Dirk Nowitzki moved past Hakeem Olajuwon for 9th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list on Tuesday night. Nowitzki, who has now scored 26,953 points in his career, has completely mastered the art of the step-back jumper.
Some would say the step-back is Dirk’s signature move. The NBA legend that he surpassed on Tuesday also had a signature move, and Olajuwon’s was known as the Dream Shake. The difference is the Dream Shake probably looks a lot prettier. Nowitzki realizes that.
“I came up with a shot where I just have to basically lean back, don’t be athletic at all and just hoist it up,” Dirk said earlier this week, via CBS Dallas-Fort Worth. “I came up with my own ‘Dream Shake’ I guess — the white version.”
Nowitzki joked that he does not have the athleticism to pull off a move like the Dream Shake, but he’s being modest. Dirk’s deadly step-back jumper requires plenty of coordination and is almost impossible to defend.
Two distinct moves from two Hall of Famers.
H/T Deadspin
