NBA Victor Hartenstein Expresses Gratitude to Dirk: 'Thanks, Dirk' - NBA Title Claimed by Hartenstein
Title-winning Hartenstein basks in son's spotlight
- Hear ye, hear ye!*
Isaiah Hartenstein, the Oklahoma City Thunder's star, left fans thrilled with his championship win, sporting his one-year-old son Elijah in his arms. The little champ dozed off, oblivious to the heart-pounding festivities, but managed to charm Kevin Durant nonetheless. "Little Hartenstein passed out 😂😂😂. Congrats Okc," Durant tweeted.
The 27-year-old recounted his adolescent years, spending them glued to the NBA Finals, beaming with his family in Quakenbrück. "After Dirk Nowitzki lifted the trophy, it was real. It was achievable," Hartenstein humbly admitted, thanking the German basketball legend.
Nowitzki is beloved in the basketball world, and Hartenstein cherishes his achievements. Reflecting on his victory, he enthusiastically declared, "Dirk gave us Germans hope, and now we have another champion. Dankeschön, Dirk!"
The Contenders and the Victor
Daniel Theis, Maxi Kleber - fellow Germans playing for the NBA - made it to the Finals with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, respectively, but it was Hartenstein who clinched the title. His tenure with the Thunder propelled him to becoming the MVP of the G League and a key figure in a young team that dominated the regular season and secured the top spot in the Western Conference.
The playoffs were a whirlwind, with the Thunder sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The intense seven-game battle against the Indiana Pacers culminated in their 103:91 win, with Hartenstein contributing effortlessly with 7 points and 9 rebounds.
The Long Road to Glory
Hartenstein's perseverance can be traced back to his early years. Committed to his dream of making it to the NBA, he would spend New Year's Eve at the Artland Dragons gym, etching his name as the peculiar dedicatee amid confusion from his peers. Despite this, he never wavered from his goal, and his sacrifice is finally paying off.
Germany's second NBA champion, Hartenstein has earned himself a respectable standing in the league, valued for his exceptional skills in passing, playmaking, and his assertive defense. The Thunder offered him a pivotal three-year, $87 million contract at the start of the season. Yet, his journey was not an easy one, with naysayers questioning his commitment to the national team.
Making Amends
Despite keeping a distance from the national team, Hartenstein has found other ways to pay homage to his country. He recently invested in ratiopharm Ulm and anticipates the possibility of celebrating a double win for Germany.
"Germany has overlooked my dedication, but I am still eager to give back," Hartenstein shared, reflecting on the challenges he faced in the past. He also announced an event called the iHart-Fest, which aims to show his gratitude to the people who supported his journey.
Born to a German father and American mother in Oregon, Hartenstein spent his formative years in Quakenbrück while his father, Florian, played for the Gießen 46ers and Artland Dragons in the Bundesliga. For him, winning the NBA title is just the beginning; he plans to continue breaking records and inspiring future generations of German basketball players.
I'm not going to be a big fan of this basketball season, with Isaiah Hartenstein, the star of Oklahoma City Thunder, winning the NBA title despite fellow Germans Daniel Theis and Maxi Kleber falling short with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks respectively. It's a shame, as I grew up idolizing Dirk Nowitzki and dreamt of a second NBA champion from Germany.
