Dallas Mavericks: Where Should the Bronze Dirk Go?

The Dallas Mavericks would have never been any recognizable franchise had it not been for the work of one man. So with his career dwindling down to possibly his last season, the question must be answered, where will Dirk’s bronze statue go at the AAC?

Listen everyone…no one wants to hear it. No one wants to believe it. And definitely no one wants to think about it. But, the truth is, Dirk Nowitzki could very well be preparing for his final season in the NBA, and with the Dallas Mavericks.

I don’t want to open up the talks about when he is gone. To be completely honest, I think I may cry more that day than any other day in my life. That sounds extreme to people who don’t understand the impact that Dirk can make on a city. Not just a city, but every individual MFFL has been impacted in one way or another by the beauty that is Dirk Nowitzki.

Now that my little man crush moment is over, let’s talk about the one good thing that will undoubtedly come out of the end of an era. A statue. Not just any statue, but a bronze, larger-than-life-sized statue of the one-legged fadeaway we have come to expect night in and night out of the American Airlines Center.

There are no other options, Mark Cuban. This is what the fans want and this is what the fans deserve.

The only question that comes with this topic is: Where in the AAC should this work of art be kept? For that, I have a few ideas. Anyone who has not been to the American Airlines Center, I will try to describe it as best I can but I can’t promise that I will paint the picture that is in my head through my words.

You will have to forgive me for that.

In front of “The Hangar”

In the American Airlines Center, the big gift shop is known as “The Hangar” and houses all the great Mavs gear, including jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, basketballs, and even some Mavs embroidered cowboy boots. It is a little crowded in the shop but that is part of the reason so many fans like to go in and look around.

Dallas Mavericks

This location would bring even more foot traffic to the gift shop where everyone will want to see the bronzed Dirk-ness in all of its glory. This would probably be a great location to improve sales but may make it more difficult to for fans to get close to and see. It may even need to be roped off to the public.

Inside the Two Main Entrances

Right inside the two main entrances are big spaces filled with food stands, people passing out programs, and the crazy photographers that make you stand together awkwardly and then give you a card to buy you picture instead of just giving it to you there.

If the Mavs wanted to, they could easily find a location in that mess of people where a Dirk statue could go up on both ends. It would cost a little more, but I don’t think money is a concern here. And on top of that, those crazy photographers could use the statue as a photo-op and actually get some people to buy their pictures. Sounds like a win-win.

In Front of or Behind the Stadium

This one is my personal favorite because it just suits the legacy of Dirk the best in my opinion. In this case, the statue of Dirk Nowitzki would be located right in front of the stadium underneath the “American Airlines Center” sign at the top. It would be able to be bigger than the normal lifesize where I believe it should be 14 feet tall.

If that doesn’t work, then I vote we put it out around the back of the stadium where they hold the occasional post-game concerts and other things. This would be in a big open area where people would be able to see it from all around. Also, the statue would be able to be approached, taken pictures with, and available for the people to be around, reflecting Dirk’s personality perfectly.

Also, we would probably have big security cameras or maybe a laser gun of some sort in case anyone dared defile the statue. If that doesn’t work, I will talk to the police department personally about making it a felony to graffiti the Dirk statue. Something should stick.

Next: 2017 Draft: Which Approach Will the Mavs Take?

Obviously this post is a little more lighthearted than normal, but the point I am making is that Dirk Nowitzki will receive the best from Dallas when he finally decides to hang it up for good. He is one of the best to ever play the game and Dallas will forever be his home, no matter where he ends up.