Dirk Nowitzki will go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history, as well as an underappreciated player by many NBA fans. Nowitzki had many traits to his game that made him elite for years for the Dallas Mavericks.
Nowitzki was an outstanding 3-point shooter, rebounder, and will forever be known for his signature fadeaway. His fadeaway was so iconic is statue outside of American Airlines Center has his iconic fadeaway pose.
But, legends respect other legends, even if they’re currently still playing in today’s NBA. Nowitzki gave three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets a huge compliment and revealed a reason as to why he is so good in the NBA.
One stud at the fadeaway complimented another stud at the fadeaway. Nowitzki is impressed with how Jokic shoots his fadeaway shot with his right leg. Nowitzki would also reveal something he couldn’t do that Jokic can do.
“You know what he does? He does it over the right side, and does it with the right leg,” Nowitzki said. “He jumps off the right leg which I could never do.”
For an NBA legend to compliment a current player like that is huge, and Jokic is still surpassing NBA legends while still playing. Nowitzki recognizes 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 in the same year Nowitzki made his last.
“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 amazing to me,” Nowitzki said. “Everything seems 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 of 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 with finishing third in MVP voting to Jokic in 2024.
