA, relating to a finesse PF that is more geared towards perimeter play.

The 2011 playoff rally was one of kind, it was worth all the disapointments he faced early in his career. #Legend

Most people don't know how important Tyson Chandler was on the defensive end for the mavs during the 2011 season, he was their defensive anchor during the playoffs and the finals.

As a Spurs fan I never rooted for Dirk, but man he was a hell of a player. I have mad respect for him.

I feel like Dirk would be an amazing centre in todays NBA

Love watching his highlights He is an awesome player Nice vid

My boi Dirk would easily be top 2 player in his prime today no question

As a resident of Dallas, I became a basketball fan because of Dirk and that 2011 championship run

3:06 Legendary impression. The most unguardable shot next to Kareem´s skyhook.

One of the greatest ever, that’s how great he was

One of the best videos about Dirk! Thank u for the accurate comentation, respectful recognation. I really appreciate it as a 21 years fan. Dirk is iconic, one of kind, not alone his loyalty,kindness,dedication and charismatic character! He is idol and role model for life and generations!

Dirk led the mavs to 11 straight 50+ win I believe.

He beat prime bron primeish bosh and barely out of prime wade with just smart defensive scheme and well runned offensive.plus he beat 5 mvps in the playoffs

I totally agree with most parts of your video, but I really felt that a lot of Dirk's failures with his Mavericks to reach even further in the NBA playoffs has to do more with either his team being inferior, or that the other team was simply more well coached and had more stars in them. It is really unfair to even call Dirk a failed star or a choker in many of those series as I believed he played already extremely well from many viewpoints. To start with the 2006 Finals, it's true Wade was the real star by then, but I DO believe that the refs played a role in that series and that the too much of blame was placed on Dirk rather than his team and the coach by then, Avery Johnson. And then in 2007 was the real blemish on his playoffs resume as he didn't play to his usual standards, but that was also due to facing Don Nelson's Warriors as they had the perfect lineup and plan to stop the Mavericks team and also, Coach Nelson knew how to stop Dirk's powers too well after coaching him into stardom. The next 3 years, the Mavs lost to rising teams with superstars in them and having a better constructed lineup while compared to the Mavericks only featuring Dirk and other very good stars. For example, Chris Paul's Hornets, Carmelo Anthony and George Karl's Nuggets and the Big 3 and Coach Pop led Spurs, were the teams to beat Dirk's Mavs while Dirk played extremely well in each of those series. So in my opinion, Dirk is far from a choker in the postseason even long before his heroic 2011 championship series. Instead, he is ALREADY a very good clutch performer if you exclude like 2 or3 playoff series in which he didn't play to his usual hish standards and seriously underperformed. This is my opinion on Dirk's legacy and I believe the heroic 2011 championship came at a time so fortunate that it wiped away and reversed many people's terribly wrong perception that Dirk can't show up and perform at the most clutch moments in the NBA Postseason. Even without that champ, I will still happily consider him a top postseason performer and clutch player.

7:58 actually prime Dirk was the quickest 7-footer I´ve ever seen so far. He broke ankles, took the ball coast to coast or hit the breaks and took the 3. He was a match up nightmare for every big man back then. When he got slow he developed that unguardable one legged fadeaway off the "wrong" leg. What a legend

I love your videos man. They remind me of the basketball that I grew up with. You, and foolishbaseball are my favorite channels!

I’m a Lakers fan and would have loved to have him play there. BUT, I absolutely love that he played all his career with the Mavs, that kind of loyalty is so rare and admire that tremendously. The guy is a absolute legend and will always have a home in Dallas with the Mavericks fans - no matter what

He make it look so easy that people thought he is too one dimensional

I am a young nba fan so I never got to see these players in their prime so that is why you are one of my favorite nba youtubers

This is genuinely the best basketball page on RU-vid.. it's not even close. Kudos

Crazy how he made the Mavericks so good without a Superstar in his whole career

Dirk is definitely on my Mount Rushmore of NBA Power Forwards along with Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, and Kevin McHale. (IMO, McHale is underrated and Garnett is overrated.)Though the Mavs would lose the 2006 Finals, I think one of the more underrated and forgotten plays of NBA history is a key play made by Dirk in the 2006 Western Conference semifinals. In game 7 between the Spurs and Mavs, Manu hit a late 3 with under a minute left to give the Spurs a 3 point lead. The next Mavs possession, Dirk got the ball, drove hard to the rim, and scored and was fouled. Dirk made the free throw to get 3 the old fashioned way and tie the game and the Mavs would win in overtime.That ring in 2011 ensured that Dirk and Kidd wouldn't have any "yeah but" on their career profiles.

Legend + loyal. Nothing you could've wished more from Dirk. I totally agree with you that he's a generation ahead of his time. Him playing on today's era means a walk in the park for Dirk. My god I miss the sport science breakdown of Dirk's signature unguardable fadeaway shot. 💯 Thanks for the vid! Keep it up!

I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for what you do

Easily one of the best to ever do it

Stayed loyal to one team, and gave them their first championship without the help of another superstar. He’s a GOAT.

