S2.E27 | Lauri Markkanen & Dirk Nowitzki

Episode 27 of Basketball Now & Then stretches the floor with a sharpshooting big man comparison between Dirk Nowitzki and Lauri Markkanen, two forwards who redefined what size and shooting can look like. Seven-footers, perimeter touch, matchup nightmares.

The hosts explore how Dirk revolutionized the game with his one-legged fadeaway, elite shooting, and ability to carry an offense from the perimeter. Then comes Markkanen, a modern forward who builds on that blueprint with movement, versatility, and three-level scoring in today’s pace-and-space era. Similar skillset, different evolution. Each creates spacing, each punishes mismatches, and each forces defenses to adjust.

What connects them? Shooting at size. By linking Dirk’s groundbreaking legacy to Markkanen’s current impact, Basketball Now & Then continues its mission of bridging generations, proving that when big men can shoot, the game changes forever.

🛒 Shop the official NBA 🏀 Store to grab Dirk Nowitzki or Lauri Markkanen jerseys, gear, and more. Every purchase supports Basketball Now & Then. 🙏🏽

• https://nbastore.vwz6.net/lauri-markkenan-gear-collectibles
• https://nbastore.vwz6.net/dirk-nowitzki-gear-collectibles

🚨SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW our show TODAY🚨 Visit our website to access hundreds of hours of unique basketball content and see why we are a top rated podcast, downloaded in over 55 countries and ranked in the Top 100 basketball podcasts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts 

Listen on Spotify

You can also follow us on social media at:

YouTube: @BBall_NowandThen

Twitter (X): @BBallNowandThen

Instagram: @bball_nowandthen

Facebook: @Basketball Now & Then

TikTok: @bball_nowandthen

Threads: @bball_nowandthen

Pinterest: @bball_nowandthen

For EXCLUSIVE bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcast.

Listen on Patreon

Thanks for being a valued member of our basketball comparison community! 🙏

* With our classic episodes and legends series, we compare basketball players, not necessarily to see who is better, but to juxtapose their basketball journeys for the enrichment of the game.