Dirk Nowitzki reveals first time he earned respect from intense Kevin Garnett

Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett had many epic matchups throughout their careers.

Dirk Nowitzki reveals first time he earned respect from intense Kevin Garnett

Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett

Dirk Nowitzki recently appeared on Shaquille O’Neal’s podcast, The Big Podcast with Shaq, where he shared stories about his rivalry with Kevin Garnett. Nowitzki recalled how Garnett would often guard him closely, even following him nose-to-nose everywhere he went on the court.

Despite their intense on-court battles, Dirk Nowitzki earned Garnett’s respect when he made his first All-Star Game in his third or fourth year in the league. Nowitzki remembered being in awe of playing alongside legends like Shaq, Kobe, and Tim Duncan, and sharing the experience with his friend Steve Nash.

There was guys that would go at me all the time. I mean KG (Kevin Garnett) was one of them, he was wild. I mean I would sometimes get out of the huddle, he would already pick me up out of the huddle and follow me nose to nose everywhere I went, and he was hard on me. Early on he tried to go at me all the time. We even had battles later in our careers when we played against each other for a decade plus and we still had that intensity. I think it’s when I made my first All-Star Game and that was I think my third or fourth year… I’ll never forget my first All-Star. And then I think KG respected me a little more after that, we had some good discussions.
Dirk Nowitzki said on The Big Podcast with Shaq

After the All-Star Game, Garnett’s demeanor towards Nowitzki changed, and he began to show him more respect. Nowitzki fondly recalled their conversations and jokes in the locker room, revealing a more playful side of Garnett’s personality.

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Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett had many epic matchups throughout their careers, with their rivalry spanning over a decade. Despite the intensity of their on-court battles, they developed a mutual respect for each other’s skills and competitiveness.

Dirk Nowitzki’s unwavering dedication to the Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki explained his loyalty to the Dallas Mavericks on The Big Podcast with Shaq. He felt welcomed by the team and city, and developed a strong relationship with owner Mark Cuban.

It was just at the beginning; I didn't really know what to expect. But people here were great to me; people were loyal to me. They made me feel welcome at the beginning, then Mark [Cuban] buying the team in my second year, and we developed a great relationship. It was kind of people were great to me as they wanted me to succeed and having a great relationship with Mark. I just sort of felt like I owed it to the city and the franchise to make it work here.
Dirk Nowitzki said on The Big Podcast with Shaq
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Nowitzki’s dedication is unparalleled, playing 21 seasons with the Mavericks and setting a record for most seasons with a single franchise. He remained committed through ups and downs, including a decade of consistent 50-win seasons without a championship.

Nowitzki reflected on the journey, acknowledging that tough times made the ultimate triumph sweeter. He emphasized the importance of experiencing both good and bad times, cementing his legacy as a legend of the NBA and a beloved figure in Dallas.

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