Dirk Nowitzki get his # 41 Retired by the Dallas Mavericks

On Wednesday, January 5^th, 2022 the Dallas Mavericks held a ceremony to honor, celebrate, and retire Dirk Nowitzki’s beloved number 41. During this evening the Dallas Mavericks hosted the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Stadium located in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas Mavericks pulled out a win for good ole’ Dirk by defeating the Golden State Warriors with a final score of 99 to 82.

Nowitzki could barely suppress his emotions as he gave a highly – charged emotional speech to the fans of the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening. The fans cheered on one of their favorite players of all – time by chanting “MVP, MVP, MVP.” The native of Würzburg, West Germany was not only one of the best European basketball players to play in the National Basketball Association, but Nowitzki ended up being one of the best NBA players of his generation regardless of his nationality.

Dirk Nowitzki’s Career NBA Statistics

Throughout Dirk’s illustrious 21 – year career in the National Basketball Association Nowitzki compiled a regular season total of 1522 games played, 1460 games started, 51,368 minutes played, 11,169 field goals hit, .471 field goal %, 1,982 3 – point field goals hit, .380 3 – point field goal %, 7,240 free throws hit, .879 free throw %, 1,468 offensive rebounds pulled down, 10,021 defensive rebounds pulled down, 11,489 total rebounds pulled down, 3,651 assists dished out, 1,210 steals, 1,281 blocks, and an amazing 31,560 points scored. This is not including Dirk’s International basketball career either.

Dirk Nowitzki was one of my favorite European players to watch as he could score from anywhere on the basketball court, and he always put up his routine deafening numbers each and every time that the big German – born player laced em up. He played his entire NBA career for his beloved Dallas Mavericks, and he just wanted to win which he did over the course of the 2010 – 2011 NBA season when his Dallas Mavericks defeated LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat 4 games to 2 games in the 2011 NBA Finals. Nowitzki will always be remembered as a polarizing staple of the Dallas Mavericks.

Media Statements

“I almost made it through without getting emotional,” Dirk Nowitzki stated just moments before the banner – raising ceremony to retire his # 41 as his former NBA team in the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Golden State Warriors with a final score of 99 to 82 on Wednesday, January 5^th, 2022. “But you guys get me every time.”

“I’ve got one question,” the current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Jason Kidd, explained setting up a nod to the COVID – 19 circumstances that are leading to 10 – day contracts all over the NBA as fill – ins for players sidelined by health and safety protocols. “We’re giving out 10 days. You want to come back?”

“A night you’ll never forget,” says Luka Doncic. “The Warriors are one of the best teams in the world right now and we did an amazing job. And after that was even more special. To be there in the front row to see that, it was special.”

“This is because of who you are, what you’ve done and we always want to recognize greatness,” the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, expressed.

“You’re somebody who’s been a pioneer for international players,” the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, proclaimed.“So many players on the court tonight grew up watching you. International players used to be something different in this league.”

Dirk Nowitzki’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

• NBA Champion (2011)
• NBA Finals MVP Award (2011)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2007)
• 14 – Time NBA All – Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
• 4 – Time All – NBA First Team (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)
• 5 – Time All – NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011)
• 3 – Time All – NBA Third Team (2001, 2004, 2012)
• NBA’s 50 – 40 – 90 Club (2007)
• NBA Three – Point Contest Champion (2006)
• NBA Teammate of the Year (2017)
• NBA’s 75^th Anniversary Team
• Number 41 Retired by the Dallas Mavericks
• Bundesliga Most Valuable Player (1999)
• Bundesliga Top Scorer (1999)
• FIBA World Championship MVP (2002)
• FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2005)
• 3 – Time FIBA Euro – Basket Top Scorer (2001, 2005, 2007)
• 6 – Time Euroscar Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011)
• 2 – Time FIBA Europe Men’s Player of the Year (2005, 2011)
• 11 – Time All – Europeans First – Team (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
• 9 – Time All – Europeans Power Forward of the Year (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
• Mister Europa Player of the Year (2005)
• Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (2011)
• German Sports Personality of the Year (2011)
• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)

Sources:

Dixon, Schuyler. “Mavs retire Nowitzki’s 41 after win over Curry, Warriors”. The Associated Press. January 5, 2022.

MacMahon, Tim. “Dallas Mavericks retire Dirk Nowitzki’s No. 41 in postgame ceremony”. ESPN. January 5, 2022.

“Dirk Nowitzki”. Basketball Reference. January 6, 2022.