How was Dirk Nowitkzi so good? | Offensive Legends Ep. 5

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  • čas přidán 3. 10. 2023
  • How good was Nowitzki?! Was he the best shooting big man in NBA history? How did he grow and evolve over his career? And without great passing, how big of an impact was he able to have on his team's offense?
    This episode is part of the the second season of the "Greatest Peaks" series. Season 2 focuses on the legends of NBA offense, examining unique archetypes, controversial players and stylistic spearheads who have influenced the game over the years.
    Footage: www.usasportsondvd.com
    Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
    Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
    Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
    Website: www.backpicks.com
    Twitter: @elgee35
    Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
    Stats courtesy:
    www.pbpstats.com @bballport
    www.basketball-reference.com
    stats.nba.com
    -----
    Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
    Music:
    Confronting the Void (Cody Martin)
    Alter Ego (Lost)
    Hair (Fairlight)
    #ThinkingBasketball #OffensiveLegends
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Komentáře • 580

  • @FlyWithMe_666
    @FlyWithMe_666 Před 7 měsíci +1598

    People only seem to remember Dirk’s insane poster dunks, but he was a decent shooter, too.

    • @noelsurles9067
      @noelsurles9067 Před 7 měsíci +31

      He had boffum 😤

    • @marco5030
      @marco5030 Před 7 měsíci +298

      I think people remember Dirk's shooting more than his dunks.

    • @Bankai2169
      @Bankai2169 Před 7 měsíci +322

      @@marco5030r/wooooosh

    • @bluecheckmiya
      @bluecheckmiya Před 7 měsíci +37

      @@marco5030sarcasm on his part

    • @pipohemm8726
      @pipohemm8726 Před 7 měsíci +79

      ​@@marco5030not really, most of his shots were pure luck. He only used 20% of his athletic ability though to give the rest of the league a chance

  • @CarolusXCI
    @CarolusXCI Před 7 měsíci +346

    Not to mention the fact that he shot less than several top scorers of his era (0 seasons with +20 FGA/game). He also rarely turned the ball over (8.35 TO ratio for his career). That's why despite being an all-time great scorer, he managed to keep a pretty low usage rate, never ranking in the top 5 and only appearing in the top 10 for three seasons. Watching Dirk play was truly "an honor and a privilege", as Charles Barkley once said. Thanks for the video.

    • @ThinkingBasketball
      @ThinkingBasketball  Před 7 měsíci +120

      Yup! His impact on team turnovers is a byproduct of the space/gravity/guard synergy. Stackhouse was down 1.1 TOV per 75 with Dirk on the floor, Harris -0.9, Terry -0.6, Finley -0.5.

    • @orestis103
      @orestis103 Před 7 měsíci +41

      Speaking of low FGA/game Jokic is developing an offensive bag quite similar to Dirk I’ve been seeing him bust out these shot fakes up and unders for a while now and he’s got the touch like Dirk only he’s like a way better passer… Jokic gonna run this league for years I’m scared

    • @jojoprocess2820
      @jojoprocess2820 Před 7 měsíci +6

      That to ratio sounded absurd, looked it up and its completely false. His to ratio was 1.46 which makes more sense. Still a great ratio for a score first post bigman

    • @CarolusXCI
      @CarolusXCI Před 7 měsíci +38

      @@jojoprocess2820 1.46 was his Assist to Turnover ratio, which was not what I meant. I was referring to his Turnover Ratio, or Turnover pct. or TOV%, which is an advanced metric that estimates the percentage of a player's possessions that end in a turnover. His 8.35 TOV% is the 10th lowest all-time (among qualified).

    • @rockysalvatore435
      @rockysalvatore435 Před 7 měsíci +1

      ​@@orestis103you don't know ball. He's done this since his rookie year

  • @ThatAsianFace
    @ThatAsianFace Před 7 měsíci +513

    Ben’s breakdown of Dirk’s offensive arsenal and matchups in the OKC series, might be his best intro to all of his videos. Showed how much IQ Dirk had, not just ability

  • @euronimo34
    @euronimo34 Před 7 měsíci +328

    Dude was unstoppable in 2011. That run was incredible to watch.

    • @Dottor_J
      @Dottor_J Před 7 měsíci +2

      definitely top 3 ever and imo the greatest

    • @kelvinlee7351
      @kelvinlee7351 Před 7 měsíci +1

      I remember watching him live in 2011... Was in awe the whole playoff run

    • @krp6680
      @krp6680 Před 7 měsíci +1

      If LeBron didn't have mental breakdown, we wouldn't be talking about Dirk today as champion

    • @ThaninViriyaki
      @ThaninViriyaki Před 7 měsíci +21

      @@krp6680 That's some oversensitive gatekeeping. Some fans are super weird about just giving credit to the opposing team. Teams aim to outscore as well as shut down the opponent. "If this guy didn't play bad then they would have won." No sh*t. That's sports. LeBron and the Heat were swept in the regular season by Dallas that year too. He didn't get to the Finals and just start playing bad. He didn't choke, he GOT choked. There's a difference. Dallas had been shutting him down prior to the playoffs. He played bad in both of the regular season matchups and even went scoreless in the first half of one of those games. Dallas was 6-2 against the Heat that year in regular season and playoff games. No harm in just saying they were the better team. Even LeBron credits the loss for making him a better player.

