NBA title victor Hartenstein expresses gratitude: 'Thanks, Dirk' - NBA titleholder: Hartenstein
Title: Hartenstein's Historic Win: "Thanks Dirk" - NBA's All-Star German Scores Title for OKC Thunder
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A triumphant Isaiah Hartenstein took the spotlight after his Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the NBA championship, cradling one-year-old son Elijah in his arms. Unperturbed by the shower of confetti and chaos, little Elijah slept blissfully through it all. Hartenstein, with a twinkle in his eye, quipped into the arena microphone, "Guess it's not loud enough in here," inciting the crowd's boisterous cheers.
Kevin Durant, with his recent blockbuster trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets announced just hours before the deciding seventh game, couldn't help but appreciate Elijah's accidental crowd-pleasing act. Durant tweeted, "Little Hartenstein is knocked out 😂😂😂. Congrats Okc."
As the arena celebrated, Hartenstein reminisced about watching Dirk Nowitzki secure the title with the Dallas Mavericks 14 years ago. Surrounded by family and friends at Quakenbrück, he witnessed Nowitzki's victory IRL. The emotional event fueled Hartenstein's own NBA dreams. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Seeing him do it gave me confidence that if he could do it, I could too. Thanks Dirk."
A veritable basketball icon, Nowitzki's impact on the German game left Hartenstein in awe. "Dirk has done so much for German basketball, and now to be mentioned in the same sentence as him is something special," he said.
Theis and Kleber came close, but Hartenstein clinched it
Daniel Theis made it to the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics, Maxi Kleber with the Dallas Mavericks, but only Hartenstein brought home the title. As a vital player on a young team, he dominated the regular season and earned top spot in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City swept through the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves before facing off against the Indiana Pacers in a gripping seven-game showdown. In the decisive game, a 103-91 victory, Hartenstein netted seven points and nine rebounds, earning loud cheers as his name was read in the starting lineup.
Hartenstein often feels underrated in Germany
In his seventh year in the NBA, Hartenstein has solidified himself as a skilled passer, shrewd defender, and efficient rebounder. The Thunder inked him to a three-year, $87 million contract before the season.
Yet, his journey hasn't been easy. "I was always the weird one, the one who was in the gym at midnight with the Artland Dragons. People would ask why I was doing that, and I'd say I wanted to make it to the NBA and win," Hartenstein remembered.
Even today, the 27-year-old often feels misunderstood in Germany. "The sacrifices I made, not playing for the national team to be here now and bring a title back to Germany, that's something special," he said. "Looking back five years, people didn't understand why I wasn't playing for the national team, why I had to take this path to get here."
Though he opted out of playing for the national team, Hartenstein prioritized his NBA career. Unlike Daniel Theis, Maxi Kleber, who made it to the Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, Hartenstein did it all.
Germany may think he doesn't see himself as German, but his desire to give back to his homeland is burning bright. Backing ratiopharm Ulm, he hopes to secure a German championship soon, making it a possibility for a trip home to celebrate. "I mean, I have to see. But celebrating two titles in Ulm, that would be something special."
In August, Hartenstein will host the iHart-Fest to give back to Germany, just as he did with Ulm. His family, including father, mother, wife, son, sister, and nephew, will pose for a picture with the golden championship trophy, the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Before he boarded the plane, he answered questions about a possible EuroBasket participation: "No idea, I want to focus on this first, my body hurts. We'll see." While Hartenstein isn't a world champion yet, with an NBA championship under his belt, he wouldn't have to stand at the back of the line in the team.
- Isaiah Hartenstein - NBA Champion
- Dirk Nowitzki - German Basketball Legacy
- Quakenbrück - Hartenstein's Hometown
- Oklahoma City - Titleholding Thunder
- Oklahoma City Thunder - Thunder's Title Run
- Dallas Mavericks - Mavs Made It Too
- Daniel Theis - EuroLeague MVP
- Maxi Kleber - Took the Mavs to the Finals
- Kevin Durant - From Phoenix Suns to Houston Rockets
- Artland Dragons - Hartenstein's Early Dream Team
- ratiopharm Ulm - Hartenstein's Future German Title Contender
- EuroBasket - European Basketball Competition
- Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy - NBA Championship Trophy
- Chet Holmgren - Thunder Teammate
- Houston Rockets - Kevin Durant's Former Team
"I'm not going to be a big fan of this NBA championship win, but I might make an exception for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they're led by Isaiah Hartenstein, who reminds me of Dirk Nowitzki in his determination and impact on German basketball."
"Sports enthusiasts might see Dirk Nowitzki's influence in Isaiah Hartenstein's game, but they'll also notice a resemblance in their approach to basketball, as both have family ties to Quakenbrück, Hartenstein's hometown."
