Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks legend, sent out a hilarious and brutally honest message to his fellow 2023 Hall of Famers.
Dirk admitted to his friend’s, Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker that he “didn’t always like” obviously not out of hate but as a competitor with the desire to win at all costs.
In his Hall of Fame speech, he said he has nothing, but respect for the trio, and reiterating that their greatness is undeniable.
“Pau, Tony, D-Wade, I didn’t always like you guys, and we competed at the highest level, but there was always some appreciation of your guys’ greatness. Thank you, guys,” Nowitzki said before giving a special shout-out to San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
Playing for the Mavs in the West throughout his career, he had countless battles with Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as with Tony Parker and the Spurs.
In the build-up of the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, Nowitzki even said that he “used to hate the Spurs” because they were the “big brother” who was always in the Mavs’ way.
As for Dwyane Wade, Nowitzki has plenty of history with him. Wade and the Miami Heat gave Dirk and the Mavericks a heartbreak in 2006 when they denied them the NBA championship in the finals.
Well, years later, in the 2011 playoffs, Nowitzki finally got his revenge by beating them for the title.
While Nowitzki admitted that he can’t say that he and Wade are friends now that they are retired, but have mutual respect.
In conclusion, Nowitzki was happy to be included in such a historic 2023 class, which is probably one of the best classes in the history of the Hall of Fame, considering how legendary all those selected are.
