Dallas Mavericks: Is Dirk Getting the Respect He Deserves?

The Dallas Mavericks best player in franchise history, Dirk Nowitzki, moved to number six on the NBA all-time scoring list. But is he still being underappreciated by the NBA?

The Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki is an all-time great. It’s hard to find anyone to argue against that. The debate lies in his level of greatness and that has prompted some vastly different takes.

While his numbers indicate a top-10 all-time ranking, some analysts and former players refuse to even call Dirk a superstar. Instead of listing those disrespecters of Dirk and giving them the attention they seem to so-desperately crave, let’s focus on Dirk’s greatness…

Besides scoring over 30,000 career points (6^th all-time), Dirk also boasts other noteworthy achievements. As per basketballreference.com, Dirk is the only player in NBA history to boast 30k+ points, 10k+ rebounds, 1k+ three pointers, and 1k+ blocks. The only player.

Dirks strongest statistical season was in 2007 when he led the Dallas Mavericks to a league-best 67-win season, winning the NBA MVP in process. As we all know, that season ended in 1^st round upset to the Golden State Warriors who were nothing short of a match-up nightmare.

Dirk and the Dallas Mavericks battled back from that backbreaking season and rebuilt. In the Dallas Mavericks’ 2011 championship season, Dirk was virtually unstoppable. His arsenal was as deep as there ever was in the NBA. Dirk was a threat to score from anywhere on the court. He could drive, spot-up, or fade-away on any given spot on the floor.

It’s still mind-blowing to watch the tape of the 1-superstar Dallas Mavericks dismantle the 3-superstar Miami Heat. On paper, there’s no way that’s happening. But in reality, there was no way that wasn’t happening.

It’s easy for the NBA to take a player like Dirk Nowitzki for granted these days. It’s easy for those outside of Mavs Nation to minimize Dirk Nowtizki in all-time lore. After all, 2011 was a long time ago and Dirk now is only a fraction of the player he used to be. The amazing thing is even as a fraction of his former self, Dirk is still a very good NBA player.

More from Dallas Mavericks

Obviously Dirk will get dinged for his defense (or lack thereof). It’s fair to say that at his best, he was only average on the defensive side of the court. While that’s valid, it seems to be distracting from the specific role he played on the team and the enormous impact he made in the NBA.

Dirk fundamentally changed the way the NBA game was played. 7-foot players are not supposed to shoot 3-pointers with proficiency. They aren’t supposed to handle the ball with ease. They aren’t supposed to be able to play like a guard as easily as they play like a center.

Dirk arguably became the best offensive weapon in the history of the NBA. He became both clutch and versatile.

He could pass, rebound, and score from anywhere on the court. Before him, no big men were doing that.

How many draft busts have we seen as teams search for “the next Dirk Nowtizki”? It seems every draft, some player is being touted as the next Dirk. Yet it seems every year we are disappointed. Dirk is an anomaly in almost every way.

Besides all of his statistical greatness, Dirk has been just a great off the court. His team-first attitude has been put to the test as Dirk repeatedly took less money, in order afford free agent roster upgrades. The example he sets, the work ethic he exhibits, and the impact in the community only further the greatness of Dirk.

Plenty of players with physical dominance reside on the all-time list. While freakish athletes deserve their praise, something has to be said for a player who achieved all-time greatness without freakish athletic ability. Someone like Dirk who, while plenty athletic, achieved greatness through refined skills.

Are people disrespecting Dirk Nowitzki? Sure. And they always will. Just like I reserve the right to undervalue players like Wilt and Shaq who made their mark just by being giant — not by being skilled. Distracters of Dirk have a right to poke holes in his greatness. It’s disagreement that makes talking spots so fun.

Next: This Dallas Maverick Provides Tremendous Hope for the Future

The good news is everyone doesn’t have to agree. We can still appreciate what we’re seen and are continuing to see from Dirk. Because it’s greatness.

Home/Dallas Mavericks