Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki owned the mid-range this decade

Dallas Mavericks GOAT Dirk Nowitzki ranked as the sixth-best shooter during the 2010s by ESPN. See why that is an impressive feat for the legend.

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki created a signature shot. His one-legged fadeaway will go down in history with Dirk. The Mavs are using the silhouette of the shot on the court this season proving its iconic nature.

Nowitzki was an automatic bucket for most of the 2000s using that move and the threat of it. He would get his back to the basket in the post and the scoreboard would soon see two more points for the Mavericks light up. Here is a video of Dirk shooting his patented shot.

ESPN released its best shooters of the 2010s on Sept 16. Let us take a look at where Dirk Nowitzki ranked on the list.

6th best shooter in the 2010s

Dirk landed sixth behind Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Klay Thompson, and James Harden on ESPN’s ranking.

Nowitzki absolutely dominated the mid-range during the decade. He shot 46.6 percent from ten to 16 feet from the basket over the last decade and 48.5 percent from 16 feet to the 3-point line. The mid-range game may be a dying art, but Dirk rode it to be the sixth-leading scorer in NBA history.

Nowitzki ranking sixth on ESPN’s list is even more impressive when considering age. Every other player in the top ten was in his prime during the 2010s except Dirk (and perhaps Kyle Korver).

The Mavs GOAT was 31 years old during the 2010 season. He had nine straight seasons of averaging over 21 points per game before 2010 came. Nowitzki only scored over 20 in four of the ten years during the decade. It is incredible that Dirk past his prime was still the sixth-best shooter in the 2010s.

In fairness, his 3-point shooting did improve during his final ten seasons. Dirk shot 38.3 percent over that stretch which was up from 37.8 during his first 11 years. His game certainly evolved with age which is a compliment of the highest regard. Not many elite players can make those adjustments and still be effective into their 40’s.

Dirk Nowitzki is the Dallas Mavericks GOAT. He proved his greatness for 21 seasons all in Dallas. The legend will be honored plenty this season, but it won’t be enough. He is truly greatness personified.

The Smoking Cuban will be back with plenty more on Dirk Nowitzki plus opinions on the current roster that Dallas Mavericks fans cannot miss, so please return often.