Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki shares his NBA Draft story

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki shares his NBA Draft story

The Dallas Mavericks drafted Dirk Nowitzki back in 1998. If you read the back of his basketball card (or his Basketball-Reference page), it says he was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks. That is technically the case because of the NBA’s rule of not allowing trades on draft night. The Bucks traded up for Robert Traylor, while Dallas got Dirk and Pat Garrity. They quickly flipped Garrity as part of the package for Steve Nash in what may have been the greatest day of trading in basketball history.

Dirk went ninth overall back in 1998. There were plenty of questions when he came out, and some were quickly labeling him as drafted too high or a “bust”. Nowitzki proved all the doubters wrong, but it took time. The legend had a shaky rookie season before becoming an all-time great.

Dirk took us back to 1998, and let fans know what he was thinking and feeling on draft night. Let us take a closer look.

Dallas Mavericks GOAT Dirk Nowitzki tells his NBA Draft story

Dirk fills fans in on what and where he was on his draft night. It is crazy that he thought that he might not be selected. Fans have to listen to the story here.

Don Nelson, Donnie Nelson, and the Dallas Mavericks did one of the best scouting jobs in NBA history on Nowitzki. Nobody expected him to turn into the Mavs GOAT and one of the best scorers of all-time, but they saw promise in the lanky German teenager. Draft night in 1998 certainly changed the course of NBA history.

Dirk Nowitzki is enjoying his retirement but showed his loyalty to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason. Fans should not be surprised. Nowitzki had plenty of chances to leave during his playing career and decided against it every single time. Thanks again, Dirk.