At the side of Mrs. Jessica and his three children Malaika, Max and Morris, Nowitzki enjoyed the celebration, which was attended by league boss Adam Silver and Mavs– Owner Mark Cuban also had numerous teammates from the former championship team. When it was the turn of the native Würzburg himself, he pulled a cheat sheet out of his pocket and gave a humorous acceptance speech for around 20 minutes.
A very special thank you went to his family, said Nowitzki, who from 1998 to 2019 exclusively for the Mavericks and has been enjoying life as a privateer and family man for almost three years.
One-time ceremony
Following the Dallas game against the Golden State Warriors (99:82) had the announced ceremony in American Airlines Center started. Nowitzki wanted to be surprised what was in store for him. NBA Commissioner Silver said right at the beginning that he had never seen a ceremony like this. “Dirk, they love you not only here in Dallas, but all over the world. 21 years with a team, and you brought this team a championship”explained Silver.
Today’s Mavericks-Trainer Jason Kidd – formerly Nowitzki’s teammate – spoke on behalf of the team that won the first and only title in the club’s history ten and a half years ago.
“What a journey. An unbelievable journey. You set standards for what it means to win and work. On behalf of the championship team, I would like to say ‘thank you’: simply for being you. You have always been one champion“, said Kidd, who put on a green Nowitzki jersey after his work as a coach was done.
In addition to a street named after him and the jersey honor, Nowitzki will soon also receive a statue. Club boss Cuban already revealed this in miniature form – and announced: “It will be in front of the arena – and the next arena and the arena after it. And it will be big.”
dpa
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Status: January 6th, 2022, 7:34 am