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Dirk Nowitzki remains loyal to the Dallas Mavericks even after his playing career
Photo: Swen Pförtner / dpa
Dirk Nowitzki is returning to the NBA in an advisory capacity to the Dallas Mavericks almost two years after retiring.
The German will support Dallas in the upcoming personnel decisions, as the Mavericks announced on Friday evening.
The franchise owner Mark Cuban approached him because of a role as "Special Adviser".
"Of course I said yes, whenever I can help my mavs, I'll be there," Nowitzki said in a statement.
The main goal of the 2011 NBA champion is to help find a new head coach and general manager.
On Wednesday the previous General Manager Donnie Nelson announced his departure from the Mavs, on Thursday the era of head coach Rick Carlisle ended after 13 years.
With Nelson in the control center, Carlisle on the bench and Nowitzki on the floor, the Mavericks won the title in the North American professional basketball league for the first time in 2011. “Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle have both mentored me, played great roles in my careers and the team, and I'll miss them. It is important to me that I support Mark and contribute as much as I can, ”Nowitzki said.
For many years Nowitzki belonged to the elite of the world's best basketball league, as the first European he was named the most valuable player in the league in 2007 (2007).
In addition, the Würzburg 14-time all star and most valuable player in the finals (2011).
He has scored 31,560 points in 21 NBA years, sixth in the all-time leaderboard, and in the last home game of his career he became the oldest professional to score 30 points or more in an NBA game.
svs / dpa / sid