Dirk Nowitzki
Appearances
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
So he put together like a committee of guys that help out and wanted... you know, give back and grow the game and give back to the future players. And so it's going to be interesting. I think how he wants to do it, I'm going to let him tell the story when it launches in a couple of days. But there's some cool guys and cool basketball minds.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Steph Curry's on the committee, me, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, lots of others.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
so i think we're we're just trying to help the game uh grow and and develop in the right way and and so we'll see what we come up with in in the next few years and then how we take this which direction this will go but i'm excited to be a part of it and i'm i'm surprised that luca would make that one of his missions of the foundation which is amazing at that age that he's already thinking about what can i do for the for the next generation so
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I'm super glad and honored to be a part of it and we'll see where this goes, where this grows.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I know that's your guy. You know, Steve, I sometimes, you know, go back and think a little bit. What if? I think there were a couple of years there where some championships were for the taking. You know, we're starting in 05, maybe 06, 07. You know, obviously the Spurs were great. And then, you know, and... When Powell went to Lakers, obviously, then they took over.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Before that, KG and Paul Pierce went to Boston. KG and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce. So that would have been tough squads to beat. But right before then, I think there were some years where it would have been possible. But, hey, you know, you just never know. I think at the end of the day, us... You know, separating was probably also good for our careers.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
We both had to take on more responsibility and we probably grew in ways that we might have not grown together because of the responsibility we had to take without each other. You know, that Phoenix team was just perfect for him, for his skill set, for the speed he played the game at, and, you know, the athleticism around him was just perfect. And so, I don't know. I don't know.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Like I said, there were some few years where... Oh, stop it, Dirk. Stop it with I don't know. Stop it. Dirk, I'm so tired. I'm so tired of this.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I'm sorry to yell at you. Why am I yelling at you? No, no, no, it was good. I needed it to wake up. But no, we had a great squad and we loved playing with each other and we had great chemistry. And so would that have translated? Would we have stayed healthy together? I mean, who knows? There's a thousand questions, but I think we would have had a good shot.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
We appreciate the time, sir. Always good seeing you. Maximum respect, sir. Always good to see you guys. All the best.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yes, that's true. But, you know, after 2006, I had to come back and do something, right? That was a tough year where, you know, we were up 2-0 on you guys. And we were in a great position to win it all. And there's just that whole week, you know, back in the days, it was still the 2-3-2. And that whole week in Miami where we lost three straight was like a week from hell. So that'll never...
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Never let me down, but I'm glad we got back in 2011 and had the chance to redeem ourselves.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I mean, I don't know. We were up 2-0 and we were up, what, over 10 points in the third game with five, six minutes left. So, I mean, we made a pretty good case over the almost three games that we were the better team. But, you know, you can never not close and say you were the better team. Now, you can say maybe...
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
in a series of one game where you lose, you can say we were a better team, but you can't say that in a seven game series, that's the better team usually wins. So I can't sit here and say we were the better team. I think we definitely had our chances, but once
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
i think our experience wasn't quite there yet once we once we lost game three they came back and four was a complete blowout and then it was so mental i mean you guys were in our heads we switched hotels uh i mean it was that whole week uh like i mentioned earlier was just uh it was just one of the toughest weeks i've ever been a part of in the nba so that's that was a week to forget and then we came home the down three two still have two home games all we had to do was
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
was win game six, force it to a game seven, have a home game for game seven, and we just couldn't stop the bleeding and win game six. So, yeah.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I think that was just something Coach Eri tried after game four. It was just so ugly. We got blown out. It wasn't even close. And so, you know, he's like, pack your stuff. We're leaving right now. We're leaving. And so we all had to go upstairs and pack our bags and basically checked in somewhere in Fort Lauderdale somewhere. It was, yeah, once it got that far, that was pretty tough.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
You guys were in our heads.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I think it started with competition, and with competition every now and then, you know, emotions run a little high. And I think what started his comment was when I said, we shouldn't have lost that series. No, I think I said, obviously I was frustrated afterwards, I said,
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