Dirk is a legend! GOAT status in the city of Dallas! Thanks for the memories

I think it is not enough to talk about how he would do in today's league. He may be the biggest reason why the league changed in the first place. He literally changed the game by adding a legendary, iconic move to the arsenal of the history of the sport. Forget rings or trophys, he truly changed the game. What a remarkable career.

He played in the wrong era and yet still won a championship.

"The only 7 footer to ever get 50/40/90" Kevin Durant: What, I told you guys already I'm 6'9"

Greatest PF of all time. Loved the video

Every video is excellent

I pray that you all have a great day and life and that God blesses you all.

i was just gonna say “so we are questioning how good dirk is right after he got a championship and a FMVP defeating prime lebron and wade？” and realize that was almost ten years ago…………… god time flys

Dirk is my favorite player! This video was a great summary of the things that made him great.

It´s still hard to imagine to not see him playing again. I will miss him

Dirk was the 00s KD. Don't take those PTS as low by the current standards. They are huge because he didn't have 1 or 2 significant scorers to stretch the floor or to kick out a pass to him. Don't value a person purely on his stats, but by his impact. Also, we should appreciate the era when people were loyal to the franchise and the fans. All of that above from a Heat fan who hated Mavs for what they did to us ... However, nothing but respect for this guy!

Winning a title is what will get him into the Hall of Fame. He was that underrated.

Dirk is my inspiration both on court and off court, He is the nicest player of all time who has virtually no haters. He is the example for championship, that you don't need a co star or big three to win an nba championship. 2011 NBA championship is unforgettable. he also did reduce his salary to help the mavs to sign better players. that's true sign of loyalty, no one can do in the modern NBA !!!! He is my top most loved player. If there was a NBA Most Loyal Player Award, he is one to win beyond doubt for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and love to see him come back for the mavs as a special advisor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great video!

Great vid. And great great playa

06 Finals, refs rigged the Finals, thats a fact.

Dirk is the reason why Lebron's legacy was tarnished.. Or should I say Jason Terry?

Little thing i always like about Dirk is how humble he is. When he was chosen to carry the german flag at the opening ceremony for olympia 2008 he said in an interview, that he didn't think they would give him such honor and that everyone else who was considered to carry it was more deserving than him. It's really inspiring to see someone who is known throughout the world stay calm and collected like that. "Immer die kleinen Brötchen backen" a german would call it. Always baking the small buns, as a saying to stay calm, to stay humble and Dirk knew and knows how to be that. And to me that is one of the reasons why he is very respected by many in Germany, in the USA and the rest of the world as well.

Trev for president, THANK YOU, YOU GOT IT RIGHT, I'm a Mavs fan since 1980 yes Kiki days ,so I've been through the SHIT again thank you.

1:06 Dirk looked like Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys

Love ur channel in my opinion ur as good as Mike korzembra

Dirk was a literal game changer. Your point about what it would be like to see him play today is great fun for a fan to ponder. Not enough is said about his impact on the league today.

Very, very good post. Dirk is a true idol.

Imo the 2nd greatest Power Forward of all time behind Tim Duncan

TBH the Mavs obviously got robbed in 2006..... Dirk is a legend and always loved watching him in his prime! Good times! Was a great feeling to finally win it. TY DIRK!!

Great video. Good analysis and reasoning. He was in a league with Kobe, Duncan, Nash, Garnett as well as LeBron and still got the MVP trophy as an 7 foot shooting guy.

Love the intro music and the channel.

8:00 you can see Kobe upset over that shot and thinking if he had him on his team

How good? Good enough for Larry Legend and Sir Charles to show up and pay their respects.

Dallas Boi Here! Ah Love Dirk so much! Underrated Still. Top 10 Scorer! League Mvp Finals Mvp! Same team Icon! And Renamed a street in front of AAC Nowitzki!

great description! well done!

Top 20-30 player all time in my opinion.

Mavs had good teams, but the West was loaded through much of his prime years. The Spurs and Lakers were going to be tough to get by in the playoffs to get to the Finals.

Him and D Rose are what got me into the game, I never really got to see his prime first hand but seeing 2011 was special.

Such a lethal legend. That fade shot is unguardable.

sadly, here in Germany dirk doesn't get the recognition he deserves up to today. it's a shame

2nd best PF ever under Tim Duncan. Lets go Mavs

Dirk is in that rare category of players that truly changed the way the game is played. He was a big part of undefining positions in basketball.

Revolutionized the game. Had one of the best playoff runs ever in 2011. Got robbed in 2006. Easy top 50 player and possibly top 25 plus he will always be on the mount Rushmore of shooters.

As someone who grew up a Mavs fan in Dallas, one thing you didn't mention that I believe contributed to his ultimate success was his commitment to continuous improvement. Around Dallas part of the off-season "talk" often regarded what facet Dirk was focused on improving that year. It was generally understood that the best player on the team and the only superstar was also amongst the most committed to improving whatever part of his game he felt was weakest at the time, and that earned him great respect from the fans - especially through the many Lean Years that Mavs fans were accustomed to in the '80s and '90s.

Great video! Dirk is a all time great! But also under rated.

For the new comers to basteball...Basically, Dirk was a Kevin Durant, Giannis, and Steph Curry all in one. He was special. Miss seeing him play. Legend!!!!

Legende! ❤😍🙌