Although they have multiplied since his retirement, Dirk Nowitzki still has a little trouble with tributes. Since the end of his career, there has been a street unveiled in his name in Dallas, then his number 41 was retired by the Mavs, and finally his number 41 was also retired by the German selection.
But all these events are nothing compared to what awaits him on December 25 since it is a huge statue in his effigy which will be inaugurated on the sidelines of the “Christmas NBA Game” between Dallas and the Lakers.
The statue will show him performing his famous step-back on one foot. “It was super surreal, and a little embarrassing for me”he confessed about the announcement of this new distinction by Mark Cuban.
A legend for the Mavericks and a role model for the NBA
Prior to that, he will be named today as a nominee for a 2023 Hall of Fame induction for his lifetime achievement, including helping to open the NBA up internationally.
Twenty-five years after its Draft, the league has evolved enormously in this direction since today we find a Cameroonian, a Slovenian, a Canadian and a Greek among the four best scorers in the league! From 2004 to 2017, only one “non-American” managed to join the Top 5: him.
“It’s super fun to watch”, he added about this globalized NBA. “And along the way, if I inspired someone to pick up a basketball or if I motivated a guy to work harder or dream of the NBA, of course it’s humbling. for me, a great lesson. It makes me proud, that’s for sure.”
As the inauguration ceremony takes place, Dirk Nowitzki is only just beginning to realize the scope of the honor afforded him by his candor.
“It’s going to be there forever. I think that’s the most amazing thing, that this statue will stay there and my children will grow up with it. That’s what’s really breathtaking and exceptional about it, that this statue is truly for eternity and will be there long, long after I’m gone.”
