How Good Was Dirk Nowitzki Actually?

Here is the career retrospective of Dirk Nowitzki - his weird basketball upbringing, his early NBA struggles, and the story of the greatest loyalty in NBA history.
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[@chrismathgenius]

Dirk Nowitzki leading the Dallas Mavericks to winning the 2011 NBA Finals is still the most favorite championship run I've watched for the NBA.

[@elitereviews7336]

As a heat fan I was sad but so happy for dirk ! Well deserved

[@A.CMc1997]

I still remember that... Their run is also unbelievable and a true underdog story. Dirk, with a squad full of veterans. LeBron, with Wade, Bosh and a loaded supporting cast. All odds were literally against the Mavericks but they still managed to push thru.

[@Ivander85]

@@elitereviews7336 Same as a Spurs fan. Dirk never left to ring-chase, he stayed and got it done in Dallas.

[@KoufalKoufax]

dirk fked that super team

[@marctricomi2775]

It was pure lightning in a bottle

[@LoPoBunny]

Despite just winning one ring, it was the most meaningful.

[@jalynjones2517]

There’s Some greats who never won a ring so dirk winning one is still very impressive none the less

[@Josh-cm4fu]

Cuz legoat flopped

[@lalremruatpuiarenthlei4665]

Myb he isn't Legoat if he flopped in the finals with two other HOF players. The true goat would never🙃

[@peace-qe4ig]

@@lalremruatpuiarenthlei4665 own that freak

[@chrispbacon1167]

That one ring means a lot because so many legendary players get criticized for not winning a chip.. Barkley, TMac, iverson, Ewing etc

[@awc6007]

Dirk lead his team to victory over The Lakers (Kobe and Gasol), Oklahoma City Thunder (KD, Westbrook & James Harden) AND The Miami Heat (LeBron, Bosh & D-Wade). This man was no joke.

[@eazybucketz_23]

Don’t forget about the Portland Trailblazers. They were good too.

[@gabbytay]

Why isnt chris bosh there? They were a big 3

[@serotay7531]

dirk had a veteran well coached team💀depleted lakers, young okc who were still figuring themselves out n young bron who still thought that heats were wades till wade told him after they lost💀u ppl literally either overrate or underrate

[@eazybucketz_23]

@@serotay7531 Lmao if I ever seen a hater. Boy, you finished sucking Lebrons Tip? That 2011 run was the hardest run in the last 20 years. And YES, definitely harder than that 2016 cavs win. Lmao what a loser bro. You must be really bitter. Don’t worry, I’ll call yo mama later tonight. Make sure I break her in right this weekend. Maybe then she’ll stop making your life hard about being a grown man, still living with her. 🤡

[@eazybucketz_23]

@@gabbytay I agree. It’s mostly funny how these Lebron stans always try to down play his contributions.

[@ZeffixFR]

I dont think ill ever forget how happy I was when he won the chip with the mavs in 2011. Absolute goat.

[@Sj430]

I was happy for him when he won a championship in 2011

[@StraightCashHomie23]

Lebron and Wade were complete and utter douchebags for mocking his illness. They deserved to be humbled.

[@tevingmusiclover]

I will never forget it either

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

What's "chip?"

[@tevingmusiclover]

@@rudolphguarnacci197 that is saying championship for short

[@robingronwald7993]

From a German perspective, he brought basketball to Germany, football is still our most popular sport, yet we are all incredibly proud of our francian giant from Würzburg. The fact that this man stayed so incredibly loyal to his club + he was the reason for Kids like Franz and Dennis even started playing Basketball

[@thejohnson2328]

Didn't know that about Dennis, very nice !!!

[@kev_mit_alles2545]

Exactly what i always say, in the 90s was the first time many People here in Germany started liking Basketball but it was still a small group. When Nowitzki stepped his Game up in the middle of the 2000s‘ suddenly everyone here cared about the sport and maaaaany Kids and Teens all over the Country started playing even if its just as a hobby. Dirks impact was immense!!

