Mark Followill is a reporter icon of the Dallas Mavericks. In an interview with SPOX and DAZN, he explained Dirk Nowitzki’s status and the significance of the Championship for Dallas. He also mentions special wishes for Nowitzki’s statue.
SPOX/DAZN: Mr. Followill, you have been reporting on the Mavericks in various roles since 1999. Do you have a favorite story about Dirk Nowitzki?
Mark Followill: There are so many funny stories to tell about Dirk. But what comes to mind first of all: When he arrived here in 1998, he was so shy and not at all adapted. He didn’t know much about US basketball and we didn’t know much about it. And now, 20 years later, he is probably the most important athlete Dallas has ever had. He is committed to the organization, the society and the children. A few months ago he got the H. Neil Mallon Award for his merits. The previous winners include George W. Bush – this shows what a standing Dirk has and how important he is for the city. And this development from the shy boy who still has to find his way to a grown-up, mature and intelligent man and legendary sportsman – that’s the story I love to tell about Dirk. Sorry, if that’s not the funny anecdote you were expecting, but that’s just overshadowing everything for me, more than the videos in which he sings karaoke or appears in “Guardians of the Galaxy”outfit, although that’s great too! He grew up here and we have taken him in as son of the city. So: Thanks to Würzburg for giving us Dirk! We like to share, but it’s ours now. And it will always remain so.
SPOX/DAZN: Can you imagine a time without Dirk?
Followill: Actually, I don’t want to. But of course time will come, Dirk will grow older and can’t keep running away from time. So it will hurt – and I don’t really know it without him. He’s been here as long as I’ve been reporting on the Mavericks and he means so much to the organization. Of course, we have to admit that time is not too far off without him.
SPOX/DAZN: What will happen then? Any plans for a Dirk statue yet?
Followill: In any case, there will be a statue – one that will show him on the one-legged fadeaway, if it’s up to me. In addition, a button should also be installed to let people push on it and then sound Dirk’s version of “We are the Champions”. I don’t know how the others see it, but that would be my recommendation. (grins) In addition, I think that he will stay in the organization in some role here, even if he said that he wants to travel a lot after his career’s end. But here, of course, he would have the opportunity to do whatever he wanted for the rest of his life.
SPOX/DAZN: Do you think one of these roles might be that of the head coach?
Followill: The head coach’s job is extremely difficult and involves a lot of pressure. This is very stressful and a job to which unbelievably high expectations are attached. Dirk has been giving this organization 20 years now and is by far the best player we’ve ever had. I think we’ve had enough of him already. You shouldn’t overexcite that. But of course Dirk has a lot of knowledge, for example during the shooting. This qualifies him as an Assistant Coach, even in part-time, if he feels like it. But again, he’s done enough for the franchise. He is supposed to enjoy his life with Jessica and the children and maybe sit with us at the broadcast table. He will certainly pass on his basketball knowledge to younger players, but I don’t expect him to be head coach. And frankly, I don’t think that’s the right thing for him. Now is the time to enjoy life.
SPOX/DAZN: Then we come to a conclusion: What is the biggest achievement Nowitzki has achieved in Dallas?
Followill: This is of course the championship and the way we won it. One gets into the league with hopes and dreams of winning one or more titles. 2006 was a difficult moment when the Heat won their championship with us. The fact that five years later the revenge was successful – and we were able to win the title in their hall – was unbelievable. All the more so as it was really dramatic. I already told you on the first question what Dirk has a standing here and what he means for the city. And I’ve never seen an entire city collectively say:”This success, this championship, that’s all for Dirk. Of course, they were also happy for the Mavs, for Mark Cuban, for the coaches. But it was Dirk who caused the most emotion. We still get emotional when we think about it.