Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett were two of the finest power forwards the NBA has ever seen, and they competed against each other for most of their careers.
Everyone knows that Tim Duncan is the best power forward of the 2000s, maybe ever. But between Dirk and KG, which one would rank higher? It’s a contentious question that caused fans to argue while figuring out which one was better.
Who are you taking in their prime? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vTfJo46qIK
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 5, 2023
Jason Gallagher openly said that picking KG is for winning Twitter debates but picking Dirk is for winning basketball games.
If I want to win hypothetical Twitter debates… it’s KG.
If I want to win actual basketball games, it’s Dirk.
These aren’t players separated by generations. They played a lot. In their prime. And Dirk beat KG almost every single time. https://t.co/9gOrOfp0LE
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) July 5, 2023
One fan picked Garnett by citing his defense but claimed Dirk was more clutch.
KG can do more on both offense and defense.
Dirk is more clutch.
It’s close, but I gotta go with the Big Ticket.
— The NBA Realist (@nbarealist23) July 5, 2023
One fan dismissed the question altogether and picked Dirk.
Dirk this shouldn’t be a debate
— Cam (@thelifeofcamd) July 5, 2023
Another fan picked Dirk, claiming his fadeaway was the second most unstoppable shot in basketball history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook.
Dirk.
Second most unguardable shot in NBA history behind Kareem's skyhook. 6th all time leading scorer.
We say Curry changed the game but Dirk made it "cool" for the big guy to shoot 3s.
Oh, and did we forget the best "put the team on my back" playoff/finals run? pic.twitter.com/wu0c8ZN9JT
— Chris Reilly (@C_Reilly5) July 5, 2023
One fan shared a quote by KG’s old Minnesota teammate Chauncey Billups in which he described how Dirk dominated KG and the Wolves in their only playoff clash against each other.
https://twitter.com/sillywetdirk/status/1676654667479252992
Another fan picked Dirk because he beat the Miami Heat superteam.
Sorry but that Finals MVP against the Super team of Bron, Wade and Bosh puts him over.
— The Lock$mith (@RipsAndSlips) July 5, 2023
One fan decisively picked Garnett by mentioning his two-way ability.
KG
2 way player > 1 way player, simple as that
— Dan Steinhart (@dan_steinhart) July 5, 2023
This is a fascinating debate every time it comes up, but we have a list of accolades that both men earned while playing against each other.
Kevin Garnett And Dirk Nowitzki: A Comparison
Garnett played 21 seasons in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. He made 15 All-Star teams, four All-NBA First Teams, and nine All-NBA teams in total. He won a Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, the same year he won a title with the Celtics. He was also a nine-time All-Defense selection.
Nowitzki played 21 seasons in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks, the single-longest tenure a player has ever had with a franchise. He made it to 14 All-Star teams, four All-NBA First teams, and 12 total All-NBA appearances. He retired as the sixth greatest scorer in league history while picking up a legacy-defining Finals MVP in 2011. He became the first seven-footer in league history to have a 50-40-90 season.
In their head-to-head battles, Nowitzki averaged 23.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while KG averaged 21.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Dirk has a 20-17 all-time record against Garnett in the regular season. Their only playoff matchup came in 2002, where Nowitzki’s Mavs dominated and eliminated the Wolves. Garnett averaged 24.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks that series but was no match for Dirk’s 33.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks.
KG’s skill set could definitely be considered more valuable due to his incredible two-way ability. He would be a menace in the modern game with its requirements. Even though Dirk wasn’t a defensive stalwart, he was supremely talented offensively. Ultimately, he led the team that drafted him to a title, while Garnett joined Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to get his chip.
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