Seeing your favourite player compete for the first time in person is an exciting occasion and many never have the opportunity to do so.

For two lucky fans from China, this week was their chance to see their hero Dirk Nowitzki in the flesh after many years of waiting for an opportunity.

They traveled all the way from their home country to see the man who they say they have been fans of for 17 years.

Of course when he saw them, he stopped to have a picture taken with the couple on his way through the locker room tunnel in the American Airlines Center.

After this special moment one of the fans couldn’t help hugging a stranger after fulfilment of a dream that had been more than a decade and a half in the making.

Dirk Nowitzki is the newest member of the 30,000 points club in the NBA as of this week and his squad suddenly looks like a contender for the playoffs again.

He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to reach that mark after notching 25 points and 11 rebounds during a 122-111 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Suddenly, the sweet-shooting big man is getting his just due after starting the season wondering if he would be able to finish out the season at all.

Dallas’ star has rebounded and so has his team, which is the midst of a four game winning streak with the latest 105-96 win coming over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

The German product has etched himself further into the NBA history books with this latest accolade although he had already claimed an NBA Championship in 2011 against the Miami Heat.

His two three pointers late against Brooklyn helped seal the deal and cement that he will be key in getting the Mavs to the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons.

There was concern earlier in the season that the fans might be in for a more subtle version of the farewell tour that Kobe Bryant embarked upon last season as the franchise tried to send him off on the right note.

Now, it looks like Dirk is headed for Tim Duncan territory on the way out as he could conceivably join the big postseason dance in the twilight of his career.

Good things come to those who wait, and that sentiment can be shared by both fan and player during this magical week for Nowitzki.