Dirk Delivers Powerful HOF Speech: ‘Green, You Grow; Ripe, You Rot’
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — On Saturday, Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki delivered his Hall of Fame speech in part of a loaded 2023 class, including other NBA inductees Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, and Gregg Popovich.
Nowitzki, who played 21 seasons with the Mavs, finished sixth all-time in NBA history in scoring. He became the first European player to win the MVP award and led the only NBA franchise he played for to its first and only championship in part of an iconic 2011 NBA Finals run.
During Nowitzki's speech, he emphasized expressing his gratitude to those that had an influence along his basketball journey, in what ultimately became one of the most influential players to step on an NBA court.
“For the last few months, two words have been running through my head: ‘Thank you,’" Nowitzki said. "Thank you to Jerry Colangelo and the Hall of Fame for allowing me to live with this feeling of gratitude for months now. Being in the Hall of Fame means everything to me. I really appreciate it.
"Thanks to the NBA and Adam Silver — the greatest sports league in the world," Nowitzki explained. "My career has been a long journey, all this became possible because I learned some qualities and some values that were taught to me by some very special people that were excellent teachers, and I would like to share my journey towards these qualities today.”
Nowitzki first singled out his first NBA coach, Don Nelson, who was instrumental in discovering him as a talent ahead of the 1998 NBA Draft. Nelson was unable to attend, but Nowitzki received praise him for his creativity and use of a system that maximized his shooting ability as a 7-footer at a time when doing so was not a popular tactic. Nelson coached Nowitzki until 2005.
“Starting with this quality, and that’s creativity," Nowitzki said of Nelson. "The one guy that comes to mind is my guy, Don Nelson. Nellie. Unfortunately he’s not here tonight, but he always saw the game different and when I came in the league, there were not a lot of coaches that wanted a 7-footer to shoot 3s so my skill set kind of fit perfect into his system. I can’t thank him enough.
"He was also very creative off the floor and the stuff that he came up with, his speeches — it’s almost like [Gregg Popovich], they’re not kid-friendly so I’m not gonna say," Nowitzki explained. "It always came down to me having zero talent on defense and he always let me know that. He was just an incredible basketball mind.
"One play that always comes to mind," Nowitzki explained further. "He always came in the morning to shootaround and he was super proud to share, ‘What’s the first play going to be?’ One time, he told me, ‘Okay, Steve [Nash] dribble the ball over, Dirk you pop and [Shawn] Bradley dunk it. Dirk, you just throw the ball off the glass and Bradley would catch it and lay it in.’ Sure enough, that ball went out of bounds and we started the game going the other way. Anyways, thanks Nellie. You’re the man.”
Nowitzki offered praise for Steve Nash, describing him as being the best teammate he had in his NBA career. At a time they were both working to hit their stride at the highest level, the two established a lasting bond that ultimately resulted in major success respectively in different paths.
“Creativity is worth nothing without leadership and the guy that comes to my mind is my friend, Steve," Nowitzki said of Nash. "I think we came a long way from those two brutal haircuts we saw there. The frosted tips you had. But, who would have thought when we first started playing together that we would both be on this stage together?
"It means the world to me and you were a great role model to me. Best teammate I ever had," Nowitzki explained. "You were always positive, you always encouraged me. We worked our butts off at night, went back to the gym and you became a friend for life. Thank you, my friend.”
Jason Kidd, who proved instrumental in fueling the Mavs' 2011 NBA Finals run, was another player highlighted by Nowitzki. The willingness to do the little things on both ends amid a title run stand out.
“I had to learn my competitiveness and who better but my guy J-Kidd? I’ll always remember when you came to us, you were already a little older, but you were a warrior," Nowitzki said of Kidd. "I remember you picking up guys at age 37, 38 picking up guys full court. 94 feet, hustling for us. Making plays on both ends and you were just a wonderful, wonderful all-around player and we won the championship together. We have a bond for life. Thank you so much.
“I would have really loved to play together with those two guys in their primes, but unfortunately I had to deal with what they gave me.”
With being inducted alongside such a talented 2023 class, Nowitzki made it a point to highlight each of them, even though they were fierce rivals.
“Next up: We had creativity, leadership and competitiveness. There’s one quality that really holds a team together, and that’s respect," Nowitzki saif. "That embodies the entire class for me, of ‘23. I’m so excited to be a part of this class. Pau [Gasol], Tony [Parker], [Dwyane] Wade. I didn’t always like you guys. We competed at the highest level, but there was always an appreciation of you guys’ greatness. So, thank you guys.
"There’s one guy in this class who I have the utmost respect for and that’s Coach Pop," Nowitzki explained. "I will never forget you. You wrote me a handwritten note when we won the championship. What you and your organization did at my last game, I’ll forever be grateful. Thank you, my friend To the whole class: It’s an honor to go in with you, I’m truly humbled.”
Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who Nowitzki often credits for being instrumental in his career path for being a believer in his potential after buying the team, once again was a focus. Nowitzki shared a story of how the two bonded early on in what ultimately became a friendship and relationship.
“Respect is a great thing if you establish it over a long period of time and you get the quality that’s more important to me than any other, and that is loyalty," Nowitzki said of Cuban. "The guy that embodies that for me is my good friend, Mark Cuban. You have a huge heart and you taught me a lot of lessons in loyalty.
"I will always remember when you bought the team and you came to your first practice, you said, ‘Let’s play some one-on-one. I could play a little bit.’ Of course, I drove left like I always do and I dunked it right on your head," Nowitzki explained. "We had a great friendship and relationship ever since. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me and for my family. I appreciate it.”
