Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade dueled it out over the course of their career. On Tuesday night, both were competing for attention in the NBA sphere when it came to their respective potential retirements.
We know that Wade is already on his way out, and several questionable videos have been released in conjunction with his final game at American Airlines Arena. Nowitzki got his send off during his final home game — this one at American Airlines Center — against the Phoenix Suns.
There were several moving tributes to Nowitzki, all of which we’re pretty heartwarming.
Via Twitter:
Wow.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 10, 2019
Dirk announces that tonight was his final game. Legend.#MFFL pic.twitter.com/TBj3wjJerR
Dirk was moved to tears after watching a Mavs tribute video to his charity work 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GSKXRL7gyI
— ESPN (@espn) April 10, 2019
Number 41.
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 10, 2019
21 seasons.
1 team.
🐐 | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/uOinV9mv4Y
🎥: Charles Barkley on the mic for #Dirks post game celebration! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/H1pyCRtaW1
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 10, 2019
Every hero has heroes of their own. These legends shaped our legend. pic.twitter.com/lHvuwnjTRQ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 10, 2019
Dirk leaves the floor at the @AACenter for the final time.
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 10, 2019
Thank you, @swish41 - it was a great ride. 🐐#MFFL | @dallasmavs pic.twitter.com/TnEOzPjDvc
Nowitzki also apparently alluded to the fact that he was retiring after this season, saying that this would be his final home game in Dallas. Playing things a bit differently than Wade, Nowitzki waited until the last moment until announcing this kind of news, declining to go on an official retirement tour.
Shout out to Dirk Nowitzki, one of the oddest players to ever play the game at the start of his career and one of the foundational members of the modern NBA at the end of it.