Dirk Nowitzki through the years

2000: Dallas's Dirk Nowitzki during the NBA Shootout contest held during All-Star Weekend.

2000: Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki goes to the hoop during the NBA Rookie Game.

2000: Dirk Nowitzki goes up for a shot during the first half against the Golden State Warriors.

2000: Dirk Nowitzki looks across the court during the first quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers/

2001: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates with Howard Eisley and Dirk Nowitzki.

2001: Allen Iverson jumps past Dirk Nowitzki.

2001: Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks flies to the bucket for the dunk against the San Antonio Spurs.

2001: Dirk Nowitzki works his way around Utah Jazz forward Donyell Marshall.

2002: Dirk Nowitzki shoots over Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz.

2003: Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett drives against Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki.

2003: Dirk Nowitzki during a win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.

2003: Nick Van Exel, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki celebrate in the fourth quarter.

2003: Dirk Nowitzki congratulates teammate Steve Nash.

2004: Dirk Nowitzki shouts after sinking a basket in the final minute.

2005: Dirk Nowitzki celebrates after Germany wins against Russia.

2006: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, of Germany, celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat.

2008: Kobe Bryant shakes hands with Dirk Nowitzki before a preliminary round game at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

2009: Dallas Mavericks forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion have some fun before a photo session during the Mavericks' media day.

2009: Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki talk after a timeout against the Sacramento Kings.

2009: Dirk Nowitzki looks up at the scoreboard after sinking the game-winning basket in overtime to defeat the Bobcats 98-97.

2010: Dirk Nowitzki is shown on the screen after scoring his 20,000th career point.

2010: Dirk Nowitzki goes up for a layup against the Washington Wizards.

2010: Dirk Nowitzki smiles for producer Kris Hill during NBA media day.

2011: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki bobblehead SuperDirk on the court prior to the game against the San Antonio Spurs.

2011: Dwyane Wade looks to pass against Dirk Nowitzki in Game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals.

2011: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks hold the MVP and Larry O'Brien Trophies after defeating the Miami Heat.

2011: Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks carries a basketball before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

2011: Dirk Nowitzki poses on a balcony of the Wuerzburg Residence in Wuerzburg, southern Germany while thousands of fans watch from the square.

2012: President Barack Obama is given a jersey from Dirk Nowitzki.

2013: Dirk Nowitzki shown on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena.

2013: Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki celebrates after hitting the game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls.

2013: Dirk Nowitzki scores a penalty kick during a charity soccer match.

2015: Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.

2016: Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia hugs forward Dirk Nowitzki as they come off the court.

2016: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki argues a call with the referees.

2017: Dirk Nowitzki reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz.

Dec. 2, 2017: Dirk Nowitzki is introduced and runs past Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper before a game against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center.

April 9, 2019: A view of head shot giveaways of the Dallas Mavericks' forward Dirk Nowitzki before his final home game at the American Airlines Center.