For me, as a German basketball player playing for almost 20 years now, Dirk did so much for basketball over here. Kobe was my childhood hero but dirk always got a special place in my heart!
@@adingdingdiiing6740at the beginning of his career in the NBA he sort of had a bad reputation although he was not that well known to the broad public in Germany. Dennis was and still is pretty cocky, blunt and also likes to show off. It was something you don‘t see that often from sport stars over here, especially, if you compare him to Dirk who won most German hearts not only due to his great basketball achievements but his incredibly humbleness and down to earth spirit. Dirk is regarded as one of the best ambassadors of our country. However, Schröder matured a lot over the last decade and people in Germany really credit him for his undeniably strong commitment to the German national team which resulted in a surprising 3rd place finish in the European basketball championship on home soil last year. There are still some people on the fence about him but now I would say most are happy for him and love that he brings a different style to German basketball. Plus he does a lot for the community in his hometown. He also bought the majority of the shares of his hometown basketball club which plays in Germany‘s first division. On the pro level basketball teams in Germany are more than not dependent on single wealthy basketball enthusiasts or companies basically willing to finance the whole club. That’s why you see many teams just come and go within a short period. In soccer things are definitely way more stable.
Dirk is a true Gentlemen. I have never met or heard about anyone that doesnt like this fella. Thats what you get when you stay humble, honest and keep working on yourself ! A true rolemodel.
I like that true that Nuggets Jocic was one of the best Team today with good leadership and teamwork who swept the Lebron Lakers, but man Dirk was a Monster back then playing against the heavily favorite MIA with superteam WADE BOSH AND Prime LBJ, the Mavs Choked them too hard they lose all motivation and hunger in the game leaving a Prime LBJ heart crushed and dying from meltdown... never forget a heavy underdog win the 2011 finals one of the best NBA run in history much much better than Lebron 2016 comeback win! Dirk Nowitzki is the beast! best Foreign Player outside the U.S
As a german, that LB clip got me goose bumps. Dirk is a perfect role model for a player that is highly competitive but also a great sportsman and still so down to earth.
For me as a sports fan from Germany Dirk was the only reason to start watching the NBA. Dirk will always be the best known basketball player in Germany. He had an amazing carreer and the germans love Dirk for his behaviour outside the court, always respectful and down to earth. This guy is a Legend for eyery german sports fan!
Stimme Dir voll zu. Bin aber der Meinung, dass 99,99% der Deutschen nicht verstehen, was Dirk in der NBA gerissen hat! Und was sein Entdecker schon für ein Coachingtalent hatte. Was da alles zusammenkommen musste , für SO eine Karriere. Wahnsinn.
I’m a Mavs fan and been one since I could walk. Obviously Dirk is my favorite Mavs player, Dallas athlete etc because not only of his accomplishments on the court but who he is as a person, the dude is just a special person.
Dirk's 2011 championship run was one of the most impressive things I've seen any NBA player do. My brother and I called him "NoQuitSki" during that finals series after he carried his team while being sick.
Dwade was speaking facts. Dirks 1 ring is enough to cement him as a all time great. The way he played the entire playoffs and the competition he faced was insane. Won a ring being the only all star on his team. And he beat Roy & Portland, the 2x repeat champ Lakers with kobe, gassol, odum, okc with Durant, Westbrook and harden. Then went and beat LBJ, wade and bosh. Absolutely one of the greatest post season runs in NBA history.
Couldn’t Agree with both these comments more❗️❗️❗️ Too many casual NBA fans views rings as all the same, and just a numbers game of who has more. When whats more important is the context surrounding the title/ring!! Dirk going on that run, so clearly putting the team on his back the whole way, all vs way more talented teams, yet he stiles willed his team to victory. This is also after Losing to the heat the first time and everyone said Dirks championship window was over. But he stuck by his team, they built themselves back up to eventually go seal the deal. Seriously every time the Mavs had to have a bucket in a close game, where if he missed his whole run was over, yet Dirk came up fucking clutch every time. So much respect for that run man, and one of the most slept on by casual NBA fans. That Mavs run and ofc 2016 Cavs coming back from down 3-1 vs the 73 win warriors, and the best Warriors teams statistically by a pretty wide margin vs any of their other championship teams……. I’m 29 and those are probably the 2 most impressive NBA titles won in my whole lifetime!!! at the very least for the last 20 years.
I remember when I was a spaniard teen at 2001 and I was so hyped with Pau Gasol and our national team. They were playing the 2001 Eurobasket and they had to match against Germany for the bronze medal. As a NBA fan I already knew Dirk, but that was the day when I really thought "man, this guy is on another level". The spanish team won, but his performance was... wow. 43 points from every damn angle of the court. Absolutely unstoppable. Many great memories. And what a career.
These international games were crazy. It was basically Nowitzki against everybody. It was a miracle that he even got the German national team into so many decisive games and that they could hold these games tight to the last whistle. Without Nowitzki no one in Germany would even talk about the basketball national team.
Dirk was(and still is) European Michael Jordan when we talk about his quality,he changed the game forever.Nobody from Europe is not close to him,I am from Serbia but our Jokic is just pale shadow in comparison to Dirk which career and leadeship is still on another level.Dirk,thank you for everything!
@@bjorndebar8361 Really nice words, Marko! Nowitzki was a player with his own style and he is the best European player ever, that played in the NBA. You talk about Nikola Jokic... what a great player! 5 times NBA All-Star, 2 times MVP. Denver can be proud of him, and he is just 28 y old. He can win the championship, too. I wish him all the best.
Dirk and Wade will somehow always be connected. Those two finals match ups which they split, the time when they were both named honorary all-stars, how they both dropped 30 points in their respective final home games, and how they retired at the same time. I would be surprised if they're not inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time. Edit: I just remembered that they were selected to be in the basketball HoF earlier this year, along with Pop.
2011 was the goat run. swept prime kobe defending champions. man handled durant and company. then outclassed the flash and the king in the finals. i wish he could have played his prime years w luka. but at least we have a new legend in the making.
