Five plays not even the NBA's best defenses can stop

NBA Season Preview: 5 plays not even the NBA’s best defenses can stop

Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 5

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dirk Nowitzki going to the block

Dirk Nowitzki isn’t close to being the athlete he once was, but he still can’t be stopped in the post. With an average of 1.02 points per possession, Nowitzki ranked in the 89.7 percentile in post-up scoring last season. Making that more impressive is he put up that level of efficiency while trailing only LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Drummond, Brook Lopez and Zach Randolph in shot attempts with his back to the basket.

Nowitzki’s bread and butter in the post has been and always will be his jump shot. He has an incredible advantage by being a seven-footer with a silky smooth stroke, and it makes him nearly impossible to block — usually the only way to stop him in those situations — when he breaks out his patented fadeaway.

To throw a wrench in the works, Nowitzki can still do things like this:

And this:

For that reason, look for Nowitzki to rank amongst the best post-up scorers yet again this season.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers