During the 2001 NBA offseason, the Mavericks front office added Tim Hardaway to their roster. One of the reasons for bringing in the vet point guard was to provide better passes to the team's starting forward, Dirk Nowitzki .
At that time, 'Dirkules' was widely seen as a rising NBA star. However, Hardaway had quite a different opinion when he first got acquainted with the German.
"Honestly, he doesn't look like he can play. He just looks like a jump-shooter who can't dribble. But he has a lot of s***. That's all I can say, he has a lot of s***," Hardaway shared with SLAM Magazine (Edition 57) shortly after joining the Mavs.
Doubted by peers
Rarely seen are statements (at least the beginning part) like Hardaway's, where one teammate underestimates his teammate like that. It becomes even more remarkable when considering that shortly before, Nowitzki was voted to the NBA All-Third Team after averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds. So, Dirk certainly could play.
Yet, being underestimated like that for the Hall of Famer was not uncommon as he belonged to a special group of underrated NBA greats - those who have not always received positive assessments during or after their illustrious careers.
This may stem from weaknesses (even if minimal) in their games, their lack of success in obtaining championship rings, or simply how they present themselves on and off the court. Considering that, Nowitzki took a rocky path to be widely respected and acknowledged by the basketball world.
Silencing the critics
Playing for 21 years in the league, the German forward had to endure many setbacks, one coming right at the start. In the Mavs legend's first NBA season, the talented Nowitzki struggled massively and even contemplated returning to Europe .
Ultimately, staying and eventually dominating in the NBA, Dirk and his teammates made it to the Finals in 2006. However, they lost 4-2 against the Heat and soon faced an arguably even bigger setback. In the 2007 playoffs, the Warriors eliminated the Mavs, thus becoming the first top seed to be eliminated in a best-of-seven series by an eighth seed .
As a result, media critics questioned Nowitzki's ability to perform in crucial moments. However, the 2007 MVP, usually displaying a well-rounded game, as 'Tim Bug' also noted, went on to silence all doubters once and for all.
Fast-forward to his legendary 2011 playoff run. Dirkules averaged 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, leading his team to the Finals. Once again facing off against Miami, this time, the underdog Mavericks triumphed and proudly secured their first-ever franchise championship title. Significant contributions came from the 7-footer, who deservedly won the Finals MVP award. From then on, one of the best European players ever was surely no longer underestimated by anyone.
Related: “Maybe it was even a good thing for me as a player to lose that series” - Dirk Nowitzki was glad the Mavericks lost in the 2006 Finals
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