Most believe that Jerry West's likeness has served as the inspiration for the NBA's logo since 1969. If the league were to ever consider freshening things up it would be difficult to find a more appropriate silhouette than Nowitzki's signature move.
Nowitzki's combination of size, shooting touch and high release point has made his version one of the game's unique weapons. And now stars like Miami's LeBron James, Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Minnesota's Kevin Love are trying to incorporate the shot into their games.
"It's an honor to know that some of these guys are trying to shoot it," Nowitzki said. "LeBron shot it the last couple weeks. Kevin Durant's been shooting it a little bit, and that makes me proud that I actually did something in this league that's worth somebody's while."
It's a work in progress for Love, but he believes it's worth it.
"Dirk spent many, many thousands of hours on that shot," Love said. "I don't know if there's ever going to be quite someone like Dirk, 7-foot tall shooting that shot again. But I try to pick apart different people's games and Dirk is one of them with the way he shoots it."
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle has had a courtside seat to watch Nowitzki's step-back for the last six years.
"He's redefined the power forward game and guys like Kevin Love wouldn't be coming along and shaping their game the way they are if a guy like Dirk hadn't come along and been the pioneer," Carlisle said.