Dallas Mavericks: The one and only Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks have two games left this season, and if all reports are to be believed, these will be Dirk Nowitzki’s final home and away games of his illustrious 21-year career with the Mavs. What does this final home game mean?

There really aren’t words to describe exactly what today means to the Dallas Mavericks fans around the world, and more specifically the ones who will be at the American Airlines Center this evening. 836 times, Dirk Nowitzki has stepped onto the Mavericks home court and wowed fans in one way or another (108 of those 836 happened in the Reunion Arena before the AAC was built).

Dirk’s very first game on the Mavs home court took place on February 9th, 1999 against the Utah Jazz. Dirk scored 15 that night. Or maybe the first home game at the AAC, where Dirk broke in the new stadium with a rousing 21-point performance on the way to the first ever win at the American Airlines Center.

Who could forget the amazing battle between Dirk and Tracy McGrady in the 2004-05 season where Nowitzki bested the Rockets on his way to 53 points to go with his 16 rebounds.

Or how bout the 69 playoff games he played at the AAC over the years, scoring double-digit points in each and every one of them. He was also able to grab double-digit rebounds in over half of those playoff games at the AAC.

Even though he did not get to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy at home, some of the most important games of the 2011 playoffs were played in front of more than 20,000 screaming Mavericks fans. From the amazing game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers series to the 48-point showdown for Dirk against the Oklahoma City Thunder, to the win in game 5 that gave the Mavs the ultimate lead in the NBA Finals.

The point is, Dirk has given us so many amazing, unbelievable, fantastic moments in the American Airlines Center that it just doesn’t seem right that this could be the final one. From scoring 30,000 points to passing Wilt Chamberlain on the All-Time scoring list, the number of accomplishments that Dirk has shown the MFFLs is truly amazing.

To the fans that will be there in the crowd, enjoy these 48 minutes. Dirk may be around the Mavs for many more years after this one, doing whatever Mark Cuban has in store for him if that is what he wants, but this could very well be the last time we see Nowitzki stand on the big Mavs logo at center court, wearing his #41 jersey and having his name announced over the loudspeaker to a roaring applause.

As we sit and watch one of the greatest basketball players in the history of basketball wind down one of the most storied careers in NBA history, reflect on the great memories that he has given us. It will be sad and there will be tears shed, but we should all feel blessed that we were able to experience this great career on a personal level.

Dirk Nowitzki is the greatest sports figure to ever call Dallas home. Let’s celebrate him one more time here in the Big D tonight as the Mavs host the visiting Phoenix Suns.