Imagine playing H-O-R-S-E against your best friend. Both of you are on ‘S’ and the loser has to buy all the drinks that night. Out of the blue he nails a turnaround, one-legged Dirk Nowitzki fadeaway three to ice the game.
One, you’re going to be pissed when you look at your bank account the next morning. And two, the difficulty in the shot Dirk made famous – even inspiring the likes of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant to occasionally add it to their repertoire – deserves serious recognition.
The Big Volkswagen breaks down to NBA.com the nature and inspiration for the storied shot that’ll eventually help catapult him into the Hall of Fame years down the line. And like another all-time great in Michael Jordan, Dirk perfected the shot later in his career once natural athleticism began to wane.
Realistically, the Mavericks aren’t sniffing a championship in 2013-2014. Yet, pending Monta Ellis doesn’t go into full-fledged gunner mode and realizes this is still Nowitzki’s franchise, we’re bound to see a few handful vintage performances from No. 41, patented fadeaways and all.
Previously: Tim Duncan Vs. Dirk Nowitzki: An Understated Rivalry
Photo: Getty