TheInsider
The only thing that could have made last night any better would have been a Mavericks victory. Not just because I was there and it was my final night to be someone special as the HP Insider, but for Dirk Nowitzki. Reaching an amazing milestone like he did when he became only the 34th player in NBA history to score 20,000 points is awesome, but as Coach Carlisle mentioned in the post game press conference, Dirk deserved a win. "Dirk has a pure basketball heart," Carlisle said, and I think he was absolutely right. The thing I love most about Dirk is that he never lets anything go to his head; he plays not to be the biggest superstar or to reach personal achievements but primarily for the love of the game, and there are so few athletes like that around anymore, it makes Dirk that much more extraordinary.
Being able to be in attendance at last night's game is something I will never forget. As I mentioned previously, I was there to see Dirk score his 10,000th and 15,000th points as well, so seeing point number 20,000 was especially fantastic for me. As soon as I saw the commemorative Dirk 20K T-shirts, I wanted one, but I knew that with the post game activities I still had scheduled, there was no possibility of making it to the team shop in time to buy one before they were all gone. (My dad and I had been at the game when Jason Kidd rang up his 100th triple-double, and they offered commemorative shirts that night as well; we raced to the team shop after the game and it was a mad house, but somehow Dad was able to snag ONE shirt.) I turned to Jay, who works for the Mavericks and had been one of my chaperones for much of the week, and asked him if I gave someone the money for one of the T-shirts, if they might be able to run to the team shop after the game and grab me one. Jay said not to worry about it and disappeared shortly thereafter. Next thing I knew, Jay had returned with a bag from the team shop, and inside was a Dirk 20k T-shirt. He apologized for it not being my size, but at that point, it didn't matter; I was just grateful that he had been kind enough to get me one. I wouldn't swear to it, but I think he may have even paid for it out of his own pocket!
Dad and I were counting down Dirk's points to hit 20,000 throughout the game every time he made a shot, so we knew right when it happened, that was it. We flew to our feet like everyone else in the AAC, screaming, clapping, jumping and just hoping it was enough to let Dirk know how much Mavs fans and the people of the Metroplex REALLY DO appreciate Dirk. The arena was so loud we couldn't hear anything going on down on the court, but for a few minutes, it really didn't matter anymore. People all around were just reveling in the moment, waiting for a dead ball or time out when the voice would come across the PA system announcing Dirk's 20,000th point, even though it seemed all the fans were aware of the fact as soon as Dirk had hit the shot. The crowd was on its feet cheering for Dirk for what seemed like five minutes straight and it was such an awesome feeling to be a part of that.
After the game, we waited in the tunnels so I could hopefully snap a few pictures and say goodbye to anyone and everyone who I had come in contact with during my week as the HP Insider. I loved getting one last chance to talk to everyone, but getting to meet Dirk one more time, especially on this night, was the cherry on top of the sundae. I told him how I had been there to see his 10,000th and 15,000th points also, and he said, "What, not the 5000th?" and then asked if I planned to be there to see his 25,000th point, to which I replied, "Of course!" Clay, who also works for the Mavericks and had been my chaperone on the road trip to San Antonio, had found me a Dirk 20k shirt in my size and handed me a Sharpie to see if I could get Dirk to autograph it. I asked and Dirk gladly obliged, but I hadn't paid attention when I was handed the Sharpie and didn't realize it was open, so while I stood there talking to Dirk and nervously fidgeting, I had managed to draw three big black ink spots on my jeans and two on my brand new Dirk 20k T-shirt.
"Oh no!" I said as I handed it to Dirk to sign, "I didn't know it was open!" Dirk signed the shirt anyway, but Lesley, the Player Relations Manager for the Mavericks, ran over and grabbed me a second shirt, also the correct size, which Dirk also signed. So now I may be the only person on the planet with a pair of autographed Dirk Nowitzki 20k commemorative T-shirts! But don't worry, guys -- neither of the shirts will end up on e-Bay; that's not my style. I'm the kind of fan who collects memorabilia solely out of my love for the game and my passion for the Mavericks, which has only grown stronger after spending an incredible week with the team.
This is a great shot of Dirk during the final minutes of the game..
Mavs' mascot Champ carries a sign announcing Dirk's 20,000th point as fans around the arena come to their feet in appreciation of Dirk's ri-dirk-ulous accomplishment!
Notice that even the camera crew is already wearing the new Dirk 20K T-shirts -- I had to have one...or two, as it turned out.
When I met Dirk after the game, it was the first time he had a chance to check out my now infamous Wheaties shirt...
I told Dirk how I had been there for his 10,000th and 15,000th points, and he asked if I would be there to see 25,000 before he signed both my shirts and took a picture with me.
I still haven't stopped smiling!
Below is my one of a kind set of autographed Dirk Nowitzki 20k commemorative T-shirts; notice the ink blots on the T-shirt at right..my bad!