[@soewenue]

​@@kev_mit_alles2545yeah I am pretty Sure that he was the Idol of most german players that have won the World cup

[@badsolja1]

@robingronwald7993 Give me a break the average height of a German person is 6ft4 How he was a giant compared to everyone else’s

[@schlachsahne884]

@@badsolja1where tf did you get this number from? Average height of a german male is 5ft11

[@marianorivera3272]

While I respect and don’t blame players for getting the most money they can get by moving around, there’s something special admirable about the loyalty of a guy like Dirk.

[@STURDYvids]

Word. People in our position (and I am European, so it is different, since Sports here are not franchised and it is quite frankly tribal as fuck - teams would NEVER move cities like e.g. GSW or Raiders and you support the history of your town and culture ((with professional clubs dating back to as long as 1850) often give players shit for changing teams - but lets be honest, if we are faced with this kind of money... I wouldn't give a damn for my city if I earned 170 Million more somewhere else

[@michaeldwane4192]

He's so good he took down Aldridge, kobe, pau, westbrook, durant, harden, lebron, wade and bosh. To a championship

[@PROBENICCOMPS]

How you mention Aldridge but not Brandon Roy😐

[@rileyoakley7196]

@@PROBENICCOMPS because bro wasn’t good that year😭

[@serotay7531]

@@rileyoakley7196 casusl

[@rileyoakley7196]

@@serotay7531 bro was a bucket without a doubt but that year the mf averaged 12 on 40/33 splits which isn’t that good😂

[@thisnuts6633]

I prefer Dirks one ring over KD's two rings.

[@Sj430]

Agreed. At least dirk stayed with dallas when he won his ring.

[@seyahtan24]

True. The real ones know which ring really has any meaning to it.

[@jasonlewis9240]

I prefer Dirks and Giannis one ring over Lebrons 4 rings

[@dylanl.bagley9382]

@@jasonlewis9240 even 2016?

[@kristianpomida8259]

*over KG's ring

[@eazybucketz_23]

I’m glad Dirk is finally getting more recognition videos. It was a pleasure watching him since 06. He really is our Jordan.

[@The-Big-Boss]

Nah kobe is.

[@eazybucketz_23]

@@The-Big-Boss “No, Kobe is” 🤪🤣😭 You people are cringe. I’m talking about Dallas residents.

[@myspacedip]

Dirk is my Jordan

[@eazybucketz_23]

@@myspacedip Solute my bro

[@travelingtheworld8224]

@@The-Big-Boss Kobe not top 5

[@shady7689]

I’m a heat fan, but I’m actually glad he got his ring against us. One of my favorite players ever.

[@ilrosso8612]

Very class move.

[@jpmnky]

I always looked at it as a balancing of accounts. In 2006 the Mavs were favored. In 2011 the Heat were. I agree with everyone else this was one of the best runs any of us have seen. The Bucks last year is close. The Celtics and Lakers in 2008 was another. But 2011 beats them all.

[@TXhydroponix]

@@jpmnky lol we should have 2 rings, 2006 the refs gave wade a field day

[@nba2k11allstar]

Likewise💯💯

[@fieryjalapenos4442]

Idk what you say. I’m willing to bet money you didn’t give a rats ass about Miami until they got LeBron. Nobody did.

[@MannyMensah94]

Dirk was ahead of his time 🏀

[@forgottenson3411]

Nahh he wasn’t

[@rileyoakley7196]

@@forgottenson3411 what 7 footer was regularly shooting 3’s and deep jumpers before him?

[@thisismychannel4174]

@@rileyoakley7196 ikr

[@jonathan6935]

Because Germans are dedicated and advanced

[@jasonsandhu3760]

Slightly yes had he played in today's era he would be the greatest pf easily

[@matthiasmartin4355]

Dirk's ring is arguably the most valuable of the last twenty years. LeBron will argue his comeback down 1-3 was more impressive, but he had a much better supporting cast than Dirk and his opponent was running on fumes. The Cavs also had a much easier schedule in previous rounds.

