Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard: The best bigs in the league – NBA Feature (Part 5)
Dirk Nowitzki:
The 7 ft German has the most destructive arsenals among all NBA players. Accuracy and consistency are his two main attributes that have escorted Dirk Nowitzki to this level of success.
Dirk was selected by Milwaukee Bucks in 1998 draft but was immediately traded to Dallas Mavericks. Over the years, Dirk has established himself not only as one of the best international players, but best in NBA.
Talk about achievements and Dirk has them all. He has led Dallas to 11 consecutive playoffs including an NBA finals entrance and Mavericks first ever championship in 2011. Dirk became the first European in NBA history to be awarded
most valuable player award in 2007 after his phenomenal performance in the season ending with an outstanding average of 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
His Rookie year was pretty ordinary. Being the 9th draft, a lot was expected from him and probably dirk succumbed to the pressure of performing well on a big stage. Recollecting memories, Nowitzki said "I was so frustrated
I even contemplated going back to Germany”
On January 4th, Mark Cuban, the multi billionaire took over the charge of Dallas from Ross Perot Junior and completely restructured the team. It was then when Dirk started blossoming. His average skyrocketed and he improved
as a player. Ended the season with an impressive average of 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds including nine double-double games and career high 32 points twice.
Since then, Nowitzki never looked back and in the year to come, he would go on to become Dallas most influential player. In his 12 years, he was a tribulation for opponent teams.
Dirk is easily one of the best players in history when it comes to three pointers. His ability to consistently hit three pointers enabled him to win the 2006 NBA All-Star three-point shootout competition.
What fascinates me more about Dirk is that he is defying the law of nature. Usually players when start getting older, it reflects on their game and they lose their dexterity but Dirk is only getting better with time.
Dwight Howard:
Dwight has been in NBA for only six years but has already proved to be the deadliest player in the league. A five times All-Star, five-time All-NBA team selection and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight has led his
team Orlando Magic to one Conference title along with three division titles.
Dwight is a consistent double-double. His rebounding skills are easily the best in NBA and his point scoring ability is no less.
In 2008, Howard led Magic to their first division title in 12 years and to the third spot in playoffs. In the first round game against Toronto Raptors, Howard’s 20 points and 20 rebounds guaranteed that Magic come on top over five
games.
In that series against raptors, Howard’s tally of 91 rebounds beat the total rebounds achieved by entire Toronto frontcourt. In the next round, Orlando were two down against Detroit Pistons but thanks to Howard’s brilliant double-double
20 points and 12 rebounds, Orlando managed to keep the series alive.
2010-2011 statistically was the best season for Dwight where he finished with his career best average 22.9 points and 14.1 rebounds but despite his excellent show, Orlando failed to make any impact the very season.
Dwight has ability to score at will and his defense is concrete which makes him so dangerous. He has yet to win an MVP but the way he is playing at the moment, there is no way why he would not go on to win it in coming years.
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