In case anyone has forgotten, these were the final words Dirk Nowitzki said to Mavericks fans on April 9, moments before he walked off the American Airlines Center court for the last time as a player:
"You know, I'll never be gone. I'll stay here. This is my new home, with my wife and my kids. I left Germany over 20 years ago and I became a Texan, so thank you guys for having me. I'll see you soon."
I certainly consider Nowitzki to be a Texan. He turns 41 on June 19, having spent roughly half his life as a Dallas resident.