It was reported yesterday that the Dallas Mavericks and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki reached an agreement on a 2-year deal worth $10 million. Then the reactions throughout social media went wild. Media “analysts” mentioned that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban once again finessed Nowitzki into taking another bargain deal. Here were a few of my favorite reactions to the deal that was announced:
The Good
Dirk Nowitzki is a great lesson to us all that there's more to happiness than just money
— MICHAEL LARK (@Michael_Lark) July 6, 2017
The only Texan is Dirk Nowitzki. pic.twitter.com/zLe5lg3pJn
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) July 6, 2017
When dirk "buys" a piece of the mavs for a smile a handshake and a dollar y'all will "get" why he takes the deals he's taking now
— RicoGennero (@RicoGennero) July 6, 2017
The Bad
Mark Cuban should be arrested for what he has done to Dirk.
— Christian Gaineslich (@GainesTweets) July 6, 2017
Dirk gonna be sleeping in a cardboard box trying to help the Mavs be a 7th seed at best https://t.co/HV8x10Vyl0
— Cherchez La Femme (@FrankieVtotheD) July 6, 2017
Mark Cuban should be arrested for what he has done to Dirk.
— Christian Gaineslich (@GainesTweets) July 6, 2017
….And The Winner For Best Tweet Goes To…..
Dirk Nowitzki, the intern making $5 million/year pic.twitter.com/i0b7BIHQ9d
— The Ringer (@ringer) July 6, 2017
What few fail to understand is that this isn’t news to anyone within the Mavericks organization or the millions of MFFL’s out there. It’s a unique relationship between a tall lanky German and a billionaire owner. It’s something that we don’t see in the NBA. In the age of increasing salary caps and super team building, you don’t see a player with a long list of accolades like Nowitzki holds take a bargain at this type of price.
He is the Dallas Mavericks all-time leader in the following categories:
- Games played
- Field goals
- 3-pt field goals
- Free throws
- Minutes played
- Field goal attempts
- 3-pt field goal attempts
- Free throw attempts
- Offensive rebounds
- Total rebounds
- Turnovers
- Points
- Personal fouls
- PER
- All-Star Appearances
- Win shares
Mark Cuban bought the Mavericks on January 4, 2000. At that point, Nowitzki had was in the middle of his third season in Dallas. His numbers were around 17 points and 6 rebounds per game. Immediately, Cuban and Nowitzki embraced one another. Their personalities meshed so well. The often goofy and quirky Nowitzki paired with the outspoken and fan first Cuban was a recipe that would stand the test of time.
Cuban has shelled out millions for Nowitzki over his illustrious career. Nowitzki has made it clear that he wants to win, and if that means he needs to pass up on his own financial gain in order to help the team sign others and build up a worthy roster, so be it. The plan hasn’t exactly worked like everyone would have liked, but it doesn’t tarnish what these two have built together.
Cuban embraced Nowitzki and supported him to the end, and Nowitzki obliged by being one of the true unselfish players this league has ever seen.
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