Dirk Nowitzki

(http://www.picturessports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Dirk-Nowitzki.jpg)

Dirk Nowitzki is a hero to me because of his determination and persistence, and also he is a good person on and off the basketball court.

He was born on June 19, 1978, in Wurzburg, Germany. He had a loving family, which included his father, Joerg Werner Nowitzki; his mother, Helga Nowitzki; and his older sister, Silke Nowitzki. Every member of the family was a talented athlete. His father was a professional team-handball player, while his mother and sister played basketball. Dirk couldn’t decide what sport to play until about the age of 15.

Holger Gerschwindner (http://basketball.de/showthread.php?t=11901&page=3)

Dirk started playing team-handball like his dad, then quit handball for soccer and tennis. Finally, he gave up soccer and tennis to play pick-up games at a local gym. At age 15, Dirk joined the local basketball team, the DJK Wurzburg X-Rays. While Dirk was playing for the X-Rays, former German international player and coach of the X-Rays Holger Gerschwindner approached Dirk and asked to coach him and make him a talented player. Dirk said yes right away and was ready to work hard to get better. He wanted to drop out of school so he had more time to play and practice basketball, but Holger made him stay in school because he thought learning was important.

Dirk Traded During Draft (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/512588-peyton-hillis-for-brady-quinn-and-25-worst-trades-of-last-25-years#/articles/512588-peyton-hillis-for-brady-quinn-and-25-worst-trades-of-last-25-years/page/7)

Dirk’s training with Holger made a huge impact, because he improved rapidly, and got so skilled he made the German national U-22 (under 22) team. In 1997, he played in the Nike Hoops Heroes Tour along with stars like Rashard Lewis, Al Harrington and even Charles Barkley. Dirk crushed the stars and upset the American team. After the game, Charles Barkley told Dirk that if he wanted to play in the NBA, he could help. Dirk didn’t need to accept the offer, because in the 1998 NBA draft (even though he couldn’t attend because of his mandatory stint with the German army), the Milwaukee Bucks drafted him ninth overall. Then, during the draft he got traded along with Pat Garrity to the Mavericks for Robert Taylor because the Mavericks thought Dirk would be the Rookie of the Year.

In Dirk’s first season, things were very hard for him to grasp, and he didn’t even receive one vote for Rookie of the Year. In the offseason, hard work paid off with his trainer and best friend, Holger Gerschwindner. Holger used some odd training methods, incorporating rowing boats, handstands, fencing and learning how to play the saxophone and guitar; he even thought chess would help Dirk in basketball. Holger’s training, even though it seemed odd, paid off, because over the next few years Dirk played much better.

MVP of the Finals (http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=695843&keyword=sp_pba)

In the 2005-2006 season Dirk led the Mavericks to their first ever Finals, but they lost to the Miami Heat in six games. In the next season he won MVP of the regular season.

Finally in the 2010-2011 season, Dirk helped the Mavs ease past the Portland Trailblazers in the first round, leave the L.A. Lakers in the dust in the second round and, finish off the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West Conference Finals. The Mavs were in their second Finals but, once again, the Miami Heat stood in their path to victory. The Mavs lost game 1, but they came back in the second game to win. The Mavs lost in game 3 and just made it out with a win in game 4. Dallas won game 5 by doing well at shutting down Miami’s “Big 3” (Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James). Game 6 was the end for Miami, with that loss sending Miami back home and crowning the Dallas Mavericks the champions! Dirk had helped the Mavs to their first Championship! For all of Dirk’s hard work and determination, he was named MVP of the Finals.

Holger Gerschwindner made a huge impact on Dirk. Holger took Dirk under his wing at 15 and turned him into a great player that made the German national team and the NBA, won a NBA championship and made it to many All-Star Games. Dirk’s family also made an impact on Dirk. They encouraged him to play sports and always supported him.

Dirk is not only working hard on the court with coach Holger and other coaches, but also off the court. He is trying to help others with his nonprofit organization, the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. It was founded in 2001 and assists kids who need a better education and better health.

Dirk is a hero to me because he works hard, never gives up and is a good leader. He doesn’t complain and blame his teammates when the team loses and lifts other people’s spirits when they win. He has a positive outlook toward everything. That makes a difference in people’s lives. That is why Dirk is a hero to me.