Kobe Bryant on Dirk Nowitzki After Mavericks Destroyed Lakers: “Nobody’s Going to Be Able to Stop Him. He’s on Another Planet Right Now.”
Follow Us
Kobe Bryant won five championships in his career, one three-peat during the early 2000s and two later in the decade. However, Kobe was on his way to another three-peat in 2011 when the Lakers reached the playoffs. But, Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks had different plans and swept the Lakers in four games.
Bryant won two straight championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Lakers. He won the Finals MVP in both 2009 and 2010 for his dominant performance during the series. During the 2010-11 season, Kobe was in hope of matching Jordan’s record of six championships. He even became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points then.
The Lakers finished the regular season in 2nd place in the western conference with a 57-25 record. However, Kobe’s dream of a sixth championship ended in the playoffs as Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks swept them in four games in the 2nd round. Kobe praised Nowitzki for his performance that season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kobe Bryant lavished praise on Dirk Nowitzki after Mavericks swept the Lakers in 2011
Dallas Mavericks had swept the Lakers during the 2011 playoffs. Kobe was fascinated by Nowitzki’s performance and praised him after the tie.
“Nobody’s going to be able to stop him,” Bryant told Nico Harrison, who represented Kobe for Nike’s Marketing Department at that time.
Trending
Bucks Injury Report: Game 6 Return for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Looks Plausible After Miraculous Win
May 01, 2024 06:21 AM EDT
Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers
April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT
What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees
April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT
“Kissing & Hugging Too Much”: Charles Barkley Claims Michael Jordan Had No Friends, Warns Anthony Edwards of Tough Future
April 30, 2024 07:00 AM EDT
“I’m So Disappointed in Kobe”: Charles Barkley’s Bold Take on Live TV Forced a Midnight Call With Frustrated Lakers Legend
May 02, 2024 02:13 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“He’s on another planet right now.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dirk Nowitzki won the Finals MVP that season as he averaged 26 points per game in the playoffs. During the Mavericks vs Lakers series, Nowitzki started all four games and scored 101 points in total (25.3 PPG). Kobe Bryant has 93 points in that series with an average of 23.3 per game.
Dallas Mavericks managed to win the first two games which they played at their home. The Lakers then had two straight games at their home turf. But, they failed to take advantage of that and lost the series in four games. Nowitzki led the scoring charts in two of the 4 games from that Mavericks vs Lakers series.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: NBA Stars That Shaquille O’Neal Has Taken Jabs at: Donovan Mitchell, James Harden & Others