The torments are finally over, the time of pain it is also. Dirk Nowitzki has been adopted with a strong performance from the NBA. After more than 20 years, he goes to standing ovations and tears.
Chen Ying struggles to attention. The Chinese woman is standing with her friend, Xu Wei, in the second row of the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Directly behind the basket, to the Dirk Nowitzki the Warm-up throws. Ying doesn’t scream, but, no, she is much too polite. She holds a poster with both hands above your head. Dirk: thank you in German: “Dear, that you are stayed from 13 to 30 years with me. Love from China.” And at the very bottom, is to read the Please, Nowitzki is no longer you and all the other Fans to meet, however: “One more year.”
The night before, he had given in the framework of a emotional Celebration in the local hall known, to finish his career. Ying and Wei were also in the Arena of Dallas. They are for Nowitzkis last NBA steps a from their home to Texas. “I cried the whole evening,” says Ying. For 17 years she is a Nowitzki Fan. Your Idol is some tears on the eve.
On target: The Embassy of the Chinese fan, Chen Ying and Xu Wei is for Dirk Nowitzki
But now, about 20 hours later, he is again the concentrated full-blood professional. Just under 90 minutes prior to the start of the game, he comes into the hall, running hot and begins to Stretch. For him, Routine for more than 20 years. And yet, these processes are this 10. April 2019 here in San Antonio is something Special. Dirk Werner Nowitzki is preparing for the last Time on an NBA game. There are only a few hours until his Basketball retirement.
Rhythmic and round
When he comes home, there are a lot of Fans on the sidelines to look exactly, movies, photos. Nowitzki doesn’t look like someone who will keep track of the best Basketball League in the world soon, just as a spectator. His throwing movement can be rhythmic and circular. He meets four litters one after another – from the left, then a little more in the middle, Central and right. It looks so easy, like he’s throwing the orange balls by the white network.
At the launch of the Mavericks Starting Five just before the start of the game it is in the case of the first four names is quite quiet in the hall. But then it will be loud – euphoric and emotionally. On the video cube is a Clip with the Highlights of Nowitzkis career. Of the battles he has delivered with the Spurs greats Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Some were received as a “Texas-Thriller” in the NBA history. No Maverick of San Antonio was the turn of the Millennium, so very annoyed the club, so many headaches, such as Dallas’ German with the back of number 41. But can’t look up the video cube, as much as he is fighting with the tears. Then he takes a deep breath, and waving politely to the audience. He gets a standing ovation – as in so many other halls in this season.
Professional to the end: once again Dirk Nowitzki are all – against Rudy Gay of the San Antonio Spurs
“Home game” in San Antonio
The game begins. In the case of each of his litters a murmur in the audience is audible. And it immediately becomes louder and louder. This is also due to the many Mavericks Fans, who are, of course, drove the 450 km on Highway 35 from Dallas to the South. “It had sounded almost like a home game,” said Nowitzki. When he scored his first points of the cheers in the Arena almost as large as in the case of a hit, the host. This goes for the hosts. With a win they would remain in the table of the Western Conference Seventh, thus champion Golden State Warriors in the first Playoff round out of the way.
And, accordingly, engaged the Spurs-professionals. You have to defend Nowitzki tightly, giving him no room. He must work out every throw and every point hard. But he wanted to get in his career anyway never patched. Sometimes two Spurs defenders even with him, once he gets the Ball. Mavericks owners Mark Cuban referred to this double-coverage as a “great compliment” for Nowitzki.
Last litter of the career fits
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich (l.) and Dirk Nowitzki
The hits 49 seconds before the end of the Game with a jump shot at the 92:105. The points are number 31.559 and 31.560 his long career – and it is at the same time, the last action in the career of Dirk Werner Nowitzki, the adopted, with a remarkable Double Double. In addition to his 20 meters also ten Rebounds. Dallas loses eventually with 94:105, but the Mavericks Fans in the in these moments.
It hugs and emotions follow. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, the Nowitzki estimates, as well as the German leaves him, the outgoing Allstar know that he’ll always be there for him and can be reached by phone. From the stands, echoes of “MVP”. These three letters stand for “most valuable player”. Nowitzki belonged to the Bulk of his 21 NBA seasons for the Best it had to offer the League. However, a total of 1667 duty games since the 5. February 1999 have worn out his body. Be a year ago, operation on the left ankle that has plagued him still. If Nowitzki runs, it looks rough, almost painful.
But he will now have enough time to do everything to get rid of. Around at 21:19 local time, Nowitzki starting claps with the Fans and leaves to thunderous applause from the hall. In the cabin, he grabs immediately a beer, strips the sweaty, blue Jersey for the last Time from his body. Other athletes to lift the Outfit of your final career appearance, frame it, hang it at home on the wall. Nowitzki throws away everything. His NBA career is finally over. An exceptional player, many unforgettable memories remain.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendBye, Bye NBA
This has never been done before: Dirk Nowitzki plays 21. NBA season, all with the same club. It is his last. At the last home game in Dallas revolves around Nowitzki. The Fans and the club say goodbye to your number 41 with a gigantic ceremony in which Coach Rick Carlisle brings to the point: “You have so much of yourself and asking yourself for so little.”
