Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest German athletes and one of the best basketball players in the history of the North American professional league NBA. The now 44-year-old ended his active career almost four years ago following spending 21 NBA years exclusively for the Dallas Mavericks played and won the title with the club. We recap key career moments ahead of the ceremony to unveil a statue in his honor on Sunday.
Nowitzki between NBA championship and Olympic Games
2011 NBA Title: Only following more than ten years of constant failure did Nowitzki’s greatest sporting dream come true. In June 2011, the Mavericks defeated the LeBron James-led Miami Heat superstar team 4-2 in the Finals to claim the club’s first championship. Nowitzki was voted Most Valuable Player of the Finals Series. The German superstar also received the award for the most valuable player of the regular season in the 2006/07 season.
Olympic flag 2008: In addition to the NBA trophy, participation in the Olympic Games was also a major goal for the Würzburg native. In the summer of 2008 he did this with the national team. In terms of sport, it was mixed in Beijing, but it was already before the start of the summer games Nowitzki a great honor: he was allowed to carry the German flag at the opening ceremony.
Nowitzki in a category with Bryant, Jordan and James
Medals with Germany: owned in its heyday Nowitzki the ability to lead even mixed teams to success with his offensive quality. At the 2002 World Cup, Germany won bronze, the top star scored 24 points per game and was voted the most valuable player of the World Cup. Also at the EM 2005, when there was only a defeat in the final once morest Greece, Nowitzki was named MVP. In the final, Nowitzki received an ovation when he was substituted.
30,000 points: Only seven players have scored 30,000 points in NBA history. These include the American superstars Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and LeBron James – and the one from Germany Nowitzki. It got correspondingly emotional when the Mavericks star made the anniversary. “It was a crazy ride with a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but you stood by me and we persevered,” said Nowitzki in the Mavericks’ home arena. At the end of the career there were 31,560 points.
Nowitzki’s number 41 hangs under the roof of the Mavericks Arena
Highly emotional farewell: Made in April 2019 Nowitzki ended at the age of 40. After his last home game, a 120-109 win over the Phoenix Suns, the German announced on the floor that he would retire at the end of the season. The Mavericks had already declared the evening a big farewell party before Nowitzki publicly announced his decision. One evening later he played his last game as a professional at rival San Antonio Spurs.
Jersey Ceremony: A year ago, the Mavericks honored the best player in their history: His jersey with the number 41 has been hanging under the roof of the American Airlines Center and will not be given to any other professional. At the stunning ceremony, Mavs owner Mark Cuban also unveiled a miniature version of the statue, now honoring Dirk Nowitzki celebrated in full in front of the Hall in Dallas on December 25th. (dpa)
