Doc Rivers' Tribute Last Night To Dirk Nowitzki Will Give You Chills
Doc Rivers gets it man. I’ve written countless times how much I love Dirk and how sad it makes me that he’s walking away. I know he’s still saying he doesn’t know what he’s going to do next year, but I think we’ve all pretty much accepted the fact that this is his last run. I usually can’t stand these retirement tours (see Kobe and DWade), but with Dirk’s it’s entirely different. I would say it’s hard to find a more universally loved player in the league right now than Dirk. Maybe Giannis? Either way, even as someone who does not care about the Mavs I consider this an all time move by Doc. I’ve watched that clip a handful of times already and find myself getting choked up every time. Just a classy move all around and good on the Clippers fans for playing along and giving Dirk that standing ovation. We all know how Dirk changed the NBA forever, and given this was the last time these two teams will play this season, what a send off.
With the game obviously in the bag, the Clippers secured a very, very much needed win in their battle to make the playoffs, there was no reason for Doc to do what he did other than the fact that the man is all class. He respects the legends of the game and while I can’t remember him doing something like this for any of his former players who also happened to be legends, I won’t focus on that right now. This is still a great moment that anyone with a hear can appreciate. I can only imagine how awkward these situations are for Dirk, he seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t exactly love all this extra attention unlike other retiring players (cough cough Wade) and I think that’s what makes me love seeing stuff like this even more. Nothing is fake on either side, it’s all genuine love because it’s impossible to not love Dirk no matter who your favorite team is.
In terms of his actual game last night? Eh. He went 3-10 and had 12/5
but obviously none of that really matters at this point. With only 20+ games left in what is a HOF career, I say this should become a trend. Every single opposing coach should take note of this and find a way to have a similar tribute. It won’t lose it’s luster in my opinion, if anything Dirk deserves it. Doc Rivers may not be the perfect coach, believe me I know that more than anyone, but I can fully get behind him being the start of this trend moving forward.