Dirk Nowitzki is the best German basketball player in history. The NBA legend will now be honored for his outstanding achievements and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Born in Würzburg, he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with a grand ceremony on August 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts, along with other greats of his sport.
In addition to Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and coach Becky Hammon are also inducted into the Hall of Fame – as Popovich’s assistant, Hammon was the first woman to lead an NBA team at a game coached.
The greatest moments of Dirk Nowitzki’s career in the NBA and national team
Before Nowitzki received the great honor, he answered questions from German journalists in a media round. The now 45-year-old spoke about many topics, including the upcoming basketball World Cup. When asked by SPORT1, he also commented on Maxi Kleber’s cancellation after his dispute with Captain Dennis Schröder.
Otherwise, Nowitzki gave insights into his life after his career, his relationship with Parker and Gasol – and made it clear that the ongoing hype about his person is also somewhat uncomfortable. SPORT1 has compiled the best statements.
Nowitzki reports group chat with Parker and Gasol
Dirk Nowitzki on being inducted into the Hall of Fame as the final conclusion to his career: “There has really been a lot to do with me over the past four years. I think I invited a few friends to the unveiling of the statue and then the feedback came: should we celebrate you again now? Of course that was a bit much now over the last few years, but of course I enjoyed all the events. That was really an honour. It started with the street name in Dallas, then of course the two Jersey retirements, then the statue and now the absolute icing on the cake. I’m really looking forward to Springfield. It’s going to be an amazing week with friends and family from all over the world. I think there’s over 150 people coming from my crew that I’ve either played with or been around in my life. I also see it a bit as the end of all the celebrations and I hope that things will calm down a bit afterwards.”
Nowitzki about his life after the active career: “I don’t think I’ll fall into a hole after the Hall of Fame. I’ve settled into post-basketball life really well over the past four years. Retired sounds a bit silly, that’s why I say in my second half of life. We travel a lot, we experience a lot. I still do a lot of things, both in basketball and outside of basketball. I’m really completely satisfied with that.”
Nowitzki on the special thing about being recorded with Tony Parker and Pau Gasol: “I haven’t really realized it yet. It’s great, of course, and we’re all very happy. I’ve had competition with Tony and Pau for a long, long time. We’ve played each other since our early 20’s, whether internationally or on the highest stage in the NBA. So there were also times when we didn’t have any contact, because at that level you don’t really want to have friends. But now that our careers are over we have been in contact more and more and now of course in Houston at the Final Four when we were announced we were there together and of course we had a great time. We talked a lot about the old days and had dinner together a few times. The three of us now also have a group chat where we talk.”
Nowitzki on the player he would like to personally welcome to the Hall of Fame: “Of course that’s easy now that we have Luka here in Dallas. The boy is incredibly good and I get on incredibly well with him. I also played with him for a year. What he did in the first few years in the league is absolutely amazing. If he keeps playing like this for a few more years, he’ll definitely be in the Hall of Fame. When the time comes, we hope, of course, that he will play in Dallas for another 15 years, then I would of course be happy if I could still make some moves to be there for him. But otherwise it is an honor to be asked at all. And if I was part of one or motivated or inspired him a bit with my game in my 21 years, then of course I would never say no to something like that.
Nowitzki regrets the cancellation of Kleber
Nowitzki on the DBB team’s chances at the World Cup: “We’re looking forward to a great World Cup. I think we have one of the best squads anyone could wish for. On paper, we even have one of the best squads for the entire World Cup. But of course you always have to see how the team comes together. I saw that with the Maxi, which of course was a bit unfortunate. It’s a bit of a shame, but Maxi wasn’t there last summer and we played a great European Championship there. We could or should have reached the final there, so I think it will work out the same way that we have a good squad. A quarter-final at the World Cup is always great and afterwards you can take a look: how is the tournament going? How are the opponents? You have to be a bit lucky then, how the crossover games go. But normally, if everyone is healthy, we don’t have to hide from any opponent with the squad.”
Nowitzki on SPORT1 request about the dispute between Dennis Schröder and Maxi Kleber: “I think that Maxi has now decided not to play. So I don’t think there will be any unrest again. Maybe it would be funny if he were to come along now, I think it just went unlucky. In the end, there’s nothing you can do about it now. I haven’t spoken to Maxi myself, I don’t even know where he’s hanging around at the moment, whether he’s in Dallas at the moment. That’s why I don’t really know, but of course I can understand his decision a little bit. If you’re criticized by the team captain, he says: ‘Okay, if I’m not wanted, then I’ll withdraw.’” So I can understand the decision a bit. It was really, really unfortunate. I think Maxi would have been fit and would have liked to play, but now the people who are there have to step on the gas like last year.”
Everything about the NBA on SPORT1.de
Nowitzki on the strengths of the DBB team: “They showed that they can win important games last year at the European Championships: Everyone puffed their cheeks out a bit after I made the draw back then. Everyone said: Oh, that’s a difficult group and it’s possible that we won’t get out of it. And in the end we showed that we can play with the best countries in the world and even win. Of course it was in front of a home crowd and of course the euphoria was palpable, but I think that all the players are a year older now. I think the distribution of roles was great last year. Clearly with Dennis, who had the ball very much in his hands. But Dennis has also gotten older and more experienced, and is now playing a completely different game. He put the boys in the limelight. He knows when he has to step on the gas and score himself. Last year he found a very good mix between the build-up game and the scoring. If he is fit and plays a good World Cup again, then a lot is possible again.”
Nowitzki on the USA’s World Cup squad: “They have a good squad with super interesting young talent. Then you have to see how they adapt to FIBA basketball. It’s sometimes difficult, especially with young players, when you’re the man in your team and then you suddenly have to find your way and subordinate yourself. The way of playing is also different. We’ve seen over the years that it’s sometimes difficult for Team USA. I’m curious. I don’t think the team is unbeatable. But if they get together well, then they already have great talent and athletes with them. Well, they’re definitely one of the top favourites, but I don’t think the team is unbeatable.”
2023-08-04 09:35:43
#dont #friends #level