Olajuwon 95 run is in that conversation as well Beat almost 3 60 plus win teams Beat the #1, #2, and #3 seed in the West And then Beat the #1 seed in the East...swept them after they beat Jordan and the Bulls Olajuwon destroyed the direct MVP in David Robinson Beat Shaq head to head, Penny, Barkley (previous MVP),Kevin Johnson, Rodman, Karl Malone (Future MVP and was in the conversation before that), and John Stockton. The yr previously Hakeem had already beaten Barkley, Ewing and Drexler
Dude Dirk was a beast. His jump shot was money his one legged wrong leg jump shot impacted so many players. Like MJ's and Kobe's fadeaway influenced players so did Dirk's jumper
@bob88667 What I'm saying is Dirk's one-legged fadeaway influenced the younger generation. I'm not in any way comparing Dirk to Larry. Dirk's shooting coach taught him to shoot unorthodox in certain situations.
MJs fadeaway probably influenced Dirk, Dirk increased its curvature and brought it to another level with the help of his coach. a level you could not defend 1v1, with MJs fadeaways you had a little chance if you were a tall player and your timing was on point. to defend dirks fadeaway you probably have to be 10 foot 5 or something XD
Dirk was so clutch that playoff run. They need a basket Dirk was getting it. They need a rebound Dirk was getting it. They need a stop Dirk was stopping that person. That run change the narrative on Dirk.
@@TheSportsCore the combination of the team Dallas was facing , while also considering the cast Dirk had was what set Dirk’s apart from all of those you mentioned
@@heartmind4267 2011 Mavericks playoff run - mind you his entire roster was role players : * Swept 2-time defending NBA champion Lakers * Beat OKC 4:1 - (Durant/Westbrook/Harden) * Beat big 3 of Miami in Finals (LBJ/Bosh/Wade) Mavs playoff run is untouched imo
I am so proud to be able to say that dirk was born in the same city i was born in. His school was just 10 minutes away from mine and he is without a doubt the biggest icon here 👑 #legend
My man DIRK! Is my favorite and irreplacable #1 favorite NBA player of all time! Remembering getting his revenge against the heat in '11 is definitely is one happiest moment of my life. #DIRKFANSINCE2002
back in high school when i started playing basketball you can hear kids talkin about jordan, kobe, ai and tmac. but nothing compares to my childhood hero Dirk Nowitzki. even today i still use #41 on my jerseys on my basketball tournaments. i can still remember the joy when they won the championship back in 2011 i was ju,ping up and down in our living room. thank you Dirk.
was so weird and surreal.... my wife was getting cancer treatment in a small town in the German Alps in 2011 and eventually passed away....we watched the games from over there as mavs and dirk fans in middle of the night, will never forget it...
This goat debate about Jordan and LeBron has taken so much of our attention off of the really great great players that have played this game, and Dirk is one of them.
It's mostly the position. KG is the only one that's really recognized in a way that befit his actual impact on the league. Even Timmy and Dirk, some of the best to ever do it are overshadowed by flashy dunkers and 3-point machines.
And i think Dirk has still so much influence for Basketball in Germany today, even he's not playing anymore, because he certainly has been a role model for a lot of the players, who won the World Cup yesterday!!!!
Wade is right that he only needed that one Championship. he beat a stacked Miami team lead by the best player in the league and arguably ever in his prime along with Wade and Bosh. Dirk had a bunch of role players and has beens and took the trophy home! They really need to make a movie about that run!
Did you know the 2011 Mavericks are the only championship team in NBA history to have 5 past-present-or-future All NBA Players on their roster? Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Chandler, Peja... Not to mention Jet was a 6th Man award winner in 2009. Only two other championship teams have ever even had 4 past-present-or-future All NBA players on their team. 1. The Celtics of the 80s with Bird, McHale, Parish and Johnson. 15 total combined All NBA selections. 2. The 2011-12 Miami Heat with James, Bosh, Wade, and Allen. 30 total combined All NBA selections (19 are LeBron's) 3. The 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks with Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Chandler, and Peja. 22 total combined All NBA selections.
Before Dirk, guys pushing 7 feet hardly ever attempted mid range jump shots, let alone being a proficient 3 point shooter and career .890 from the line. He changed the game. He is rightfully taking his place amongst the game's all-time greats.
yeah bill laimbeer never existed... its a blatant lie that dirk is that "revolutionary". guys did it before. but not as a primary option. i am german but i think nowitzki is getting overrated at this point
Not mentioned here was MJ praising Dirk as well. He was asked about which current players cmhe thought could play during MJ's time, Dirk was one of the players he named.
dwade saying what he did about dirk was probably one of the best things. the 2 were long time competitors and had some beef in the past but to see dwade say what he did is truly the mark of respect on it all.
Believe it or not, I got to see Dirk Nowitzki play in person and for free! It was in Athens, Greece in the 2005 Acropolis Tournament, just before Greece won that year's European championship! And it was a helluva an experience seeing Dirk Nowitzki and other great players, coaches, and such, from Greece, Italy, Serbia and Germany! It was an awesome experience and the tickets were for free!
Why would I be lying? How would that benefit me? I'm a born-again Christian, and the Bible says "thou shall not lie!" And even if I had the stub, how am I supposed to show it to you on RUclips? It did happen man! Basketball had very popular and then it dipped in popularity and that was probably why the games were for free! But then Greece won the 2005 European championship, we made it to the finals in the 06 Mundobasket, and Giannis Antetokounmpo became one of the GOATS so basketball became relevant again!
2011 i went on vacation to the Dominican Republic and when we arrived in our room i switched on the TV and the game was on, the last quarter had like 8-10min left. I was and still am really happy for Dirk. i mean if on Player deserved it, its Dirkules.
Growing up in the Dallas area my dad and i would go to a few games a season one game we somehow got these amazing seats 6 rows back from the basket along the path to the tunnel. They had a long hard game and dirk was dripping sweat absolutely exhausted but he still took the time to stop and talk to me for a minute before going to the locker room. Growing up in dallas you would hear all these really cool stories about him stopping to help people, or helping the crew load luggage, knowing the names of random stadium employees and asking about their kids by name, or his countless visits to the childrens hospitals on his own time no media or anything. He was just such a good guy and cared so much.
I know lots of the legend players from the US inspired many kids to play basketball, but I think noone else than Dirk inspired so many kids from outside the US to join the sport. He had a mission and he stuck to it and worked his ass off to make it happen. This not only counts for basketball, not even only for sports. if you want to achieve anything major in life, this is the way you do it.
