Dirk Nowitzki on the Modern NBA: An Evolution of Skill, International Talent, and Entertainment
The Evolution of the Game According to a Pioneer
Nowitzki, whose own style as a 7-foot sharpshooter helped change the game, pointed to several key shifts that define today’s league.
- Style of Play: The game is more open and significantly less physical than it was in the late 1990s when he entered the league. “When I came into the league…
- Emphasis on Skill: He celebrated the dramatic increase in overall skill level, where nearly every player on the floor is a capable shooter and ball-handler, creating a faster, more spaced-out game.
- Rise of International Players: For Nowitzki, the most profound change is the quantity and quality of international talent. “There’s a lot of international players in the league now,
The following table contrasts the key elements of the era Dirk entered with the modern game he now praises:
| Basketball Era (Early 2000s) | Modern NBA (Mid-2020s) |
|---|---|
| Physical, interior-focused game | Open, perimeter-focused game |
| Specialized positions and roles | Positionless, versatile players |
| Hand-checking allowed, more physical defense | Rules favor offensive freedom and spacing |
| Few international stars as franchise cornerstones | Prolific international stars (Jokić, Giannis, Dončić) leading teams |
| Dirk Nowitzki as a rare 7-foot shooter | “Everybody can shoot. Everybody can dribble.” |
A Humble Trailblazer’s Legacy
When asked about being called the “European GOAT,” Nowitzki humbly deferred. He credited pioneers like Dražen Petrović, Arvydas Sabonis, and Detlef Schrempf who came before him,
and noted that he, alongside Pau Gasol and Tony Parker, only “opened the door a little more”. He believes the sheer number of elite European talents today makes it hard to crown a single greatest player.
A Balanced Perspective on the Debate
While Nowitzki champions the modern game’s skill and entertainment, his perspective invites a balanced look at the debate between eras.
Ultimately, Dirk Nowitzki’s analysis is not about declaring one era objectively superior but about appreciating basketball’s natural progression.
What’s your take on this era debate? Do you agree with Dirk that the modern NBA’s skill and style make it better, or do you prefer the toughness and post-play of previous decades?