Homecoming 'overwhelms' MVP Dirk Nowitzki

Photograph by: Ralph Orlowski, Getty Images

By: AFP - Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki waves to thousands of fans at the Wuerzburg Residence on June 28, 2011 in Wuerzburg, Germany. Nowitzki visits his hometown Wuerzburg after he and his team Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA title.

Wuerzburg, Germany - Dirk Nowitzki, the German playmaker who led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Finals victory, admitted he was "overwhelmed" by the response as he came back to his home city on Tuesday.

"This is the highlight of my career," he said during the celebrations in his home city of Wuerzburg.

The 33-year-old, voted the Most Valuable Player of the NBA championship series, made his first appearance in Germany 16 days after his team's triumph and was greeted by a crowd of 3,000 fans at the city's basketball stadium.

"It's absolutely overwhelming what's going on here," said the visibly moved Nowitzki upon returning to the Franconia city, 120km from Frankfurt am Main.

"I had not expected this and I won't forget this day for the rest of my life."

Nowitzki was greeted with chants of 'MVP' and was welcomed with a standing ovation when he entered the arena, in which he started his professional career by helping DJK Wuerzburg win promotion to the Bundesliga in 1997.

Despite a marathon two week-long party in America, Nowitzki says he is keeping his feet on the ground and patiently answered questions from fans and over 140 journalists for more than an hour.

With his left hand bandaged because of a torn tendon in the middle finger, Nowitzki says he does not know if he will play for the German national team at the European Championships in Lithuania this September.

"Now I'm taking a vacation first, then I'll make the decision," he said, having already won 127 caps for Germany.

He did, however, definitely rule out any talk of retirement despite fulfilling his lifetime dream of winning the NBA, and said his MVP trophy from the NBA finals has remained Stateside.

Following the press conference, the party for 'Dirkules', as he has been dubbed, was due to get into full swing.

After signing the city's official book, a reception was planned on the balcony of the city's impressive palace.

Normally, such an event is prohibited as the city has World Heritage Site status, but a special exception was made for the return of Nowitzki.

© Copyright (c) AFP

Posted in: Dirk Nowitzki,NBA News