My dallas cowboys always made me cry of sadness and i played basketball and football during high school and that 2011 we lost in regional finals in my senior year and than thr mavs won that year and i sobbed like a baby😅😭😭😭😭😭😭
9:30 That 2011 was the only year I think I've ever seen a single player drag a team to a championship. Lebron James had more help on his final's teams than Dirk had that year, and James lost most of his matches. The thing that cemented James as overrated was that finals performance. Dirk and bunch of scrubs beat that super-team. Come on man! JJ Barea and a 37 yr old Jason Kidd? That was the most ridiculous championship I'd ever seen.
We have too remember that episode of “Punked” with Dirk, a fan walks over to sign a Lebron jersey, while Dirks teammates are like wtf, Dirk Still signs it, Dirk knew he will 1-up Lebron in the future.
As a German definitely one of the great sportsmen you are very proud of representing your country. Not only cuz of his performance but even much more cuz of his character. Thanks Dirk!
I remember in 2003 a co worker said " If Dirk keeps playing like this, he could be the next Larry Bird." We flamed him so bad for talking crazy. Turns out he was right
carried the mavs to deep playoff runs and 50 wins + seasons for over a decade against lakers kobe shaq, sacramento prime, duncan spurs, kg wolves, wallace randolph blazers, suns etc. did it the right way and no one else comes close
Dirk is one of the all time best players. Such an amazing talent. Maybe he will be lost to time as far as one of the international all time greats because of guys like Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid. But that championship run was absolutely special and a great moment for the NBA.
Luka is on a path to maybe be the best player of all time, you can look on him vs MJ stats, Jokic also, they are projecting past MJ, that is insane to think, MJ is the best i have ever seen, i mean Wilt also, but Jokic and Doncic, we are lucky to be seeing this.
Michael Jordan is the Greatest Player of All Time, no question but mahn.. Dirk is My Favorite Player of All Time! That day he finally hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy? One of the greatest moments of my LIFE!
I remember, back in the Days, when in the German Television there was that News "German Basketball Wonderkid from Würtzburg moves to the NBA" and i was like - WHO - i was never into Basketball back then, but i knew the NBA and some German Teams. Then i watched him grow, that "Teenager" into the Big Boots he filled pretty quickly. He is a NBA Legend, but he is 100000% a Legend in Sports generally in Germany. You don't need to know Basketball, but you'll know Dirk Mfking Nowitzki!
For me dirk was playing like MJ in 2011 finals ,luckily I got to watch the live all the way and witness the legend Dirk’s 1 championship is bigger than many player 3 or 4nos
The Los Angeles Clippers had the chance to pick Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison, Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, and Jason Williams with the first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. But picking Michael Olowokandi was the Clippers' biggest mistake. Personally, the Clippers should have picked Pierce or Carter.
You should always consider what a foreign player is up to. Not only is the usa looking and judging what he is doing, his home nation is too. And you could see what Dirk did to german Basketball. They are now world champion. And if you take the time range he played in the NBA, you can directly link this to the age of the players. He was a role model for all those basketball kids in Germany and the impact of Dirk on German Basketball was huge. Which besides doing what he did makes him even more one of the greatest.
Everyone needs to check out “The Perfect Shot” a doc on RUclips about Dirk and his mentor who got him to the NBA, Holger! The most awesome mad genius German coach/trainer. And Dirk is truly one of the nicest, coolest, most down to earth stone cold killers to ever grace the basketball court
wow, thats from the goat all time. Dirk Nowitzki did a lot for the popularity of basketball in germany. Nowitzki is still popular in germany, and he is also a great guy.
I remember being so impressed with Dirks skills, his poise and sportsmanship. One of the very very best basketball players ever and a German folk hero forever.
Ok guys. To understand Dirk, who is the nice guy with no lack of aggressivity when needed that knows for well how to balance is strength and endurance reserves, you have to understand where he comes from. So, you Ghetto kids out there shaving off your hair think your hood is tuff caus its all guns and poor? Well, Dirk happend to visit the same school as I did and we hardly ever were in touch realy. So, I know town. This little nice town is one of the worst Hell's Kitchen on earth. New York got one and gave birth to Hip-Hop there, LA got South Central and Ice-T said it all in Bodycount. We grew up in a nuclear drop zone having as home of NATO elite spearheading force Big Red One in town, a major part of about 70.000 nuclear warheads pointing at us and the region. Big Red One had 80% loss in Vietnam. If Cold War would have turned hot, we all would have died with them. This being said, most ignored not only that and considered gossiping and status BS the most import part. First time I saw Dirk was when I was new in school and immediatly labeled by the teachers and pupils the rebellious skater boy in strange baggy trousers, Dirks mate from the Basketball team body checked a girl and all her stuff fell down, just like in a bad Hollywood collage movie. He apologized for him and helped her picking it up even so he already was the star at school, in which social matters made everyone pick on me when I came with a Spalding to school for the session with the GIs right after close by in the valley. If you wanted to get your school degree it was good to stay away from me. Later in my tenure, some guy was for a week telling everyone Dirk would score powder from him considering it a good marketing strategy. One week. #provos You have to be nice and bad here. It is a hot place nobody sees as such and I am glad Mr Nowitzki found his perfect match in every respect. Town is still the same sh. hole so.
I've been a long time fan and subscriber. You have great topics, exciting topics, but it seems like over 90% of the content is just textbook praise from fellow superstars. For example I might hear "Tough to guard", "had a great fade", "moved amazingly for a big guy" for him or another great. I'm watching the screen as I hear that, but don't see good footage so that I understand it. After watching this, I "hear" the praise but I don't come off with any kind of grasp of his fade or accuracy or other skills. Ideally I'd like a detailed visual demonstration of exactly HOW Wilt was unstoppable. When you cover Byrd, and what he did amazingly, sure, it's nice to hear Magic's praise; but I want more real visual demonstrations of how he could take an inbound with 0.6 left on the clock and drain it. See some steals. Lots of them. Not just hear Barkley say it. Maybe it's a copyright thing but without stronger supporting footage I'm losing enthusiasm. Not hating, just giving feedback, and being specific for your benefit - not to cast stones.
Just an example, intended to help convey the point and increase the power of the channel: Dirk supposedly was this great accurate shooter. I read that. I hear that. And, yeah, cool to hear some of the greatest of the game strongly making that point. But I watched this, and from the watching, I just don't see it. When I finished this video could I say, "indeed, he was a great shooter" ? Well, no. Maybe you'll do Calvin Murphy sometime. I've seen pieces on him that I watched and went, "WOW!!". You know what I mean?
Something you will never here gonna be recognized in the states is what a player like Dirk gets out of his team. To be a leader when one is needed, an upkeeper of Teamspirit, to be a mentor for the young and new players and so on. Those are things which gonna win you championchips. Not just the pure skill on your position.
What many don't know is that he played every tournament with his national team. At the times where European stars would regularly cancel their national calls despite having good chances for winning titles. Germany was absolute bottom, they were happy to qualify the tournament. But he was there, he played. He had zero chance for a title, yet he played. Regularly he was applauded by fans all over the continent. He would get standing ovations for participating. People recognised his greatnest. Today 20 years later, Germany is a world champion...
Dirk's ring is worth more than this dynastie's rings combined man I'm growing watching heat and die hard dwade fan but I love dirk and still how funny shawn Marion's shot form was🤣🤣🤣🤣 respect for the champs
I can't stand Wade, but he was right on everything he said in this video. The route he took to win the chip, that one chip means so much more than most players multiple chips.
That Mavs vs Miami finals after "The Decision" and the Wade, Labron, Chris Bosh Miami introduction in Miami was glorious. I Loved Petrovic, I have his card on my altar next to a photo of my mom. I would have liked to have seen Prime Arvydas Sabonis. For the longest time I thought Akeem Olajuwon was the best foreign player I had seen but he won his championships while Michael was playing baseball. Dirk won his against Prime Labron and Prime Wade.
I'm not convinced that Dirk is still ahead of Jokic. Jokic literally notched the #1 PER ranking of all-time, and occupies 3 of the top 14 PER seasons all-time. Almost 3 MVP's, a finals MVP, a ring.
I respect Wade for saying that... Dirk deserved his one and everyone knew it. It was the perfect team in 2011 and everyone deserved that title... its like Romo with the Cowboys, he deserved a ring... sometimes they dont happen... that final game we watched at work, closed the shop until the game was over cuz none of us could stop watching it... dallas needed it that year too... omg and the Rangers won the world series this year... Texas teams are doing well... not the state but the teams 😂😂
For me, as a German basketball player playing for almost 20 years now, Dirk did so much for basketball over here. Kobe was my childhood hero but dirk always got a special place in my heart!
So you always wanted to be black?
@@GORILLA_PIMPshut up
I'm curious. How about Dennis Schröder? Is he highly regarded in Germany as well?
@@adingdingdiiing6740at the beginning of his career in the NBA he sort of had a bad reputation although he was not that well known to the broad public in Germany. Dennis was and still is pretty cocky, blunt and also likes to show off. It was something you don‘t see that often from sport stars over here, especially, if you compare him to Dirk who won most German hearts not only due to his great basketball achievements but his incredibly humbleness and down to earth spirit. Dirk is regarded as one of the best ambassadors of our country. However, Schröder matured a lot over the last decade and people in Germany really credit him for his undeniably strong commitment to the German national team which resulted in a surprising 3rd place finish in the European basketball championship on home soil last year. There are still some people on the fence about him but now I would say most are happy for him and love that he brings a different style to German basketball. Plus he does a lot for the community in his hometown. He also bought the majority of the shares of his hometown basketball club which plays in Germany‘s first division.
On the pro level basketball teams in Germany are more than not dependent on single wealthy basketball enthusiasts or companies basically willing to finance the whole club. That’s why you see many teams just come and go within a short period. In soccer things are definitely way more stable.
@@adingdingdiiing6740 feck what ever i wrote lol @davinnicode well answered
Dirk is a true Gentlemen. I have never met or heard about anyone that doesnt like this fella.
Thats what you get when you stay humble, honest and keep working on yourself !
A true rolemodel.
That 2011 Mavericks run might be the best NBA playoff run of all time.
Thank you my hometown I call that championship before that season start.
It is my number two behind the 2016 cavs. But it was insane, as a german I need to say, that was the only time I wasn't rooting for Lebron in a final.
@@joshuadavidhillmann3 Definitely a respectable answer. That 3-1 comeback was insane.
I like that true that Nuggets Jocic was one of the best Team today with good leadership and teamwork who swept the Lebron Lakers, but man Dirk was a Monster back then playing against the heavily favorite MIA with superteam WADE BOSH AND Prime LBJ, the Mavs Choked them too hard they lose all motivation and hunger in the game leaving a Prime LBJ heart crushed and dying from meltdown... never forget a heavy underdog win the 2011 finals one of the best NBA run in history much much better than Lebron 2016 comeback win! Dirk Nowitzki is the beast! best Foreign Player outside the U.S
1986 Boston Celtics
As a german, that LB clip got me goose bumps. Dirk is a perfect role model for a player that is highly competitive but also a great sportsman and still so down to earth.
His 2011 playoff performance was hands down one of the best ever. He carried the Mavs to the title, which makes him a legend alone.
For me as a sports fan from Germany Dirk was the only reason to start watching the NBA. Dirk will always be the best known basketball player in Germany. He had an amazing carreer and the germans love Dirk for his behaviour outside the court, always respectful and down to earth. This guy is a Legend for eyery german sports fan!
Stimme Dir voll zu. Bin aber der Meinung, dass 99,99% der Deutschen nicht verstehen, was Dirk in der NBA gerissen hat! Und was sein Entdecker schon für ein Coachingtalent hatte. Was da alles zusammenkommen musste , für SO eine Karriere. Wahnsinn.
I’m a Mavs fan and been one since I could walk. Obviously Dirk is my favorite Mavs player, Dallas athlete etc because not only of his accomplishments on the court but who he is as a person, the dude is just a special person.
Dirk's 2011 championship run was one of the most impressive things I've seen any NBA player do. My brother and I called him "NoQuitSki" during that finals series after he carried his team while being sick.
