DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki watched and listened to two tribute videos and three high-profile speakers on Wednesday night before he finally took his place at the back of the lecture, which featured "41 Forever" on the front and American Airlines. was established in the center of Center court for a post-game ceremony in which the Dallas Mavericks extended their numbers to the Rafters.
True to form, Nowitzki began his speech with a self-deprecating story, recalling how nervous he was on the flight from Germany to Dallas after he was drafted in 1998 and the reception at the airport he was in. How much was affected? A large crowd appeared to welcome him, holding signs and cheering Nowitzki, which made him feel that "Dallas was the place," he recalled.
Years later, Nowitzki told a Mavs employee how special that moment was to her.
"He turns to me and says, 'They weren't fans. They were employees of Maw, and they were sent over there,'" Nowitzki said. "He was sent there to greet me, but I didn't know the difference at the time. It made a huge impact on me."
Of course, Nowitzki made a massive impact on Mavs fans during his impeccable Hall of Fame career, setting NBA records by spending his entire 21-year career with one franchise, earning Dallas the lone NBA title in 2011, and earning a long list. Did. Acclaim including one League MVP award, one Finals MVP and 14 All-Star performances. He reached the sixth position on the all-time scoring list with 31,560 points.
The Mavs' 99-82 win over the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors served as a warm-up Wednesday night. The main event was a ceremony honoring Nowitzki, as a sold out crowd of 20,441 eagerly remained in their seats, chanting "MVP!" In the form of chants he went to the middle of the floor.
Mavs governor Mark Cuban, who formed an exceptionally close bond with Nowitzki after buying the team in 2000, unveiled a model of the statue that would soon stand outside the arena.
"I want everyone to see your greatness forever, Dirk," Cuban said. "So your name is on the court. And even though you didn't want that, your silhouette is on the floor. And one thing we do so that all future Mavs fans and all future players will always know your greatness. We put your numbers in the rafters.
"But we don't only do that, Dirk, because I want everyone to see more of you and because I made a promise to you. I'm going to keep my promise."
Simultaneously, Cuba removed a black cloth covering the model of the statue, with Nowitzki shooting his famous, one-legged fadeaway jumper. The crowd roared of its approval.
Nowitzki's 20-minute speech consisted mainly of thanking dozens of people. Nowitzki expressed his gratitude to all three of his head coaches, describing how Don Nelson, Avery Johnson and Rick Carlisle helped him on his journey to becoming an all-time great. He thanked his teammates, notably Michael Finlay and Steve Nash, who "provided guidance early on when I was out of the house." He mentored many behind-the-scenes people, such as team security, public relations staff, equipment managers, etc. He thanked his family, including his wife, Jessica, and three young children.
"I always tell you guys, find your passion in life and work hard," Nowitzki said while talking to her children. "And great things can happen."
Nowitzki included his longtime mentor, Holger Geschwindner, as part of his family from adolescence in Würzburg, Germany. Nowitzki laughed that he thought Geschwindner was "a weirdo" when he first came to appreciate his unorthodox training methods, such as leaping across the court or dribbling while listening to saxophone music, and especially His unwavering loyalty.
"I know you don't like the limelight," Nowitzki told Geshwindner. "You're a shy and modest person, but that's as much about you as it is about me."
One of the themes of the ceremony was to honor the 2010–11 Championship team. More than half the players on the roster attended the ceremony, seated in chairs about 20 feet from the lecture across the court from the 41 members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra playing music.
Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, that team's point guard, was one of the keynote speakers along with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the Cubans. Kidd, wearing the green Number 41 Mavericks jersey, praised Nowitzki for changing the game and setting "the standard for working and winning".
"We're giving 10-days," Kidd said, referring to short-term contracts. "You want to come back?"