Legendary Dallas Mavericks big man Dirk Nowitzki has officially called it a career. While this moment was obviously inevitable, especially after 21 spectacular seasons with the same franchise, it is always tough to see a legend of the game hang up their sneakers for good.

However, Nowitzki did receive a hero's farewell as the 2018-19 regular season came to an end with the German-born big man now turning the attention away from him and toward Mavericks fans and the city of Dallas. On Sunday, he took out a full-page ad in the Dallas Morning News to show his appreciation for his fans.

Adding to the intrigue of Nowitzki's final go-round as a member of Mavericks, the league notably allowed both the Dallas big man and Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who also retired at the conclusion of the 2018-19 regular season, to participate in this year's NBA All-Star Game. With Nowitzki being added to “Team Giannis” and Wade joining “Team LeBron,” the NBA allowed both legends to go out on top with the Heat and Mavericks failing to reach the postseason in the end.

“Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade embody the best of the NBA: remarkable skill, drive and professionalism as well as a deep devotion to strengthening their communities and growing the game around the world,” NBA Commisioner Adam Silver previously said at the time of the annual event.  “As a global celebration of basketball, our All-Star Game is an ideal setting to salute these first-class NBA champions and Finals MVPs.”

Nowitzki famously brought the Mavericks the franchise's lone NBA title back in 2011.