It took a genuine showcase of vocation reflection and nostalgic serenades of “M-V-P” for Dirk Nowitzki to at last say aloud what the basketball world has expected all season.
“As you might expect,” Nowitzki told the sold-out Dallas crowd, “this was my last home game.”
Much the same as that, the best player in Mavericks history authoritatively finished a 21-year, Hall-of-Fame vocation. Nowitzki ascended from an unknown foreign draft prospect to a league MVP and NBA champion while revolutionizing the amusement with his combination of height and shooting touch. In doing as such, he lifted Dallas from b-ball doldrums to enduring conflict and league-wide respect.
“I’ve put you guys on a hell of a ride with a lot of ups and downs and you guys always stuck with me and supported me, and I appreciate it,” Nowitzki told the group.
For that and considerably more, Mavericks fans serenaded Nowitzki with one serenade similarly as heartfelt as the one preceding: “THANK YOU DIRK.” That followed messages of admiration and appreciation from legendary NBA forwards in participation, including Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Detlef Schrempf and Shawn Kemp.
Indeed, even in their organization, the night had a place with Nowitzki, the just a solitary one among them to have scored in excess of 30,000 career points. The man behind that accomplishment and inheritance, the 7-foot German stated, will stay in Dallas long after his playing career ends.
“This is my new home,” Nowitzki said to a roar of approval. “I left Germany over 20 years ago and became a Texan.”