Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ranking the NBA’s best international players ever
By Adam McGee
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki‘s legacy is particularly important in tracking Antetokounmpo’s own progression among the ranks of great international players, as it was the German forward who paved the way for Antetokounmpo and other Europeans to reach the league’s ultimate heights.
Outside of his NBA play, Nowitzki helped to drive the German national team to podium finishes at the 2002 World Cup and 2005 EuroBasket, but that still left his greatest moments reserved for the world’s most famous league.
As a member of the Dallas Mavericks for his entire career, Nowitzki was the picture of consistency and elite level play, racking up 14 All-Star appearances and 12 All-NBA selections.
Perhaps most importantly, though, when Nowitzki was crowned as MVP in 2007, he became the first European to be crowned with the NBA’s top individual award.
Nowitzki’s career high point undoubtedly then arrived in 2011, when he led the Mavericks to their sole NBA championship, being voted as Finals MVP in the process.
As the NBA’s sixth leading scorer of all-time, Dirk’s career will take some beating, although Giannis is certainly on a track where he may well be able to achieve just that.