Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest shooting big men of all time, if not the greatest. He showed the world that it is possible for a perimeter-oriented big man to win titles and that a perimeter playstyle doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s wrong to play that way.
There’s no doubt that he was one of the people that paved the way for the shooting heavy era of today. Prior to Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey retirement, Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson lauded him for his impact on the game, claiming that he and Stephen Curry “might be the Splash Bros” but that Dirk Nowitzki is the “Splash God”.
Klay Thompson to Dirk: "We might be the Splash Bros but you're the Splash God for you've done for the game." #41Forever @swish41 pic.twitter.com/UX2qS1Ubyf
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 6, 2022
Dirk, congrats man. What an honor. I mean you deserve it. The greatest Maverick in the history of the franchise. In my book you’re one of the greatest shooters of all-time, obviously the greatest shooting big man of all-time.
You, and Steve, and Mike Finley and J-Kidd, it was some great basketball – beautiful basketball to watch. We might be the Splash Bros, but you’re the Splash God for what you’ve done for the game.
There is no question that this is some high praise from Klay Thompson. Dirk Nowitzki didn’t necessarily transform the game to the level that someone like Michael Jordan did, but he certainly had an impact on what people expect from big men. Big men who can shoot are far more common these days: we see that in players like Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Karl-Anthony Towns was even bold enough to claim that he’s the greatest shooting big man of all time, though Dirk Nowitzki obviously has a step up based on his accolades and a championship win.
The game constantly evolves, and Dirk Nowitzki was one of the people that has helped it do so. His name will forever be remembered by fans, and there’s no doubt that he is one of the best power forwards to play the game.
