LeBron James calls Dirk Nowitzki greatest international player of all time

LeBron James reserved high praise for the legendary Dirk Nowitzki following the LA Lakers' 125-114 Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Mavericks. James believes Nowitzki and San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili rank as the greatest international players to grace the NBA floor.

Here's what James said about the German forward (via Lakers Daily):

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"I think he's the greatest international player ever. I put him right there with Manu... That boy was cold man. Dirk was cold. He revolutionized what a stretch 4 big could look like. ... Dirk was tough, for sure."

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LeBron on Dirk: "I think he's the greatest international player ever. I put him right there with Manu. ... That boy was cold man. Dirk was cold. He revolutionized what a stretch 4 big could look like. ... Dirk was tough, for sure."

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LeBron on Dirk: "I think he's the greatest international player ever. I put him right there with Manu. ... That boy was cold man. Dirk was cold. He revolutionized what a stretch 4 big could look like. ... Dirk was tough, for sure."

Nowitzki is a former MVP, 14x All-Star and a 12-x All-NBA nominee. Nowitzki also won a title and finals MVP award against LeBron James' Miami Heat in 2011. The former Mavericks superstar re-defined the power forward position with his skillset. Nowitzki was one of the best shooting big men in the NBA, which made him one of the most difficult players to stop.

Dallas Mavericks honor Dirk Nowitzki with a 23-foot statue outside home arena

The Dallas Mavericks honored Dirk Nowitzki with a 23-foot statue outside the American Airlines Center, their home arena. Nowitzki's sculpture resembles his iconic fadeaway shot. He moved the crane with his son by his side to unveil the statue to fans surrounding the arena on Sunday. Here's a clip of it posted on the Mavericks' official Twitter account:

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https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1607079769329246211 (embed)

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Nowitzki spent his entire 21-year career in Dallas. He helped the team secure their first and only championship. Over the last two decades, Nowitzki was crucial in the franchise's ascension into a championship-caliber team. It's only fitting for him to be honored with a statue outside the arena.

Nowitzki shed light on the mutual loyalty that he has shared with the Dallas Mavericks franchise on the eve of his statue reveal and also discussed the 21-letter motto he left underneath his name on the statue, saying:

"Merry Christmas," Nowitzki said to the crowd. "Thank you guys for sharing your Christmas morning with us and with me. It means a ton, I'm truly humbled. I'm going to leave you guys with a motto.

"It is actually 21 letters for 21 years, and I think it sums up my career here for the Dallas Mavericks perfectly. And it says, 'Loyalty never fades away.'"

Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks have continued their partnership beyond his retirement as a player. The former MVP currently works as a special advisor for the Mavericks.

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