    • @OmnipotentSpud
      @OmnipotentSpud Před 7 měsíci +1

      Best run ever.

  • @1509Freeze
    @1509Freeze Před 7 měsíci +133

    Nevermind his skill and leadership, you simply cannot dislike Dirk. Class act, loyal to his franchise and his national team.

    • @bigred9991
      @bigred9991 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Loyal to a fault. Kobe talks about trying to recruit him to LA and Dirk told him no. In Dirks true nature he ofcoursed thanked him for thinking about him but he wasn't going to leave Dallas. Could you imagine them 2 together. Kobe and Dirk would have been as good as Kobe and Shaq.

    • @jimmyrodriguez5670
      @jimmyrodriguez5670 Před 29 dny

      @@bigred9991 That's my biggest "what if" because they were my 2 favorite players at that time.

  • @DustySticks
    @DustySticks Před 7 měsíci +194

    Dirk was the player of my childhood that inspired me to learn how to be a better shooter. He is, and probably always will be, my favorite player of all time.

    • @KaawSauce
      @KaawSauce Před 7 měsíci

      Kaw

    • @danoschwab9937
      @danoschwab9937 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Right there with you

    • @melanatedgod5337
      @melanatedgod5337 Před 6 měsíci +2

      Same with me. Growing up in Texas in the early 2000s was great for me. Dirk will always be my guy.

  • @jvostudio
    @jvostudio Před 7 měsíci +36

    The fact that he was outscoring KD while being guarded by Ibaka is what makes it impressive.

  • @jazzchromaticdulcimer4223
    @jazzchromaticdulcimer4223 Před 7 měsíci +72

    Thanks for making this! One of the reasons his post-ups increased in the mid-2000’s is because of Avery Johnson’s coaching. He challenged Dirk to post up more and take fewer 3’s.

    • @jimbrave5331
      @jimbrave5331 Před 7 měsíci

      Wrong he posted up less with Avery Johnson he used to get 12 post-ups a game with Don Nelson and 14 drives a game and to jump shots per game with Don Nelson then whenever Avery came Avery only wanted to use him at the elbow for hypo that's it that's it that's all he did after that so their dumbass he was a post up player from day one I he used to post up every single play that was their only play they ran was post up on the low block with Nowitzki either side cuz he was left-handed or right-handed what happened was Avery put them at power Forward rather than small forward and then he could not post up anymore so he started to just do that fade back shot cuz he wasn't strong enough and he lost his athleticism in 06 because he hurt his leg real bad he hurt his knee real bad he had surgery on it okay a lot of people don't know this stuff lot of castles are stupid and they first game they ever saw was 2011

    • @ThinkingBasketball
      @ThinkingBasketball  Před 7 měsíci +25

      Yup - I ended up cutting the line where he gives Avery credit.

    • @bigred9991
      @bigred9991 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Avery also was responsible for getting Dirk to play better defense. The notion Dirk was a bad defender was false. Avery just got more out of him on that end of the floor.

  • @dylanharris3849
    @dylanharris3849 Před 7 měsíci +47

    His postseason success means a lot more than other comparable players too. Only 5 all-star appearances by Dirk teammates over a 21 year career. Kobe has Shaq and Gasol, Garnett had Pierce and Allen, Wade had Shaq and LeBron, Duncan had Manu and Parker, etc. The best player Dirk ever played with was either early Nash or Jason Terry. Very short list of players that can pull off his level of sustained team success without fellow co-stars

    • @ThaninViriyaki
      @ThaninViriyaki Před 7 měsíci +3

      People also forget that in Minnesota, Garnett was selected to the all-star game with 3 different all-star teammates during that time. As much as that front office screwed up, Garnett had some help yet there were always a lot of excuses why KG got knocked out of the first round 7 years in a row.

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci +2

      Dirk did have some really good players aswell though.
      Finley is one of the best SG's ever.
      Nash
      Those were his 2 best team mates ever then after that it was
      an older Marion like 31 still a top 35 player in the league then.
      Tyson was a good center made an all star team and won All NBA with another team cause David Stern would never let players make it on Dallas
      Lafrentz was ok for a year or so.
      Peja was key off the bench for a season.
      Cuban wouldn't pay players to stay.

    • @willyknebel4184
      @willyknebel4184 Před 7 měsíci

      Naming Finley as one of the best SG's ever is the biggest stretch I've ever heard in my life.@@JimBrave-ri1oc

    • @alfredoarevalo725
      @alfredoarevalo725 Před 6 měsíci +1

      The man reach the NBA Finals with Dampier and Diop as Centers, that says it all He's Top 10 Offensive player of all time.

