There's something different about Dirk Nowitzki, and it seems as if the rest of the country is taking notice of the Dallas Mavericks' superstar. And opinion isn't being confined only to this year's playoffs: Nowitzki's legacy as an all-time great is also gaining momentum. "In my opinion, he's a top 10 player in NBA history because of the uniqueness of his game and how he's carried this franchise on his back for over a decade," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told "ESPN First Take" on Monday. "He's just right. He's leading the team. His shot-making is great. He's passing the ball great. He's one of the guys that's directing traffic for us defensively." Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6514530