- A German Wunderkind’s Rise: Born in Würzburg, Germany, Nowitzki initially played handball and tennis before gravitating towards basketball after watching the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team”.
His early training with Holger Geschwindner emphasized shooting and passing over traditional weight training and tactics, laying the groundwork for his unique style.
Early Career (1994-1998): From Würzburg to the NBA
Understanding Nowitzki’s early development before his NBA career is crucial to appreciating his overall impact.
Details about his time in Germany and early international exposure are often overlooked but were vital in shaping his future success.
- DJK Würzburg Years: Nowitzki played for DJK Würzburg from 1994 to 1998. Under the guidance of coach Holger Geschwindner, he underwent unconventional training, which focused on skill development rather than traditional physical conditioning.
Geschwindner famously told Nowitzki that he had to choose to “play against the best in the world or just stay a local hero in Germany.” - International Recognition: Nowitzki’s participation in the Nike “Hoop Heroes Tour” and the Nike Hoop Summit showcased his immense talent to NBA scouts.
In a 30-minute show match, Nowitzki outplayed Charles Barkley, even dunking on him, causing Barkley to exclaim: “The boy is a genius. If he wants to enter the NBA, he can call me.”
At the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998, Nowitzki scored 33 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and made 3 steals, outplaying future NBA players. This performance led to interest from many European and NBA clubs.
NBA Career with the Dallas Mavericks (1998-2019)
Dirk Nowitzki’s career with the Dallas Mavericks is a testament to his loyalty, skill, and impact. He spent 21 seasons with the franchise, setting an NBA record.
Difficult Start (1998-1999)
The start of the 1998-99 season was delayed due to an NBA lockout. Nowitzki struggled in his first season, averaging only 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of playing time.
He felt overpowered by more athletic NBA forwards, was intimidated by expectations, and played bad defense.
He even considered returning to Germany due to frustration with his performance, saying, “…[the jump from Second Bundesliga to the NBA] was like jumping out of an airplane hoping the parachute would somehow open.”
“Big Three” Era (1999-2004)
The acquisition of the Mavericks by Mark Cuban in 2000 was a turning point, as he invested heavily into the team, improving its facilities and culture.
With the formation of the “Big Three” alongside Michael Finley and Steve Nash, the Mavericks became a formidable team.
Under Don Nelson’s tutelage, Nowitzki significantly improved, averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in his second season.
He was runner-up for the NBA Most Improved Player Award and was chosen for the NBA All-Star Sophomore squad. He received his first All-NBA selection in 2001, making the Third Team.
He received his first All-Star selection in 2002, also earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
In the 2001-02 playoffs, he averaged 33.3 points per game in the first round against Minnesota. In the second round, the Mavericks lost to the Sacramento Kings in 5 games.
In the 2002-03 season, the Mavericks made their first Western Conference Finals appearance, but Nowitzki suffered a knee injury in Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, and the team lost in six games. In the 2003-04 season, Nowitzki played center and put on 20 lbs of muscle.
Becoming a Franchise Player (2004-2010)
After Steve Nash left Dallas, Nowitzki became the face of the franchise. He earned his first All-NBA First Team selection in 2005, also finishing third in MVP voting.
Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, where they lost to the Miami Heat, despite holding a 2-0 series lead.
He won the NBA MVP award in 2007 while leading the Mavericks to a franchise-record 67 wins. He became the first European player to receive the honor.
Despite winning the MVP award, the Mavericks were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors. He recorded his first triple-double in 2008 and became the Mavericks’ all-time leading scorer.
The Mavericks had an upset win over the Spurs in the 2009 playoffs. Nowitzki reached 20,000 career points in the 2009-10 season.
The Championship Season (2010-2011)
In the 2010-11 season, the Mavericks traded for center Tyson Chandler, a key acquisition for their championship run.
Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first NBA Championship, defeating the Miami Heat. He was named the NBA Finals MVP. He set an NBA record of 24 consecutive free throws made in a single game in the playoffs.