    • @GunmanYeoh
      @GunmanYeoh Před 2 měsíci

      @@JimBrave-ri1oc Dont forget to give love to JJ and Kidd. Nobody manage to solve the JJ Puzzle as he played around Dirk's gravity and Kidd was mostly directing traffic and a strong presence. Jason Terry was a top 3 pointer at that time and shot the lights out in the 2011 playoffs.

  • @BadTakeRisan
    @BadTakeRisan Před 7 měsíci +112

    Dirk really had a bag ahead of his time. This is gonna be a good one!

  • @youngmelo1841
    @youngmelo1841 Před 7 měsíci +23

    The section about his lack of play making makes me appreciate what Jokic does even more as a big

    • @hb-robo
      @hb-robo Před 7 měsíci +8

      Dirk’s true successor was KD, but his legacy also lives on in Jokic 100%

    • @youngmelo1841
      @youngmelo1841 Před 7 měsíci +9

      @@hb-robo totally agree. Jokic is a traditional big more than KD and Dirk. Watching some of those young Dirk clips reminded me of Lauri from the jazz

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci +3

      Yeah to echo the sentiments of some fans and players/coaches, Dirk's game was looking towards the future of a big man shooter like KD. Along with a class of guys who would try imitate KD (y'know the lanky 6'10" guy with some wing skills who could shoot). Jokic's game is a remix of the past reincarnated in a 7 footer basketball savant who was pretty good with water polo.

    • @andresdelportillo9917
      @andresdelportillo9917 Před 6 měsíci

      ⁠@@hb-roboI thought kd was tmac’s successor

  • @KleinpeterHank
    @KleinpeterHank Před 7 měsíci +7

    Shoutout to Ben for mentioning that young Dirk was a hell of an athlete.

  • @walabyla
    @walabyla Před 7 měsíci +25

    Dirk. So unique. So great. So sympathetic. What a baller.

  • @Carpet_Carp
    @Carpet_Carp Před 7 měsíci +4

    Maybe the most unique player of all time at this high quality.

  • @mrmacross
    @mrmacross Před 7 měsíci +3

    "Was compared to Larry Bird because of the outside shooting, and possibly the hair..."
    Ben being gracious and not stating the most common reason for comparison. :)

  • @airrik23
    @airrik23 Před 7 měsíci +51

    Love the series! So ready for the Ginobili episode!!!

  • @4392amtrak
    @4392amtrak Před 7 měsíci +63

    Hey Ben, I would love to see you do one on Ray Allen, especially comparing how dominant he was as the lead guy in Milwaukee and Seattle, to becoming more of a spot up shooter in Boston and Miami.

    • @mentalmadness2192
      @mentalmadness2192 Před 7 měsíci +2

      With an extra chapter dedicated to his shooting form and mechanics which were considered the best before Steph came along. :)

    • @4392amtrak
      @4392amtrak Před 7 měsíci +4

      @@mentalmadness2192 If he and Reggie were playing today, they would take and make as many threes, if not more than Steph

    • @wallstreetzoomer
      @wallstreetzoomer Před 7 měsíci

      @@4392amtrakno they wouldn’t.

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci +2

      @@mentalmadness2192 Ben could do a shooting mechanics video in the future by itself. But the real highlight as to why guys like Reggie/Steph/Ray for their ability isn't for mechanical stuff like that. Rather their amazing balance to be moving shooters. Because all 3 of those guys perfected the art of being able to move without the ball and be absolutely locked on for catch and shoot situations.

  • @jeonghyolee6092
    @jeonghyolee6092 Před 7 měsíci +5

    He was a generational shooter. Even if his balance collapses, he just made those tough shots casually. Second best midrange assassine in nba history

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci

      I think that is a good way to put it. If a team was willing to build the offense around the best midrange assassin, how about the 2nd best which his quality was having one of the highest release points where in terms of verticality, very few can actually block it? Even better is that same shooter would get better shooting amazingly well off balance over time.

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci

      I don't think anyone has really done enough Dirk Videos of EACH season. Real Highlight videos that last 15 minutes for each season. I remember in his 4th season so he was rather young still he caught a ball with 2 seconds left before the half and jumped then turned in mid air and made a left handed double clutch jumper from 17 feet out from the left side against the Sixers D. Coleman and a few others like McKey who were both basically fouling him. The Entire Sixers crowd Cheered. There were even words in the audience audibly and of " OH great we sixer Fans have another Larry Bird we have to deal with,"

  • @ryanlieu1579
    @ryanlieu1579 Před 7 měsíci +10

    THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED

  • @Hoops_Fan
    @Hoops_Fan Před 7 měsíci +8

    Dirk was the reason I became interested in basketball. Even as a hoops newbie, I could tell no big man shot the ball like he did. Was so happy when the Mavs finally won that championship in 2011.