[@voodoodiecast]

Agree. 2016 cavs doesn’t compare to 2011 overall. The 3-1 comeback was intense but other than that, not much.

[@thisismychannel4174]

@@voodoodiecast yea, if anybody except draymond played their average in the game 7, gs wouldve won, and just overall after the 3-1 lead gs just fell apart

[@RafitoOoO]

You guys are delusional. 2011 was great but nothing tops 2016. It doesn't matter if the Cavs was a better team than Dallas, they were facing the fucking 73-9 GSW.

[@voodoodiecast]

@@RafitoOoO mavs were facing back2back champs laker featuring kobe, okc durant westbrook harden and miami big3 lebron wade bosh. 73-9 pales in comparison.

[@RafitoOoO]

@@voodoodiecast lol

[@GreggerOG]

2011 was the best play off run in a long time . Underrated taking out super teams at 32 with a 33 and 37 year old

[@johnsherman4035]

Dirk revolutionized the game. I don't think many people realize how freakish it was to see a 7 footer bring the ball up the court, cross over at the key, then go down the lane and dunk like he was doing over 20 years ago. 7 footers were for the most part stationary. He could have easily won more rings if Cuban wasn't a dufus too. I don't want to get into it but they could have had 2 or three more before 2011 and maybe another after. Peace out

[@Bigjshifty08]

If you go back and watch the tape of his 2011 playoff run, you'll be undoubtedly watching one of the most skill laden, dominant individual playoff runs in NBA history. He went Super-Saiyan over and over again to destroy uber stacked super teams with his squad of vets.

[@iyencarter3997]

Word. I remember him destroying every OKC player that he was matched with.. all of them had no chance..

[@Cashmoneez]

Obviously not all rings are made equal but even those that never saw him play know that dirk has one of the hardest rings there is

[@PeanutButterAndJellyBros]

Dirk has got to be the only faithful basketball player ever. Stuck together through with the good and the bad.

[@westonwheeler2311]

Tim Duncan

[@durRealBills]

@@westonwheeler2311 No No He said good and bad. Tim always played with good teams Dirk was cheated and defeated in the playoffs until 2011

[@lik7953]

@@durRealBills Damian lillard

[@durRealBills]

@@lik7953 True but Dirk has played wayyyy longer , I think he turned down a chance to play with KB248

[@xarmanhsh2981]

gianis?

[@FrYLocK41]

He averaged 20 points per game on 47/38/88 shooting splits for 21 seasons. Crazy.

[@howardbaxter2514]

Nearly broke the 50/40/90 barrier. That’s insane.

[@FrYLocK41]

@@howardbaxter2514 Yeah doing that for just 1 season is crazy enough, but he did it for 21 seasons.

[@jasonsandhu3760]

Don't forget his playoff avgs for his career is 25-10 also on close to 50-40-90 shooting

[@deinonkel123]

Imagine he had not the first 2 bad years. He would have that average over 19 seasons. Just ridiculous

[@apoorvsingh3395]

He was a mav at the beginning and a mav till the end of his career he stayed loyal to one team 👏👏👏

[@your.local.legend15]

I seriously thought the heat would Walk all over the mavs in 2011 and it seemed that way. But dirk carried the mavs with amazing performances to win the title. Well deserving hall of fame inductee.

[@oscargonzalez3694]

I wouldn’t say carried the mavs since everyone played their part in that finals series

[@FalseOracle617]

Jason Terry lit the Heat up man

[@t3jf]

When you have soft choke artist like Lebron on the heat leading the way you know the other team always has a chance.

[@jasonsandhu3760]

@@oscargonzalez3694 avging 9.8 points in the fourth quarter as the second highest in the finals isn't carrying ? Lol second only to MJ btw 😂

[@holdmyweight3597]

The series was rigged that’s why

[@sirbonobo3907]

Dirk is one of the greatest players this sport has ever had.

