Another NBA legend came to the end of his career... This time is someone greater than usually. It's Dirk Nowitzki who is the European basketball player with the longest career - even if not the most successful career compared to Tony Kukoc. I watched them both from start till end, and I am more pleased with what Dirk achieved. Tony was a fantastic player and 3 time NBA champion with Chicago Bulls but Dirk was a humble guy who happened to be unguardable in game due to his size and one leg fadeaway jumpshot. Something that now is forbidden by the soft NBA system just because the 'punk' Reggie Miller abused it with the extra kick he flexed that leg to create space for his three pointer jumpshot.
I remember Dirk Nowitzki from day one he entered the NBA. Because I am a lifetime Phoenix Suns I noticed the trades my team used to make with Dallas Mavericks. So I ended up watching Dallas sometimes because one third of their roster was full with ex-Suns players. A.C. Green, Cedric Ceballos, Michael Finley, Steve Nash are only the most notorious players on that list. But one day this skinny, tall white guy with blond hair was substituted in and life for real basketball fans in Dallas was never the same.
Dirk was an amazing shooter. In case you didn't know the story he destroyed the NBA All Star team when he was only 18 by scoring 42 in one game. That's when Charles Barkley tried to convince him to skip army and go to play college hoops at his Auburn University. Anyway, here comes Dirk straight to the NBA one year later and now everybody is watching him showcasing that typical German precision we all know about if you lived in Europe long enough. What people don't know his humbleness is not German at all. That is only his! I always said Dirk is the nicest German guy you will ever meet.
The time I cheered the most for a player and even a team apart from the Suns was the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. I remember clearly my childhood friends writing me back to my posts on social media about the NBA playoffs and the Finals that year and everybody I talked to agreeing Dallas deserved to win. Some were saying if god existed he would have allowed that to happen. I still have the Dallas 2011 playoffs run along with hundreds of other NBA games in my archives, and watching both the 2006 and the 2011 Finals bring back wonderful memories. All that thanks to Dirk Nowitzki.
The following paragraphs are from the official retirement ceremony reported by the NBA media.
Nowitzki never shared his retirement plans because he didn't want a farewell tour, but he also said he only began serious deliberations on retirement when his lower body gave him issues late in the season. The 14-time All-Star got the farewell treatment on the road anyway, with opposing fans chanting "We want Dirk" and giving him standing ovations, and LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers stopping a game, grabbing a public address microphone and honoring Nowitzki. But the league's 2007 MVP and 2011 NBA Finals MVP also knew how difficult the past two seasons had been physically, including missing the first 26 games of his final campaign after a longer-than-expected recovery from ankle surgery last April. Nowitzki was experiencing flare-ups in his feet and ankles late this season. "It takes a lot at 40 to get ready every night and then with the foot pain," Nowitzki said. "It just took a little bit of the fun away from the sport I love. I think that actually made the decision easier for me." [Yes, the same was the case with Steve Nash and his lower back pain - Me].
Just like that, the best player in Mavericks history officially ended a 21-year, future Hall-of-Fame career. Nowitzki rose from an unknown foreign Draft prospect to a league MVP and NBA champion while revolutionizing the game with his combination of height and shooting touch. In doing so, he lifted Dallas from its doldrums to perennial contention and league-wide respect.
For that and much more, Mavericks fans serenaded Nowitzki with one chant just as heartfelt as the one before: "THANK YOU DIRK." That followed messages of admiration and appreciation NBA legends in attendance. Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Shawn Kemp and countryman Detlef Schrempf spoke in honor of the player who was shown in an old video listing each of them as among those he idolized growing up in Germany. "The only guy that was missing was MJ," Nowitzki said, referring to Michael Jordan - the player he passed to become the oldest to score at least 30 in a game. "That was my No. 1. They brought Larry Legend. I mean, it's, that was an emotional moment when I saw all five of them and I was in shock really."
"This is obviously super, super emotional. Just too many people to really thank. I put you guys on a helluva ride with a lot of ups and downs, and you guys always stuck with me and supported me, so I appreciate it." This is how the NBA report ends.
Well, true fans will support their favorite players no matter what. At least this is what it used to be. Luckily for Dirk, Mavericks fans always had the patience and passion to cheer for their stars. And they deserved to get and keep Dirk Nowitzki until the end. 21 seasons! Basketball players and their so-called fans of this new millennial era will never understand this kind of loyalty. I am so glad I had the chance to witness greatness of the golden era of NBA and international basketball.
Here is the video with the somewhat ad-hoc retirement ceremony that took place on April 9th, 2019.
And because basketball wouldn't exist without fans, I will share some of the most interesting comments I've read on YouTube where the people commented about the ceremony and the legacy of Dirk Nowitzki. I also added a few of my replies to their comments.
JS: I could not believe that Larry bird and chuck actually came. Chuck was just in Minneapolis the night before😂😂and when was the last time Scottie Pippen was social like that
Me@JS: Scottie is very active lately. Check his appearances on ESPN. He even taught NBA teams how to defend James Harden in 2019.
