Dirk Nowitzki's Heartfelt Tribute to Former Coach Don Nelson: 'You Believed in Me'

NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki has shared a touching farewell message for his former coach, Don Nelson, following his passing. Nelson was instrumental in bringing Nowitzki to the NBA, but more importantly, he recognized the young German's potential when many doubted his ability to succeed at the highest level.

Nowitzki expressed his enduring gratitude for Nelson's faith, stating, "Nellie… You didn’t just draft me. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them." He emphasized that Nelson's trust was crucial, particularly for a player transitioning from Germany to the United States. The freedom Nelson afforded him from the outset proved pivotal for his development.

"I don’t think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me the freedom to play my game," Nowitzki stated, a sentiment he has repeated numerous times. Nelson's decision to invest in Nowitzki, then just 20 years old, during the 1998 draft initiated a relationship that became synonymous with one of the NBA's greatest careers.

Nelson's belief in Nowitzki laid the foundation for a career that saw the German star become an NBA champion, regular-season MVP, and Finals MVP, solidifying his status as one of the league's all-time leading scorers. Nowitzki concluded his tribute with a simple yet profound message: "I can only say THANK YOU. For everything. Rest in peace, legend."