[@bp2000k]

Dirk will be always my top 3 PF Player ever. His one leg fadeaway was so beautiful to watch. I To this day im very happy that he won the ring back in 2k11 with crazy game Performances. I just wish that Nash was there in Dallas with him. Welcome to the NBA Top 75 Dirk. GOAT🐐

[@12890mrkickass]

Who's the other 2? Tim and kg?

[@ericwilliams2980]

Imagine if Luka and Dirk both played together in their prime, now that would be an European takeover

[@defnotpig_magic]

Their only challenge maybe the golden State or showtime Lakers ( modern)

[@FireWeezyMarshall]

In the 2011 Playoffs no one in the Mavs other than Dirk (27.7ppg) averaged over 18ppg and they defeated LeBron, Wade & Bosh in The Finals; KD, Westbrook & Harden in the conference finals and Kobe & Pau Gasol in the semis. Dirk is a true legend of the game 🏀

[@eisen.dieter]

Another fact of Dirk Nowitzki: He has no haters.

[@marvininer]

Truly, a one of a kind player. Number 41 forever.

[@averyce2]

I miss Dirk Nowitzki already 😢

[@danielelia2256]

Kareem had the skyhook as an unstopable move. Dirk had the fadeaway. Special player.

[@Ganggangbuzzbuzz]

“Loyalty never Fades Away” -Dirk

[@kiinmaskovich4108]

I had no idea how special Dirk's story is, truly a different breed

[@killval849]

This guy was always such a blast to watch. It's kinda crazy they finally won in 2011. I felt so robbed in 06 against the Heat.

[@Rumpy839]

Their 2011 run was one of the first championship runs I watched. Absolutely loved it, especially all the stories from each player and how it the first chip for a lot of older players.

[@adiibaziz7140]

Tim D, Dirk, Kobe, Giannis and Lebron with Cleveland. The ring these guys earn are not like others. It is the story behind the ring.

[@t3jf]

Lebron teamed up with Kyrie and Kevin Love. He had to whine to the league to get Draymond suspended, Bogut injury, Igodala back spasms, Curry battling a knee injury how did Lebron earn his championship?

[@chromium113]

Dirk was one of the first stretch big men that we see a lot in todays nba and he did it efficiently as he’s the only big man to ever have a 50/40/90 season truly amazing that he accomplished that in a much slower pace and congested league than today I wouldn’t doubt that he would thrive in todays era

[@francisdang8844]

i was waiting for this vid for such a long time, thank you nonstop

[@katyrebel18]

Dirk is my favorite basketball player ever. A true underdog

[@christiang6960]

He got the heaviest ring of them all! What a legend

[@brando_05]

Those 2011 finals were my intro to basketball, Dirk is forever one of my favorite players 🐐

[@TheUnderatedJC]

Sir, let me salute you for making this, his my favorite player and one if not the most disrespected player of all time, so thank you

[@kashiloidp.fuentes5174]

I'm so glad you made a video about him. Favorite European basketball player of all time.

[@stevelance99]

One of the best to ever do it! Miss those early 2000s

[@veepeecee8630]

Dirk was such a bad ass! I loved watching him play. He was 2020 basketball before it was. He was a 7 footer shooting 3 pointers. Something that was unheard of in his era.

[@marctricomi2775]

Love ya, Dirk! You have been and always will be my favorite NBA player of all time. You are a class act, a Legend, and the Mavericks will always be your team. Luca has a long way to go.

[@flysocietyotm]

never forget how unstoppable Dirk was

[@Gagakki]

Almost made me tear up What a comeback story dirk had Was so happy he won the championship especially in that time

[@opmoe9560]

That was a great video keep up the good work!!

[@Algo1]

Thanks for acknowledging Barea too, his role cannot be stated enough. I became an NBA fan in '01 thanks to their Nash, Finley, Dirk team and never looked back.

