Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

Dirk Nowitzki Received A Touching Lakers’ Tribute & Staples Center Standing Ovations

When Dirk Nowitzki joined the NBA, numerous players and coaches alike didn’t believe Nowitzki would even last in the league, let alone break all kinds of records for a big man. But he has done that, and continued to prove the doubters wrong throughout his glamorous career. Nowitzki not only changed the game for international players, but changed the game forever overall.

Young NBA fans growing up now will see the likes of Karl-Anthony Town, Kristaps Porzingis and Joel Embiid knocking down threes from the outside, but what they don’t realize is Nowitzki paved the way for every shot making big man that can step away from the basket and be a deadly weapon. Nowitzki didn’t just create the true definition of a “stretch 4 and stretch 5” he revolutionized those positions forever. Previously, players were drafted out of college into the NBA purely on their size and ability to rebound the ball and possibly block shots. Now, NBA scouts are asking “Can he step away from the basket? Can he pick-and-pop? Can he handle the ball? Can he score? What’s his range?” All these questions are now relevant, because Nowitzki has dominated and scored the basketball in ways in which we’ve never seen big men put the ball in the basket for such a long period of time.

If that wasn’t enough, Nowitzki also invented his signature shot which is now an NBA norm – the one legged fade away jumper. The likes of Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade have all added his shot to their arsenal, as Nowitzki made a living of torching opponents with it. What was once thought of as a bad and unbalanced shot, Nowitzki perfected and made it his go to move, which has still proven to be unstoppable even to this day.

For NBA purists, Nowitzki’s impact, excellence and greatness will never be forgotten. He is an NBA MVP, Finals MVP, a part of the 30,000-point club, a part of the 50-40-90 club, the most decorated and successful international player ever and an NBA Champion in one of the very best individual playoff and Finals runs you are likely to ever see as the Dallas Mavericks were crowned champions in 2011.

During last night’s game between the Lakers and Mavericks at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, Dirk Nowitzki was in the arena. The Lakers honored the retiree during the first quarter with a video tribute. Nowitzki then received a standing ovation from the fans in the arena. This is what’s it all about!

Thank you @Lakers I’m truly humbled https://t.co/A6FSHm5Vin

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) December 2, 2019