“I was so EMBARRASSED,” Dirk Nowitzki narrates how winning the 2007 NBA MVP shaped into the ‘most uncomfortable’ moment of his career
The redemption of Dirk Nowitzki: From Playoff Heartbreak to NBA Legend
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Dirk Nowitzki (image via Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Dirk Nowitzki had an NBA career that can be described as nothing short of extraordinary. The Dallas Mavericks legend had to endure painful situations before finally achieving the ultimate glory. In a recent interview with Rachel Nichols, Nowitzki spoke about one of the most uncomfortable moments of his career when he won the MVP award in 2007, just a couple of weeks after losing in the first round of the playoffs against the 8th seed in the conference.
Nowitzki revealed that he was embarrassed after losing the playoffs, and all he wanted to do was go somewhere where nobody knew him and go on vacation. However, the NBA called him and informed him that there was a chance he might get the MVP award. At first, Nowitzki was reluctant to accept the award, but the league put pressure on him, and he had to be present when the award was given.
Despite his disappointment, Nowitzki took it like a man and talked about the incident, addressing it right away. In the end, the league gave him his MVP trophy, but Dirk wasn’t happy at all at that moment.
“You know, I was embarrassed. I let the city and my team down and all I wanted to do was go somewhere nobody knew me and go on vacation or something. And then, sure enough, I got the call from the NBA, ‘Hey, you cannot leave yet or quite yet. There’s a chance you might get the MVP.’ And I remember saying, ‘I’ll just give it to somebody else.’ Not this year. I was still so hurt, I was still so embarrassed about it.”
Dirk Nowitzki’s revenge and the most memorable playoff run of all time
Four years later, Dirk Nowitzki would become a total legend in Dallas and the NBA. He led his team all the way to the Finals and won the championship against one of the most iconic Big 3s in recent years. It was an incredible run that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Nowitzki had to go through a lot of difficult rivals to make it to the biggest series of all. He faced the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, all of whom were favored to win. However, Dirk didn’t let the pressure get to him, and he played some of the most beautiful basketball of his career.
Once he landed in the Finals, the final boss looked unbeatable for some. The Miami Heat, with their Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, were the favorites to win. However, Nowitzki wasn’t intimidated by their star power. He rose to the challenge, played with grit and determination, and led his team to victory.
In the end, the Dallas Mavericks won the championship, and Dirk Nowitzki was named the Finals MVP. It was a fitting end to an incredible journey, and Nowitzki had finally achieved the ultimate glory.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)