Pantheon Players: Dirk Nowitzki
The first of his kind. Dirk Nowitzki was the pioneer of being a 3 level scoring big man. With patented post moves and a quick first step, he was unguardable. We will look at Dirk’s career defining moments, his impact on the modern game and how he stacks up with his peers in the early 2000’s era.
The Steve Nash Era
What could have been…
NBA franchises tend to have short leases with young tradable assets. Some young players may need more time than others in order to adjust to not only playing in the NBA, but also, the lifestyle that comes along with it. Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki were growing together as a duo.
But their on the court chemistry was halted.
Nash was traded to Phoenix. In an interview, Mark Cuban stated that trading Nash had been the biggest mistake of his career since owning the Mavericks.
This trade hurt the Mavs, but bolstered the Suns. They got away with highway robbery. With Mike D’Antoni as the coach, the 7 seconds or less Suns flourished with Nash at the helm.
Post From: NBA.com
The Battle with T-Mac
Every Pantheon player has had their fair share of regular season duels. This one was an instant classic. Two dynamic scorers went head-to-head in American Airlines Arena.
In the 1st quarter, Dirk was living in the mid range. Coming off pin downs, or just facing up a defender from 17 feet...Dirk was always able to make it to the elbow for an efficient shot.
What did Tracy do?
He responded. Tracy’s elite footwork and high release on his jump shot allowed him to toy with defenders on the perimeter. He finished the 1st quarter going ⅚ shooting, for 13 points, while Dirk finished with 10.
By the fourth quarter, both T-Mac and Dirk had scored at least 30 points.
By this time in Dirk’s career, he had mastered the 12 foot face-up….jab, jab, jumpshot. It was an automatic bucket. Dirk may not have been the most athletic player, but his quick first step allowed him to blow by defenders if they chose to stay put and not bite for the jab step.
The Rockets were hovering around a 4-8 point deficit for most of the 4th. Whenever Dirk hit a jumper to push the lead, T-Mac quickly retaliated with a contested shot of his own. Neither of these stars wanted to concede this game. With a heat check pull-up 3 to take the lead, McGrady had the greenest of lights by this Rockets organization.
This game was dead even. We’re going to overtime.
Although Tracy was playing out of his mind, this was not the ‘Mac of old. He could reach this level in spurts, but consistently maintaining that production was too much to ask of his body post injuries.
In all fairness, he was facing Prime Dirk. The Mavs sprung into 3rd gear in OT, as Dirk scored 10 in overtime...finishing with 53 points. This game showed that Dirk belonged with the best of them, hitting dagger after dagger on a big stage at home.
Looking back, it was apparent how much of Dirk’s game was passed down to the modern NBA big. Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo and DeAndre Ayton are just a few players who have added the Dirk elbow face-up into their duffle.
Photo From: The Athletic
Dirk finishes with 53 points - 16 rebounds - 4 assists
T-Mac finished with 48 points - 9 rebounds - 9 assists
Battle For Texas
2006 Western Conference Semifinals. The Dallas Mavericks faced off against the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Prime Tim Duncan spearheaded this south central Texas juggernaut.
Through 6 games, it was a wash. The series was tied at 3. Game 7 would be hosted by the San Antonio Spurs, this was a legacy game.
Dirk came out aggressive. Pump faking a 12 footer and angrily attacking the rim looking for contact. Constant paint penetration was the mentality for this Game 7. Dallas opened up a double digit lead in the first. To cap off the quarter, Dirk shot a double teamed, over the right shoulder fadeaway on the right baseline.
Nothing but net.
So far, Dirk was outplaying Duncan.
Photo From: ESPN
The second quarter turned out to be more of the same. The San Antonio crowd was put to a hush, as Dallas couldn’t seem to miss. Jason Terry had himself a game. When San Antonio decided to double Dirk, he became the recipient of those dump-offs...ultimately making the Spurs pay from deep on multiple occasions.
Dirk Nowitzki was taking this game over. Double teamed or not, the Spurs were getting free tickets to Benihana’s. And-1 here, middy jumper there, pull up three here...however you wanted it, Dirk was showing he was the first lethal 3 level scoring big man.
