A Short Biography of Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki was born in Wurzburg,Germany, growing up in Germany he was taller than most of his peers and was a called “freak” for his size because of this he turned to basketball. After joining the local DJK Wurzburg basketball team at 15 year old Dirk gained the attention of Holger Geschwindner and offered to coach him. Geschwindner gave Dirk a chance to join the international DJK Wurzburg team after trying out Dirk made the squad. Dirk Nowitzki was offered to on FC. Barcelona Basquet but Dirk turned it down because he wanted to finish his Abitur, a german matriculation final exam, putting school before his career. Dirk also served in the military for a year in the German bundeswehr.

In the 1998 Draft, Dirk was was the ninth pick and was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk immediately showed his promise to becoming the face of the Mavericks.

Some of the greatest games of Dirks career includes many life lessons that I gained in my life from watching or reading about them. During the 1999-2000 season Dirk was the first ever 7.0 footer to be participate in the All-Star three point shootout, and finished as a runner up behind Jeff Hornacek. In 2001 despite needing and IV for the combat flu, and having his tooth knocked out by Terry porter, Dirk still finished the game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, preventing the mavericks from being swept in the playoff series. This game has taught me that no matter what life throws at you, you should still do the best you can and never give up. On  December 2, 2004 Dirk scored 53 points a career high against the Houston rockets, as a reward for this Dirk was voted the All-NBA first team for the first time in his career. In the 2006-2007 Dirk lead the mavericks to a 67 win season the highest in franchise history this was also the year where the big German won the league's MVP award becoming the first European player in NBA history to win the award.

The  2010-2011 NBA season was one of Dirks best seasons of his career Dirk led the mavericks to a 57 win season and gained the third seed going into the playoffs. The Mavericks made their way past the Portland Trail Blazers, and swept the two time defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals. In game one of the conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nowitzki scored 48 points while shooting 12/15 from the field while setting an NBA record of 24 consecutive free throws made in a game as well as most free throws in a game without a miss. In Game 4 Nowitzki, scored 40 points to help lead his team from a 99-84 deficit with five minutes in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks overcame another fourth quarter deficit to clinch the western conference title. In the loss of game 1 of the NBA finals against the Miami Heat, Dirk tore his tendon in the middle of his left finger, however Dirk vowed the injury wouldn’t be a factor in Game 2, showing some of the perseverance and never give up mentality, and attitude that Dirk obtains.In Game 2, he led a Dallas rally from an 88–73 fourth-quarter deficit, capped by a driving left-handed layup over Bosh to tie the series at 1-1. After missing a potential game-tying shot in Game 3 and, despite carrying a 101 °F fever in Game 4, he hit the winning basket to tie the series yet again at 2-2, evoking comparisons to Michael Jordan's "Flu Game" in the 1997 NBA Finals. Showing confidence in himself and never doubting himself. Dallas went on to win the next two games, bringing the franchise their first championship. He was named Finals MVP, joining a list of 10 other players to have been an NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, an NBA regular season MVP, and a ten-time All-Star.

I could go on and talk about all of the awards, and achievements Dirk has received on the court, but I would like to talk about some of the things Dirk does off the court. Dirk donates to Jonathan’s place, a home for abused children, for every three- pointer made throughout the season. He is the founder of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation whose mission is to help provide education, health, and well being for children around the world. Nowitzki is a two time NBA Community Assist Award winner, has made an appearance on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Serves as a Big Brother for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dallas, grants wishes each season through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and donates to other various community groups. Showing the Kindness, and Unselfishness in his heart.   
  Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest international players to play in the NBA, while also being one of the most humble, and caring, people also, Nowitzki is a person that will forever make wherever he calls his home proud.
- Christopher Adkins