Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki throwback fans have to see

Dallas Mavericks GOAT Dirk Nowitzki visits Dallas in June 1998

The Dallas Mavericks had a franchise-changing draft night in 1998. They traded back to secure the rights to Dirk Nowitzki. Then, flipped the second first rounder they got in the Dirk deal for Steve Nash. It allowed Dallas to turn around their franchise and begin a two-decade run of success.

It is easy to forget that both deals were risky at the moment. There was no guaranteed Dirk was going to come over from Germany. It was an even smaller chance he turned into the Mavericks GOAT and changed the game of basketball. Nash was the Phoenix Suns backup point guard in his two seasons. He was averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 assists per game when he came to Dallas.

Mavs fans got a flashback on Sunday. Here is a look at Dirk Nowitzki before he played a minute in the NBA.

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki comes to Dallas in June 1998

The Mavs continued to bring it on social media. On Sunday, they posted a video of Dirk visiting Dallas on June 28, 1998. That is just days after he was drafted. Fans have to see it.

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1277290321668452358

Most Mavericks supporters probably do not remember that version of Nowitzki. He did ultimately come to Dallas immediately. It was a rocky rookie season, though. Fans can see his best moments from 1999 here.

Dirk turned it on in year two and never looked back. He became a scoring machine and the stretch four every team covets today. Nowitzki will always be the Mavericks GOAT but expect current superstar Luka Doncic to give him a run for that title.

Hopefully, Dirk Nowitzki is enjoying his retirement. Every Dallas Mavericks fan is waiting for his jersey retirement and statue unveiling at the American Airlines Center. Let us hope it happens during the 2020-2021 season.