Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best power forwards of all time, and there is no doubt about that. Besides his great achievements, such as winning an NBA championship, Finals MVP, and regular-season MVP, what made Dirk unique was the way he played the game as a power forward. He was a reliable shooter who caused lots of problems for anyone who tried to slow him down.
One of those who tried was a one-time Champion, Channing Frye . During his time in the league, Frye had a chance to go up against the German sensation while he was in his prime, and it is safe to say Channing didn't have a lot of fun. But what was getting on Frye's nerves the most was the fact that Dirk wasn't arrogant while dropping so many buckets on him.
Frye admitted that Nowitzki was the guy who frustrated him most. Being 7 feet and having the ability to shoot the heck out of a ball is a deadly combination. For Frye, it got to the point where he didn't know how to guard him. In every aspect, Dirk was dominating, and no one was even close. For 14 years, Frye could do nothing but watch and eventually made peace with himself.
"He was just unguardable. It was literally like, 'What am I going to do?' He was an inch taller than me and shoots the way he does. He was smart. A big dude, strong, " said Frye.
Dirk really had a full package. A big man who can shoot while being able to create opportunities for teammates was an absolute nightmare for anyone. What pushed Frye over the line was Dirk's nice behavior. It was frustrating because he couldn't oppose him on the court or in the trash-talking way. Nowitzki would destroy opponents silently but effectively.
"God, I'm so tired of having to guard this guy, and I was like, 'What are you going to do?' And then he'd be the nicest guy ," addressed Frye. "And I'd be like, 'Shut up, Dirk. I hate that you're nice and I like you. You're a good dude, but you just gave me 40.' "
During the Cavs' amazing run in 2016, when they came back from being down 3-1 against the Warriors , Frye was an important piece. Although he wasn't the main guy, his ability to shoot the three-pointer definitely came in handy, as he was drilling over 50 percent from the three-point line during the playoffs. His inspiration definitely came from Nowitzki, whom he grew up watching.
" I grew up, like… Well, not grew up, but I watched a lot of Dirk. I loved his game," said Frye.
Nowitzki is one of the most famous basketball players globally. His distinctive playstyle is an inspiration to many young players and, as it turned out, some NBA players. But his biggest virtue is behavior. While some superstars had to go into menace mode to show their dominance, Dirk did it in silence. He believed in his teammates and worked hard. Being a great basketball player and an even bigger person eventually led him to one of the most legendary title runs in the history of the league.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Sep 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
