- Tony Parker labels Dirk Nowitzki as the ‘GOAT’ of European basketball.
- Nowitzki acknowledges other European predecessors for their influence in the NBA.
- The two NBA legends have faced off 81 times in regular seasons and playoffs.
- Nowitzki believes comparing players across different eras is challenging but is grateful for the appreciation.
In a recent gathering of basketball legends, Tony Parker, the iconic San Antonio Spurs point guard, hailed Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks stalwart, as the greatest European basketball player in the history of the NBA.
As the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023 was being celebrated, Parker emphasized Nowitzki’s pivotal role in shaping the presence of European players in the NBA.
While honored by Parker’s sentiment, Nowitzki remained grounded, pointing out that many European basketball legends like Detlef Schrempf, Toni Kukoc, and Peja Stojakovic were instrumental in establishing the league’s European connection.
Nowitzki candidly expressed his views on comparing players from different eras, mentioning the vast changes in the style of play over the decades. He believes that while it’s challenging to designate a single GOAT, he is deeply humbled by the recognition.
Throughout their NBA careers, Parker and Nowitzki encountered each other multiple times, sharing 53 matchups in the regular season and an additional 28 in the playoffs. This intense rivalry, spanning numerous years, lends weight to Parker’s testament of Nowitzki’s impact.