And ..... never, ever a controversy with Dirk. Great image for the NBA. ❤🏀🏆💯
Dwade was speaking facts. Dirks 1 ring is enough to cement him as a all time great. The way he played the entire playoffs and the competition he faced was insane. Won a ring being the only all star on his team. And he beat Roy & Portland, the 2x repeat champ Lakers with kobe, gassol, odum, okc with Durant, Westbrook and harden. Then went and beat LBJ, wade and bosh. Absolutely one of the greatest post season runs in NBA history.
That 1 ring is worth more than almost everyone else in that decade besides the 2016 comeback
Couldn’t Agree with both these comments more❗️❗️❗️
Too many casual NBA fans views rings as all the same, and just a numbers game of who has more. When whats more important is the context surrounding the title/ring!!
Dirk going on that run, so clearly putting the team on his back the whole way, all vs way more talented teams, yet he stiles willed his team to victory. This is also after Losing to the heat the first time and everyone said Dirks championship window was over. But he stuck by his team, they built themselves back up to eventually go seal the deal. Seriously every time the Mavs had to have a bucket in a close game, where if he missed his whole run was over, yet Dirk came up fucking clutch every time. So much respect for that run man, and one of the most slept on by casual NBA fans.
That Mavs run and ofc 2016 Cavs coming back from down 3-1 vs the 73 win warriors, and the best Warriors teams statistically by a pretty wide margin vs any of their other championship teams……. I’m 29 and those are probably the 2 most impressive NBA titles won in my whole lifetime!!! at the very least for the last 20 years.
Dirk was a great player but also great ambassador for NBA and European basketball
Thanks a lot of people who weren't fans of Dallas will forget about just how good Dirk was.
All true basketball fans know how good he was and all Lebron fan boys should definitely know who he is.
I remember when I was a spaniard teen at 2001 and I was so hyped with Pau Gasol and our national team. They were playing the 2001 Eurobasket and they had to match against Germany for the bronze medal. As a NBA fan I already knew Dirk, but that was the day when I really thought "man, this guy is on another level". The spanish team won, but his performance was... wow. 43 points from every damn angle of the court. Absolutely unstoppable.
Many great memories. And what a career.
These international games were crazy. It was basically Nowitzki against everybody. It was a miracle that he even got the German national team into so many decisive games and that they could hold these games tight to the last whistle. Without Nowitzki no one in Germany would even talk about the basketball national team.
Dirk was(and still is) European Michael Jordan when we talk about his quality,he changed the game forever.Nobody from Europe is not close to him,I am from Serbia but our Jokic is just pale shadow in comparison to Dirk which career and leadeship is still on another level.Dirk,thank you for everything!
Dirk was not only German, he was also Serb because he is European. greetings from Germany
@@bjorndebar8361 Really nice words, Marko!
Nowitzki was a player with his own style and he is the best European player ever, that played in the NBA. You talk about Nikola Jokic... what a great player! 5 times NBA All-Star, 2 times MVP. Denver can be proud of him, and he is just 28 y old. He can win the championship, too. I wish him all the best.
@@FCBayernMuenchen1900 Yeah, i am pretty sure he can win a championship 😁😁
Dirk paved the way for all Euro players in the NBA to be taken seriously and considered as First Team players.
@@bjorndebar8361 No. Dirk is not serbian. Dirk is German bruh…
Dirk and Wade will somehow always be connected. Those two finals match ups which they split, the time when they were both named honorary all-stars, how they both dropped 30 points in their respective final home games, and how they retired at the same time. I would be surprised if they're not inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time.
Edit: I just remembered that they were selected to be in the basketball HoF earlier this year, along with Pop.
2011 was the goat run. swept prime kobe defending champions. man handled durant and company. then outclassed the flash and the king in the finals. i wish he could have played his prime years w luka. but at least we have a new legend in the making.
Cant forget beating Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge led Portland team in 6.
Olajuwon 95 run is in that conversation as well
Beat almost 3 60 plus win teams
Beat the #1, #2, and #3 seed in the West
And then Beat the #1 seed in the East...swept them after they beat Jordan and the Bulls
Olajuwon destroyed the direct MVP in David Robinson
Beat Shaq head to head, Penny, Barkley (previous MVP),Kevin Johnson, Rodman, Karl Malone (Future MVP and was in the conversation before that), and John Stockton.
The yr previously Hakeem had already beaten Barkley, Ewing and Drexler
Luka will bring Dallas 1 or 2 rings .. I just know it !!
Dude Dirk was a beast. His jump shot was money his one legged wrong leg jump shot impacted so many players. Like MJ's and Kobe's fadeaway influenced players so did Dirk's jumper
@bob88667 What I'm saying is Dirk's one-legged fadeaway influenced the younger generation. I'm not in any way comparing Dirk to Larry. Dirk's shooting coach taught him to shoot unorthodox in certain situations.
MJs fadeaway probably influenced Dirk, Dirk increased its curvature and brought it to another level with the help of his coach. a level you could not defend 1v1, with MJs fadeaways you had a little chance if you were a tall player and your timing was on point. to defend dirks fadeaway you probably have to be 10 foot 5 or something XD
Dirk was the best player in the world for 2 months that 2011 run untouched in history
it was a great run but not nearly untouched; jordan 93>lebron 16>jordan 91>hakeem 94>magic 80>shaq 01>duncan 03........dirk 11
Dirk was so clutch that playoff run. They need a basket Dirk was getting it. They need a rebound Dirk was getting it. They need a stop Dirk was stopping that person. That run change the narrative on Dirk.
@@TheSportsCore the combination of the team Dallas was facing , while also considering the cast Dirk had was what set Dirk’s apart from all of those you mentioned
Jokic's playoff run was more impressive - even stats show that
@@heartmind4267
2011 Mavericks playoff run - mind you his entire roster was role players :
* Swept 2-time defending NBA champion Lakers
* Beat OKC 4:1 - (Durant/Westbrook/Harden)
* Beat big 3 of Miami in Finals (LBJ/Bosh/Wade)
Mavs playoff run is untouched imo
absolute legend, you CAN'T not love this guy!
Before the Joker came around. I didn't think there would be another Superstar as Humble as Dirk. Very rare indeed.
Giannis is just as humble as both, also Duncan
Giannis Nash Duncan Olajuwon . Not foreign, but Dr. J
Tim Duncan
Stockton. That man is the poster child for humility.
