9:48 best part of the whole farewell tour. Pop being the legend he is, shouting at his guy guarding Dirk to back off and let him sink the shot. Guy doesn't hear him, Pop is about to throw a fit but the shot goes in anyway and he claps in approval 🤙
Doc & Pop get it. They recognize greatness. And especially Pop. Spurs & Mavs were absolutely THE rivalry of the NBA back when it was Dirk v Duncan. Watching this video....I had almost forgotten how truly great he was. He changed the game like few had done before him. I guarantee you that guys like Steph were growing up thinking, if this 7 footer can hit 3s then I'm gonna do the same. Not to mention all the 3 point shooting big men today. Skip Bayless recent said Joel Embid is the best shooting big man. Nope. Sorry. Dirk may be the last 90 & 90 guy that the NBA sees. 50% from the floor + 40% from 3 (90) and 90% from the stripe. And his shot was a thing of beauty and nearly unblockable. In fact, Kobe stole his move because that 1 legged fadeaway was truly hard to stop.
the most impressive thing is that he was popular with all fans throughout the NBA! Because he is not only one of the best basketball players of all time, but also because he is an extremely human and sympaticly person!?!
For those thinking he was pushed out of the league. People made up their minds almost immediately after 2011, that Dirk has the type of love for a farewell tour. After Kobe Bryant retired, Dirk Nowitzki said he would not ever announce a farewell tour, but did he secretly want one? Dirk is a very private person that is never wanting to bring attention to himself. In 2018, Dirk broke his foot at the end of arguably his worst season. We are honestly surprised he was even able to return one more season. His body was clearly giving out. Nobody would have wanted him to go out like that. It’s highly likely he came back off the bench for his last season just because he wanted to give the fans something to cheer about and give them a happy ending. Everyone was very disappointed when Tim Duncan announced his retirement before anyone had time to honor him. Because we wanted to give him some cheers and honors. Dirk is always giving back to others, always makes people happy, and he knew he was love-able enough for a farewell tour. He most likely knew he would get one regardless of the situation. Only a handful of NBA legends are loved enough to even get a farewell tour to begin with. Everyone wanted to give Dirk a farewell tour out of love. It’s not just because they wanted him gone. The reason many felt it was time, was because Dirk was too old to play anymore good basketball. Nobody wants to see a legendary athlete play poorly, because its sad for everyone to see, especially for a guy like Dirk. Dirk probably knew all along this season was it, but he just isn’t about bringing attention to himself. Which is how a class athlete should be.
I’m only 14 but Dirk is my favorite player of all time. When I saw his last game on TV, I teared up. I knew it was gonna be sad seein him gone. But luckily we got two good European players to replace Dirk.
Kobe and Wade had to announce their retirement before the season that it was their last, so they could get some love and nice video tributes. Dirk didn’t announce his retirement until his last home game as a Mav, yet he still got standing ovations and tributes through the season. He wasn’t looking for the spotlight.
@@ChrisMetz-ip9up most definitely. There hasnt been a player to play this long at this level. Guys like Vince, Dirk, and Kobe were all subpar during their late stages. Lebron in year 21 is putting up MVP caliber numbers, is simply unheard of. He deserves a farewell tour for all the positives he has brought to the league. More People will respect his greatness after he is gone.
@@ChrisMetz-ip9upLebron is a beta male/diva/a lot of feminine qualities. Bron and his PR team will prolly make a tv show about his last season lmaooo. No boost
As a Mavs fan, this warms my heart. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Dirk twice, and the second was after my dad passed away and he gave my mom a genuine hug and was talking to her, genuinely one of the nicest and most humble men I’ve ever seen. It says a lot for one guy to be so beloved by the entire league that the other team’s fans are cheering for you. I’m so happy to have had Dirk play in my city, bring us a championship, and just be a fantastic person.
When I moved to Dallas, I was astonished that the people there were more passionate about and interested in a football team that hadn't made the playoffs in decades, than they were about a man/team that won a championship just a few years earlier.
@@jimmyrodriguez5670 you’re never gonna beat football in Texas and it wasn’t really until Dirk that people cared about the Mavs much. They had some good teams but he really became the face of the franchise and through his hard work and humble attitude that he became what he’s known as. The Cowboys are just the Cowboys. I think you mean Super Bowl also, they’ve made the playoffs plenty of times. I’m a massive Cowboys fan (born and bred Dallas boy from a whole family of Cowboys fans). I can’t say I’ve seen a true championship level team in my conscious life, they won the year after I was born, but it’s just the culture out here and football will always be king in Texas.