[@justintaylor7282]

As a Dallas fan he is everything here if you love basketball and you happen to live in the Dallas area you live for either Luca nowadays or Dirk he is our Michael Jordan it’s crazy we name streets after him I love that man

[@jonathanriojas2177]

Other than popular opinion that everybody has for his ring. He’s really the most underrated NBA legend. He never should have hit the ceiling he hit. I miss 41

[@Giang_as_artist]

the problem with other players when talking about loyalty is that they have rings (Kobe, Curry, etc). Dirk played 13 years ringless and still being loyal

[@stargems]

shed a tear. what a legend and what a class act

[@Criminalpresident45]

Dirk is one of the greatest shooting big man ever...he deserve that 2011 championship

[@LilDlx]

the Dunking Schnitzel ❤️ love your vids, greetings from Germany!

[@aaronjordan3268]

Great video.. a lot of the new age basketball fans won’t truly appreciate Dirk and what he did for basketball

[@justalarvitar3411]

Dirk and Giannis hella loyal Committing to their team in the pursuit of a ring. Respect.

[@takareon]

One of the greatest, not just for his loyalty. His 1 ring is greater than most multiples.

[@SyndicateSuperman]

The 2010-2011 Mavericks will always be my favorite team. They Dirk slapped LeBitch and his "Super Team".

[@heathparker6488]

Dirk is the man!! Nothing about his game, or legacy, to sneeze at. 🎉

[@wycroffedtsalacut3271]

One of the best bigman in the league and one of the greatest player played with only one team and my favorite players in NBA

[@bigpancho22]

Dope vid

[@goodmusicpodcast7368]

I’ve only seen my father cry once in my life, and it was 2 minutes before the Mavs won in 2011. Dirk will always be my number one

[@genericusername_Xx]

Holger was literally Mr. Miyagi

[@_gw33do_]

Dirk has one of the sweetest shots in NBA history, he shoots, lands and runs back to defense before the ball even hits the net.

[@thedude804]

My favorite player of all time. And also one of the best people you could ever meet.

[@ElSchmiddie]

Not to mention how nice this guy is. Never met anyone who has to say anything bad about him.

[@AccompliceRS]

Even more so, every time someone is asked about him; "He's the nicest guy ever" lol

[@berserkerkay]

one of my favorite pfs to play the game

[@dman6261]

with each championship run I watch, that 2011 one is getting more special, was totally unexpected for everyone. Dirk was a monster

[@lukeluke333lukeluke]

One of my top five favorite players in the NBA. 2011 my favorite championship run by any team. He was spacial to watch. He's also incredibly humble. He may only have one championship but I think it speak volumes considering what it took to get it. No one picked them to win that year.

[@tootalez8686]

Great video!

[@andyhuang9208]

its just a great day when nonstop sports upload

[@wohksonix5079]

He was amazing also you channel is good

[@justinalvarez8866]

Great video

[@kalanitaliaoa4280]

I’m a laker fan. Aside from Kobe’s last back to back title runs, Dirks championship run was my favorite hands down. He could not be stopped, also in my top 5 favorites.

[@brunofernandesos]

Despite rooting for the Miami Heat, got mad love and respect for Dirk. One of the best I've ever seen playing this game.

[@trevormay101]

Omg dirks Like Mike scene is so legendary🤣🤣

[@craigwheeler4760]

10:40 -- In my first NBA era of fandom, I knew the big 3 in the league --- loyalty wise.//team associated. 1. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers -- 20 years 2. Dirk Nowitzki -- 21 Yrs with the Dallas Mavericks. 3. Tim Duncan and the SA Spurs -- 20 years. Bonus -- Paul Pierce with the Boston Celtics and Dwayne Wade with the Heat. Those two were pretty loyal.

