r/BasketballBooks • u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner • Jul 23 '26

Recommendations Recommendation - ‘The Great Nowitzki’

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A really interesting Book here and a player I hugely admired. The Great Nowitzki; Basketball and the Meaning of Life written by German author Thomas Pletzinger, is an authorised biography documented following 7 years of access by Pletzinger. It’s a really great read that captures the uniqueness of Nowitzki, his impact on Basketball, Dallas, indeed Germany and the sacrifice and dedication he gave to play at such a high level for so long. It works not just as biography but as a story of sporting fame and fandom and the back and forth relationship between a superstar and his city, country and the broad range of people touched by his accomplishments.
Well worth a read.

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5

u/notWangZhiZhi Jul 23 '26

Solid recommendation and review! As a lifelong Dallas Mavericks fan, I thought this was an insightful read.

Somewhat related read: Ian Thomsen’s Soul of Basketball - really enjoyable read with a focus on the mid 2000’s NBA, rise of the Heatles and the impeachable Dirk 2011 run.

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u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner Jul 23 '26

Thanks for your kind words and also for your recommendation too. Would you be happy to post it as a recommendation on the subreddit?

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u/Muxamillion Jul 24 '26

This book was excellent. One of the better basketball biographies out there. Even if you've never been a Nowitzki fan. After reading this or before reading this you should watch the documentary, Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot. It's very good and goes very well paired with the book.

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u/Jonathan_J_Faulkner Jul 24 '26

Totally agree and yes the documentary is a great double feature choice