Dirk Nowitzki's Mavericks farewell was a long one. Every time the Mavs stopped in an NBA city for the last time during the 2018-19 season, fans lavished the big German with appreciation for his two-decade career in Dallas. Mavericks fans got to say their own goodbyes a few dozen times and turned every home game in which Nowitzki played into a celebration. Still, when the end came on April 9, no one was ready. Next season, for the first time since the 1997-'98 season, the Mavericks will have to find their way without the greatest player in franchise history.