  • @ARKIBOYTV
    @ARKIBOYTV Před 3 měsíci +2

    Dirk even played sf in the early 2000's. Coach doc perfectly explained it. "A power forward that plays like a 2" he's quicker than most bigs that tries to guard him and way bigger than small that tries to guard him. First unicorn in my books. He was fast and agile for a 7 footer

  • @Getdown8319
    @Getdown8319 Před 7 měsíci +5

    I have diligently watched dirks entire career from a rookie. I watched him play in the world US game and was like if sh8t. Told all my fitness about him said he was gonna be a real problem. They didn’t know what I was talking about. Turns out I was right. Dirk is one of my favorite players all time behind Jordan and Kobe and just before the legendary Jerry west. Dirk was the ultimate matchup problem and he played in I dare to say the deepest PF era in history. Duncan, Garnett, Webber, shred, Abdur-rahim, wells, Z-bo, both gasols. And he gave them all the bussiness.

  • @Sceptile24
    @Sceptile24 Před 7 měsíci +8

    Early days Dirk was an athletic monster

  • @cccccccmc
    @cccccccmc Před 7 měsíci +5

    the episode we were all waiting for

  • @termonic2542
    @termonic2542 Před 7 měsíci +9

    We need this series but for defense too

    • @CryptidFlame
      @CryptidFlame Před 7 měsíci +4

      100%

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci +1

      Check the great peaks which had a feature on defensive bigs.

    • @devvv4616
      @devvv4616 Před 7 měsíci

      they had a defense series in their podcast. it was great. wish there was a video too

  • @zozzyka
    @zozzyka Před 7 měsíci +5

    Dirk was an absolute artist of a player. Such a unique talent. I loved watching him go to work and that championship run remains memorable for me💪🏼🏆

  • @micahclawrence
    @micahclawrence Před 7 měsíci +2

    Had a deceptively quick first step. If he got you with the pump fake he was terrific at finishing at the basket.

  • @Adam-yv3wp
    @Adam-yv3wp Před 7 měsíci +1

    Great look at my favorite player of all time. I especially appreciate some attention being given to young Dirk's athleticism. It's almost quaint now in the age of guys like KD and Giannis and in light of ludicrous arsenal of mid-range assassination techniques that defined most of his career, but in the early days you could see him just blow by a Garnett or someone and wonder if this could possibly be a real person.

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci

      Yes, From 98-05 he would just blow right by everyone would would DRIVE to the basket about 90% of the time. he also was posting up everytime in those 7 years. That was really his best Low Post Years cause he actually played SF most of the time then and SF's were bigger then about 6'9 230 He would just easily throw guys off like Rashard Lewis turn and dunk on them. He could pump fake guys off him then step through to the basket and gain about 10 feet and even end up with a layup or dunk. 20-26 years old Dirk would just blow right by Prime Durant or Prime Giannis. He was Faster than Durant and much Stronger. He was more on the speed of Giannis and Power of Giannis. He also Jumped kind of like Giannis but quick and more agile. Giannis is just out of control all the time and tht is why he is injured every year now. Dirk was quicker and more fleet of foot than Giannis. Also more coodinated. Dirk was also more on the level of prime Malone with Strength and Speed. Also Post moves. He most compares to Prime Young Karl Malone with a lot better ball handling and better long range shooting. Also 7 feet. If just counting Dirk from 99-05 which is 6 seasons. He is the fastest PF Ever and probably the Second best overall PF ever. Only Tim Duncan might of been a little better cause Duncan was somewhat bigger. Duncan is a lot bigger than his listed size in his prime. He was 7 feet 260 with a 7'7 Wingspan and did has a slightly better inside post game. For Inside post games I'd Rank a Prime Young Dirk about 4th. only after Duncan, Barkley, Garnett maybe. He's a tie with Malone in the low post. That is saying lot. His post game is better than Giannis. Better than Maybe even Hayes and Webber. Maybe even up their with McHale.

  • @markjackson6431
    @markjackson6431 Před 7 měsíci +4

    is there like a Thinking Baseball? Football? Hockey? these videos are amazing

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci

      There is a Thinking Football channel but not associated with Ben. They also drop very good content as well.

  • @johnmadison3472
    @johnmadison3472 Před 7 měsíci +6

    Dirk was a matchup nightmare. I loved watching him play!

  • @gattivsward1
    @gattivsward1 Před 7 měsíci +3

    His championship run was insane. One of the most exciting things i ever seen

  • @jaychow3
    @jaychow3 Před 7 měsíci +11

    Imagine Dirk in todays game. Giannis-ish driving and then hitting you with a transition 3 pointer

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci +2

      looser and lower rims aswell. Also coaches wanting every shot to just come from 1 or 2 players the entire game. He would average 35-38 today. Also his Rebounds would be higher today around 12 per game. 3 Steals and blocks.