um they stole i think he stole this and we gave it away something like that and i think that really triggered him because he felt like that this was disrespectful to their efforts and rightfully so so that was totally me after losing the serious saying something that you know obviously wasn't true and they he played an unbelievable serious and so they obviously deserved it i just
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I just felt like we didn't quite execute. We didn't have experience. We didn't know how to close. So I think that triggered it all. And then he said some stuff that I didn't appreciate. And so there was, you know, there was some, I would say heated. There was just some, we kind of ignored each other for a couple of years. And there was just no relationship. There was no, no, no talking.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
or even when we saw each other somewhere, there was no conversation. So and then, yeah, in 2011, it's kind of fitting that we saw each other again. And, you know, you know, it's always good now to say we're one in one with the Miami Heat and the finals. And so that's that's all it matters. But we're super cool now. We obviously win the Hall of Fame. uh, together last summer.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
And that was an incredible experience and kind of a bonding thing. And, uh, on his podcast, we actually had a little moment where we, we talked about the, or aired out some of the stuff that was said. And, uh, so I, I think everything was kind of, you know, obviously in the heat of the moment and emotions and, uh, but I don't have a problem with, with, with obviously Dwayne and the person.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I think it was just like, you know, we kind of both act that the other person doesn't exist. I think... To this day, was it 07 maybe in the All-Star game in Vegas? We were the only All-Star starters that didn't high-five. I think in the history of the All-Star game. So I think that kind of sums it up a little bit.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
we're both acting like the other person wasn't there it was it was just awkward and like i said it was uh just something silly but um it just it started with with both sides saying something that wasn't appreciated and just we had i wouldn't even say there was just no relationship nobody neither guys wanted to talk to the other or wanted to have a conversation and we left it at that
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Well, he chose this moment. You know, this is my house. And, you know, it's actually the same artist that did mine in Dallas. So I can't be too critical. Oh, no.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Oh man, the weather is cold outside here in Europe right now. Dwayne was obviously involved from the beginning, so that's obviously the most important thing. If he's happy and he feels like this represents him the right way, then we all should be moving on.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I obviously remember you from Orlando. So when I got in the league, were you still in Orlando?
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Dirk, that guy in the back. That's always a big question with me too. Is it make it, take it? Who gets the ball first? Exactly. If you can't defend. then it's very important as it may take it or who has the ball first. So I get that. I ask that all the time too.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I'm not quite sure about that. But, you know, I do have some health issues. So my mobility is more than suspect these days. But, listen, I'll just take two dribbles, put you down on the block, and it's night-night. There you go.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
He's got to miss a little. So if I miss one, I'm going to play. I'm going to use my length and my experience. And so I'm going to give you a little cushion. I'm going to watch if you can hit the first couple. And then if you make one that I got to make you, you know, do something else. You know, I just I use my length at seven feet with a long reach and see where this is taking me.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
You know what? Lateral movement was an issue at 25, so it for sure is an issue at 45. I wasn't known for getting out there and showing on pick and rolls, and that was tough for me 20 years ago. You don't want to see my lateral movement now.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Honestly, I wouldn't say 2011 was a great run, but some of the best playoff runs that I've had in my or maybe the best run I've ever had was probably in 06 when we got to the finals to beat the Spurs in that seven game series and win game seven on the road at the Spurs. was probably one of my greatest wins, the greatest achievements.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
They were always the big brother, the big rivalry, and they always beat us. And so to get through there was just an amazing feeling. You know, to beat that team. Obviously, we all know how good the team was, how well coached they were. And so to get through there was probably the best series that I've been a part of over the whole seven games.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I would say let's leave it at that.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
Yeah, I saw that too, and I'm not quite sure what to say to that. Whether it's young guys or young people don't really watch that much TV anymore or don't sit in front of the TV for two and a half, three hours anymore, I'm not quite sure. Is it really the game? Is it really that we're shooting too many threes? I just don't see that being the main reason why... People don't watch our game anymore.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 2: Dirk Nowitzki And Stump The Meech
I don't really believe that. I'm sure there's lots of other things or factors going into that. If I knew the answer, I would probably work in New York in the commissioner's office. But... You know, for World Basketball Day, Luca is launching his foundation. And, you know, for one of his things that he wants his foundation to do is help basketball worldwide.