Dallas Mavericks: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season

5. The end of an era has finally come

We all knew this moment was coming sooner rather than later. Dirk Nowitzki was in the midst of his 21st season in the league at age 40. At every road arena, he was cheered and the Mavs had planned a celebration for his final home game. Still, it didn’t make that inevitable moment any easier.

Nowitzki announced his impending retirement following the final home game of his storied career, officially closing the book on the greatest player in the organization’s history. It was an emotional moment for both Mavs and NBA fans everywhere. Dirk was the rare superstar who never made demands and did his best to make do with what was given to him. He revolutionized the game and brought Dallas its first NBA title ever.

Granted, the time in which Nowitzki dominated the game of basketball had been long over. His last All-Star appearance (You know what I mean) came in 2014-15 while his last 20.0 point per game season came in 2013-14. His one-legged fadeaway was still as deadly as ever, but it was also clear father time had finally nabbed him after over two decades.

So, as most athletes tend to do when they crack 40, he called it quits. 21 seasons, all with one team, an era filled with some of the lowest lows anyone could possibly reach, including a gut-wrenching Finals defeat and a history-making loss.

Yet, it was those crushing defeats that only served to make the ultimate victory of 2011 sweeter than nearly all championships before it, true vindication for a Hall of Fame career with an impact on the game unlike any other.