On the eve of his first Mavericks home game, against Utah on Feb. 9, 1999 in Reunion Arena, young Dirk Nowitzki politely issued a plea to fans in North Texas.
"Just be patient with me."
Twenty-one iconic seasons later, Nowitzki played his final home game Tuesday night, which he announced after the Mavs defeated the Suns.
A lifetime ago in another sport, Dallas native Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, toiled all 19 of his Hall of Fame seasons for a forlorn franchise, setting a record for most games without a postseason appearance before retiring at age 40.
Wurzburg, Germany native Nowitzki, Herr Maverick, is largely responsible for resurrecting a franchise that finished the 1990s with a 240-550 regular-season record and mustered one playoff appearance, going 0-3.
Nowitzki, 40, has played in more than half of the Mavericks franchise's 39 seasons, led it to three of its four conference finals appearances, and its two NBA finals berths, and to the 2011 championship.
That's "just" the basketball part. Quietly he's forged an equally profound and lasting philanthropic legacy. And for 1,520 regular-season and 145 playoff games he's answered reporters' questions _ after big victories, soul-crushing defeats and outcomes of little consequence.
He's been the franchise's Face, Voice, Heart, Soul and Big Shoulders.
"I only knew Dallas from the TV show that my parents watched," Nowitzki recently mused. "It was a little different when I actually got here. There was actual real buildings.
"I didn't really know what to expect and learned to love it, obviously. People were great to me at the beginning and ultimately welcomed me with open arms and wanted me to succeed. It's been a pleasure and it's been my home."
"Ultimately." Entering that labor lockout-delayed 1998-99 season, there were doubts aplenty about the wispy 7-foot-tall No. 9 overall pick for whom the Mavericks traded on draft night, forsaking a chance to select Paul Pierce.
