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Dirk Nowitzki: The end of a legend

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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.

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“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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