Wow. Well done, and thank you sir. In fact, words are quite hard to find to describe Dirk Nowitzki’s career. Legend among legends and pioneer of European success in the NBA, Dirk is a part of the history of the orange ball all by himself. MVP of the Great League in 2007, fourteen times All-Star and NBA champion in 2011, the career of the strong winger is a model for any basketball player. His legacy is immense, both in the Big League and in his country. So to pay tribute to this national hero, the German selection has decided to withdraw its number 14, unheard of until now.
Good that, the jerseys withdrawn and the tributes, we already know. Dirk also had this privilege with the Mavs, where his number 41 will never be worn again. Well, even better, the guy has his silhouette squarely on the Texas floor, if that’s not classy. In short, the tall blond is an absolute myth of the game, and difficult to thank him at the height of what he has brought to the world of the orange ball. If Dirk is a legend across the Atlantic, his heritage is also immense in his country. With 153 games and two medals in the colors of the Mannschaft, “Dirkules” is the top scorer in the history of Germany, and was even the German flag bearer at the Olympics in 2008. Understand that we are talking about a monument, which again this evening had the right to a vibrant tribute. Yes, on the sidelines of the meeting between Germany and the Blues, the German federation decided to take advantage of the event to withdraw the number 14 of the greatest player in its history. At home, in Germany in a room in Cologne full to bursting, the strong winger thus had the right to a poignant ceremony to see his jersey rise to the top of the room, unheard of for a selection so far.
Dirk’s number 14, removed from the German selection ????❤️????????pic.twitter.com/eAjqY8bdeM
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 1, 2022
Who says special event also says guest specials. So for the occasion, all the gratin of the Mavs had moved to pay homage to his legend. Mark Cuban, Jason Kidd, Michael Finley and even Luka Doncic, who was coming out of a very big game, were there, Luka nevertheless only had to get out of the shower. The ceremony begins and Dirk arrives all dressed in black, in Dallas class fashion, no pun intended. Even at over 40 years old, the guy exudes charisma. In short, the parquet lights up with the inscriptions “14” and “MVP”, and the Wunderkind jersey rises slowly in a grandiose spectacle. Fireworks, light shows and epic music, the German federation made the PEL crack to pay tribute to its champion and it was clearly successful. Ce jersey flocked number 14 sits at the top of the Lanxess Arena for a moment, then Dirk takes the floor for the traditional acceptance speech. The giant takes the opportunity to sign all his brothers and all the people who helped him in his career, his friend and mentor Holger Geschwindner tops the list. Mr. Nowitzki concludes his rather moved monologue, and takes the opportunity to greet the German players who enter the field. Thus ends the retirement of the most legendary German player of all time.
” It was fantastic. I would like to thank FIBA and my federation for this honour. My whole family is there, I grew up here. »
“I have always given everything for my country. It means a lot to me. »
— Dirk Nowitzki
A ceremony worthy of the gentleman, that’s what we will remember from this first part of the evening. For the rest, we hoped above all that our Blues would do the job against the overexcited Germans. For the knowledge ? Next article.