@@mj23goat3 I certainly can't argue with that.
I am so proud to be able to say that dirk was born in the same city i was born in. His school was just 10 minutes away from mine and he is without a doubt the biggest icon here 👑 #legend
My man DIRK! Is my favorite and irreplacable #1 favorite NBA player of all time! Remembering getting his revenge against the heat in '11 is definitely is one happiest moment of my life. #DIRKFANSINCE2002
back in high school when i started playing basketball you can hear kids talkin about jordan, kobe, ai and tmac. but nothing compares to my childhood hero Dirk Nowitzki. even today i still use #41 on my jerseys on my basketball tournaments. i can still remember the joy when they won the championship back in 2011 i was ju,ping up and down in our living room. thank you Dirk.
You’d be surprised how many Americans love dirk especially here in Texas
was so weird and surreal.... my wife was getting cancer treatment in a small town in the German Alps in 2011 and eventually passed away....we watched the games from over there as mavs and dirk fans in middle of the night, will never forget it...
This goat debate about Jordan and LeBron has taken so much of our attention off of the really great great players that have played this game, and Dirk is one of them.
Agreed. There are a lot that get minimized when we focus only on the goat stuff.
It's mostly the position. KG is the only one that's really recognized in a way that befit his actual impact on the league. Even Timmy and Dirk, some of the best to ever do it are overshadowed by flashy dunkers and 3-point machines.
And i think Dirk has still so much influence for Basketball in Germany today, even he's not playing anymore, because he certainly has been a role model for a lot of the players, who won the World Cup yesterday!!!!
Prime Dirk was a Monster!!!
Wade is right that he only needed that one Championship. he beat a stacked Miami team lead by the best player in the league and arguably ever in his prime along with Wade and Bosh. Dirk had a bunch of role players and has beens and took the trophy home! They really need to make a movie about that run!
Also beating the defending champions (lakers) the up and coming OKC with Durant, Westbrook and Harden and the physical/ defensive Portland
They did. But maybe u dont count that documentary style movie as a real movie
LeBron ain't best ever. Keep dreamin'.
Did you know the 2011 Mavericks are the only championship team in NBA history to have 5 past-present-or-future All NBA Players on their roster? Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Chandler, Peja... Not to mention Jet was a 6th Man award winner in 2009.
Only two other championship teams have ever even had 4 past-present-or-future All NBA players on their team.
1. The Celtics of the 80s with Bird, McHale, Parish and Johnson. 15 total combined All NBA selections.
2. The 2011-12 Miami Heat with James, Bosh, Wade, and Allen. 30 total combined All NBA selections (19 are LeBron's)
3. The 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks with Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Chandler, and Peja. 22 total combined All NBA selections.
@@mj23goat3 He's definitely in the conversation.
man as an athlete it must be so awesome to hear everyone talking so nicely about you. dirk was special!
Before Dirk, guys pushing 7 feet hardly ever attempted mid range jump shots, let alone being a proficient 3 point shooter and career .890 from the line. He changed the game. He is rightfully taking his place amongst the game's all-time greats.
yeah bill laimbeer never existed...
its a blatant lie that dirk is that "revolutionary".
guys did it before. but not as a primary option.
i am german but i think nowitzki is getting overrated at this point
@@hoebertrabeck1621Bill Laimbeer?? Bill? Get outta here...
@@hoebertrabeck1621Schande über dein Haupt für diesen Vergleich...lmao
@@frizzyrascal1493 ja peja gabs auch nicht.
oscar schmidt hat federball gespielt.
recency bias hat noch nie jemandem geholfen.
Hakeem has entered the chat
Ty my bro for the video 💪🏻
Not mentioned here was MJ praising Dirk as well. He was asked about which current players cmhe thought could play during MJ's time, Dirk was one of the players he named.
❤❤ Dirk a baller straight up 💯💯💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
dwade saying what he did about dirk was probably one of the best things. the 2 were long time competitors and had some beef in the past but to see dwade say what he did is truly the mark of respect on it all.
Dirk Nowitzky is the Michael Jordan of all European Players ❤
He turned „Eurotrash“ into Champion
i am a european and in fact a german.
you couldnt be more wrong
Ita Jokic ;)
Sabonis petrovic and pau are better
THAT WAS PETROVIC(R.I.P.) NOW ITZ LUKA DONCIC!!!
@@THEREALLORDJ now its Jokic, lol.
Believe it or not, I got to see Dirk Nowitzki play in person and for free! It was in Athens, Greece in the 2005 Acropolis Tournament, just before Greece won that year's European championship! And it was a helluva an experience seeing Dirk Nowitzki and other great players, coaches, and such, from Greece, Italy, Serbia and Germany! It was an awesome experience and the tickets were for free!
TK is that you???
@@GORILLA_PIMP Ι don't understand you and I don't know who TK is.
I don’t believe it. Prove it with ticket stub from the game or you’re lying.
I saw Dirk and Steve Nash at the Galleria in Dallas a few times.
Why would I be lying? How would that benefit me? I'm a born-again Christian, and the Bible says "thou shall not lie!" And even if I had the stub, how am I supposed to show it to you on RUclips? It did happen man! Basketball had very popular and then it dipped in popularity and that was probably why the games were for free! But then Greece won the 2005 European championship, we made it to the finals in the 06 Mundobasket, and Giannis Antetokounmpo became one of the GOATS so basketball became relevant again!
2011 i went on vacation to the Dominican Republic and when we arrived in our room i switched on the TV and the game was on, the last quarter had like 8-10min left. I was and still am really happy for Dirk. i mean if on Player deserved it, its Dirkules.
Growing up in the Dallas area my dad and i would go to a few games a season one game we somehow got these amazing seats 6 rows back from the basket along the path to the tunnel. They had a long hard game and dirk was dripping sweat absolutely exhausted but he still took the time to stop and talk to me for a minute before going to the locker room. Growing up in dallas you would hear all these really cool stories about him stopping to help people, or helping the crew load luggage, knowing the names of random stadium employees and asking about their kids by name, or his countless visits to the childrens hospitals on his own time no media or anything. He was just such a good guy and cared so much.
