“He's one of the players I would allow my son to watch and pattern his game after.”
—All-time great Shaquille O’Neal

"The boy is a genius.”
—Hall of Famer Charles Barkley

“I don't know if there is a shot he doesn't like.”
—Veteran NBA coach Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

“Being able to do what he does at 7'0" makes him unique.”
—Veteran NBA coach Del Harris

"Dirk knows what he's capable of doing. When a guy has high self-esteem and confidence, little things don't bother him.”
—Former Mavs head coach Avery Johnson

"Being compared to Bird is not easy, but he certainly deserves it. It's a big honor for Dirk, but it's also a big honor for Bird because Dirk is really special.”
—Former teammate Michael Finley

"Our friendship was something solid in a very volatile world.”
—All-Star Steve Nash

“He would have also become a good friend if we had met at the supermarket.”
—Nash

“It's scary how quickly he became Americanized!”
—Nash

"Dirk is playing at a higher level than any forward since Bird.”
—Sportswriter Bill Simmons