For Christmas Dirk Nowitzki gets from the Dallas Mavericks own statue – and a victory on top of that.
So there stood Dirk Nowitzki, cast in white bronze, seven meters tall and weighing four tons. The real Nowitzki seemed almost small next to it – and that doesn’t happen often. And the real Dirk ventured a look far into the future. Even then people will still be in front of this statue in Dallas stand.
“Maybe Google won’t exist anymore, but somehow they’ll look it up”said Nowitzki: “‘Who is this guy? What did he do?’ That’s the great thing about such sculptures, that they are made for eternity.” For 500 years at least, the builders have promised, a giant made of metal now reminds of the greatest of the Dallas Mavericks – and one of the greatest basketball players in history.
The whole family celebrates
On Christmas Day the statue was placed in front of the American Airlines Center solemnly unveiled. Nowitzki, 44, was there with his whole family. The parents Helga and Jörg and sister Silke came from Germany. They sat in the front row with Nowitzki, his wife Jessica and their children Malaika, Max and Morris.
Inside the arena, they later saw a victory for the mavericks124:115 won Dallas against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was an important achievement in the race for the playoffsjust a small course in the history of franchise.
In this, Nowitzki takes on the leading role, which is now also visible in front of the arena. mavericksowner Mark Cuban kept a promise he made to the German immediately after his retirement in 2019.
A sporty life in Dallas
His entire NBA-Career, 21 years, Nowitzki has with the mavericks spent, in 2011 he led the team to the only championship. On Sunday (12/25/2022) also ennobled lakers-Superstar LeBron James the Germans as “legend”, “icon”as “best international player of all time“. Nowitzki have “revolutionized a whole position” said James, who played in the final in 2011 Miami Heat was left behind.
Nowitzki’s jump shot, which “One leg fade away“, and of course the statue shows him in exactly this pose. The inscription on the base also plays with it, Nowitzki chose it himself: “Loyalty never fades away“Loyalty never fades.
Other honors
It is not the first honor for the Würzburger in Dallas. His jersey is already hanging under the roof of the arena, the legendary shirt number 41 is no longer assigned. He doesn’t really like all the attention, he’s glad it’s behind him, said Nowitzki with a grin.
In August 2023, however, he should be in the limelight again. Then Nowitzki should go to the hall of fame the NBA be included.