While Tony Parker thanked Pau Gasol for their decade-long rivalry, Dirk Nowitzki was also asked about his sporting battles against the Spurs of TP, the Lakers of Gasol, and of course the Heat of Dwyane Wade. The four will enter the Hall Of Fame together, and this quartet perfectly illustrates the landscape of the NBA from 2005 to 2015. Between them, they won 10 NBA titles!
“There were times when we didn’t really get along, but that’s part of competing at the highest level.”recognized Nowitzki at the microphone of Mark Stein. Since then, water has flowed under the bridge, and Nowitzki has come to know and appreciate TP and Gasol, whom he also met with Germany or as teammates in the All-Star Game.
A family discussion
On the other hand, with Wade, it remains simply cordial. We all remember the 2011 Finals when Dwyane Wade and LeBron James made fun of a sick Nowitzki…
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends… There’s a mutual respect for each other’s careers. It is clear that we are cordial. There is no more animosity. We both moved on” says the German. “Are we friends? No, we don’t text each other, but there’s a lot of respect between us.”
One thing is certain, it was the Hall Of Fame that brought them together, and Nowitzki had recently explained to the Dallas Morning News that he and his loved ones had dinner with Wade’s family during the last NCAA Final Four. The opportunity to forget past quarrels.
“It is obvious that we have been through a lot, ups and downs”said Nowitzki. “But in the end, he’s one of the greatest players of all time, so it’s an honor to be in the same class as him. We met up with his family at one of the dinners and we talked. I think there’s a lot of mutual respect now. I know we’ve been through hard times in our careers, but at the end of the day, you can’t be friends with everyone you face at the highest level. That’s not how it works. »