I know lots of the legend players from the US inspired many kids to play basketball, but I think noone else than Dirk inspired so many kids from outside the US to join the sport. He had a mission and he stuck to it and worked his ass off to make it happen. This not only counts for basketball, not even only for sports. if you want to achieve anything major in life, this is the way you do it.
I mean what more can you wish to have the greatest legends of the sport praise you in the highest tones. Dirk is indeed a Legend too.
My dallas cowboys always made me cry of sadness and i played basketball and football during high school and that 2011 we lost in regional finals in my senior year and than thr mavs won that year and i sobbed like a baby😅😭😭😭😭😭😭
...and Dirk is such a polite guy, too!
9:30 That 2011 was the only year I think I've ever seen a single player drag a team to a championship. Lebron James had more help on his final's teams than Dirk had that year, and James lost most of his matches. The thing that cemented James as overrated was that finals performance. Dirk and bunch of scrubs beat that super-team. Come on man! JJ Barea and a 37 yr old Jason Kidd? That was the most ridiculous championship I'd ever seen.
I love drik he did so much for the game ❤
With his height and skill he was unguardable
It's too bad Dirk and Kidd didn't play together more in their primes, I think they would've won more chips together.
when scouts say that this or that player could be next Dirk - it says everything how special he was
Hall of fame dirk the greatest 7 footer shooter in nba history period and one of my favorite players ever in nba history period!!!!!!!
0:02 Holy moly, I was asking myself why the hell was wade guarding Dirk... Sheesh that was actually Bosh
We have too remember that episode of “Punked” with Dirk, a fan walks over to sign a Lebron jersey, while Dirks teammates are like wtf, Dirk Still signs it, Dirk knew he will 1-up Lebron in the future.
Great video. More Dirk vids please! Maybe a what could’ve been video about him and Steve Nash in Dallas.
Best Title ever. For me as a Franconian as Dirk he will be my number one 4ever.
Man Dirk the greatest to ever do it
I was lucky enough to be at his last game in San Antonio, you know when another city has a ceremony for you that you are truly loved
As a German definitely one of the great sportsmen you are very proud of representing your country. Not only cuz of his performance but even much more cuz of his character. Thanks Dirk!
Its Good Night in Nepal though..Love your videos...Dirk is one of the GOAT ...LEGEND
I remember in 2003 a co worker said " If Dirk keeps playing like this, he could be the next Larry Bird." We flamed him so bad for talking crazy. Turns out he was right
There's still a large gap between Bird and Dirk though.
Love this channel man! Amazing Idea! Thank you thank you thank you!
carried the mavs to deep playoff runs and 50 wins + seasons for over a decade against lakers kobe shaq, sacramento prime, duncan spurs, kg wolves, wallace randolph blazers, suns etc. did it the right way and no one else comes close
Dirk brought NBA Basketball to the German speaking countries here in Europe!
Legende! Danke Dirk!
nur wenn man hinterm mond gelebt hat
Eher der Detlef😉
@@darolhitman3154 aber so richtig groß erst durch Dirk
Moin erstmal!!!
Dirk is one of the all time best players. Such an amazing talent. Maybe he will be lost to time as far as one of the international all time greats because of guys like Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid. But that championship run was absolutely special and a great moment for the NBA.
Embiid LMFAOOOO
don't put embid in a same game with Dirk!!!! EVER
@@stankopesa226 The reason I mentioned Embiid because all of these guys are foreign players that won MVP
@@shareofmoney all good just mine opinion
@@stankopesa226 I definitely understand. It's all respect
I Agree 100%, but it's going to be challenged, if Jokic keeps doing what he is doing.
Luka is on a path to maybe be the best player of all time, you can look on him vs MJ stats, Jokic also, they are projecting past MJ, that is insane to think, MJ is the best i have ever seen, i mean Wilt also, but Jokic and Doncic, we are lucky to be seeing this.
great video as always, we're blessed to have these , tx bruh :)
The way he was at my school and taught me how to shoot properly will forever be my biggest flex hahahah
Michael Jordan is the Greatest Player of All Time, no question but mahn.. Dirk is My Favorite Player of All Time! That day he finally hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy? One of the greatest moments of my LIFE!
The route he took to get there .... I like that
DALLAS LEGEND !!!🐐🐐🐐🐐
Kobe and Dirk is nightmare fuel
Handsdown, Dallas in 2000s were only about him
I remember, back in the Days, when in the German Television there was that News "German Basketball Wonderkid from Würtzburg moves to the NBA" and i was like - WHO - i was never into Basketball back then, but i knew the NBA and some German Teams. Then i watched him grow, that "Teenager" into the Big Boots he filled pretty quickly. He is a NBA Legend, but he is 100000% a Legend in Sports generally in Germany. You don't need to know Basketball, but you'll know Dirk Mfking Nowitzki!
Respect to Giannis, Luka, Hakeem, JOKER, and so on and so forth. As basketball fans, we want to see players be better every year
For me dirk was playing like MJ in 2011 finals ,luckily I got to watch the live all the way and witness the legend
Dirk’s 1 championship is bigger than many player 3 or 4nos
The Los Angeles Clippers had the chance to pick Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison, Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, and Jason Williams with the first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. But picking Michael Olowokandi was the Clippers' biggest mistake.
Personally, the Clippers should have picked Pierce or Carter.
Damn Solid draft right there
As a mavs fan I’m glad he never left. As a basketball fan i wish I could’ve seen dirk and Kobe play together
You should always consider what a foreign player is up to. Not only is the usa looking and judging what he is doing, his home nation is too.
And you could see what Dirk did to german Basketball. They are now world champion. And if you take the time range he played in the NBA, you can directly link this to the age of the players. He was a role model for all those basketball kids in Germany and the impact of Dirk on German Basketball was huge. Which besides doing what he did makes him even more one of the greatest.
Dirk is the GOAT! 🐐
Dirk is also a really nice guy!
Everyone needs to check out “The Perfect Shot” a doc on RUclips about Dirk and his mentor who got him to the NBA, Holger! The most awesome mad genius German coach/trainer. And Dirk is truly one of the nicest, coolest, most down to earth stone cold killers to ever grace the basketball court
wow, thats from the goat all time. Dirk Nowitzki did a lot for the popularity of basketball in germany. Nowitzki is still popular in germany, and he is also a great guy.
