Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash are close friends from their playing days together on the Dallas Mavericks. Which is good, because if the two weren’t pals, Nash probably wouldn’t have appreciated Nowitzki’s recent comments about him.
Nash announced Saturday that he’s retiring after a successful 18-year career. During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Insiders podcast Sunday, Nowitzki congratulated the Canadian point guard in the best way ever.
[tweet https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/579813992769683456 align=’center’]
He got you good, Steve.
Nowitzki was joking, of course, and went on to heap praise on the eight-time NBA All-Star and two-time league MVP. He also gave a shout-out to former teammate and current Mavs executive Michael Finley.
“I didn’t know anyone in Dallas, my family was 10-11 flight hours away, and Steve and really Mike Finley kind of took me under their wing and helped me out,” Nowitzki said. “… They just showed me how to be a professional on and off the floor and really helped me out wherever he could. I’ll be forever grateful to Steve and Mike for how they treated me that first year.”
That’s very kind of Nowitzki to say, but we like the sassy Dirk who’s not afraid to call out his friends and teammates (we’re looking at you, Chandler Parsons).
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
