Breaking: Dallas Mavericks’ 46-year-old Icon Returns to familiar ESPN’s List of Greatest Athletes Since 2000.

ESPN announced their top players since 2000 earlier this week, which disappointed Dallas Mavericks fans. As fans scanned down the article, passing names like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Clayton Kershaw, and Marta, they wondered where their idol Dirk Nowitzki was.

Nowitzki ranked 41st, trailing only pitcher Justin Verlander and ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo. While it was wonderful to see Nowitzki slotted in at the number he made famous with his jersey, 41, this rating seems low, especially given Kevin Garnett’s placement of 23rd.

Here is what ESPN’s Tim McMahon said about Nowitzki’s achievements. “As a sweet-shooting 7-footer who flourished on the perimeter, Nowitzki altered the way the NBA game is played. However, the huge German is best known for his classic post move he invented midway through his career. It was his most effective weapon when Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to their only championship, shattering’soft Euro’ preconceptions. His one-legged fadeaway is depicted on a statue outside the American Airlines Center with the slogan ‘Loyalty never fades away’, a reference to Nowitzki’s record-breaking 21-year career with one organization. The ‘Dirk fade,’ as it’s generally known, is copied by stars throughout the league on a regular basis.”

The comparisons between Nowitzki and Garnett will last for generations. While Garnett was easily the better defender, he couldn’t hold a candle to what Nowitzki did offensively with how he changed the game. Everyone wants to add a Nowitzki post-fade to their arsenal now while no one remembers a Garnett signature move besides his trash talk.

Nowitzki and Garnett both earned MVPs and championships, however Nowitzki was chosen Finals MVP while Garnett was not. Garnett was also named Defensive Player of the Year once, although Nowitzki made four more All-NBA teams than Garnett. Furthermore, Nowitzki ranks sixth in NBA history in scoring with over 30,000 points, while Garnett is now ranked 19th with little more than 26,000. There is room for argument, but they are at least on the same playing field, as opposed to being planets apart in this ESPN rating.

Other basketball players on the list include LeBron James (4), Kobe Bryant (10), Stephen Curry (14), Tim Duncan (16), Shaquille O’Neal (17), Nikola Jokic (28), Dwyane Wade (35) and Kevin Durant (39). Wade and Garnett were put somewhat too high, while Duncan and Nowitzki were too low for their significance on the game.