Dirk Nowitzki revealed the NBA team he hated most during his passionate speech at the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony.
At this point, it’s something of an open secret that Nowitzki isn’t one to pull punches.
The former champion and league MVP has kept it very real on his issues with Dwyane Wade, for example.
And Nowitzki kept the honesty train going during his Hall of Fame speech. First, by revealing which NBA team he hated most during his pro run.
Nothing but respect between Dirk and the Spurs 🤝😂
👀: The #23HoopClass enshrinement
📅: Tomorrow
📺: 8pm/et on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/ih84frgx8S— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2023
“I’m not going to lie,” he said.
“I used to hate the Spurs. It was just every year, they were so good. Every year, for so long they were kind of beating us up. They were the big brother until we finally broke through in ’06, we beat them for the first time in the playoffs. … I was never a huge Spurs fan, I’ve got to say.”
In six playoff showdowns with San Antonio, Nowitzki won twice and lost four times.
It makes sense that he felt the way he felt about the Spurs.
Nowitzki didn’t stop there, though. He also made it a point to mention that he wasn’t a huge fan of some of the players he wasn’t being inducted into the Hall of Fame with.
“Pau, Tony, DWade, I didn’t always like you guys… but there was always some appreciation of your guys’ greatness.”
Dirk on the #23HoopClass
: The #23HoopClass Enshrinement is live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/RPpmihkeqy
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2023
“Pau [Gasol], Tony [Parker], D-Wade, I didn’t always like you guys,” he continued.
“We competed at the highest level, but there was always some appreciation of your guys’ greatness. Thank you guys.”
A lot of viral stories came out of this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Between LeBron James’ decision to skip Wade’s big day and Vanessa Bryant’s outfit to the event, it was one thing after another.
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 12, 2023
Nowitzki’s comments was just the latest bit of news to emerge.
Now that Nowitzki is officially in the Hall of Fame, what will he ultimately go viral for next? Time will tell.
Related: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Prayer Circle Photos Cause A Stir
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
