Dirk Nowitzki will be elected as a first-ballot hall of fame player in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The class will be announced during the Final Four in Houston this weekend, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The other elected members will be Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich.
No surprise to see Nowitzki’s name on the list of finalists when you look at the accomplishments in his career.
- NBA Champion
- NBA Finals MVP
- NBA Most Valuable Player
- 14× NBA All-Star
- 4× All-NBA First Tean
- 5× All-NBA Second Tean
- 3× All-NBA Third Team
- 50-40-90 Club
- NBA Three-Point Champion
- NBA Teammate of the Year
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
- No. 41 retired by Dallas Mavericks
- NBA Career Average: 20.7 PPG 7.5 RPG 2.4 APG
Nowitzki is the NBA all-time leader in seasons played with one team. He spent 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and his loyalty is a feat that has become a rarity in today’s game.
Nowitzki also is known for his signature one-legged fadeaway, a shot that you see replicated amongst all levels of play. The move can be seen in NBA, WNBA, college basketball, overseas and high school games as it has been implemented as a default shot in top player’s move set. He changed the game forever but he’ll never take credit for it as he is as humble as you will ever see a superstar be.
Nowitzki is a pioneer as he helped lead the revolution of the “stretch four” skill set. He modernized the game in which a power forward could shoot, dribble and carve up the opposing defense outside of the paint. Nowitzki has career averages of 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in the regular season. He took his game to another level in the playoffs with career postseason averages of 25.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. Nowitzki ranks sixth in league history for points (31,560) and 26th in rebounds (11,489).
He wants to be remembered as a guy who loved to play game of basketball, a player who loved to represent the city of Dallas and help the Mavericks franchise win games.
It’s been a busy few years since Nowitzki has retired. He has been honored with a logo on the Mavs court, named on the 75th anniversary team, banner in the rafters inside the American Airlines Center, statue outside the arena and will now receive the biggest achievement in the sport.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 12, at Springfield’s historic Symphony Hall.