Dirk and JCrossover: 81 points on one big night after 40 years of ball in 79 years on planet

The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are going through rough times lately, but at least they get to celebrate some old guys dropping buckets.

Jamal Crawford becomes the oldest player in league history (39) to drop at least 50 points in a single NBA game. Crawford just completed his 19th season in the league, and now has scored 50+ points for FOUR different NBA franchises, though he hasn’t hit that threshold since 2008. Dude ages well!

Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki dropped 30 points of his own, and at the end of the game announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons, 30,000 points, 15 playoffs and one championship. All with the same team, the Dallas Mavericks.

That’s 40 years of NBA basketball between them.

Watch the full ceremony of Dirk’s retirement here, which occurred after the Suns-Mavs game. It’s impossible to hate Dirk Nowitzki, even though he kept the Suns from the Finals in 2006.

It’s pretty freaking awesome what they did here. The graphics and highlight reel on the court itself, and most of all I love that Dirk was able to do this retirement ceremony in his sweaty game-worn uniform, alongside his teammates, right after dropping 30 points in a throwback night of glory. They even had Jim Carrey show up (or a doppleganger anyway)

“I want to thank the Phoenix Suns for letting me score a few baskets here tonight,” Nowitzki said. “Even though Jamal stole my show a little bit. I’m a little mad about that.”

For Suns fans, this will likely happen some day with Devin Booker in Phoenix. He’s already under contract for the first nine years of his NBA career and as long as the Suns start winning games again, he will happily stay here forever.

Dwyane Wade is also retiring this year, and scored last night too. Tough to imagine an NBA where Wade and Nowitzki aren’t playing any more.