Dallas was up 20, what happened?
In the 3rd quarter, Dallas failed to hit shots and turned the ball over repeatedly. The Spurs used these opportunities to get out and run. Pushing the pace of this game with Manu Ginobili blazing down the floor, allowed San Antonio to exploit the athleticism of Dallas’ bigs.
Time in and time out, Manu orchestrated plays at 100 mph...the Spurs were not done yet. By the end of the quarter, the Spurs were able to cut their deficit from 20, down to a 4 point game.
The Spurs kept on applying pressure. Dallas center Keith Van Horn was on the sidelines due to foul trouble. As a result, the Mavericks were not able to stop Duncan on the offensive boards. Once Tim got into a rhythm, he started reaching into the duffy. Posting Dirk. Back down, back down, turn over the right shoulder layup had Dirk needing a map. As good as Dirk was, he could not guard Tim Duncan in the post. This series was a battle of two greats.
The almost game ending play came by the Spurs. Duncan received the ball 16 feet from the basket and posted up just inside the right wing. Once the Dallas Mavericks sent a soft double to Tim Duncan, he kicked it to Manu, who hit a three pointer that made the AT&T Center erupt.
The Spurs had taken a 3 point lead with 34.7 seconds in the 4th quarter.
This was Game 7. If there is ever a moment to display why you are a great player, it’s now. Dirk responded accordingly.
On the other end, Dirk Nowitzki demanded the ball. Automatically putting Bruce Bowen in a post up situation on the right elbow.
Did he settle for an inefficient fade away?
No. He realized the matchup, and put Bruce Bowen in the torture chamber. Dirk aggressively backed his way into the paint, turning inside and finishing through 3 Spurs defenders. A whistle was blown. Manu fouled, Dirk was going to the line with a chance to tie the game at 104.
Net.
Photo From: San Antonio Express News
Dirk draws the and-1 on Manu Ginobili
Completes the And-1 play
104 all with 21.7 seconds left
Dirk had 35 going into overtime. Jobs not finished.
The Dallas role players carried the load in OT. San Antonio gassed out.
Later on, Dirk stated:
“To this day, one of the greatest wins in my career...They were our rivals that always beat us down...to go there and beat them in Game 7 on their home court was an amazing feeling” -(Fox Sports)
This series showed that Dirk could match up and even outplay the reigning 2 time NBA MVP. Looking back at all the other great power forwards at this time raises the question...how many rings would they have if placed in Tim’s situation?
The Clash with Nash
After taking down the Spurs in 7 games, the Mavericks moved on to face the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki would meet up again. This time as opponents, rather than teammates.
The defining moment in this series came in Game 5. Dirk Nowitzki scored 50 points at home to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the series.
Dirk:
“Phoenix were special games, Steve Nash was always super hyped to play us...he always wanted to show Mark that we made a mistake.”
“Their style of play was relentless, they were always fun games and fun matchups”
“We were up early in this game...then they all started making threes and we were falling behind. I thought...you don’t want to go to Phoenix down 3-2, it’s now or never”
“Make some stuff happen. Picking my spots, being aggressive, guys kept finding me in good spots. I was getting hot at the right time and that was a huge win and then we closed them out in six, so yes, that was a special night.” - (Fox Sports)
Photo From: Twitter (Texas Sports History)
Western Conference Finals: Game 5
Dirk finished with 50 points - 12 rebounds - 3 assists
The Dirk led Dallas Mavericks were headed to the NBA Finals
2008 Beijing Olympics
By this time in Dirk’s career, he was a solidified superstar. He had practically done it all. By 2008, he was a 7x All-Star who had also been to the NBA Finals. This offseason, he had his mind focused on one goal. Representing his native country of Germany in the Olympics.
The German team had to scrap and claw in order to qualify in 2008, but they did. As a momentous reward, Dirk Nowitzki was chosen to carry the German flag at the Opening Ceremony.
