clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

VIDEO: Dirk's Game-Winning Shot Against Orlando

There isn't a more indefensible player in the NBA than Dirk Nowitzki.

With a fundamentally perfect jump shot and a release point of 7'0, Dirk can always get a good-looking shot against any defender in the NBA. And if he gets a good-looking shot, he's probably going to make it.

The Orlando Magic were reminded of that on Friday, when they didn't send a second defender to help Hedo Turkoglu in the post with the game tied 98-98 and less than 10 seconds left:

Earlier in the quarter, Ryan Anderson had attempted to flop on a Nowitzki post-up attempt, firing up the crowd when he didn't get the call. He had a crucial offensive rebound and put-back soon after, prompting him to flex at Nowitzki and start acting tough.

This was, of course, not the wisest decision for a 6'10 jump shooter with little chance of bothering Nowitzki's shot to make. Orlando switched Turkoglu onto Dirk with the game on the line, but at that point, it was already too late.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.