    • @philipwacker4629
      @philipwacker4629 Před 7 měsíci +5

      Hard to find many a player who'd translate into any era better than him.

    • @tubulus22
      @tubulus22 Před 4 měsíci

      Dirk himself said his defensive limitations would factor in more in today's NBA.

    • @ARKIBOYTV
      @ARKIBOYTV Před 3 měsíci +1

      ​@@tubulus22nope. He was a decent defender back in the day. Average more steals than most bigs

    • @tubulus22
      @tubulus22 Před 3 měsíci

      @@ARKIBOYTV Well, who am I to question Dirk in basketball things.

  • @EHeroClayman
    @EHeroClayman Před 7 měsíci +3

    Even in the early 2000s I respected Dirk's game even though he was unfairly labeled as 'soft'. His game was in some aspects an evolution of the big man and nowadays the prototypical modern big man

    • @jdurrant5633
      @jdurrant5633 Před 7 měsíci

      KD is the evolution of the big man. A legit 7ft would guard skills and an arguably better shooter than dirk

    • @EHeroClayman
      @EHeroClayman Před 7 měsíci

      @@jdurrant5633 Let's go back to the early 2000s and even further back in NBA history to see. If Durant was drafted in 2001, he'd be a shooting guard more into a small forward. Sure, with data analysis and more modern ways to track players he'd have an advantage as a power forward. The competition he would deal with on a nightly basis now forces him to bulk up. He now loses that mobility and coaches are going to change his game for the worst. If anything Kevin is from the mold of Alex English, Dominique Wilkins, Tracy McGrady. Elite wings that could score from just about anywhere. Kevin isn't gonna post up a Kenyon Martin, Rasheed Wallace, or Zach Randolph just to name a few folks. Appreciate your perspective on the topic. Have a blessed day.

  • @ssinisters
    @ssinisters Před 7 měsíci +31

    That 2011 team was built perfectly where Dirk can do what he does best, kidd had passing, chandler and marion for defense, terry was the other scorer and JJ was a nice spark offensively too

    • @jimbrave5331
      @jimbrave5331 Před 7 měsíci +2

      It's not a sport like football where one guy does one thing and the other guy does another thing Dirk is an all-around player guys y'all just need to stop forgetting he was an all-around player coming out of Germany where he had 30 points 18 rebounds and eight assists and four steals eight blocks in the Nike hoop summit.

    • @maxmeier532
      @maxmeier532 Před 7 měsíci

      JJ is allegedly 5'10 and he looked like Muggsy Bogues lol.

    • @liekegerritsen1620
      @liekegerritsen1620 Před 7 měsíci +1

      And not to forget Brian Cardinal!

    • @slimypickle19
      @slimypickle19 Před 7 měsíci

      Even old Kidd was decent defensively. Dirk was never going to win with Nash because those 2 were horrible on D, can't have both out there at the same time & not give up a ton of points.

    • @dongerdo100
      @dongerdo100 Před 5 měsíci

      ​@@liekegerritsen1620one should never forget the custodian

  • @renzocabarco472
    @renzocabarco472 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Him and Rick Carlisle are a match made in heaven. An offensive cannon with access to 2pts almost on command and an offensive magician who can make good offenses without high usage ball handlers for his technician. The Mavs just magic up points

  • @kkim5000
    @kkim5000 Před 7 měsíci +4

    dirk was and is one of my favorite offensive players. with his height, touch, and skill, he was simply unstoppable at his peak.

  • @MySelf-oj6pb
    @MySelf-oj6pb Před 7 měsíci +3

    " Where the ball handler ends up with a red carpet to the basket "😂😂😂 ... HILARIUS

  • @EnTiempo824
    @EnTiempo824 Před 7 měsíci +7

    My favorite Dirk play was when he’d catch it in the high post, face up, and shoot it right in your face. He’d do it to guys that were C’s!
    That was just so unfair 😂

    • @electropyro1899
      @electropyro1899 Před 6 měsíci

      I doubt it's true, but I like to believe lebron took inspiration from this for his lefkyou 3

  • @Genericrunescapeman
    @Genericrunescapeman Před 7 měsíci +2

    “Random 1 legger in 2001” is an example of why this channel is so great. You have a real passion for the game and as someone who also has a deep love for it, that passion really serves to enrich your content. Love it man

  • @royalminstrel
    @royalminstrel Před 7 měsíci +3

    Watching Dirk consistently pass to double-teamer's man reminds me so much of a principle for quarterbacks in football, of "replacing the blitz," which is handling a blitz by throwing the ball to a receiver in the area vacated by the blitzer(s). It's not necessarily the perfect choice in 100% of situations, but as a general principle, it's a really good one. And that's essentially what Dirk is doing.

  • @yksveam
    @yksveam Před 7 měsíci +1

    Ben & Dirk are 2 GOATs!

  • @kap1e246
    @kap1e246 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Ur videos always make my day. Been loving the podcast lately too!

