Former Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki had a phenomenal career and has already etched his legacy in franchise lore, but he officially cements himself as an NBA legend this weekend as one of 12 inductees to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
The forward was a staple of the Mavs franchise for 21 years, becoming the face of the team throughout the early 2000s and leading it to its first and only NBA championship in June of 2011.
“I just cannot believe it’s [been] four years already [since] I’m out of the league, and now the time has already come that I’m going in [to the Hall of Fame],” Nowitzki told the media during a press conference on Tuesday. “I think the whole weekend will be sort of surreal. I think at some point, I’ve got to stop…and reflect a little bit and really enjoy what’s going on.”
The Mavericks acquired Nowitzki and guard Pat Garrity in exchange for Robert “Tractor” Traylor in a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998. Traylor went on to play seven seasons with three different franchises in the NBA, while Nowitzki became one of the most transcending players on the court, paving the way for the moment big man with his lethal shooting from outside.
“I sort of came in at the right time — when the league was changing,” Nowitzki remarked. “The NBA was a little tired of the 70-to-80 score, Knicks-Miami physical series, a lot of holding and pushing, so I think they wanted to get away from some of the physical play.”
“…That sort of played right into my hands,” he continued. “I was a guy that loved to face up, be outside, and play more on the perimeter than banging with the big guys. Of course, I think Nelly [former head coach Don Nelson] helped…He just saw the game different[ly], always has. He was a mismatch master, and he wanted me to shoot. He encouraged me to play my style.”
Nowitzki will be presented by Mavericks head coach and former teammate Jason Kidd and former teammate Steve Nash as he joins other basketball legends, including forward Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Jim Valvano, Gene Keady, and Becky Hammon, in the Class of 2023.
“[I’m] Super excited that they both agreed to come,” Nowitzki told the media. “I know they both have families and busy schedules in the summer, so it means a lot both are coming…Both mean a lot to me and meant a lot to me during my career…I’m just honored they said yes.”
The 1976 U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team will also be honored.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday and can be seen on NBATV.
