Dirk Nowitzki limped off the court after the Mavs Game 4 loss, leaving absolutely everything on the floor as he tried to will his team to victory against a determined OKC Thunder squad on Saturday night in Dallas. It was a heated matchup, rife with technical fouls and bad blood — but Nowitzki comported himself with his customary dignity and poise. The Mavs lost 119-108 but Nowitzki made sure not all the Mavs fans in the building were as dejected as he was.
David Watkins of NBC tweeted this perfect encapsulation of Dirk Nowitzki’s pure class. Walking through the tunnel after the game, his mind no doubt full of what-ifs and sorrow, Nowitzki hears a young kid calling his name, “Dirk, Dirk.” And Nowitzki not only has the presence of mind, but the kindness of heart to walk over and give the kid a high five despite his gloom. As one commenter wrote, “Dirk is what is right in the world of sports.”
A visibly frustrated and exhausted Dirk makes the post game walk to his locker, likely for the final time in ’15-’16 pic.twitter.com/b1JUhkHTJH
— David Watkins (@dwatkinsNBC5) April 24, 2016
