Dirk Nowitzki
Key Career Moment of Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki cemented his legendary status in the 2011 NBA Finals, leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first championship.
Facing the heavily favored Miami Heat, Nowitzki averaged 26 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, including a heroic Game 2 comeback while battling a fever. His iconic one-legged fadeaway jumper became unstoppable, and he was named Finals MVP.
Dirk was simply unguardable, said LeBron James after the series.This victory was the crowning achievement of his Hall of Fame career.
Unique Skill of Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki revolutionized basketball with his unguardable one-legged fadeaway jumper.
Standing at 7 feet tall, he combined size, footwork, and shooting touch in a way no big man had before. His ability to stretch the floor as a power forward changed NBA offenses forever, paving the way for today's stretch bigs.
Dirk Nowitzki's Stats
- 31,560 career points (6th all-time in NBA history)
- 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks (longest tenure with one team in NBA history)
- 2007 NBA MVP and 2011 Finals MVP
Dirk Nowitzki's Legacy in the NBA
Dirk Nowitzki's legacy transcends basketball as the greatest European player in NBA history.
MVP, champion and time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki shares thoughts on his iconic career ahead of his Class of Hall of Fame induction.
He inspired a generation of international stars like Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. A unique fact: Nowitzki was originally a tennis prodigy in Germany before switching to basketball at age 13. His loyalty to Dallas and his championship run in 2011 made him one of the most beloved figures in sports.
On Janu, Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history—and the first European—to hit the 20,point milestone, while ending the regular season with averages of 25 points, rebounds, assists, and 1 block.
The NBA renamed its MVP trophy after Nowitzki in 2022, cementing his impact on the game.