The brilliant basketball career of Dirk Nowitzki was honored in a manner befitting its accomplishments this past weekend as he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nowitzki was inducted with former competitors Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Pau Gasol, and Dwyane Wade.
On the occasion, Nowitzki shared the story of how his legendary number 41 jersey came to be displayed on the ceiling of the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Dirk Nowitzki shares story behind his unconventional No. 41 Jersey
At his recent Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Dirk Nowitzki told a fascinating story about the history of his legendary No. 41 jersey, which now hangs in the American Airlines Center rafters in Dallas.
The origin of number 41 told by Dirk Nowitzki 🔥 #23HoopClass pic.twitter.com/ThLDSAxLIJ
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) August 12, 2023
He recalled, “I used to play basketball as No. 11 because my dad had No. 11 in handball. When I saw Charles wear No. 14 at the Olympics in ’92, I switched to number 14, so that’s why internationally, I played with No. 14 my whole career because Charles had 14 in the Olympics. I wanted 14 when I went to Dallas but Robert Pack had 14. He was like, ‘Rookie, you’re not getting my number’. So I ended up flipping the numbers and from 14 I became 41.”
The fact that Nowitzki chose his jersey number in homage to Charles Barkley is fascinating because it establishes a link between two basketball greats who had quite different playing styles. Nowitzki, who is over 6 inches taller than Barkley, adopted the number 14 in honor of Barkley’s Olympic accomplishment in ’92. This was done despite the fact that Nowitzki and Barkley have quite different approaches to the game.
"Pau, Tony, DWade, I didn't always like you guys… but there was always some appreciation of your guys' greatness."
Dirk on the #23HoopClass 🗣️
📺: The #23HoopClass Enshrinement is live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/RPpmihkeqy
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2023
The narrative shows how many factors affect a player’s life and career. Seeing Barkley average 18.0 points on 71.1% field goal shooting per game in the ’92 Olympics left an unforgettable impression on Nowitzki, setting him on a path that would lead to him being one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
Dirk Nowitzki receives NBA Hall of Fame jacket and ring
The 2023 inductees into the Basketball Hall of Fame were honored in a ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they received their Hall of Fame rings and jackets. The legendary Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks is among the great figures finally being given their due.
Dirk Nowitzki, welcome to the Hall of Fame 🤩 @swish41 | @Hoophall pic.twitter.com/qhwWb4IxXj
— ESPN (@espn) August 13, 2023
Nowitzki’s former teammate Steve Nash and current Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd presented him to the hall of fame as a fitting homage to his time with the franchise. Dirk is famously remembered for this iconic fadeaway which was in a way similar to that of Kobe Bryant. He has served as an inspiration to budding players especially European players in the league.
Among the other notable members of the 2023 Hall of Fame class are stars like Nowitzki, as well as legends like Gene Bess, Pau Gasol, David Hixon, Gene Keady, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Dwyane Wade, Becky Hammon, Gary Blair, Jim Valvano, and the groundbreaking 1976 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team.
What are your thought on this fascinating story? Make sure to let us know in the comments section.