  • @giannisterpos7406
    @giannisterpos7406 Před 7 měsíci

    Great video for a very underated player! His skillset changed the game as well as what was needed from a big man, paving the way to a new era. Also great analysis on his passing plus his off ball gravity which opened wide open lanes

  • @888Rubix
    @888Rubix Před 7 měsíci

    i just came to say its been amazing watching this page grow! plus congratulations on the NBA videos! great to see credit given

  • @markpowell7314
    @markpowell7314 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I was waiting patiently for this, as soon as I seen the Nash video I knew he had to do Dirk. Thank you sir

  • @javiervarona001
    @javiervarona001 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Anyone that’s played basketball knows Dirk is peak offensive perfection

  • @leos_27
    @leos_27 Před 7 měsíci +3

    The GOAT of CZcams strikes again.

  • @robertwicker2303
    @robertwicker2303 Před 7 měsíci

    Glad u did this. I grew up on dirk and used to play with Dallas on nba live lol. Dirk is one of my all time favorite players and a great scorer

  • @spacecolon7760
    @spacecolon7760 Před 7 měsíci +6

    @ThinkingBasketball I’m curious which 2 big men you’d take over Dirk on offense?
    I assume Jokic and either Kareem or Shaq?

    • @ThinkingBasketball
      @ThinkingBasketball  Před 7 měsíci +7

      Jokic and Shaq. Kareem is right there but at that point I think I'm more comfortable with Dirk's offense.

    • @jesustenes2
      @jesustenes2 Před 7 měsíci

      @@ThinkingBasketball wow Dirk (slightly) over Kareem. I guess they are pretty similar, willing but not great passers, and they produce 2 points on demand, but Dirk's range is better at creating space and opportunities for others

  • @MatiGamefut
    @MatiGamefut Před 7 měsíci +8

    Great video ! Will be waiting for the Ginobili video

  • @kaospat4173
    @kaospat4173 Před 7 měsíci +1

    great video...I've been waiting for this and U did not disappoint

  • @Ghd301
    @Ghd301 Před 7 měsíci

    Great Video as always.
    Been waiting for Dirk so Long.
    Dirk will Stay at the top spot of best shooting big man for a Long Time with his 3 point Game and the goat midrange.
    Keep up the Great content
    Much love from Germany ❤️🇩🇪💯✌🏻

  • @Valdasgs
    @Valdasgs Před 7 měsíci

    Love these different series you make !

  • @peterweiss123
    @peterweiss123 Před 7 měsíci

    awesome analysis of Dirks game, appreciate it! Greetings from Germany❤

  • @exquisitemeat5845
    @exquisitemeat5845 Před 7 měsíci

    Fantastic video, as always

  • @Windowlick_
    @Windowlick_ Před 7 měsíci +4

    Once again I will remind people amazed by young Dirk's agility that when Durant was being drafted, he was compared closely to Dirk for a reason.

  • @LunyDR
    @LunyDR Před 7 měsíci +5

    Dirk is definetly one of the greatest and as you said, I cannot think currently of 3 bigs I'd rather have than him on my team at his peak. P.S: I cannot wait for the Manu episode!

  • @tonygatica9879
    @tonygatica9879 Před 7 měsíci +1

    When I was just a basketball infant. I started watching the NBA a and Dirk quickly became my favorite player. Never been a big man mind you. But even childhood self knew that jumper was the most unstoppable shot in the game!! Still one of the most unstoppable shots the game has ever seen.

  • @chrissullivan6572
    @chrissullivan6572 Před 7 měsíci

    FINALLY. As a Dallas fan, I've waited for this since the Greatest Peaks series.

  • @anthonyzobel9694
    @anthonyzobel9694 Před 7 měsíci +7

    While not as efficient as the sky hook, his one legged jumper was nearly un-defendable. One of the most durable scorers ever!

    • @Somm_RJ
      @Somm_RJ Před 6 měsíci +1

      What do you mean efficient? Skyhook is tougher to block but not more efficient. There are not a complete data of all Kareem's skyhook because there are not as much video catalogs then as today but of the recorded ones, Kareem's skyhook goes in 50% of the time. Dirk sinks his fadeaway 56% of the time, albeit not every fadeaway is one-legged, he arguably has better percentage with one-legged fadeaway only.

  • @victorminkov5183
    @victorminkov5183 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Great video a true offensive legend. I wonder if Dirk played today would be a center or a power forward? I think Joker proved you can win without a traditional rim protector and a center that can be attacked. All I know is that Dirk would be awesome in every era of basketball.

