Dirk Nowitzki
Years Played: 1998 to Present
Position: Power Forward
Career Averages: 35.3 MPG, 22.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 3PM
Career Statistics: 29,491 points, 10,540 rebounds, 1,418 offensive rebounds, 3,414 assists, 1,180 blocks, 1,128 steals, 1,701 3-point field goals
Accolades: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, NBA MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 13x All-Star
The Dallas Mavericks drafted German prospect Dirk Nowitzki at No. 9 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft. In the 18 seasons that have followed, Nowitzki has earned his place as one of the greatest players in league history.
Kristaps Porzingis has been compared to Nowitzki every step of the way, and it’s only right to continue drawing parallels.
The similarities between Nowitzki and Porzingis are admittedly limited. Both are tall European big men who can consistently create their own offense and shoot from beyond the arc, but that’s as far as the comparison extends.
Those are significant similarities, however, especially when one considers how successful Nowitzki has been in the NBA.
Nowitzki’s ability to get his shot off against any caliber of defender has been the source of the Dallas Mavericks’ success. He led Dallas to the 2011 NBA championship and the 2006 NBA Finals, and has helped the Mavericks reach the playoffs 15 times over the past 16 seasons.
If Porzingis becomes anything close to the level of player that Nowitzki became, then the New York Knicks would have a genuine franchise player.