Dirk Nowitzki is getting very close to the NBA again. The 2011 champion wants to contribute his expertise for the upcoming season with the new global rights holder – and is looking forward to the task.
The steps in his new career are leading Dirk Nowitzki back into the spotlight of the NBA – and the heart of the American dream factory.
In Culver City, a notable location in film history southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the best German basketball player in history strolls in amazement through Amazon Prime’s state-of-the-art TV studio.
Dirk Nowitzki is NBA expert for Prime Video
Cameras are focused on the expert desk where Nowitzki will provide his assessments for a global audience.
An elaborate lighting structure hangs from the ceiling, there’s a bar, a lounge area, and a basketball hoop is a must. The spaces are generously designed and open, with innovative studio technology intended to set standards.
“I’m a bit nervous and slowly getting restless, I’ve never filled such a role before,” Nowitzki told SID at the Amazon launch event before the NBA season starts next week: “But I’m very curious and think we have a great team. I’m looking forward to it.”
Nowitzki, 2011 champion with the Dallas Mavericks, is one of several experts the streaming giant has secured for its new prestige project. For the next eleven years, Amazon Prime is the worldwide TV partner of the best basketball league in the world and wants to elevate the broadcast technically and interactively to a new level.
Nowitzki and old companions like Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade or Blake Griffin are meant to give the partnership face and identity with their popularity and expertise.
“I think we really have good chemistry, can share some inside stories and our experiences,” said the 47-year-old Nowitzki: “I simply hope we have fun and that viewers like the show. That’s obviously the most important thing.”
Nowitzki is getting closer to the big NBA hustle like never before in years. In 2019, “Dirkules” ended his active career. Since then, he enjoyed life with his family, took care of social projects, and attended the 2023 Basketball World Cup or Olympics in Paris – but otherwise, even as an advisor to the Mavs, a role he’s held since 2021, he remained mostly in the background.
“It’s nice to be closer to the sport again now. I’m fully involved again, of course watching many more games now and have already prepared a bit,” said Nowitzki: “I’m simply looking forward to the season starting next week, to see how the show runs, how it develops.”
He was drawn to talking about the game, “to put it in a positive light and show how great these athletes and these teams are.”
This also refers to the Germans in the NBA. National team captain Dennis Schröder? “For me, an absolute Hall of Famer!” Franz Wagner? Has already “played at an absolute All-Star level.” The development of German basketball? “Insane!”
Further assessments will follow from Nowitzki at the expert microphone.