Dirk Nowitzki's number 41 was lifted into the Dallas Mavericks' rafters yesterday night after the Mavs took down the powerhouse Golden State Warriors. Scores of NBA players spoke about his immense impact, including fellow German players and former teammates.
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash spent six years with Nowitzki in Dallas, helping the club reach playoff success before leaving for the Phoenix Suns. He honored his former teammate with some awesome throwback pictures. Before the Nets game yesterday, Nash also explained how much he meant to the game of basketball worldwide.
"It's a great story for the global game, and the impact the global game has had on the NBA" – Steve Nash on Dirk Nowitzki getting his number retired tonight in Dallas pic.twitter.com/vNFHRJCWXj
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 5, 2022
Nowitzki and Nash are icons of their era, each winning an MVP award during the 2000s, though Nash's came with the Suns. They could have been an even more legendary duo with the Mavs had they stuck together for longer. Regardless, Nash played a key role as one of Nowitzki's best-ever teammates. Although Nowitzki won his title years after Nash's departure from Dallas, Nash helped put the Nowitzki-led Mavs on the map.
Both players remained close to the game after retirement, with Nowitzki appearing on Dallas' game broadcast from time to time and Nash securing the head coaching gig in Brooklyn. While it's not totally clear what the future holds for Nowitzki as it pertains to basketball, he will go down in history as a legend of the game.
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