It’s been a long, hateful decade, but it’s time for me to bury the hatchet with Dallas Mavericks and Germany legend, Dirk Nowitzki. Yep – 10 years in the making, but you know…sometimes, you just have to man up and admit you were wrong.
I went through a weird adolescence when I didn’t really care about sports. Nope – just sat around watching pro wrestling, science fiction movies, and listening to Drowning Pool. I was a real dope…real weird teenager. But, then, I made it to college. Started working out, and realized I had a mean competitive streak. I was a late bloomer, so to speak…just without the tits…or, wait – do they call guys late bloomers, too? I don’t know. I’m getting turned around.
The year was 2005, and having renewed my childhood love for sports after years of Slipknot and Korn, decided I’d tune in to the NBA once again.
I was immediately drawn to a Canadian point guard by the name of, you may have heard of him, Steve freaking Nash. Loved the way he distributed the ball…everything about his game was cerebral. Nash was playing chess while the rest of the court was playing checkers.
I watched Nash win back-to-back NBA MVP awards, but in the Spring of 2007, Nash was robbed. See, he should’ve joined Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Wilt Chamberlain as the only men to three-peat the NBA MVP. Instead, some handsome, charming German with voluminous blonde hair named Dirk Nowitzki came along and stole it.
Since that day, I’ve yet to forgive Nowitzki. I celebrated that year the 8th seeded Golden State Warriors led by Baron Davis knocked him out of the first round. Even when he won his much-deserved NBA title – not a single tear I shed. But, something happened last night that has finally made me reconsider my stance…
ICYMI: Dirk Nowitzki’s shooting coach, Holger Geschwinder, was in tears after Dirk hit 30K. (via @ESPN). pic.twitter.com/UqYypjeLW6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 8, 2017
If you can watch that moment and still hold a 10-year grudge, I’m sorry but you just don’t have a heart. Me? I have a heart. So, that’s that – it’s settled.
Dirk Nowitzki has scored 30,005 points. The Mavericks have scored 304,250. 41 has scored 9.9 percent of their points, ever.
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) March 8, 2017
INSANE – the career this guy has had, having always been considered one of the best, but never really being the face of the NBA.
Huge thanks to everyone, who has reached out. I’m humbled and overwhelmed. Honored to be part of the 30k club! #old
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) March 8, 2017
He’s a humble guy. He’s great, and if I’m going to admit to being a guy who admires “greatness,” then I’m just a hater if I keep this grudge going. Let’s all acknowledge Dirk’s place among NBA’s all-time greats.
So, Dirk – here I am…in 2017….admitting my mistake. I am sorry. You’ve retroactively earned that 2006-07 MVP Trophy.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo, @Bama_Hammer
Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork
