Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is always telling it like it is and he proved that back in May 2011.
At the time, Carlisle, leading the Dallas Mavericks, said that in his view, Dirk Nowitzki belonged among the top 10 players in the NBA’s storied history. Carlisle’s comments made a compelling case for the iconic forward, who would soon lead the Texas franchise to its first-ever championship title.
Carlisle hailed Nowitzki
14-time All-Star Nowitzki retired in 2019 with numbers that speak for themselves. Over 23,000 career points, a 23.0-point per game average and a .877 free-throw percentage place him among the NBA’s all-time leaders in several categories. Yet, as so often, stats only tell part of the story — and Carlisle recognized that long before.
“In my opinion, he’s (Nowitzki) a top 10 player in NBA history because of the uniqueness of his game and how he’s carried this franchise on his back for over a decade,”said Rick, per ESPN.
Carlisle was right on both counts.
First, what certainly set Nowitzki apart was his versatility.
Sure, basketball fans across the globe remember his signature fadeaway jumper, but don’t be mistaken: Dirk, a career 38 percent three-point shooter, could stretch the floor like few big men in history.
Add to that his surprisingly precise passing for a seven-footer and he became a constant threat.
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once famously dismissed Nowitzki as a one-trick pony, but Carlisle and others saw something entirely different.
Second, Nowitzki was the veritable steady anchor for the Mavericks. Early struggles during his tenure were present, yet they didn’t hold the 1998 Draft pick back — they helped define him. Over time, Nowitzki became the player around whom the franchise was built, rewarding the team with 11 straight 50-win seasons.
Dirk delivered on his coach’s praise
When Carlisle made his case, it seemingly reflected on the past, but it was clear that Nowitzki was still going strong.
“He’s (Nowitzki) just right. He’s leading the team. His shot-making is great. He’s passing the ball great. He’s one of the guys that’s directing traffic for us defensively,” said Carlisle 2021.
Arguably, at no other stretch of his Hall of Fame career had Dirk demonstrated those skills at a higher level than during said period. Just remember, Rick’s comments came after the first two rounds of the 2011 playoffs, where his star player averaged a strong 26.5 points per contest and repeatedly delivered in clutch moments, including go-ahead shots in the final minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers, helping Dallas sweep the Western Conference semifinals series.
“This is the best I’ve seen him (Nowitzki) play in his career, to be honest with you,” said then-Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who battled with Nowitzki for most of the series.
Even without a championship title in hand at the time, Carlisle praised Nowitzki highly and that confidence was clearly justified over the next two rounds.
First, Dirk led the Mavericks past the Oklahoma City Thunder, then, as Finals MVP, he carried his underdog team to a stunning victory over the star-studded Miami Heat in the Finals.
When your head coach publicly backs you like that, it’s no surprise a player gets motivated to rise to the occasion — and Nowitzki, one of the best European NBA players ever, certainly did.