Throughout his NBA journey, Nowitzki learned valuable lessons from various coaches, including Nelson and Rick Carlisle. Nowitzki praised Nelson for his willingness to take a risk, including the choice to acquire his draft rights and to stick with him. Another key component was learning how to be detail-oriented on Carlisle.
“Career always comes with change and that’s always sometimes difficult," Nowitzki said of Carlisle. "To deal with this, it requires the following qualities. Donnie, you found me in Wurtzberg and you always believed in me when nobody else did. That quality to me is the ability of taking risks. Thanks, Donnie.
"Second, you have to master this perfectly. Coach Carlisle, thank you. You taught me how detail-oriented you have to be to win, really almost obsessive with the attention to detail," Nowitzki explained. "I gotta say, I had to retire. I could not have done another shootaround of yours, I gotta say. You made us champions and we’ll forever be grateful. Thank you. The lesson there was, ‘Nothing really works without great preparation.’”
Avery Johnson,who coached Nowktzi in the 2006 NBA Finals,
“Coach Avery, you pushed me to become more than a jump shooter. You developed me into more of a complete player and the lesson here is, you made a difference with your intensity and I’ll always be grateful. Thank you so much.”
Michael Finley was highlighted for being an example of professionalism for Nowitzki. He jokingly mentioned Finley's decision to depart from the Mavs in order to join the San Antonio Spurs, but made clear that he learned valuable lessons as Finley's teammate.
“The next guy I learned professionalism from is my guy Michael Finley," Nowitzki said. "You were a true pro, on and off the floor. You let me and Steve grow alongside you and we will always be grateful. I’m still sad you went to the Spurs in ‘06, but we learned so much from you and you became my big brother. You’re always there for me when I need you, so thank you.”
Nowitzki thanked the role that the Mavs organization played in his journey, and especially those that helped to fuel the 2011 championship. In true Nowitzki fashion, he had fun on his own behalf by mentioning how his teammates deserve praise for covering him up on defense.
“No one can whistle a symphony, it takes a whole orchestra to play it. That orchestra, I was very lucky to have one in Dallas and that quality was team spirit," Nowitzki said. "It starts with the whole Mavs staff, with the medical staff — I mean, everybody does so much work behind the scenes and really helps us to perform every night.
"All my ex-teammates, I must have had 200 of them along my 21 years. Some of them are here tonight, some of the guys from the 2011 championship are here," Nowitzki explained. "Of course, I couldn’t have done it without you. You guys carried me every night. On defense, especially. We have a bond for life, so I really appreciate you guys coming.
“Of course, all the Mavs fans. I hear you. Everyone hears you. You guys inspired and motivated me to always work hard," Nowitzki explained further.." I will always be proud to represent you guys and of course, the Dallas Mavericks. Thank you.”
Holger Geschwinder served as a mentor and shooting coach for Nowitzki throughout his NBA career. With the use of unorthodox techniques in their player development process, Nowitzki was grateful for having learned from Geschwinder and credited him for assisting in maximizing longevity.
“All these qualities, I couldn’t have ever learned without the next one, [which] is innovation," Nowitzki said. "And the one crazy that comes to mind is, my coach, Holger. You always thought outside the box. I had to walk through the gym in handstands. I had to play the saxophone, I had to play the saxophone while doing the handstand. I mean, what else can I say?
"You taught me everything from the jump shot to how to play," Nowitzki explained. "Early on, motor skills were always more important than strength training and I think that helped me in my longevity. You became my mentor for my entire career and I will always be grateful for what you did for me. Thanks, Holger.”
Nowitzki honored his sister, Silke, who he jokingly stated was accidentally excluded in his speech at his jersey retirement.
“Trying new things always leaves you vulnerable and that’s why you need protection," Nowitzki said. " That’s the next quality and I have received that from my sister, Silke, and her family, [Roland], Lilly, Lila. You guys always looked out for me and you were always there for me when I needed you. Silke, I’m sorry I forgot to mention you at the jersey retirement. It’s a good thing you were only mad at me for a brief moment. That brief moment is still going.”
Nowitzki thanked his parents, Helga and Jorg-Werner, for the sacrifices they made throughout his basketball career to help him chase his dreams.
“Next up is something I learned from two people and they’re sitting here tonight," Nowitzki explained. "The extremely important message and quality is humbleness and I learned that from my parents, [Helga and Jorg-Werner]. You’ve obviously sacrificed so much and put your lives on hold so I can chase our athletic dreams.”
Nowitzki's wife, Jessica, and their three children were were praised for the positive impact they hold on his life. However, Nowitzki used the opportunity to also share some valuable life lessons of any venue.
“All these qualities are important, but the one [that] really comes into play is passion," Nowitzki said. "I thought I had played it already in my career, until I met you, Jess. Your passion for our family is incredible. You’re so driven. When you want something in life, you will work so hard to get it. Thanks so much for everything you do for our family, for our kids. We’re really lucky to have you in our lives. Love you.
“As you see, so many qualities and values are extremely helpful but there’s one more that adds a little spice and that’s curiosity," Nowitzki explained. "I’ve got the best three teachers here tonight, those are our kids. Malaika, Max and Morris, please keep this forever. Stay curious and hungry. Find your passion and work hard.
"I shared with you some of the stories tonight that I learned from my role models and I wish the same for you," Nowitzki explained further. "Find your role models who inspire you along the way. It’s always important in life to always have the drive to improve. To never be satisfied. Always see yourself as someone who wants to learn and not see yourself as someone who knows everything already. I’ve had so many great lessons taught to me by incredible teachers, and you will find them, too. Remember, when you’re green, you grow. When you’re ripe, you rot."
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
