Dirk Nowitzki Snubs LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Names Best Player He’s Ever Faced in the NBA

• Dirk Nowitzki has said Kobe Bryant is the best ever player he's faced in his career
• The Dallas Mavericks legend has faced many Hall of Famers in the NBA, such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James
• The late Los Angeles Lakers legend inspired millions of people in the world and a generation of NBA stars

Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki has played against Hall of Fame talents in the NBA. He spent all of his 21 seasons with the Mavericks.

He recently said Los Angeles Lakers icon, the late Kobe Bryant was the best player he's ever played against in his NBA career.

Bryant was phenomenal. He inspired a generation of basketball players across the world. Not only that, he inspired people from all walks of life with his "Mamba Mentality" mindset. After his death in 2020, murals cropped up in every corner of the globe to honor him.

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The Lakers icon was not the only icon Nowitzki faced. The list is long.

He faced Michael Jordan in the latter years of his career. Other legends include Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden

The biggest moment of his career came in 2011 when he took down LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade to win the NBA championship, per Bleacher Report.

Before they reached the finals, they swept Bryant and the Lakers in the second round in the West.

Nowitzki names Bryant best player he's faced

During an appearance on Showtime's "Headliners By Rachel Nichols," Nowitzki made an appearance to reflect on his NBA career. While discussing how Bryant tried to recruit him, he mentioned that the Lakers icon was the best player he's ever faced in his NBA career.

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"To me, he's still the best player I've ever played against in my career…," via Clutchpoints.

Bryant was ranked 10th in the Athletic's top 75 NBA players of all time, behind Michael Jordan and LeBron James, who were first and second.

Nowitzki spent 21 seasons in the NBA with the Mavericks, while Bryant played all of his 20 seasons with the Lakers.

Nowitzki on GOAT debate

Sports Brief earlier reported on Dirk Nowitzki, saying James may become GOAT if he passes Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record.

Nowitzki said if LeBron passes Abdul-Jabbar, he could become the greatest NBA player of all time.

"I always say Michael Jordan is the GOAT," Nowitzki added, "but if [James] really surpasses Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] with the scoring record, I'm sort of running out of arguments for Michael."