Where Dirk Nowitzki ranks on the all-time greatest foreign-born NBA players list

The Mavericks forward passed Wilt Chamberlain in all-time points on Monday.

On Monday night, Dirk passed Wilt.

Imagine you had said that on the night of the 1998 NBA Draft, when Dirk Nowitzki was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, that he would end up on a list of all-time total points leaders with other one-name NBA legends like Kareem, Kobe, Michael, LeBron and Wilt (Chamberlain, of course).

It’s astounding. If this is indeed Nowitzki’s final season — remember, he technically hasn’t said he’s retiring but it sure seems that way — we should absolutely celebrate the German’s profound legacy and the way he amassed those points. He ushered in the era of the stretch power forward and had an iconic, unstoppable shot in his prime, that one-legged fadeaway.

So where does he land on the all-time list of greatest foreign-born players? Here’s my take with a few of them (although please note Tim Duncan isn’t on this list despite being born in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He played for Team USA at the Olympics).

7. Manu Ginobili

He could start, he could come off the bench. He could score from all over the floor — including with some prolific dunks. He played great defense and shared the ball well. He popularized the Euro Step. What more could you want?

6. Drazen Petrovic

I am absolutely going out on a limb here. Before the Croatian tragically died in a car accident before his 29th birthday, he had put together two big seasons (20.6 ppg in 1991-92 and 22.3 in 1992-93) for the Nets. If he had continued playing, he would have absolutely earned this spot. None other than Reggie Miller called him the best shooter he played against.

5. Tony Parker

Between the scoring, the assists, the year-in, year-out consistency and the rings, he’s a lock for the top five. All that for a guy picked 28th overall in 2001. Good job, Spurs.

4. Steve Nash

Sorry to remind Mark Cuban of this, but can you believe Nash and Nowitzki were on the same team for a little while? The South African-born, Canadian-raised sensation was absurdly efficient as a shooter and uber-creative as a passer. The Seven Seconds or Less offense with the Suns couldn’t have run without its non-stop engine. Argue all you want about his two MVPs, but he earned them.

3. Patrick Ewing

The Jamaican-born Ewing came to the NBA with all the hype and matched it, scoring at will, grabbing boards and swatting shots. Had it not been for the guy lower down this page, he might have that elusive championship ring.

2. Dirk Nowitzki

Do you realize he totaled 20 ppg or more in 13 seasons? That he’s shot 38.1 percent from distance in his career while also hitting 47.1 percent from the floor, amazing for a player with that kind of range? That he hit free throws while singing David Hasslehoff’s Looking For Freedom to keep himself relaxed? Seriously: He’ll finish his career as one of the greatest scorers ever to play in the NBA, and when there’s a Hall of Fame exhibit on the modern game, he’ll be one of the first names shown.

1. Hakeem Olajuwon

Where to begin with the Nigerian legend? Hall of Famer, 12-time All-Star, a menace on both ends of the floor, MVP once, Finals MVP twice with two rings, the Dream Shake. If Nowitzki played that kind of defense, he might be up here too.