Dirk Nowitzki’s game was never about explosive athletic ability.
Even as he rose to prominence with the Dallas Mavericks in the early 2000s, the future Hall of Famer’s effectiveness was much more related to skill and craft than running, cutting, and jumping. That’s not to say Dirk wasn’t once extremely mobile for a player his size. Most seven-footers, after all, can’t make plays like this against a defender the quality of Serge Ibaka – and Nowitzki did it at 32.
His quick-twitch athleticism and overall coordination was even more impressive during his 20s. But that was a long time ago. Footage of Nowitzki’s dunking exploits from that time, in fact, are too grainy to include here; this one against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007 is our favorite.
At 37 and in his 18th NBA season, Nowitzki is a shell of his former self athletically – but not in terms of overall quality. His imminent threat as a spot-up shooter looms as large as any other big man’s in the league, and he still has the length to get a quality look over the top of primary defenders in isolations.
Still, Nowitzki isn’t quite blowing by his man off the dribble these days, let alone finishing above the rim. When he was asked by reporters if nagging knee pain is hindering his play in Dallas’ first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, then, the German legend responded with a typical blend of truth and self-deprecation.
Does your sore knee impact your movement ability, Dirk? "I’m not sure if you’ve seen me play, but it’s not about movement any more."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 20, 2016
Dirk’s not lying, either.
Watch how easily Deron Williams gets to the paint and finishes early in Game 2 because Ibaka is petrified of leaving Nowitzki alone beyond the arc. What a beautifully subtle flip of the ball screen by Dirk, too.
https://i.giphy.com/XxHdcfNpVbyUg.gif
Later in Monday night’s thrilling Mavericks win, Nowitzki set a pair of picks for Raymond Felton before gathering the ball and rising to shoot over Russell Westbrook after an Oklahoma City switch. He moved approximately 15 feet for the entire possession.
https://i.giphy.com/vfC08FQZDxAFW.gif
Yup. Dirk’s game definitely isn’t about athleticism anymore, but he’s still among the league’s most impactful offensive players nonetheless.
