Dallas. The city of Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Michael Irving, Emmit Smith.
The one that took John F. Kennedy's life, the one of Dealey Plaza, the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository; the Reunion tower. Stories, so many stories. Dirk Nowitzki is another legend of Dallas.
Hsin-Kuei is 28 years old, was born in Taichung, Republic of China (Taiwan) and idolizes Dirk Nowitzki. "Since I was a child, I watched his games and I loved how he played,"
he remembers sitting on a seat at the American Airlines Center where the Mavericks (Saturday night) would face the Charlotte Hornets. In front of the places where he and his girlfriend are sitting, there are three rows and an aisle that separates the stands from the press boxes and the benches; after that is the sweat that comes out of the parquet. With enough effort and the appropriate power of his screams, Dirk could notice his presence and catch sight of the letter that Hsin carries with him: "I love you for 18 years. Taiwan-Dallas, 7715 miles (12,416 kilometers). I'm here, just for Dirk." "It's a long journey, but it's worth it," he smiles timidly while glancing at the parquet, in case Dirk appears.
Hsin-Kuei tries his luck for the second time. Two years ago, he made the same trip, but 'The Wurzburg Bomber' didn't even step on the court that time. "Let's see if I'm lucky this time," he hopes. And yes. Although the AACenter's giant screen didn't announce it, initially, within the starting five, the fifth all-time leading scorer started the game on the court and played just over 20 minutes without much luck, it must be said: four points and zero three-pointers; his trademark, the fadeaway shot, had severe failures. Hsin-Kuel is not the only one who has crossed the seas to applaud the considered best foreign basketball player in NBA history: a couple of Germans, strategically seated behind Hsin, wave a German flag every time Dirk tries to shoot or his name resonates through the speakers.
By the way, the Mavericks lost 102-98 against the Hornets with the beastly Kemba Walker: 24 points, the true star of the night.
But the legend belongs to one.
