US Edition'We weren't soft, we were skilled': Nowitzki on NBA's European revolution
Nowitzki said skilled European big men helped reshape the NBA as he joined Sue Bird among eight new FIBA Hall of Fame inductees.
- On Tuesday, Dirk Nowitzki returned to Germany to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, calling the honor a "kind of a nice way to wrap up a long international career."
- Arriving in the NBA in the late 1990s, the 7-foot Nowitzki and the Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc, faced perceptions that European athletes were "soft," though they proved they were "skilled."
- Mid-2000s rule changes like the five-second restriction aided big men, while intense coaching from Holger Geschwindner helped Nowitzki master fundamental skills, including his iconic one-legged fadeaway.
- With Serbian Nikola Jokic claiming multiple MVP awards and French center Victor Wembanyama "changing the game as we speak," Europeans now dominate the NBA, continuing the international influx Nowitzki helped pioneer.
- Nowitzki's legacy is that the skillful European big man is no longer a novelty; today, he serves as the definitive incarnation of the modern basketball player.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Because the German basketball legend has always been involved in the German national team alongside the NBA career, Dirk Nowitzki is honored by the World Federation. He thanks above all to one person.
Germany's basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has been admitted to the fame hall of the world association Fiba. At a ceremony at the Berlin power plant, he paid special tribute to a companion.
It is a solemn moment for Dirk Nowitzki - but then the technique fails. When entering the Hall of Fame of the world association FIBA, the teleprompter fails when the basketball legend delivers the thank-you speech. Nowitzki has to save himself with his mobile phone.
The basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has been awarded for his sporting achievements worldwide and in the German national team. His parents and his sister attended the emotional moment.
Watauga Democrat
Nowitzki, Bird among eight inductees into FIBA Hall of Fame
Dirk Nowitzki and Sue Bird were among eight new inductees into the FIBA Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Berlin on Tuesday, which also featured the draw for the 2026 Women's World Cup.
Dirk Nowitzki finished his career seven years ago. But there are still new honours for him. In Berlin there is a special addition.
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