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendAs a Junior, sought-after
Grew up Dirk Nowitzki in Würzburg, the son of a Basketball player and a second League-hand-ballers. He begins with the age of 13 with the Basketball, but it soon becomes clear that Dirk is an outstanding Talent. Already with 19, while second-division team DJK Würzburg, where he is coached by Holger geschwindner, and he lands on the list of Scouts from the NBA.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendA Mentor Is A Coach, Adviser, Friend
Holger Geschwindner, was himself a basketball player, took part in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. A lot of well-known he is to the General Public but as an Explorer of Dirk Nowitzki. In 1995, he convinced Nowitzki, to put on the Basketball. During his career, Nowitzki is his Mentor again and again as a individual trainer in the USA, flown in and put extra layers.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendThe “German Wunderkind”
In 1998, Dirk Nowitzki takes a big step in the best Basketball League in the world and is taken from the Dallas Mavericks. Mavs Coach Don Nelson needs to cheat on Draft, in order to prevent that the Boston Celtics to access in front of him. The Plan works and the German lands in Texas, where he will remain for the next 21 years, and for the “German Wunderkind” and “Dunkin Deutschman”.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendFadeaway, and other Strengths
Famous Nowitzki’s Fadeaway, a throwing technique that provides the back drop in the air space, and so the opponent’s Block makes it difficult. Often this is not as spectacular as the dunk of his colleagues, he is a master, but at least as effective. Whether from a distance or under the basket Nowitzki seems to have a solution for everything.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendBronze at the world Championships and Olympic participation
With Nowitzki to be the flag carrier of Germany compete in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, but was eliminated in the first round. Tragic: of The previously outstanding Nowitzki awards in the decisive game against China shortly before the end of the Chance for compensation. Otherwise, it would be enough to Bronze at the 2002 world Cup and silver at the European Championships in 2005.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendA title for the eternity
In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavericks the NBA title. He is involved not only as a player. By a salary waiver, it allows the start of the season, the commitment of other Stars, making the Team more balanced is better. In the final series Dallas against the Miami win Heat 4:2, even if Nowitzki is temporarily handicapped due to a fever.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendA German world star
The NBA title has previously won are still not German. By now Dirk Nowitzki may be counted as part of the German world stars, in a row with Max Schmeling, Franz Beckenbauer and Michael Schumacher. As the first European to be elected to the best NBA basketball player of the season, says Germany’s sportsman of the year anyway, and also ESPN’s Best male athlete of the year in 2011.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendClose to the people, humble and friendly
In spite of all the achievements – Dirk Nowitzki soil remains constantly. Whenever he can, he goes to the Fanwünsche, is available for Interviews. And is always attentive and friendly. Of airs and graces, no trace. His private life, the father of three children shields to a large extent. Scandals are not foreign to him.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendThree important women
Dirk Nowitzki gets married in 2012 to Jessica Olsson (l.), a Swedish gallery owner, with Kenyan roots. It is the most important woman in his life and mother of his three children, Malaika, Max and Morris. A great role mother Helga (right), and sister Silke (2 games also.v.r.), both Ex-Basketball players. The sister is Nowitzkis Manager, and head of his Foundation.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendSocial Commitment
Dirk Nowitzki is the curator of a Foundation for the promotion of socially disadvantaged young people. In other programs he is involved. Here he speaks at a press conference in South Africa for “Basketball without borders”.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendEver more frequently injured
No longer can the beginning of his last season, Nowitzki are so often on the floor, as he would have liked to. After an ankle Operation in April 2018 he falls for a long time. He no longer belongs to the Starting Five for the Mavericks. Mostly Nowitzki gets only short inserts. However, he still creates two milestones: the Sixth of the eternal basket hunter-list and the 10,000 Defensive Rebounds.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendSuccessor found
The best player of the Mavericks Luka Doncic (r.) is currently. The 20-year-old Guard from Slovenia puts on a great Rookie season with over 20 points on average seven Rebounds and five assists per game. As the designated successor to Nowitzkis Position, the Mavericks have already committed to the 2.21 metres big Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks.
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Dirk Nowitzki – he has been to the NBA legendModest to the end
After his last home game, Nowitzki stands alone in the spotlight, where he always feels unwell. Surrounded by the idols of his youth, Ex-players such as Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen and Detlef Schrempf, and he tells the Fans of his decision not to continue. The NBA legends, ‘ve looked up Nowitzki earlier, are now come to pay the even larger legend to take their toll.