Dirk Nowitzki ranks 21st in all-time best NBA players list / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

To commemorate the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic are ranking the 75 all-time best NBA players. In their most recent rankings article, the German legend Dirk Nowitzki was ranked 21st among the greatest NBA athletes.

Dirk Nowitzki

Position:PFAge:43Height:213 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:Wurzburg, GermanyProfileNewsStatistics

It's symbolic that Nowitzki spent 21 years in the NBA, all of them with the Dallas Mavericks. He carried the team to the 2011 NBA Championship, winning the Finals MVP award.

With 31,560 career points in the NBA, Dirk ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list. He has also been awarded with the 2007 NBA MVP award.

Nowitzki's jersey was retired by Mavericks this season. He currently holds the title of the team's special advisor and feels thankful for the love he receives from the Dallas fans.

"What I appreciate most about this pillar (in my career) is that it always wanted me to succeed; they always pushed me and gave me the strength to work hard and motivated me," Nowitzki said. "What I appreciate most was this pillar supported me during the tough, tough playoff losses. You know what? That pillar is you, the fans."

Dirk's NBA career averages are 20.7 points (38% 3PT), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals. The power forward accumulated 24.6 points (41.6% 3PT), 8.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during his MVP season in 2006-07.

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