Been arguing for what, now, almost 20 years on how to pronounce the last name of the Mavs’ most iconic player.
Fans try to remind me that “in German v is pronounced like w”, making it “NoVitzki.”
I counter with a couple of things: 1. If that’s the case about German, why isn’t it pronounced “VolksVagen?” 2. Just ask Dirk, he’ll tell you it’s “NoWitzki.”
But far from our subtle exchange, NBC’s Saturday Night Live got it waaay wrong. On the season’s last episode starring Drake, cast member Kenan Thompson host a skit titled “Black Jeopardy.” In the category of “Bruh,” the answer was:
“He’s been playing for a while now, but he’s still been putting up big numbers.”
Thompson’s answer? “Who is Dirk, er, Nabiscuit.”
Not the funniest line in the history of the show, but Nowitzki can now claim “cultural icon” on his list of career achievements.
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Dez Bryant might have made the spelling bee. But Dirk became a punchline on SNL.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