“That experience still gives me goosebumps...It was always a dream of mine. My international career started in 99, We missed Sydney by a couple points, Athens by a couple points...so in 2008 we beat JJ in a win or go home to qualify - (Fox Sports)
Photo From: Pinterest
2011 NBA Playoffs
I have seen many great playoff performances in my years…few compare to what Dirk Nowitzki did in 2011. On his way to the NBA Finals, Dirk first had to get through Portland, the reigning NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Young Big 3 in OKC. In each series, Dirk was the best player.
He had enough, it was time. The days of sitting idle on vacation, as your peers win hardware were over.
The Mavs did not play with their food. In the 1st round, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Blazers in 6 games.
On to the important series.
Dallas showed no mercy to the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers. This revamped Dallas team had 3&D shooters, along with Jason Kidd. They quickly swept the Lakers, and never looked back.
Photo From: The Smoking Cuban
Dirk averaged 25.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists this series
The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals after beating the Grind City Grizzlies in a physical 5 games. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden were pups back then. Pups that could f—ing hoop.
But similar to 2012 for the Thunder, it just wasn’t their time yet. Dirk was not going to lose his best opportunity at a ring.
This was “I-block-a” in full effect. Players were known to shy away from penetrating, due to his presence in the paint. It didn’t matter to Dirk.
In Game 1, Dirk exploded for 48 points.
The defining moment of this series was Game 4. Dallas could either take a 3-1 commanding lead, or potentially give OKC the chance to tie up the series. Which player was going to step up?
The Thunder came to play.
They shot out the gate, gaining an early lead. Their control of this game spanned nearly the whole game. With 4:48 to go, the OKC Thunder held a 15 point lead. Dallas should not have even been in this game, after getting out-rebounded 55 to 33 on the boards.
Then all of a sudden, it was Dirk Nowitzki time. That’s what greatness gives you. The shots he made late in the 4th quarter left the Thunder scrambling. They finished with 26 turnovers, a true testament to the youthfulness of their team. Dallas stole home court back, leaving the home crowd stunned at the collapse they just witnessed.
Photo From: The Spokesman-Review
2011 NBA Finals: Dirk’s Defining Moment
David vs. Goliath
The Dallas Mavericks reached the mountain top, but there was a team waiting for them. The Miami Heat were the flashy, new team in town. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh incepted the super team era, hoping to capture that ever so elusive NBA Championship. After dethroning the MVP in Derrick Rose, the Heat did not show any signs of slowing down in the Finals.
In Game 1, Miami asserted its dominance. Alley-oops, fast breaks and highlight plays allowed Miami to cruise to victory. Game 2 was almost the same.
In Game 2, Miami once again took control. After a Dwayne Wade corner 3, Miami’s lead sprang to 15 and their players began to celebrate.
They were playing with their food.
Dirk headed to the sidelines and told his teammates, “Let’s make one last run at it”.
They did just that.
The Mavericks stormed back, led by Dirk Nowitzki. Chris Bosh was good, but no match for a hungry Dirk. To cap off this win, Dirk hits a tough, off balance, left handed layup to beat the Heat in Miami. This game saved the series, it was tied at 1.
The Mavericks went on to win in 6 games, showing the NBA that talent must form chemistry before winning a championship is possible. The Miami Heat were humbled. This NBA Championship & Finals MVP catapulted Dirk Nowitzki into the All-Time players stratosphere. He deserved it.
Photo From: Dallas Morning News
Dirk’s Legacy Rank
Dirk Nowitzki played in an era dominated by bigs. Big Men such as Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett were duking it out for years in fiery matchups.
Iron sharpens iron.
If I’m ranking All-Time Power Forwards, my Top 5 list would be
Tim Duncan
Kevin Garnett
Dirk Nowitzki
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis
*Hakeem is counted as a Center for me
Do you like this list? Are we forgetting someone? Let us know in the contact tab under more, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
The Mentor
It seems almost poetic how Dirk and Luka overlapped for a year in Dallas. One star passing the torch to the next. Oh to be a fly on the wall during those conversations. Dirk relaying his old playoff memories of how to come through in the game late. The European connection held strong.
Those two would have been the ultimate duo. A big guard who can post, rebound and make every pass…paired with a stretch big who could drive to the paint and explode for 50 points at will.
Who knows what the future holds?
One thing is for certain. The past will remember Dirk, and all he did for the game.