Dirk Nowitzki ‘Excited, Anxious’ for ‘Tip of Iceberg’ HOF Moment
When you think of the Dallas Mavericks, you immediately think of Dirk Nowitzki, and rightfully so.
Following having his No. 41 jersey retired by the Mavs along with having a statue of his signature one-legged fadeaway put in front of American Airlines Center, Nowitzki will now be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, a week from today.
On “The Saturday Stein Line with Marc Stein,” Nowitzki spoke on his feelings leading up to the induction, including reminiscing on his path to becoming a Hall of Famer with former teammates.
“Super excited. A little anxious already," Nowitzki said. "To me, the Hall of Fame is the tip of the iceberg.”
Two former teammates who have already reached the tip of that iceberg are Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. Both will present Nowitzki at next weekend's ceremony.
“They’re not only teammates of mine, they’re friends for life,” Nowitzki said of having Nash and Kidd present him into the Hall.
Kidd, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, had a vastly different path from the grind that both Nash and Nowitzki faced to build their storied, Hall of Fame careers.
“Crazy how the times have flown by. Crazy how that worked out,” Nowitzki said. “That first year, I wasn’t sure. Am I going to make it? I was basically questioning myself.”
Nowitzki's story of questioning if he was ready or good enough to be in the NBA during his rookie season is well documented. But, with the support and budding friendship with Nash, both young Mavs worked together to find their way in the league. Together, they 'made it.’
“All we really did, Steve and I, we said all we can do is work hard,” Nowitzki said. “We just really busted our tails to get better and try to make it.”
And made it they did. Despite Nash departing Dallas for the Phoenix Suns in 2004, both players found their way to the peak of their careers, including three combined MVPs. Nowitzki then hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy and Finals MVP award in 2011 alongside Kidd.
To have two former teammates and close friends present you into the Hall of Fame? Talk about a dream. “Super, super humble to be a part of this amazing class,” Nowitzki said.
Follow Michael Mulford on Twitter. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
