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 after playing exclusively for the Dallas Mavericks for 21 NBA years and winning the title with the club. Before the ceremony to unveil a statue in his honor on Sunday (6:00 p.m. CET), the German Press Agency summarizes important moments from his career.
NBA title 2011: It was only after more than ten years of constant failure that Nowitzki's greatest sporting dream came 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 a major goal for the native of Würzburg. In the summer of 2008 he did this with the national team. In terms of sport, things were mixed in Beijing, but Nowitzki was given a great honor even before the start of the summer games: he was allowed to carry the German flag at the opening ceremony.
Medals with Germany: In his heyday, Nowitzki had 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 against 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 Nowitzki, who comes from Germany. 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 stuck by me and we persevered," said Nowitzki in the Mavericks' home arena. At the end of the career there were 31,560 points.
Highly emotional farewell: 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, which will now be celebrated in full size on December 25 in front of the hall in Dallas.
