All roads led to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night as Dirk Nowitzki's jersey got raised to the rafters by the Dallas Mavericks.
As expected, it was an emotional evening for Nowitzki, who played his entire 21-year career with the Mavericks, steering them to an NBA title in 2011. It could be argued that he's the best international player in league history, and it's only quite fitting that no. 41 will never be worn by any Mavericks player ever again.
But aside from his jersey being honored, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also revealed the first look of Nowitzki's statue that will be built in front of the arena (via NBA TV).
Mark Cuban unveils the concept for the statue that will be placed in front of the Mavericks arena 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JLSVZfyi6m
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 6, 2022
A statue showing Nowitzki in his signature one-legged fadeaway, which terrorized opponents for two decades, is the only way to go. Cuban said he promised Nowitzki the immortal tribute and that vow will be fulfilled in the near future.
Many NBA stars have expressed their admiration of Nowitzki, including Denver Nuggets star and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who praised the Mavericks legend for not quitting on his team even though jumping ship and former super squads increasingly became the norm.
The Mavericks were quite unsure when they traded for Nowitzki in the 1998 NBA Draft. He was an unproven, gangly big man from Germany. But he gradually showed he belonged in the league, rejuvenating the erstwhile troubled Mavericks along with Steve Nash and Michael Finley.
Well, here we are now. Safe to assume, the team made the correct decision.
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