The Fadeaway One-Legged Leaner

Dirk Nowitzki owns one unstoppable move—the "one-legged fadeaway leaner." He catches, plants one leg, leans far back and releases; at 7 feet with that arc, defenders can only watch.

Its terror is "unblockable." Even tight, Dirk creates space with length and lean. In 2011 he closed many games with it, becoming Dallas’ most reliable finisher.

Rarely is this a power forward’s tool—traditional bigs post up, but Dirk’s perimeter soft touch redefined the "stretch four" template.

Some weapons belong to one man. Dirk’s leaner is exactly that signature.

Related Reading

• 2011 NBA Finals MVP: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
• Nowitzki's Finals MVP Glory Moment
• Dirk Nowitzki: Hard Work and Role Model
• 2007 NBA MVP: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
• Dirk Nowitzki: Glory and Idol— The German Who Raised the Rim Above His Head