From the minute he stepped on the court, it was clear that Dirk Nowitzki was built different. At just 21 years of age, the Dallas Mavericks seven-footer not only shot the ball with unprecedented confidence, he delivered. In the thick of a memorable All-Star Weekend, Nowitzki gets hot in the three-point shootout, racking up a contest-high 18 points in the first round. Nowitzki would go on to finish his second NBA campaign shooting .379 from beyond the arc on 3.7 attempts per game.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki reaches final round of 2000 Three-Point Contest

Lose sight of a slashing threat like Jerry Stackhouse and he’ll immediately turn it against you. After running off a high screen from teammate Dirk Nowitzki, the veteran wing notices a gap in the defense and takes the ball straight to the rack for a hammer against the Indiana Pacers help side. Stackhouse finished with 15 points in the December 26, 2005 win.

Jerry Stackhouse

Jerry Stackhouse seizes opportunity and punches dunk through traffic

If you’ve got the Dallas Mavericks on the ropes, keep the rock away from Dirk Nowitzki. The eagle-eyed big man battles for a loose ball against the Memphis Grizzlies, then instantly pulls up for a game-tying three-pointer in the final possession of regulation. Nowitzki would go on to drop 36 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the overtime playoff victory on April 29, 2006.

Dirk Nowitzki drains game-tying triple to force overtime in 2006 Playoffs

Take away the strong side if you want — Jerry Stackhouse is unphased. The Dallas Mavericks swingman drives hard along the baseline in a playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs but, instead of throwing down a traditional slam, goes under the rim to avoid the outstretched arms of Tim Duncan and crams it on the other side. Stackhouse erupted for 24 points off the bench in the May 7, 2006 matchup.

Jerry Stackhouse drives baseline for slam on far side of rim in 2006 Playoffs

There’s no better stage for adding to one’s legacy than in the NBA postseason. Knotted in a Western Conference Finals battle against the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki pulls up and drains a triple to give himself 50 points and a 3-2 series lead on June 1, 2006.

Dirk Nowitzki pops off for 50 points in pivotal 2006 Conference Finals match

By the time they became teammates in 2008, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd had a combined 22 years of experience between them. Already on Hall of Fame trajectories, only one thing was missing: a championship. The smooth-shooting Nowitzki, sixth all-time in career points, and the elite-passing Kidd, second all-time in assists, were perfect complements to one another’s strengths. The pair’s chemistry was well-established by the first game of the 2010-11 season against the Charlotte Bobcats, combining for 40 points, 15 rebounds and 18 assists in a convincing 101-86 win on October 27, 2010. It was a warning sent to the rest of the league that this season would be a truly unforgettable one, a 57-win campaign that culminated in the franchise’s first and only championship — a 4-2 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat.

Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki combine for 40 points, 15 rebounds and 18 assists

The go-ahead three! Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks nails the big-time baseline three pointer to give his team the lead late in late fourth quarter action against the Houston Rockets on November 20, 2013.

Shawn Marion

Shawn Marion spots up from corner and drills clutch three-pointer

The shooter’s bounce! With less than five seconds to go in the fourth quarter, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki nails a contested jumper to seal the victory against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on February 24, 2014. Now that is what you call clutch basketball.

Dirk Nowitzki sinks game-winner at The Garden thanks to generous bounce

Forward Maxi Kleber of the Dallas Mavericks gets way up for the alley-oop pass from Luka Dončić against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 3, 2019.

Maxi Kleber

Maxi Kleber rolls hard to the rack for alley-oop flush

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson nails the deep three to beat the buzzer against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 7, 2019.

Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson pulls up for deep three to beat the buzzer

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Dirk Nowitzki

Jerry Stackhouse

Dirk Nowitzki

Jerry Stackhouse

Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks

Shawn Marion

Dirk Nowitzki

Maxi Kleber

Maxi Kleber

Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson