The Top 5 Contributors to Dirk Nowitzki’s Success

1. Jason Kidd – with Dallas 2008-12

Number one really had to be Jason Kidd. There is almost no questioning that Kidd took Dirk from being one of the best regular season players in the NBA to being one of the best to ever play the game, period. That is what one of the greatest point guards ever does to help out an aging superstar.

Now granted, this relationship between Kidd and Dirk was clearly give and take. Both needed the other to get over the hump towards excellence and achieve their first NBA title. I may not be an expert, but I don’t think anyone was accusing 37 year old Jason Kidd and 32 year old Dirk Nowitzki of teaming up to create a super team.

Clearly Kidd was at the tail end of his career during his time in Dallas. His numbers were way down, his age was starting to show, and they probably had already started calling him Coach Kidd in the locker room. But, that leadership proved to be one of the last pieces to the championship puzzle that Dallas was looking for (aside from, you know, Tyson Chandler).

Jason Kidd understood exactly how Dirk Nowitzki wanted to play. He would get him the ball when he needed it and he would find someone else when that was needed. Kidd is one of the most savvy players to ever play the game and that is why he gets the number one spot in the list of Dirk’s top contributors for his career.

Next: Dallas Mavericks 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0

Dirk continues to score the ball efficiently despite rapidly approaching his 39th birthday in June. His accomplishments are so numerous that it would take a long time to list all of them, but the important thing is this: Dirk is one of the greatest to ever play the game, and even though he is amazing all on his own, those who have helped him along the way deserve recognition.