It's so fitting for Dirk to leave the way he did. Never wanted the spotlight on himself but every arena gave him a standing ovation anyway even when he hasn't announced anything yet.
doc rivers man..!!! what an awesome guy..... really...!!! grretings from germany to doc and dirk of course....!!! with that gesture doc became a legend even in germany!!!!!
There's no other player like Dirk. How many NBA stars of today do you see where the opposing team, coach, and court cheer for you. You can't help but love this guy till the very end of his career.
A superstar, a nightmare matchup but loved by the entire league. A guy who does not complain, playing with heart and no drama show. It is heart-melting but also very sad to see your hero bid farewell to the sport you love.
Im half German and grew up in Germany. Ive met Dirk a few times when I was in elementary school. He used to come to the base gym and play with my pops and other folks. I ended up being 6'9 and patterned my entire game after him. Played pro in Germany. He was the GOAT. The fact that the Knicks crowd is cheering for him when he scores while theyre down shows it.
Just like in soccer, it has become so rare to see guys play their entire career with the same team even when they are not contenders. Nowadays all these boys ask for a trade in a superteam as soon as it gets hard cause they can't carry, they have no honor no dignity and won't be remembered. Dirk will always be a legend.
Loved also the Spurs tear inducing tribute to a rival team/player for Dirk. 100% sure it was all Pop idea but I’m sure the Spurs fans were also appreciative.
I grew up watching Dirk since I was a little kid and loved his game… we were robbed of a chance to get to see him and Luka play a few great years together in Dallas.. I can only imagine.
He beat the heat at their full strength. That championship should've counted for 2. The ultimate competitor. That unstoppable one legged step back from the elbow.
The fact that Lebron and Wade made fun of him for being sick in the 2011 finals will remain a black stain on their careers that even till this day, they can't live down.
There are not many stars in whatever who has such a passion and is that down to earth. hes a star for everyone. not only for the first row. RESPECT I'm from Germany and he's like god here. even basketball ins't that big. since him we got a starting five full of nba players for the first time.
As a fan of Dirk growing up, he really was the one who got me into the sport and inspired me to play in my middle and high school days. Watching him during his last season and even being able to see one of his home games in person during that last season was truly amazing and than seeing him tear up at San Antonio really brought tears to my eyes seeing my idol play the game he loved one more time against a team that always gave him trouble in the playoffs was just a perfect ending to a legendary career of a player with class.
I was at that clippers game. We were all confused when the timeout was called. Once Doc got on the mic we realized what was happening. One of the best moments I’ve ever been part of!!
I used to be apart of a hype squad that would perform at Spurs game and I remember right next to him during one of the playoff games, he had to go to the back to stretch out or something, and I remember thinking, I could be a hero in San Antonio and take this guy out!🤣🤣🤣 that’s how annoyingly good he was and how much he caused problems for SA, but in the end, because our team had it, we recognized greatness, hence the rivalry! I’m glad he got his recognition and his one title, that’s all we’re allowing here! When in Texas, you’re rivals, outside of Texas, your allies!
i just replayed this video since dirk is my all time favorite player... POP WAS MAD WHEN THAT GUY DIDINT BACKOFF TO GIVE DIRK THAT LAST SHOT HAHAHAHA!!!!!
Honestly, I think the best was in San Antonio. It was so unexpected and perfect. Especially when Pop is about to lose it on his own player for guarding Dirk, then applauding when Dirk makes it anyways.
@@jimmyrodriguez5670 You got a point. But for me, nothing beats home crowd. That ceremony after the game was special with all of Dirk's favorites players showing up.
I got choked up watching this (yea im a lil soft) just seeing that im not the only one who has this much love for German Jesus. He is the reason i fell in love with basketball and still love it the way i do now. 21 great years through the ups & the downs he made being a MFFL easier. 4 years later, its still a huge thank you to MY GOAT Dirk💪🏾💪🏾💜🙏🏾
Dirk didn't ask for a farewell tour. Everyone gave it to him when it was getting clearer and clearer that it was going to be his final season. He's such a beloved figure in the history of the game.
Oh man.. You can tell he has a lot of miles on his body the way how stiffly he moves.. He's always been more of a stiff guy though, especially on defense 😅 Absolute legend..
first 20 season pop “never leave dirk alone, defend him to death! such an nightmare match up to deal with him” last season pop “leave dirk the hell alone, let him shoot!”
