Landon Buford
Last month, NBA veteran reporter Marc Stein reported that the Dallas Mavericks would officially retire Dirk Nowitzki’s number 41 on January 5th against the Golden State Warriors.
Dirk Nowitzki, back in 2019 after the final home game against the Phoenix Suns, announced that the 2018-19 season would be his last season in the NBA. Suns’ guard Jamal Crawford almost spoiled Nowitzki’s special night. But, instead, he would finish the game with 51 points, shooting 18/30 from the field and 8/9 from behind the arc.
In the process, he became the oldest player to score 50 plus in NBA history, surpassing his idol Michael Jordan. After the game, Mark Cuban promised that he would indeed build a statue in from of the American Airlines Center in Dallas of Nowitzki.
“I promise you that everything you taught us will continue on,” said Cuban.
“I promise you; you have a job for life. And Cuban said he’s going to put the “biggest, most badass statue” in front of the arena to honor Dirk.”
That next night against the Spurs before the game, Mark Cuban was asked if he spoke to Nowitzki about possibly owning a piece of the Franchise that he led to a championship in 2011.
Cuban shared that he would be willing to listen if that was something Nowitzki was interested in earlier that season.
“It is an honor that he said that; I want to focus on me still playing, and whatever I decided to do after my career. We will cross that bridge when we get there,” said Nowitzki.
Jamal Crawford was on Twitter Spaces this past week in the Hoopspaces space.
Jamal Crawford was asked to share his thoughts on Dirk Nowitzki owning the Dallas Mavericks. Also, his thoughts on his jersey being retired.
“Anything he wants to do, he should be able to do within the NBA or within the Dallas Mavericks’organization,” said Crawford.
He also added that he would be watching his jersey retirement ceremony.
“I will also be watching his retirement night on January 5th.”
Dirk Nowitzki is slated to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
