Dallas — Dirk Nowitzki is frequently spotted attending Dallas Mavericks games. He is a franchise great who led Dallas to the NBA title in 2011. Jason Kidd, the Mavericks’ head coach, addressed the significance of having a legend like Nowitzki attend games.
“It’s great,” Kidd remarked after practice on Tuesday. “You’re talking about the best player to ever wear a Mavs uniform. Every home game, we drive past that statue (Dirk Nowitzki’s statue outside the American Airlines Center). So it’s nice that he’s in town and can come to the games and hang out.”
I then asked Kidd if having Nowitzki watch the games helps the young Mavericks players stay motivated.
“That’s a question for them; they might not know who he is,” Kidd added, prompting chuckles from reporters. Unless he stands up. That is a question for them. Dirk is a unique human being. It’s terrific for him to be with the Mavs. Hopefully, he’ll be around the Mavs a little more as we move forward.”
I asked Jason Kidd about Dirk Nowitzki and how it impacts the #Mavericks having the legend attend home games. #OneforDallas pic.twitter.com/lKWu19wcZk
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) May 21, 2024
Jason Kidd has admiration for Dirk Nowitzki.
With all jokes aside, Kidd has a lot of respect for Nowitzki. They played together in Dallas. Kidd witnessed Dirk lead the Mavericks to the championship.
Nowitzki has spent his entire career in Dallas. Dirk won a championship and was named NBA MVP in 2006-07. Throughout his career, he was selected to 14 All-Star teams.
Karl-Anthony Towns, a Minnesota Timberwolves forward, has claimed to be the greatest shooting big man of all time. With the Mavericks ready to face the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, Kidd was asked about the matter, given that many Mavs supporters believe Dirk holds that distinction.
“Everyone has the right to their opinion,” Kidd stated. “He can shoot it, no doubt about it. Look at KAT (Towns), he is a very confident young man. He’s one of the top big men in the league. He excels at shooting three-pointers. Dirk was one of the first to initiate that. So I think Dirk would have something to say, but I also believe Dirk paved the way for many of the bigs to become shooters.
Dirk was one of the first big men to reliably score from outside the arc. Throughout his career, he shot an incredible 38% from three.
Mavericks prepare for Timberwolves series.
This series will be a difficult test for the Mavericks. Minnesota is currently playing with a high level of confidence. Dallas may not be the favorite entering the series, but they are confident in their potential to upset the odds.
Game 1 is planned for Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. EST in Minnesota.
