1-on-1 with Dirk Nowitzki: Mavs star talks retirement, Luka, Mavs

DALLAS — As Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki continues to determine what comes subsequent in his retirement, he is additionally getting extra concerned with the Mavericks group and the town of Dallas.

On Sunday, Nowitzki is internet hosting the Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic, that includes celebrities resembling Mavs famous person Luka Doncic, actor Ben Stiller and tennis legends Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and John Isner.

“I’m a big tennis fan,” Nowitzki stated. “Tennis was my first sport. With the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, we wanted to put on our own event with something that we love.”

The event will happen from 11 a.m. to three p.m. with tickets going for $41 and kids three and below getting in free. To buy tickets, click on right here. 

Proceeds profit The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which awards grants yearly to organizations specializing in kids’s wellbeing, well being and training. The former Mavs ahead established the muse in 2001.

“I’m not a big golfer, so I wanted to put something on that I love doing,” Nowitzki stated. “We came up with this tennis celebrity classic and unfortunately, of course, we couldn’t do it the last couple of years because of the pandemic. But we’re back for the fifth year and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a fun weekend on Sunday at the SMU.”

Nowitzki stated he is glad to have Doncic again concerned and enjoying within the event.

“We love having him,” Nowitzki stated. “Of course, he’s the star here. People love him. I wouldn’t say he’s the best tennis player. He’s a big tennis fan. His skills are just OK. I always tell him, ‘You should just stick to basketball,’ but we’re so happy and grateful that he comes and supports. He was just in the EuroBasket in Europe. And for him to come in and support that weekend for us means a lot. We definitely appreciate him playing.”

Nowitzki made his NBA debut on Feb. 5, 1999. Another skilled who got here on the scene across the identical time interval is Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, who performed in his first Grand Slam event on the French Open on May 25, 1999.

Federer not too long ago introduced he can be retiring from skilled tennis after a event in London.

“I met Roger a few times,” Nowitzki stated. “One time in the Olympics in ’08. And a couple of other handful of times in Wimbledon. Of course, I’m a huge, huge fan. Just talking to him, picking his brain. What he did off the court as well as on the court. To me, he is one of the goats of the sports, of course.”

“To lose Serena and Roger within just a couple of weeks is very sad and emotional for me, as a tennis fan, who has followed the sport for the last 40 years. They’ll definitely leave a huge hole to fill but both have tremendous personalities. They did so much good off the court.”

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Nowitzki was not too long ago honored at EuroBasket 2022 this September, the place his worldwide No. 14 jersey was retired. It marks the primary time within the 73-year historical past of the German basketball federation (DBB) that they’ve retired a jersey quantity.

 “It was super cool,” Nowitzki stated. “It was emotional. I had friends from growing up there. I had my family. My kids were there. My parents were able to witness it again. There have been so many unforgettable moments, honestly these last three years starting with the street naming here and then the jersey retirement and all sorts of other awards. It’s just been an incredible journey here for the last three years. I’ve just been soaking it in and trying to enjoy the moment. I’m just so proud that my family is there to witness all this.”

Last season, the Mavs proved to their followers and themselves that they’ll contend with the league’s greatest. The complete league took discover of what they did in Game 7 in opposition to the Phoenix Suns — the NBA’s solely 60-win staff this yr.

The season finally resulted in defeat because the Golden State Warriors eradicated the Mavs from the playoffs after a 120-110 loss in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. 

“You always think further,” Nowitzki stated. “You wish to get higher within the offseason. You wish to take the following step. If you are this far and also you’re within the high 4, it is typically laborious to take that subsequent step. We’ll simply have to attend and see how this subsequent season goes.

Nowitzki stated he believes within the core the entrance workplace is constructing round Doncic and the potential for the staff to construct on final season’s success.

“We have the coaches and everything in place,” Nowitzki stated. “They showed that last year. You know, we’ll just have to wait and see how the season goes. I think losing Brunson is, of course, tough. He was a very big part of what we are doing the last few years. But hopefully, by adding Timmy Hardaway back in the mix and some other guys, we can make up for it.”

In June of 2021, the Mavs introduced that Nowitzki can be re-joining the staff as a particular advisor. The staff stated he can be talked with serving to the entrance workplace with the hiring of each a common supervisor and head coach, in line with a Mavs press launch. He would additionally seek the advice of on different front-office choices.

Nowitzki stated after specializing in household, touring and his youngsters through the first few years of retirement, he is able to get extra concerned with the staff transferring ahead.

“I bleed blue, of course,” Nowitzki stated. “I’ve been with the Mavs, since what, ’98? They’re close to my heart. And I always thought after I enjoy retirement a bit that I will want to be involved. I want to help. The playoff run was probably the most I’ve been around. I almost saw every game. It was such a blast to see these guys work so hard and break through in the top 4. That was an incredible journey. Hopefully, here in the near future, I’ll be around a lot more and really try to help the organization out even more.”

Nowitzki additionally stated he is gotten shut with Doncic by means of the years, seeing so much within the Slovenian famous person that reminds him of himself throughout his youthful years.

“He is just like me 20 years ago,” Nowitzki stated. “When you’re not sure and English is not your first language, I think you’re always a little shy with the cameras on. I didn’t want to say anything wrong. I was just the same way. Once the camera’s off, this kid is hilarious. He busts everybody. He’s a jokester. He loves to have fun with his teammates and with people around him that he’s comfortable. So, I think with me, he feels fairly comfortable. He says whatever and we usually enjoy each other’s company.”

“He knows that anything he ever needs, I’m more than happy to help him out. Whether it’s on or off the court, he knows that I’m always in his corner. He’s such a great kid. He’s got a huge heart. He wants to do well, so if there’s anything I can ever do for him, I’m happy to do so.”