It’s wild to think that there are sports fans who haven’t known a day that Dirk Nowitzki wasn’t on the Dallas Mavericks, but finally, an era comes to an end. After a 21-year career, the 40-year-old is retiring from the NBA as one of the most highly decorated international players to grace the game.
Given the bond that Nowitzki has shared with the Mavs and with the city of Dallas, it should come as no surprise that he decided to take a full-page ad in the Dallas Morning News to thank the fans in Dallas. It should also come as no surprise given that the guy is also a proven class act!
“This is not goodbye,” may be the line that piques fans’ interest most. Even in his post-playing career, Nowitzki may choose to remain involved with the Mavs in another capacity, as we’ve seen other former players do to various degrees.
But, of course, whatever comes will come later, and it’s just as sentimental for fans to look back and reflect on that NBA championship that Dirk brought to the city in 2011, the lone title in franchise history and a memorable one against the LeBron James-era Miami Heat in the Finals.
Nowitzki’s final home game in the American Airlines Center was, unsurprisingly, a tear-jerker. It included a surprise from hundreds of team and arena employees, a moving video tribute to his charity work and, as a cherry on top, a vintage 30-point game for the big fella.