RG: I still dream of mavericks with nash and dirk and what would have happened if they didn't go separate ways
Me@RG: I am the biggest fan of Nash since he was drafted by PHX (and everyone else was booing him!) but I wonder the same.
Mavs got lots of faces that shaped the franchise, and Dirk certainly stood out among the rest. He could have left and joined other teams for multiple rings, but he stayed for 21 years in the franchise that drafted him. Man, humble.
Dirk is one of the best, most loyal player in NBA history. A true role model.
All time great!! Nice and humble guy.. had a great career... mavs fan are lucky to have had him.
You can't spell DALLAS MAVERICKS without D-I-R-K
More than 31.000 Points, 11.000 Rebounds, 3.000 Assists, 1.000 Blocks, 1.000 Steals und 1.500 3-points. All for the Mavericks.
The perfect example that you don't need to be an asshole to be a great and competitive player. think about it, he came as a young, lanky guy from Würzburg who only had played in the 2. league in Germany. then he won every major award in the NBA, revolutionised his position and by doing so, he kept the same goofy, loveable and most importantly humble human being. that's beyond greatness!
My son now is 4 months old. That's why I name him Dirk because of you Dirk Nowitzki. My Favourite Nba Player Of all Time. #LivingLegend 41/21/1
I flew twice from Germany to Dallas on my own just to see him. It was worth every dollar and every hour of flight time. He is a legend to me because he's one of a kind. I don't know any other athlete who is so successful and at the same time so down-to-earth like Dirk. A role model on every imaginable level. Take care, Dirty and thank you for 21 years!
GV: Mark Cuban should pay Dirk all the paycuts he have made for his entire career. Enjoy your retirement Mr. MVP!
Me@GV: $80M?! Mark Cuban promised to give him a job for life and to build him the biggest statue. I'd say that's not bad.
I am a laker fan and my feelings towards dirk were not positive, but watching this tears come to my eyes...legend
It feels like a part of my childhood is gone
Greatest fade away jump shooter of all time hands down!!!
yo daddy: Lmao in his fade-aways he barely puts his leg up
Me@yo daddy: It's not legal anymore! It's the (NBA) PC era now... You can travel but not compete.
Fan of you from 2006. You are humble and hard-working and talented. Thanks for your guide in my life
Got your jersey hanging in my room right next to the bed to remind me everytime I see it before sleeping why I love the game of basketball so much. Thank you for all the memories and inspiration Dirk. A true loyal legend to the very end.
HH: The first time I watched NBA was during the 2011 NBA finals ... Damn that series ... The mavs and dirk were the reason I started to follow NBA afterwards 😌😌 #MyGOAT #Legend
Me@HH: My first NBA game was...in 1991 but the 2011 Finals were the best and the 2006 Finals the craziest because of Dirk. ;)
I'm Japanese but your are my favorite. Your Championship is the most meaningful of the NBA history I've seen ever. Thank you Dirk.
Hats off to the legend, think about all that money he gave up in order to help the team.
Dirk and Wade both scored 30 on last game and retired the same time!
Comparing to Wade’s circus “last dance”, this is certainly more respectable
H: Dirk will mean more to Dallas fans than Kobe or D-Wade mean to their fans. Only Dirk could do what he did, take PAY CUTS (Kobe) and stay with one team like Dirk did.
Me@H: This is the best comment to all those LAL and MIA fans who hate on DAL and Dirk. Hats off to you, sir! :)
Such a super underrated and humble player... RESPECT THE LEGENDARY DIRK
I will not forget that Dirk destroyed the Super team by D. Wade and L. James(denying he has never been in Super team)
Real champion.. didn't ask for superstar teammates. Won a championship the right way.
Goodbye to the last honest player in NBA history! Not a Mavs fan but this dude is legend!
And now the real test starts for Dirk, good luck
Will gonna miss some legends next year
This new generation of basketball better be good with all these iconic superstars fading away from this league
How can anyone dislike this? I mean srsly... Even if you hate the mavs u gotta respect the man...
It is hard to find negative comment about my man Dirk, this restore my faith in people.
Well, there is always something negative in the comments. Even if not pointed straight to Dirk... Once someone brings up another successful player, the haters come out of their closet. And if it wasn't redundant enough to associate god with a moron's username it would be all swell... I will end with this.
Coin Roll Hunting and Basketball: What the hell, they're not giving credit to Jamal Crawford [from Phoenix]? He had 51 points [against Dallas in Dirk's last home game]. Who was the oldest player ever to score 50+ got 39, and no one's given him credit.
Lolll Jdd: Jamal Crawford as oldest player to score 50+ points.
Swag God: unfortunately no one will give a fuck, dirks career> jamals entire ancestry
jamexxxxxxxx: @Swag God he scored 50 at 39 years old, IDIOT
Hood Rats Unknown accomplice: Swag God why can’t u just be happy for both of them you asshole
Yeah, why can't we all just get along?!...
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