?I Get a Little Frog in My Throat?: With 18 Accolades to His Name, Dirk Nowitzki Cripples in Anxiety Despite Embarking on Momentous Journey

Dirk Nowitzki is quite literally the best European player to have ever graced the NBA. A one-team man all his career, Dirk spent 21 years with the Dallas Mavericks, winning one championship during that time. A Mavericks legend, Nowitzki is the greatest power forward to have played in the NBA. Scoring well over 31,000 points during his career the Bavarian Bomber is ranked 6th in all-time point leaders.

Recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for his legendary career, Dirk’s HOF class boasts the likes of Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol. A great year for overseas basketball, the class represents individuals that Nowitzki battled for years. Anxious about his eventual commemoration the German recently spoke about his feelings going into the ceremony.

Dirk Nowitzki is nervous about the big night

On August 12, 2o23 German international Dirk Nowitzki will officially be a part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A crowning moment, the honor will be presented to him by former teammates Jason Kidd and Steve Nash.

Retiring in 2019, Dirk’s induction was long overdue as his career wasn’t by any means a dud. Now official, the 7’0 forward spoke to the media recently discussing this great honor.

Talking about his enshrining and HOF speech with Dallas Morning News Nowitzki stated that he was going to be “nervous.” Explaining that he would try and enjoy it as much as he could the forward replied, “I?m also going to try to enjoy the stage. Looking down at all these amazing athletes”.

Calling the ceremony a once-in-a-lifetime moment Dirk expressed his true feelings stating, “This is only going to happen once in my life, so hopefully I?ll get up there and pause a moment and…” Getting choked up with emotions the star quickly wrapped up the answer as he revealed, ?Wow. I get a little frog in my throat as we speak about it.”

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The importance of Hall of Fame to Dirk

Having already had his numbers 44 and 14 retired by the Mavericks and German national team respectively, Dirk has received many honors since his retirement. Presented with a statue outside the American Airlines Center in 2022 the HOF was the only accolade left from Dirk’s impressive CV.

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While he is thrilled and nervous about his induction, Dirk recently revealed that he didn’t realize the magnitude of this honor until he reached American shores. Speaking of it he said, “I came over, I learned how much the Hall of Fame means to every athlete that gets in.” Having previously inducted Steve Nash in 2018, Dirk stated, “Now I?m so happy, I actually can?t believe it?s my time now.”