I See You Big German: Dirk Nowitzki and What He Means to Dallas

by Zac Crain

In the 1990's, Dallas was a basketball wasteland. Along came Dirk Nowitzki, a towering Würzburg, Germany native with a cool efficiency and the ability to make shots from seemingly impossible angles. In the years thereafter, Nowitzki would spend his entire 21-season NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, the longest tenure of any one player with one team in the league's history, and lead them to their first and only NBA championship, while being named a 14-time All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA Team member, and the first European player to receive the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award.

Zac Crain, award-winning journalist for D Magazine who moved to Dallas the same year that Nowitzki began his career in the city, memorializes Nowitzki’s career through a lyric essay reminiscent of Hanif Abdurraqib's Go Ahead in the Rain that mixes the author's story with the basketball legend's, charting the highs and lows (and mostly highs) of the Mavs' all-time statistical leader’s career. By paying homage to Dallas’ star basketball player, author Zac Crain connects the Mavs’ success with the growth of the city itself, and what the sport means to Dallas’ now basketball-obsessed citizens.

264 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Nikki]

I'm biased as this is my child he's talking about, but Zac is a beautiful writer and the world is a lesser place without him in it.

[Chris]

Dirk is my all-time favorite athlete so I may be (absolutely) biased. And I may have (absolutely) had visceral reactions to some of the in-game moments recalled in this book.

Add to that Crain being an excellent writer. His season narratives operate like page-turning thrillers. He weaves in quotes from present day with interviews from the time to build suspense even though you know what's going to happen.

What are most touching are the moments about Dirk and the Mavs forging a connection between Crainand his son. My own relationship with my father was redefined for the same reasons.

Add to that the fact that my dad is who bought and gifted me this book.

So yes, I was maybe (absolutely) moved by the entire thing. I don't know how it will resonate with others outside of the sphere of Dirk. But I personally got a lot out of it.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go rewatch Dirk highlights and sob happy sports tears.

[Meeve K.]

I just love it. Sports stories are always great, because they show a lot of passion. As a German, having such a symbol in this world makes it much more easier to admit to your own nationality. Dirk was with the Mavs nearly as long as I’m in this world and I kept reading about his games in a magazine called ‘Bravo Sport’.
Thank you Zac for sharing your perspective and insights to whatever someone had missed on the other side of the ocean.

[JDennis]

What a trip down memory lane! Every Mavs fan should read this book. The book is a history of Dirk's playing career written in an Open Letter format allowing the reader to inevitably share many "I remember where I was when..." recollections with the author. Keep YouTube and Basketball Reference handy while reading.

[Claire St. Amant]

A cleverly written and thoroughly researched book about Dirk, Dallas, and the Mavs. I enjoyed hearing how Zac Crain’s personal story intertwined with all three. I had forgotten how funny and unique a writer Zac was. This book is a great example of his style and voice. Highly recommend.

[Kimberly Brooks]

If you’re a fan of Dirk and/or the Mavs (I am!) you’ll enjoy this book. I loved it (just wanted some pictures to go along with it)!