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As if collectors needed another reason to love Dirk Nowitzki, here’s No. 6,372: Last Friday afternoon, just before throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers game and departing the next*day*for his homeland Germany, the Dallas Mavericks’*uber everything NBA Finals MVP took time to participate*in*a special private signing for Panini America and his*namesake foundation.
Arguably the most in-demand athlete on the planet at that particular moment*taking time for such a signing is indescribably cool. Even cooler? He shared pictures of the signing in real time on his Facebook page. Cooler still? The insanely spectacular, limited-edition results of the signing on beautiful display at Panini Authentic.
Nowitzki, the unassuming 7-foot superstar with the indefensible fall-away jumper, led Dallas to its first NBA championship by averaging 26 points and*9.7 rebounds during the Finals, icing*the Miami Heat with*his signature shooting touch and heaping helpings of resolve.
Less than two weeks later, and with his much-scrutinized left middle finger still taped and immobilized,*the historically reluctant signer was every bit as impressive flashing*signature moves of a different sort, inking his distinctive autograph to exclusive Panini Authentic 16 by 20 photographs and a small amount of Panini America trading cards.
The addition of Nowitzki*only accentuates*an unrivaled Panini Authentic roster of signers that*includes the last two NBA Finals MVPs*(Nowitzki and Panini exclusive Kobe Bryant), the defending NBA Rookie of the Year (Panini exclusive Blake Griffin),*the two-time defending NBA scoring champion (Panini*exclusive Kevin Durant) and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft (Panini exclusive*John Wall).
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