Dirk Nowitzki to El Comercio after retiring his number: “It is an honor to have inspired other players”

In the neighborhood of Parque Victoria, in Dallas, is the American Airlines Center, a pavilion for 20 thousand people who usually accompany the Mavericks, franchise of the NBA. In a few months, at the entrance of the sports complex, a statue of 2.13 meters will appear, corresponding to the silhouette of the German Dirk Nowitzki. On the night of January 5, the victory against Warriors was in the background, as all the fans gathered to accompany the greatest banner in the history of the franchise on a very special day: they removed the number 41 and hoisted his shirt at the top of the coliseum located in Texas. After the ceremony, El Comercio spoke with the 43-year-old power forward, who said he was honored for “having inspired other players.”

Dirk Nowitzki he wiped away a tear as his No. 41 slowly rose over the stadium, not far from the stage where the German star had avoided crying during a 20-minute speech.

The power forward thanked multiple personalities in a ceremony that featured some members of the 2011 champion squad. The European was equanimous and did not show too many emotions, until it was time to thank the fans. The roar of the AAC caused Nowitzki shed a tear while applauding the audience that cheered him so many times.

“I almost made it to the end without getting emotional“, he claimed Nowitzki moments before the raising of the flag marked the end of the ceremony to withdraw his number. “But you guys always move me”, He sentenced.

The Mavs paid tribute almost three years after Nowitzki announced his retirement from the American Airlines Center court, following his last home game in the 2018-19 season. The German played one more match, in San Antonio.

Nowitzki, who is currently 43 years old, played 21 seasons with the same franchise, breaking Kobe Bryant’s record of 20 with the Lakers.

Likewise, no other foreigner has scored more points in the history of the NBA. With it in the backpack, Nowitzki led the Mavs to the only title in its history, in 2011, and to its other appearance in the NBA Finals, five years before.

After the end of the ceremony, I was able to converse with Dirk Nowitzki at a press conference. I consulted the following: “Dirk, the FIBA ​​secretary said that in the 90′s players wanted to be like Michael Jordan; however, in the following decade, internationals sought to be like Dirk, did you feel that way too? “

The German replied as follows: “I do not know. I really do not know, but I am honored that they say that about me, I take it with great humility. If I have been able to inspire or pave the way for other players, I am proud of that. There were great internationals before he arrived in the NBA like Vlade Divac, Toni Kukoc or Drazen Petrovic. I took that legacy and tried to take it further. But as I say, if I have been able to inspire someone, anywhere in the world, to take a ball and enjoy this sport, I would feel honored and very happy.”.

It should be noted that Mark Cuban, owner and great friend of Dirk Nowitzki, confirmed that they will make a statue at the door of the American Airlines Center, in the same style as Michael Jordan in Chicago.