By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki almost broke into tears while talking about the love that fans of the team have shown him over the years.
“I’ve had a bit of time in the last, two – two and a half years to read some letters I’ve got. Or when I’m out on town, how many people have come up to me and said… thanked me for my services,” a deeply emotional Nowitzki said. “They are special. That’s for sure special.”
Nowitzki made these comments during the press conference ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony that will take place after the game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday (5/1). The German great will have his #41 jersey rising to the ceiling of American Airlines Center, the place that was his home for over two decades.
The Mavs drafted Nowitzki with the ninth overall pick in 1998 and he evolved into the greatest and most important player in the history of the franchise. In 2011, he led Dallas to its first-ever championship title, while winning Finals MVP against the Miami Heat superteam of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Throughout his NBA career overall, Nowitzki was also named league MVP in 2007 and an All-Star 14 times. He was a member of the All-NBA First Team four times while making the Second Team five times and the Third Team three times. In 2006, he won the 3-point contest of the All-Star game.