Ranking the 10 Best NBA Players Since Michael Jordan

6 of 11

Apr 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dirk Nowitzki
1998-Present, Dallas Mavericks, Drafted 9th
1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-Star, 4x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team

Career Statistics: 22.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 BPG, FG% 47.6
Advanced Statistics: Win Shares 187.2, Career VORP 58.1, WS/48 .208, TS%

The Dallas Mavericks, led by Dirk have not missed the playoffs since 1999-2000, a run of 14 consecutive appearances. The only other player that can match that achievement on this list is Tim Duncan.

Yet prior to 2010-11 we somehow ignored the numbers because Dirk wasn’t perceived as “clutch”, he wasn’t a “winner”. Dirk’s championship and Finals MVP corrected that flawed narrative. Now we can appreciate the big German for what he is: the best international player of all time and the best shooting big-man of all time; and with Dirk still performing at an elite level we can expect his Career Win Shares (ninth all-time) and his overall ranking to continue to move up this list.

Next: No.5