DALLAS – This feels like it’s about milestones, tributes and goodbyes, and that’s OK. All the hints have been there, leading us to believe Dirk Nowitzki is hanging up his Nikes after this season, his 21st with his beloved Mavericks.
And while Dirk himself has left the window open for a return, we tend not to believe him. Instead, we revel in the moments like Doc Rivers stopping down a game in LA or the NBA changing its All-Star rules to place our favorite German on a world stage once again.
Dirk has rightfully called this all an “emotional ride.”
“It started in Charlotte where the crowd was chanting, ‘We want Dirk’ at the end,” he said, recounting the All-Star scene. “I’ve been getting a great reception ever since on the road in all these arenas. It’s been amazing. The Clippers come to mind, Madison Square Garden, all of them. It’s been fun and emotional.
“It’s been humbling.”
It feels, too, like this is one last time around the league for a superstar who shouldn’t be this humble. But he is in an age where I, me, mine is celebrated. And that makes moments such as Monday night all the more special.
We get to celebrate No. 41 and he gets to do it with us.
Dirk reached another milestone with New Orleans in town, this time passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time NBA scoring list. Nowitzki is back up to No. 6 after falling a notch when has was leapfrogged by LeBron James earlier this season.
The anticipation had been building since Saturday when Nowitzki pulled within three points of the Stilt, and the faithful who packed American Airlines Center for an otherwise meaningless contest between lottery squads came prepared.
“We were hoping it could happen at home,” Rick Carlisle said after the Mavs collapsed late and fell 129-125 to the Pelicans.
The fans were in it early, standing in unison when Dirk drilled his first shot, a jumper from the top of the key. Never before had a 5-3 lead elicited a louder roar. They got up for the next two possessions, with Dirk failing to get off a try.
And then it came. Taking a simple pass from franchise heir apparent Luka Doncic above the foul line, Dirk rose up over TCU-ex Kenrich Williams from 20 feet and let it fly.
“Took my time and faced him up like I’ve done a million times and just tried to shoot it over him,” Dirk said.
All net.
All love.
The affection poured from the crowd and his teammates. Anthony Davis and the Pels joined in. As did the basketball universe after Dirk moved up the scoring ladder again.
“The Big Dipper, huh?” deadpanned Nowitzki after scoring eight in 12 minutes. “Amazing. Obviously, it’s been a long time coming this season knowing before the year it was only 200-something points (away from Chamberlain) and there were times when I thought I’m not going to make it.”
Another moment to put into the Dirk Nowitzki time capsule. We don’t have many left.
“Yes, absolutely I’m aware,” Carlisle said. “It’s been a two-decade plus love affair with really a symbolic, iconic figure when you look at everything Dirk has done on the floor, off the floor.”
Just getting back on it has been a mini-miracle for the 40-year-old revolutionary big man after a slower-than-expected rehab from ankle surgery. Dirk hasn’t been right physically for most of the season. His will to work and compete has never been wounded.
“If you could see the things that they are sticking in his body, from the needles and everything else, all over him, to just be able to get out there and play you’d be absolutely amazed,” said Carlisle, Nowitzki’s coach of the last 11 years.
Even if he returns next season, the likelihood of passing No. 5 on the list, Michael Jordan, is about as likely as Dirk dunking from the free-throw line. Or maybe just dunking. Of course, the open looks should be plentiful with Luka and Kristaps Porzingis sharing court space.
Even if Dirk doesn’t overtake another icon, the company he shares is beyond special. The other legends besides Jordan and LeBron with more points than Dirk are all-time leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant.
“It’s still surreal at times to be up there with some of these names,” Nowitzki said. “I’m going to really let that soak in once my career is over and show my kids.”
So, what’s next on this unofficial victory lap? Only 12 games are left in the season, with just five at home, including the AAC finale April 9 against Phoenix. The season ends the following night in San Antonio, a most appropriate visiting spot considering the glory years of Dirk’s career were spent battling the Spurs.
Dirk likely won’t clue us into what’s to come. He reiterated Monday that a decision will probably wait until the summer. Whatever he decides, it’s his call.
Dirk’s earned it. Let’s enjoy whatever we’ve got left together.