Six years ago, Dirk Nowitzki played the last game of his outstanding career. Finally, he got an emotional farewell from the arch -rival.
A world career ended exactly six years ago: Dirk Nowitzki, the best German basketball player in history and superstar in the NBA, played his last game for his Dallas Mavericks on April 10, 2019 in San Antonio. The day before, he announced his resignation at the end of the season at the home game against the Phoenix Sun.
In his last game at the Spurs, Nowitzki lost 94: 105 and was then celebrated by the audience despite the great rivalry between the two teams.
Dirk Nowitzki was considered the best German basketball player ever
Trace video stirs Nowitzki to tears
Before the start of the game, the Spurs already presented a video with highlights from Nowitzki’s career, in which the tears came to him. He always had to blow deep.
The fans of the franchise, who were the largest rivals of the Mavs in Nowitzki times for years, celebrated him with standing ovation in the AT&T center. “Thank you dirk” also shone on the screens of the arena.
Before the game started, GREGG Popovich also changed a few words with Nowitzki, which followed a long hug.
Nowitzki shines with a double double
Nowitzki, who played for 21 years for the same club, achieved a double double in 31:33 with 20 points and ten rebounds. It was his 411.
The number six of the eternal scorer list is 31,560 points at the end of its successful career. The Mavericks Clubidol hit his last litter at the basket for 92: 105.
Popovich did not fit at all that Nowitzki was initially defended closely by Drew Euban. Angry and wildly gesticulating, he tried to make Eupan to throw Nowitzki, as it had previously ordered in the timeout.
Spectators chant “MVP” again
The then Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle took the Würzburg from the field immediately afterwards, 46.8 seconds were still on the clock. As the previous day, the spectators chanted in Dalla’s “MVP”.
Nowitzki was hugged by teammates and opponents, he applauded the fans.
“I gave everything to represent the club and the city that I love to represent one last time,” said Nowitzki: “I hardly slept last night. I was totally excited. Now I’m going to be easy for now. My family and friends from all over the world are there. I will enjoy that.”
Nowitzki announced resignation the day before
Nowitzki announced the day before victory against the Phoenix Suns (120: 109) that he would end.
“It was my last home game, as you expected,” said the superstar in a speech about the indoor microphone of the American Airlines Center. The sports world then praised the exceptional player’s extraordinary achievements.
The Power Forward was the only German NBA champion to date in 2011. After the 2006/07 season, he was the first European to receive the prize for the most valuable player (MVP) of the season and made it to the all-star 14 times.
Nowitzki, flag bearer at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, brought in the 2002 World Cup bronze and 2005 EM silver. In August 2023 he was the first German to be included in the Hall of Fame of the NBA.