On February 26, 2019, the Clippers played against the Lone Ranger, with the last 9.4 seconds left in the game, the Clippers were already leading by a large margin, and the game was out of suspense, just at this time Clippers coach Rivers made a surprising move, calling a timeout for the opponent! He then picked up the microphone on the spot and called on the fans to pay tribute to the "German chariot" - Dirk Nowitzki. Because it was the "old driver's" last game at home for the Clippers.
The Clippers players went forward to shake hands with Nowitzki one by one, which was supposed to be placed after the end of the game, but it was precisely because of Rivers' heart-warming suspension that fans around the world could see such a warm scene in the TV broadcast screen, so that the Lone Ranger and their fans could add another unforgettable moment to Nowitzki.
Today is a special day for them, when they will hold a jersey retirement ceremony for their legendary superstar Nowitzki at the American Airlines Center.
In the 1998 NBA Draft, Nowitzki was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the ninth overall pick in the first round, and was traded to the Mavericks (now the Lone Ranger) to start a 21-season NBA career, announcing his retirement on April 10, 2019.
Nowitzki has accolades in his career, playing in 1,522 regular-season games, averaging 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, and he also has the record for the most appearances by a single team in the NBA. With a career total of 31,560 points, he ranks sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
He was named an All-Star 14 times, a 12-time All-Team member, a regular season MVP in 2006–07, and a championship and finals MVP in 2010–11.
He is now the fourth player in team history to retire a jersey after Derek Harper (12th), Brad Davis (15th) and Rolando Buckman (22nd).
At the ceremony, Kidd led the 2011 Lone Ranger championship lineup. Marion, Chandler, Barria, Peggy, Butler and other familiar names.
Did this wave of memory kills touch you?
Kidd, the current head coach of the Lone Rangers, was the first to take the stage as a teammate representative, and in his speech, he also teased Nowitzki: "We can give you a 10-day contract, welcome back at any time!" ”
Lone Ranger boss Cuban gave a heartfelt speech and displayed the statue of the Dirk Golden Rooster Independence.
"Your name is already on the pitch and whether you like it or not, it's always there. In the future, all Lone Ranger players will know your greatness, because your jersey will always hang high above the arena. And promised to put a bigger statue outside the arena in the future.
Dirk stepped forward to hug Cuban, and over the years the two trusted and supported each other, Kuban responded to Dirk's needs, and Dirk repeatedly cut salaries to help the team strengthen, and finally the two achieved each other and passed it as a good story.
The words say that this full of silver personal statues is sure not "Call you a voice do you dare to say yes?" ”
Finally, it is the turn of today's protagonist, Nowitzki, to give a speech. He put his thanks to the fans at the end of his speech, and the audience gave a standing ovation.
"Thank you for embracing and accepting me, a tall and thin lad, more than twenty years ago, for making me one of you, and I will be forever grateful."
Love to the depths, tears spilled on the scene
In fact, Nowitzki choked up at a press conference the day before the ceremony, when he talked about the letters he received from Dallas fans expressing his gratitude for his unrepentant efforts to the team.
"In the past 2 and a half years, I finally have some time to read these letters, or I will have a lot of people on the road to say thank you, that is really special and special feeling." 」
Watching the No. 41 jersey take off in less than 2 minutes at the American Airlines Center was a rush of 21 years from a young blonde teenager to an old driver.
Looking back on his career, he won the MVP in 2007, one person and one city alone are not afraid of loneliness, 11 years of hard to pick the strong enemy in the West to reach the Finals, single-core led the team to cut the Heat Big Three under the horse, the horseshoe stepped on the dust and left a strong mark in the history of the NBA.
The "German Chariot" has laid a solid foundation for international players to enter the NBA. As NBA President Adam Xiaohua said, "Fans all over the world love you, you redefine international players!" ”
In recent years, more and more talented international players have emerged in the NBA, the new MVP winner Jokic, the magic teenager Doncic, the unicorn Porzingis, the rising star Barrett, Shen Jing, etc. With the success of many international players such as Nowitzki, Ginobili, Parker, Nash and so on, I believe that more international players will shine on the NBA stage in the future.
Nowitzki, who has won many honors, was also questioned in his early years. In the first round of the 2007 playoffs, the Lone Ranger was brutally attacked by the Warriors, and the furious Nowitzki smashed a hole in the wall of the Player Passage at Oracle Arena.
However, instead of fixing the hole, Oracle Arena covered it with glass and hung a Warriors-themed T-shirt with the words "we believe." When Dirk led the Lone Rangers to victory in 2011, he accepted the Warriors' invitation to sign his name next to that hole.
Interestingly, today the Lone Ranger held a jersey retirement ceremony at home for Nowitzki, facing the Golden State Warriors.
In the 21 years of his military career, Nowitzki has been inextricably linked to Chinese players.
He has played countless good plays with Yao Ming in the same field many times, and has become teammates with Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian.
At the half-time of the 2018 China Match, Wang Zhizhi also gave Dirk a guitar, and Dirk loved it, and the guitar is still stored in Dirk's home, just like the friendship between them is also hidden.
Nowitzki undoubtedly has a high popularity and reputation in China. He has crossed the high mountains, also climbed out of the troughs, fought countless heroes in his life, stood on the top of the mountain one by one, waved the dallas lone wolf's battle flag above his head, he is the eternal legend of Dallas, and he is the king of noun who belongs to the youth memory of this generation.
Congratulations to Nowitzki! 41Forever！
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