'No. 41'? Mavs Legend Dirk Nowitzki Earns Ironic Rank on ESPN's Top 100 Athletes List
In a recent unveiling of spots 50-26 on ESPN's Top 100 Athletes of the 21st Century, Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki secured the 41st spot—a fitting rank for the player who donned the No. 41 jersey throughout his illustrious career.
This placement puts Nowitzki ahead of contemporary NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo (42) and other sports legends like David Ortiz (45) and Thierry Henry (48). This comes a day after former teammates Steve Nash and Jason Kidd also made the list
Nowitzki's impact on the game of basketball cannot be overstated. His resume speaks volumes: NBA 75th anniversary team member, Basketball Hall of Famer, 2011 NBA champion and Finals MVP, 2006-07 league MVP, 14-time All-Star, and 12-time All-NBA selection. These accolades only scratch the surface of Nowitzki's influence on the sport.
“Nowitzki revolutionized the way the NBA game is played, a pioneer as a sweet-shooting 7-footer who thrived as a perimeter threat. But the big German is best remembered for an iconic post-move he developed midway through his career. It was his most lethal weapon when Nowitzki shattered ‘soft Euro’ stereotypes by leading the Dallas Mavericks to their lone title,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote of Nowitzki.
The move MacMahon refers to is, of course, Nowitzki's legendary one-legged fadeaway. This signature shot has become so iconic that it's immortalized on the statue outside the American Airlines Center, bearing the inscription "Loyalty never fades away"—a testament to Nowitzki's unprecedented 21-year tenure with the Mavericks.
This widespread emulation of Nowitzki's signature move underscores his lasting impact on the game. His ability to shoot from the perimeter as a 7-footer paved the way for the modern stretch big, forever changing the NBA landscape.
Nowitzki's ranking on this prestigious list reaffirms what Mavericks fans have long known: Dirk isn't just a Dallas legend, he's a global sports icon whose influence extends far beyond basketball. His combination of skill, innovation, and loyalty has earned him a well-deserved place among the greatest athletes of the 21st century.