  • @Jerrden
    @Jerrden Před 7 měsíci

    This is the best breakdown of Dirk’s game that I’ve ever seen

  • @jaimevargas2130
    @jaimevargas2130 Před 7 měsíci

    Love the video, Dirk is my favorite player all time

  • @jimbrave5331
    @jimbrave5331 Před 7 měsíci +12

    The reason Don Nelson drafted Nowitzki was not for his shooting, it was for his speed, quickness and his jumping ability that was the only reason he was drafted Don Nelson was looking for a fast center someone who could play point guard as a center ball handling that's why Nowitzki was drafted that's the one reason he was drafted the shooting is a given it's a bonus it's a given everybody has to shoot to make the NBA everybody can shoot in the whole NBA. Don Nelson said he was looking for a 7-footer that is fast and athletic that can handle the ball like a point guard that's what he was looking for. It took Don Nelson about 12 years to find that guy because he thought at first it was Billy Owens he thought it was Chris Webber he tried Tom Tolbert. He said Chris Anstey might be able to be the guy. Then when they found Dirk nowitzki at age 17 they said be quiet on the radio we found the guy we found the next Connie Hawkins we found Him and they said they were going to pick Him after that season. They said he was going to change the game and be an NBA Hall of famer 15-time All-Star they said all. Donnie and Don were on the radio on a Saturday in 1997.

    • @cyber6sapien
      @cyber6sapien Před 7 měsíci

      Hmmm .. .. I don't think you repeat yourself often enough.

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci

      takes that many times for you. you're the exact guy that needs it. @@cyber6sapien

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci

      Can you tell us the real reason he was drafted and what Don Nelson and Donnie were saying about him a year before the draft on the radio show. @@cyber6sapien

  • @fiji_g0d
    @fiji_g0d Před 7 měsíci

    NEEDED THIS 🐐

  • @Maxbeedo2
    @Maxbeedo2 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Dirk's my all-time favorite athlete, not only because he was an MVP who won a title while scoring the 6th most points, but because he was great in unique ways, while also being a great guy and teammate. Every franchise would be lucky to have someone like him that is loyal for 21 years and represents their city well.

  • @jakeharrison207
    @jakeharrison207 Před 7 měsíci

    IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE TOO SWEET

  • @balbin0329
    @balbin0329 Před 7 měsíci

    Absolutely love this series. All these stars i grew up watching just adding and appreciating even more from the insight being provided.. hoping to see a breakdown of Jason Kidd and Karl Malone soon❤

  • @imanuelbrooks8402
    @imanuelbrooks8402 Před 7 měsíci +2

    The KD of the 2000's

  • @sanhou8401
    @sanhou8401 Před 7 měsíci

    Amazing video!!!

  • @adriencook6208
    @adriencook6208 Před 7 měsíci +1

    I've been very impressed with this series! Would be great to see a breakdown on Charles Barkley

  • @Bikrant50
    @Bikrant50 Před 7 měsíci

    Another certified classic by Ben

  • @dimelo58
    @dimelo58 Před 7 měsíci

    Love this breakdown

  • @waynesulak1488
    @waynesulak1488 Před 7 měsíci +3

    When KAT claimed to be the is the best shooting big man of all time Durant replied that he thought it was Dirk

  • @mt9087
    @mt9087 Před 7 měsíci

    what a beautiful intro, goosebumps

  • @xy007man
    @xy007man Před 7 měsíci

    Great work

  • @phamawa
    @phamawa Před 7 měsíci

    Great job of showcasing that NO ONE really had an answer for this man

  • @f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis
    @f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis Před 4 měsíci

    I was injured and stuck at home and watched every game of the 2011 season. Was magical.

  • @BuddhaKING86
    @BuddhaKING86 Před 7 měsíci

    Awesome !!!🎉🎉🎉🎉 especially coming on the heels of the Jabbar comment about Dirk not being “Dominant”

  • @jpmcmullan8666
    @jpmcmullan8666 Před 7 měsíci

    Been waiting for this one 🙌🏻🙌🏻
    Da German Jesus!!!

  • @bryanoringher680
    @bryanoringher680 Před 7 měsíci

    Great video Ben

  • @ifheavenwashuman
    @ifheavenwashuman Před 7 měsíci +1

    This is just.. beautiful [offensive] basketball.

    • @jimbrave5331
      @jimbrave5331 Před 7 měsíci

      He played a lot of defense to you know if he averaged 8 points per game he would have been considered by everyone an all NBA defensive player. it's just that people don't have the cons the mind and the Brain to understand that people could be good at great at two things you know they just see the old 28 points per game ball then he must not play defense if Tim Duncan averaged 28 a game ever everyone would have said he was terrible at defense because he averaged 28 but it because Duncan averaged 19 the Galway must be a great defensive player Dirk was an amazing defensive player

  • @RuRu2041
    @RuRu2041 Před 7 měsíci

    One of my two favorite players. Now waiting for Manu's video

  • @marjunraposon9829
    @marjunraposon9829 Před 7 měsíci

    Thanks for this. People remember the shooting, the post-ups, the fadeaway, but what's always forgotten is how freakish Dirk was for his size -- his speed, ball handling. He was one of the first 7 footers who could rebound and bring the ball down to his own shot at the other end.

