Dirk Nowitzki will be remembered as one of the greatest players in NBA history, but also as an underrated player by many NBA fans. Nowitzki had many qualities in his game that made him an elite player for years for the Dallas Mavericks.
Nowitzki was a exceptional 3-point shooterrebounder, and will always be known for his signature fadeaway. His fadeaway was so iconic that a statue outside the American Airlines Center bears his iconic fade pose.
But legends respect other legends, even if they still play in today’s NBA. Nowitzki paid a huge compliment to three-time Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic and revealed why he’s so good in the NBA.
A fadeaway stud completed another fadeaway stud. Nowitzki is impressed with how Jokic shoots his fadeaway shot with his right leg. Nowitzki would also reveal something he couldn’t do but Jokic can.
“You know what he does? He does it on his right side and with his right leg,” Nowitzki said. “He jumps with his right leg, which I could never do.”
For an NBA legend to compliment a current player like that is huge, and Jokic continues to outshine NBA legends as he continues to play. Nowitzki knows a game when he sees it.
Nowitzki played four seasons against Jokic at the end of his career. When Nowitzki retired in 2019, Jokic was an All-Star for the first time in his career, and Jokic made his first All-Star appearance that same year. Nowitzki has made his final.
“It was a real honor,” Jokic said after playing in the 2019 All-Star Game. with Nowitzki.
Jokic obviously respects and admires Nowitzki, and Nowitzki respects Jokic for his game.
“His game is unbelievable to me,” Nowitzki said. “Everything seems to be happening in slow motion.”
The Mavericks and Nuggets have yet to play in the NBA playoffs with Luka Doncic on the Mavs. With two elite superstars like Jokic and Doncic, the time will come at some point for the two to face off in the playoffs. Doncic has extra motivation this season after finishing third in MVP voting behind Jokic in 2024.