Post-Championship and Final Years (2011-2019)
The Mavericks lost core players after their championship and had a slow start to the following season.
Nowitzki received the Naismith Legacy Award in 2012. He underwent knee surgery and missed the playoffs in 2013. He received the Magic Johnson Award in 2014. He reached 10,000 rebounds in the 2014-15 season.
The Mavericks made their final playoff appearance in 2016. He was named NBA Teammate of the Year and scored his 30,000th point in 2017.
He had season-ending surgery in 2018. His final season was in 2018-19, during which he broke the record for most seasons played with a single team.
In his final home game, Nowitzki scored 30 points and announced his retirement in an emotional ceremony. He played his final NBA game the following day.
National Team Career
Dirk Nowitzki’s contribution to the German national team is a significant part of his legacy, showcasing his dedication to his home country. His international play is often overshadowed by his NBA career, but it is an important part of his story.
- Early Years with Germany: Nowitzki debuted for the German national team in 1997. He was a leading scorer in EuroBasket 1999 .
- EuroBasket Success and Recognition: He was the top scorer at EuroBasket 2001. In EuroBasket 2005, Nowitzki led Germany to the finals and was named tournament MVP.
In the semi-finals, he made the decisive basket against Spain. He was subbed out towards the end of the final and received a standing ovation from the crowd, which he later recalled as “one of the best moments of [his] career”. - Retirement from National Team: He officially retired from the German national team in 2015. His #14 jersey was retired by Germany. Nowitzki was also named to the FIBA EuroBasket Dream Team in 2020.
Player Profile and Legacy
Nowitzki’s unique playing style and numerous achievements have cemented his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Unique Playing Style
Nowitzki was a versatile player who mostly played power forward, but also played center and small forward. He was known for his shooting ability, accurate outside shot, and trademark one-legged fadeaway jump shot.
He made 88% of his free throws, nearly 50% of his field goal attempts, and nearly 40% of his three-point shots, winning the 2006 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest. In the 2006-07 season, he became only the fifth member of the NBA’s 50-40-90 Club.
LeBron James called Nowitzki’s one-legged fadeaway the second most unstoppable move ever. He could drive to the basket from the perimeter and also developed an unorthodox post-up game.
Career Achievements:
- Highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history
- First European player to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award (2007)
- First non-American player to receive the Naismith Legacy Award
- Only player to play for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons
- Sixth player in NBA history, and first European, to reach the 30,000-point milestone
- 14× NBA All-Star selection
- 12× All-NBA Team selection
- NBA Finals MVP (2011)
- NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2006)
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2023)
- NBA Teammate of the Year (2017)
- 5× European Basketballer of the Year (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
- Leading scorer and MVP of the 2002 FIBA World Championship
- Leading scorer and MVP of the 2005 EuroBasket
Impact and Influence
Nowitzki was ranked as the 21st greatest player in NBA history by The Athletic. He is the Mavericks’ all-time statistical leader in games, seasons, points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws.
He holds the record for most free throws made in a single playoff season, with 205 free throws made in 2006. He is also one of only four players with an NBA Playoff career average of 25 ppg and 10 RPG.
He is one of only three players to surpass 1,000 three-pointers and 1,000 blocks. He is also one of four players to surpass 30,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in their career.
Off the Court
Nowitzki’s life beyond basketball is marked by his dedication to his family and his community, showcasing his well-rounded character.
- Personal Life: Nowitzki married Jessica Olsson in 2012, and they have three children. He gained US residency in 2021. He is a fan of Arsenal Football Club.
- Books and Documentaries: The Great Nowitzki is a 502-page biography, considered one of the best sports biographies published in German. The film documentary Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot chronicles his life and career.
- Honors: Part of Olive Street in Dallas was renamed Nowitzki Way in 2019. He received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2019. The Dallas Mavericks retired his #41 jersey in 2022 and unveiled a statue of him outside the American Airlines Center in 2022.
Buzz Williams