  • @jonathanh-e2494
    @jonathanh-e2494 Před 7 měsíci +4

    Great video. One thing I found kind of fascinating, even though it's a side issue that you discussed more in the Nash video, is how the Nash+Dirk pairing (speaking about offense only here, obviously there are defensive weaknesses) wasn't quite the sum of its parts. You'd think that an on-ball dribbling maestro who loved to go downhill to the rim would be a perfect offensive fit with an incredible off-ball shooter who could pull big men out of the paint. But, the offensive on-off numbers you cited, along with what I recall from the Nash video, suggest that putting them together didn't really produce the offensive supernova you might expect, just very good offenses not much better than what you had with one of the two on the court. I'm curious if you have any thoughts on why that might be--the main thing I can think of is that Dirk excelled at high-difficulty shots and Nash's game was all about creating low-difficulty shots for teammates.

    • @t4d0W
      @t4d0W Před 7 měsíci

      Dirk may have been described as an off ball shooter in the video but he has possessions sprinkled in the footage where he does the classic triple threat stance against his mismatch/big defender while his teammates clear out to the other side. So possessions like that would hurt Nash's play style which he needs the ball to probe defenses with his tight handles. Which makes sense with the other small guards that played with Dirk whose game was more about quick decision making and taking advantage of the lane without a big that is stuck on Dirk. Plus those other guards were good enough playing pick and pop with Dirk with all that spacing. With Nash he needed a big whose more of a rim roller to take advantage of his ability to drive into traffic. Which is why Stoudamire excelled with him being the recipient of many lobs off those screens.

    • @JimBrave-ri1oc
      @JimBrave-ri1oc Před 7 měsíci +1

      They were the Best Pick n Roll Duo of ALL TIME!!!!! not even close. Cause Dirk would drive on that and power dunk it a lot. That is why they leave two defenders on him and Nash has a Layup and Nash became a Great player there in Dallas started putting up 20 a game in blowouts where he would needed to play like 30 mintues he would also get 9-10 assists. If that team just had one more good center and if David Stern didnt' CHEAT against them every playoffs they would've won 6 Straight Championships with just an OK Center. Even Dampier was good enough. Had to have two 7 footers in the game at all times then.

  • @christopherlozada6411
    @christopherlozada6411 Před 7 měsíci +2

    A machine of the fadeway/mid range. surprised when he missed

  • @derron_1
    @derron_1 Před 6 měsíci

    Love these videos.

  • @tubulus22
    @tubulus22 Před 4 měsíci

    What I like about Dirk is that he put to value every drop of talent he had. Yes, he was surpremely gifted, but many more NBA players were, too. Yet, he never took that for granted but learned, improved, adjusted - and enjoyed the game until the last moment...

  • @jonathonwilliams7726
    @jonathonwilliams7726 Před 7 měsíci

    Waiting for this one a good while

  • @kingajofficial5527
    @kingajofficial5527 Před 7 měsíci

    just made my day

  • @dilach41
    @dilach41 Před 7 měsíci

    the video I waited for 👍👍

  • @boombl443
    @boombl443 Před 5 měsíci

    Our guy, our Legend from Würzburg. So proud of this guy

  • @kkkjkk641
    @kkkjkk641 Před 6 měsíci +1

    As a german, Dirk made me very proud and happy❤

  • @frostynuggz4151
    @frostynuggz4151 Před 7 měsíci +1

    🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤Dirk in his Prime if you were there HOLY !!!!! love it

  • @garrettwill1220
    @garrettwill1220 Před 7 měsíci +1

    you should make a tier list that you update each time you do one of these. I get the comparisons wont always be fair but its fun nonetheless

  • @DSPIRACY
    @DSPIRACY Před 7 měsíci

    goated series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • @natecarr257
    @natecarr257 Před 7 měsíci

    This video made me reminisce for when basketball was actually entertaining.

  • @camronjohnson8363
    @camronjohnson8363 Před 7 měsíci

    great work that perimeter gravity was like the preview to what Steph would do! dirk as the main scorer allowed for some different combinations of offensives leading to real title-contending teams 03,06,11 I would say 07 too but losing to the we believe team ..

  • @pablofernandez563
    @pablofernandez563 Před 5 měsíci

    I fell in love with basketball as a kid watching this man play basketball.

  • @toteispoe4
    @toteispoe4 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Jokic is definitely one of those three offensive peak big men Ben would pick over Dirk.
    He's n#1.
    No disrepect to Dirk. Dirk changed the game. Incredible player.

    • @dylanbach8578
      @dylanbach8578 Před 7 měsíci +3

      It’s probably Jokic, Kareem, and Shaq that are definitely above Dirk. Embiid’s past few years are probably case for consideration if he keeps it up but his egregious playoff drops is a large sore spot that takes him probably below the more resilient scorers like Hakeem (even tho Hakeem didn’t stretch to the 3 like modern centers).