The seven-foot German superstar revolutionized basketball, proving big men could dominate from the perimeter. His iconic fadeaway and elite accuracy officially cement his legacy among the game's elite.
Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest player in Dallas Mavericks history and one of the most influential players the NBA has ever seen. While he wasn't the first big man capable of knocking down perimeter shots, he was the first truly great stretch big who proved a seven-footer could build a Hall of Fame career around elite shooting.
In doing so, Nowitzki helped redefine the power forward position and laid the foundation for the modern NBA, where floor-spacing frontcourt players have become essential.
That impact was recognized once again in Bleacher Report's ranking of the 99 greatest shooters in NBA history, where Nowitzki came in just inside the top 10 at No. 8. The Mavericks legend joined an exclusive group of the game's most accomplished marksmen, further reinforcing the legacy he built over 21 remarkable seasons in Dallas.
When Nowitzki entered the league in 1998, most players his size were expected to live in the paint, rebound, and score around the basket. Instead, the German superstar stretched defenses with a silky jump shot that extended well beyond the three-point line. His success showed teams that a seven-footer could be the focal point of an offense without relying solely on post play, forever changing how organizations evaluated and developed big men.
His offensive arsenal made him nearly impossible to defend. Whether he was knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, burying mid-range jumpers, or fading away on one leg, Nowitzki possessed one of the most unique scoring packages the league has ever seen. His signature fadeaway became one of basketball's most iconic shots and remained virtually unguardable throughout his career.
In his career where he played in just over 1,500 regular season games, he shot 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc. That number for a big man is very impressive, especially considering he came into the league in 1998.
Combine that with his 31,560 career points and 2011 NBA championship, it's easy to see why his legacy extends far beyond Dallas.
Landing at No. 8 on the all-time shooters list is simply another reminder of Nowitzki's place in basketball history. His influence can still be seen every night across the NBA, where the stretch big has evolved from a novelty into one of the league's most valuable archetypes—all because the Mavericks legend showed what was possible.
