Nowitzki: Der perfekte Wurf

I know practically nothing about basketball over the last few decades. Over the years, I have become less and less interested in the sport. So, when I saw this documentary about Dirk Nowiski, I had no idea who he is--even though he's an NBA superstar. I say this because if you aren't a basketball fan, you still might find this worth your time.

The film is a documentary about the career Dirk. It also, at times, is really the story of Dirk and his mentor and personal coach, Holger. The emphasis of the film is that Dirk's success in the NBA has been due to very hard work, discipline and practice, practice and more practice with Holger. It's rather inspiring to see an athlete with such dedication and who doesn't seem like a prima dona and who doesn't live for endorsements and babes! Well worth seeing and interesting.

A perfect shot for us to see Dirk journey from Germany to the NBA, from a nobody to a most distinguished international player in the league, and all the ups and downs throughout his career. This gave us an introduction of how his style of game is built and has evolved. Also, it depicts every aspect of his life on and off the court, and let us understand him for more than a player from the mouths of every close people around him.

The biggest takeaway I would say is "being in" the process and story how Dallas changed Dirk and Dirk changed Dallas by the director's art of work.

Definitely a must-see for Dirk's and Dallas Mavericks fans.

Greetings again from the darkness. Dallas loves Dirk. The reasons why become obvious during this biopic that takes us from Dirk's youth basketball league in Germany through his NBA Finals, while including significantly more information on his family and personal life than we have previously seen. Interviews come courtesy of such well known faces as Kobe Bryant, Don Nelson, Michael Finley, Mark Cuban, Yao Ming, Jason Kidd and former NBA commissioner David Stern.

Contrary to many sports documentaries, this is no shrine to its subject. Of course, we can't help but be charmed by the "great guy" superstar, but it's through his life challenges that we come to truly respect Dirk as a man. Director Sebastian Denhardt is one of the most prolific documentarians and filmmakers in Germany, but this look at Germany's most popular and successful athlete is his best and most accessible work to date.

The most interesting segments involve Dirk's long time personal coach Holger Geschwindner, plus insight from Dirk's father, mother, sister, and childhood friend. It's during these times that we realize Dirk's "posse" is made of the people who he has always trusted – family and friends. The only two newcomers to his group of "insiders" are Lisa Tyner and Dirk's wife Jessica. Ms. Tyner is the Mavericks staffer who took Dirk under her wing when he was a youngster transitioning to life in the United States.

While the film drills home the importance of Dirk's work ethic and commitment to excellence, the most entertaining moments include: Dirk's first meeting with Steve Nash, Dirk as a stick figure on Holger's software, Dirk in a tennis skirt (for Halloween), Dirk dominating on the court as a teenager, Dirk's mother discussing his move to the U.S., and best of all, Dirk stretching the truth a bit while meeting with former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt … and then admitting it!

These days, disappointment seems to be the most common reaction when the curtain gets pulled back on celebrities and heroes. It's refreshing to look into the life and see that the biggest scandals were when Dirk was the one cheated by a former girlfriend, and he stood by in full support of a friend going through an investigation for tax evasion. Dirk shows he is as impressive as a human being as he is a basketball player. What he definitely isn't? A singer … we re-live his "We are the Champions" rendition from the parade. Dirk rocks!

Perfecting a shot - what a great title for a movie, even though it also would apply to pictures, moving or not. In this case, it's about Dirk and "his shot". If someone attempts a one legged fade away jump shot, everyone in the NBA calls it a "Dirk". Which is a testament to what Nowitzki has achieved since he came to America and started playing for the Mavericks.

Even if you're not a fan of Basketball, the documentary probably will entice you. Though you will get more out of it, if you're interested in some aspects of the game. The interviews are kept light and the man on display is anything if not humble. Someone who even though he has made it big time, still questions his decisions and tries to better himself as much as he can. Really nice behind the man look and all the people who made him who he is today