On August 12, Dirk Nowitzki (45) will be inducted into the basketball hall of fame.
Shortly before the ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, the legend spoke about
► The chances of the German team at the Basketball World Cup in Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines (August 25 to September 10)
“I’m looking forward to a great tournament. We have one of the best squads we could wish for. Overall, this is one of the best squads in the World Cup, at least on paper. The team played a great European Championship last year and should have made it to the final. We don’t have to hide from anyone at the World Cup. The quarter-finals at a tournament like this is always great. And then you have to look, luck is also part of it in the crossover games.”
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► Dennis Schröder’s (29) criticism of Maxi Kleber (31) and Kleber’s subsequent cancellation of the World Cup
“Maxi decided not to play. That’s why I don’t think there will be any unrest in the team over this matter. It would be funny if he were to do it now. That was very, very unfortunate. He would have been fit and would have liked to play. But I can understand his decision. If you’re criticized by the captain who says you’re not wanted, then you just walk out. I haven’t spoken to Maxi yet, I don’t even know where in the world he is right now.”
► the series of awards after his career
“It’s been a bit much around me in recent years. I invited some friends to the unveiling of my statue. Then the feedback came, ‘What? Should we celebrate and honor you again?’. Admission to the Hall of Fame is the absolute icing on the cake. It’s going to be an amazing week. Friends, family and former teammates come from all over the world. Around 150 will be there. I see this as the end of the celebrations, after that it will hopefully be a little quieter.”
► His former competitors Pau Gasol and Tony Parker, who are also inducted into the Hall of Fame
“When we were competitors, we weren’t that close. You don’t want friends at this level. We’ve only had more contact since the end of our careers, and we sometimes go out to eat. And the three of us have a Hall of Fame Class of 2023 chat group. We exchange ideas there.”
Spectacular scenes at launch Crazy reception for new superstar!
Source: BILD/AP 08/02/2023
► his preparations for the ceremony
“I’m ‘Mavs for life’, so I always wear blue suits on such occasions, which also go well with my blue eyes. After being told in late March that I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame, I started writing my speech. I don’t want to forget anyone like I forgot my sister at the Jersey retirement ceremony. This won’t happen to me again! I had to hand in the speech a few weeks ago, but in the end a few things will be spontaneous. I don’t just want to read, I also want to talk from the heart.”
2023-08-04 11:15:28
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