VIDEO: Dallas Mavericks Visit Retirement Center for Christmas

With the Christmas season in full force, the Dallas Mavericks visited a retirement facility in West Dallas to bring the holiday spirit and Christmas gifts to local residents.

As part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving, the Dallas Mavericks visited the Lakewest Rehabilitation & Skilled Care in West Dallas on Tuesday afternoon where they met with residents for the Christmas season.

The entire Dallas Mavericks team attended the event where they handed out gifts, signed autographs, served cookies and played games with the residents. This was the official press release from the Dallas Mavericks describing the event.

“As part of NBA Cares Season of Giving, the entire 2016-2017 Dallas Mavericks team will visit more than 100 low-income men and women living in the heart of West Dallas at Lakewest Rehabilitation & Skilled Care.  The team, in partnership with The Senior Source, will spread a little holiday cheer with residents, some who may never receive visitors, by helping serve cookies and punch in the main day room, as well as making in-room visits to those who are bed bound with special Mavs gifts, photos and autographs.”

For myself, it was a joy to attend as I normally talk with the guys after practices and games when they are in their competitive spirits. All of the guys were full of laughter and joy as they visited with each of the residents on Tuesday.

Mavs starting point guard, Deron Williams, spent some time in an intense game of dominos where his competitiveness did not take a backseat. To many people, playing dominos across from Deron Williams would be a huge deal, but to some of the residents, it was simply a new playing partner.

Here are a few more pictures and videos from the event.

It was a fun time for everyone on Tuesday afternoon, but especially for all of the Dirk fans at the facility as the Big German never disappoints. Nowitzki spent time going room-to-room with Justin Anderson where he helped deliver packages to each resident.

As Nowitzki entered each room, he would call out the resident by name and wish them a Merry Christmas in their room, taking pictures with whoever asked.

Superstars on the basketball court are one thing, but having this much joy and appreciation for fans after 19 years is another. Just another testament to the greatness of Dirk Nowitzki on and off the court.

Many fans simply see these guys in jerseys for their Mavericks a couple of times a week, but today it was service in their street clothes that brought the most joy.

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Hats off to the people of Lakewest Rehabilitation & Skilled Care and the Dallas Mavericks for such an authentic, Christmas event. Now the Mavericks turnaround to welcome the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at home.