[@andrewstephen_]

Dirk’s one and only ring is much much more meaningful than LeBron’s four. And to me, my personal Greatest of All Time NBA player ever. Thank you for your outstanding service to the Mavs, Dirk Nowitzki 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@NuradinAlas]

Dirk Novski greatest shooting big men ever one of the greatest power forwards of all time Maverick legend

[@borki5126]

Dirk was the first european mvp ever and it's incredible how now after his era of basketball a new one is coming and you have 3 completely outstanding Europeans who will dominate the league. Giannis and Joker who both went back to back mvps and Luka who will likely also win more than one mvp. It's mind blowing what these 3 beasts will do in the future, all of them have the potential to surpass Dirk and that shows a lot about how much european players are growing in the nba.

[@ItsRyanPuleo]

My fav player of all time

[@StraightCashHomie23]

Dirk and KG were my favorite players to watch

[@duffman1876]

So good he's deserving of videos like this😎🍻🍺

[@tizianinmunchen9700]

He is a true legend. He brought the sport to Germany. We are proud of him

[@mercypilar3596]

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE. I MISS DIRK.

[@tevingmusiclover]

I remember on my 17th birthday at my sister’s apartment watching game 4 of the Semi vs. Lakers Mavs shooting 3 like crazy I was screaming until I couldn’t anymore against the Late 🐐 Kobe Bryant honestly I was shocked 😳 as Kobe was when he got beat by this ‘11 squad (it was on Mothers Day too)

[@ultimateyagerman]

I like how it's basically a universal fact that Miami only won because of the refs making bogus calls in pivotal moments of the series.

[@howardbaxter2514]

I like how it is also a universal fact that Dirk’s ring is one of the most hard earned and well deserved rings in NBA history.

[@jasonsandhu3760]

2006 ? Wade avged 19 fts a game lol more then the entire Dallas team

[@mein214]

Dirk was amazing 👏

[@blakebrown84]

Dirk Nowitzki is a NBA champion who embraced his signature one-legged fadeaway jumper. His style helped reached his milestone of 30,000 points in his career. He was a versatile, power forward who played for the Mavs for 21 seasons, which is a NBA record. He is a legend in Dallas, so the fans embrace him as one of the greatest European players to come out of Germany.🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@aleiferthenorthman7935]

his coach is the definition of german in a good way. the man created a formula for Dirks jay when people didnt even use computers. absolute geniius

[@wills.364]

Always respected Dirk. Glad he won in 2011 along with other vets

[@jirojhasuo2ndgrandcompany745]

Im short as hell but I love how guys like Duncan, Nowitzki and Ginobili play basketball.

[@craigwheeler4760]

6:06 and that was the year The entire Maverick's team missed Steve Nash the most. I really believe that if Steve Nash was still on that Dallas Team in 2006, they win the championship.

[@gianangeloflores6945]

Dirk Nowitzki is not only a basketball player but a legend.

[@ruminating1596]

One small edit to the amazing video: Don Nelson (the picture you showed) is one of the greatest coaches ever and coached the mavs, Donnie nelson was the GM for the Mavs. Two different people. It's pretty confusing to anyone outside of the mavericks world lol.

[@kristianpomida8259]

Dirk and Kobe. As a spurs fan they were the two greatest rival the spurs had.

[@floydmills8963]

Dirk would be one of very few that I'd build a team around. From his rookie year on, it was about the team not himself! Let's face it, EVERYBODY wants to win, and is passionate about it, but some people are professional's and actually make the team around them better, not by saying I make other's around me better, they do it by walking the walk and talking the talk. Peace and love y'all 🤟

[@DB_DARyl]

When Dirk got the flu, the big 3 of the Heat made fun of him and said he was faking it. Which was the worst thing they could've done. It set a fire under Dirk and made him win the championship.

[@jovanieapas2178]

Thank you Dirk❤

[@frankfinesse8854]

I'm born & raised in Dallas & I remember me & my brothers sitting in my living room watching that series I'm not going to even lie that playoff run was the greatest playoff run I've ever seen I mean it's up there with the giants playoff run their superbowl year...

[@brndn9423]

lmao

[@sr16gotheextramile51]

Dirk was a beast during his prime, dunking on opponents.