Dirk ❤
I remember being so impressed with Dirks skills, his poise and sportsmanship. One of the very very best basketball players ever and a German folk hero forever.
Ok guys. To understand Dirk, who is the nice guy with no lack of aggressivity when needed that knows for well how to balance is strength and endurance reserves, you have to understand where he comes from.
So, you Ghetto kids out there shaving off your hair think your hood is tuff caus its all guns and poor?
Well, Dirk happend to visit the same school as I did and we hardly ever were in touch realy. So, I know town. This little nice town is one of the worst Hell's Kitchen on earth. New York got one and gave birth to Hip-Hop there, LA got South Central and Ice-T said it all in Bodycount.
We grew up in a nuclear drop zone having as home of NATO elite spearheading force Big Red One in town, a major part of about 70.000 nuclear warheads pointing at us and the region.
Big Red One had 80% loss in Vietnam. If Cold War would have turned hot, we all would have died with them.
This being said, most ignored not only that and considered gossiping and status BS the most import part.
First time I saw Dirk was when I was new in school and immediatly labeled by the teachers and pupils the rebellious skater boy in strange baggy trousers, Dirks mate from the Basketball team body checked a girl and all her stuff fell down, just like in a bad Hollywood collage movie. He apologized for him and helped her picking it up even so he already was the star at school, in which social matters made everyone pick on me when I came with a Spalding to school for the session with the GIs right after close by in the valley. If you wanted to get your school degree it was good to stay away from me.
Later in my tenure, some guy was for a week telling everyone Dirk would score powder from him considering it a good marketing strategy. One week.
#provos
You have to be nice and bad here. It is a hot place nobody sees as such and I am glad Mr Nowitzki found his perfect match in every respect. Town is still the same sh. hole so.
I've been a long time fan and subscriber. You have great topics, exciting topics, but it seems like over 90% of the content is just textbook praise from fellow superstars. For example I might hear "Tough to guard", "had a great fade", "moved amazingly for a big guy" for him or another great. I'm watching the screen as I hear that, but don't see good footage so that I understand it. After watching this, I "hear" the praise but I don't come off with any kind of grasp of his fade or accuracy or other skills. Ideally I'd like a detailed visual demonstration of exactly HOW Wilt was unstoppable. When you cover Byrd, and what he did amazingly, sure, it's nice to hear Magic's praise; but I want more real visual demonstrations of how he could take an inbound with 0.6 left on the clock and drain it. See some steals. Lots of them. Not just hear Barkley say it. Maybe it's a copyright thing but without stronger supporting footage I'm losing enthusiasm. Not hating, just giving feedback, and being specific for your benefit - not to cast stones.
Just an example, intended to help convey the point and increase the power of the channel: Dirk supposedly was this great accurate shooter. I read that. I hear that. And, yeah, cool to hear some of the greatest of the game strongly making that point. But I watched this, and from the watching, I just don't see it. When I finished this video could I say, "indeed, he was a great shooter" ? Well, no.
Maybe you'll do Calvin Murphy sometime. I've seen pieces on him that I watched and went, "WOW!!". You know what I mean?
Something you will never here gonna be recognized in the states is what a player like Dirk gets out of his team. To be a leader when one is needed, an upkeeper of Teamspirit, to be a mentor for the young and new players and so on. Those are things which gonna win you championchips. Not just the pure skill on your position.
as a Dallas native and mavs fan i wished he did go play with Kobe in LA. would had been so cool to see.
What many don't know is that he played every tournament with his national team. At the times where European stars would regularly cancel their national calls despite having good chances for winning titles. Germany was absolute bottom, they were happy to qualify the tournament. But he was there, he played. He had zero chance for a title, yet he played. Regularly he was applauded by fans all over the continent. He would get standing ovations for participating. People recognised his greatnest. Today 20 years later, Germany is a world champion...
Thanks for this one
MFFL 💙
C-Webb looking visibly uncomfortable when Chuck, Reggie, and Shaq are complimenting Dirk. No love or respect there it seems.
Nah he got love he was just having PTSD from the times Dirk cooked em lol
Dirk ist der King 👑
Dirk's ring is worth more than this dynastie's rings combined man I'm growing watching heat and die hard dwade fan but I love dirk and still how funny shawn Marion's shot form was🤣🤣🤣🤣 respect for the champs
The proud of Germany
I can't stand Wade, but he was right on everything he said in this video. The route he took to win the chip, that one chip means so much more than most players multiple chips.
And now he is in the Hall of Fame.
That 1 Championship is enough. Sums it all up about the legend Dirk
I have him #3 greatest PF
Behind only Duncan and Malone
What about Barkley?
@@bluegregory6239 Barkley at 4 or 5
Duncan
Malone
Dirk
KG
Barkley
That Mavs vs Miami finals after "The Decision" and the Wade, Labron, Chris Bosh Miami introduction in Miami was glorious. I Loved Petrovic, I have his card on my altar next to a photo of my mom. I would have liked to have seen Prime Arvydas Sabonis. For the longest time I thought Akeem Olajuwon was the best foreign player I had seen but he won his championships while Michael was playing baseball. Dirk won his against Prime Labron and Prime Wade.
keep up with the drill! I had seen like 30 of your vids and I didnt even realize I wasnt subbed lol, much love
oh god this music never ends
4th best int player at most;
1. hakeem
2. giannis
3. jokic
4. dirk
5. parker
6. ginobili
7. gasol
8. nash
9. mutombo
10. embiid
No Kukoc, no Dino Radja!? Intresting, both HOF's!
@@borisr1213
They are not HOFs lmfao
@@GORILLA_PIMP sure, I guess you know
I'm not convinced that Dirk is still ahead of Jokic. Jokic literally notched the #1 PER ranking of all-time, and occupies 3 of the top 14 PER seasons all-time. Almost 3 MVP's, a finals MVP, a ring.
I respect Wade for saying that... Dirk deserved his one and everyone knew it. It was the perfect team in 2011 and everyone deserved that title... its like Romo with the Cowboys, he deserved a ring... sometimes they dont happen... that final game we watched at work, closed the shop until the game was over cuz none of us could stop watching it... dallas needed it that year too... omg and the Rangers won the world series this year... Texas teams are doing well... not the state but the teams 😂😂