OG Anunoby’s Insightful Comment on Reaching Out to Dirk Nowitzki: A Deep Dive into Mentorship, Shooting Mastery, and NBA Growth
On December 30, 2025, a ClutchPoints article titled “Knicks news: OG Anunoby drops a bar on his outreach to Dirk Nowitzki” highlighted a recent quote from New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby. In an interview referenced by The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, Anunoby reflected on his decision to contact NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki last year to improve his shooting. While the exact verbatim quote from Anunoby isn’t extensively detailed in reports, the piece describes him “dropping a bar”—slang for delivering a clever, insightful, or boastful line—about the nature of their conversation and its impact.
Anunoby reportedly shared that he proactively reached out to Nowitzki to “pick his brain on shooting,” leading to in-depth discussions on various tips and tricks. This outreach has evidently paid dividends, as Anunoby’s three-point shooting has improved noticeably, contributing to the Knicks’ strong 23-9 record and second-place standing in the Eastern Conference as of late 2025.
The Backstory: How the Connection Happened
The story gained traction earlier in December 2025 during the NBA Cup Final pregame show on Amazon Prime, where Dirk Nowitzki himself—now a broadcaster—revealed details of the interaction. Nowitzki explained that Anunoby contacted him last season, eager to learn the nuances of shooting from one of the greatest shooting big men in history.
Nowitzki recounted: “He wanted to know more about shooting, so last year he reached out to me… He wanted to know every little detail about feet, positioning of hands, breathing, where eyes go—he asked me all sorts of questions.”
The Hall of Famer emphasized one key piece of advice: finger positioning on the ball. He advised spreading the fingers wide and ensuring the index and middle fingers are the last to touch the ball, creating “rails” for a straighter release. This prevents side-to-side misses, allowing elite shooters to only err long or short.
Anunoby’s stats back up the influence. Last season, he shot around 37.2% from three. This year, he’s at a career-high 40.8% on higher volume, leading the league in corner three attempts. In the NBA Cup Final win over the San Antonio Spurs (124-113), Anunoby scored a team-high 28 points, including 5-of-10 from deep, showcasing the refined mechanics.
What Makes Anunoby’s “Bar” Stand Out
The phrase “drops a bar” in the article suggests Anunoby’s comment was witty or confident, perhaps underscoring his quiet intensity and growth mindset. Known for his stoic demeanor and elite two-way play (he’s a perennial All-Defense candidate with a 113.1 defensive rating this season), Anunoby rarely boasts. Yet, when discussing the Nowitzki outreach, he highlighted how applying those “tips and tricks” elevated his game—implicitly crediting the mentorship while subtly flexing his improvement.
In contrast, when asked if he’d ever reached out to a defensive legend similarly, Anunoby reportedly smiled and stayed silent, reinforcing his offense-focused curiosity here. This asymmetry adds humor: the defensive stopper seeking offensive wisdom from a fadeaway master.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Legacy as a Shooting Pioneer
To appreciate the outreach, consider Nowitzki’s credentials. The 7-foot German revolutionized the power forward position with his one-legged fadeaway and unparalleled shooting touch. Over 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks:
- Career 38.0% from three on high volume for a big.
- 2006-07 MVP season: Joined the 50-40-90 club (50% FG, 40% 3PT, 90% FT).
- Led Mavericks to 2011 championship and Finals MVP.
- All-time ranks: 6th in points (31,560), with 1,982 made threes.
Nowitzki’s shot was unguardable due to its high release and balance. His advice to Anunoby—focusing on fundamentals like breathing, eye focus, and finger spread—stems from decades of refinement under coach Holger Geschwindner, who blended basketball with physics and music theory.
Anunoby’s Evolution: From Defensive Specialist to Two-Way Threat
Drafted 23rd in 2017 by Toronto, Anunoby quickly became a defensive ace, helping the Raptors win the 2019 title. Traded to the Knicks in December 2023, he signed a 5-year, $212.5M extension in 2024.
His offense lagged early—career 36-37% from three. But post-Nowitzki contact:
- Increased confidence in pull-ups and off-dribble shots.
- Corner threes: Elite efficiency, exploiting spacing with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Overall: Averaging ~16-18 PPG, with elite defense on stars like Zion Williamson or Donovan Mitchell.
This mentorship exemplifies NBA culture: Veterans passing knowledge. Similar stories include Kobe Bryant advising young wings or Tim Duncan mentoring bigs.
Broader Implications for the Knicks and NBA
The Knicks, fresh off an NBA Cup win, are contenders. Anunoby’s growth addresses past criticisms of one-dimensional wings. If he adds a fadeaway (as some jokingly suggest next lesson), he could reach All-NBA levels.
In a league obsessed with skill development, Anunoby’s proactive outreach inspires. As Nowitzki said, great shooters miss only long/short—not left/right. Anunoby is embodying that.
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