Home/NBA

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Every aspiring basketball player desires for the ultimate honor of getting their name in Naismith Hall of Fame memorial. Dallas legend Dirk Nowitzki was part of the latest crop of basketball athletes and coaches to have their name amongst the basketball elite. Nowitzki, being his ruthless self, was known to break down the opponent’s defenses with his phenomenal offensive capability. The 2007 NBA MVP brutally mocked the Mavericks owner, recalling a rather funny incident between them.

Dirk Nowitzki is often considered the best basketball star to come out of the European subcontinent. He established himself as the greatest player in the franchise history of the Dallas Mavericks when he won Dallas’ maiden championship title in 2011. Since then the Dallas owner and billionaire Mark Cuban have shared an excellent rapport with Nowitzki.

Dirk goes down hard on Mark Cuban

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Dirk Nowitzki was inducted into the Hall of Fame recently. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to many, including billionaire Mark Cuban. The 14x All-Star also recounted the time when he first met Cuban on the basketball court and had to put him in his place.

via Imago

Dirk Nowitzki said, “When you bought the team and came to the first practice. You said, ‘ Let’s play one on one I play a little bit’ So of course left like I always do and dunked it right on your head.”?He had to show Mark his place and convey to him that irrespective of the basketball experience he has outside of the NBA, he doesn’t stand a chance against the basketball elite.

This was not the first time the duo was crossing paths in Dallas. Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks in January 2000. Cuban narrated on an incident when Dirk rejected his offer of a drink at a bar.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

READ MORE: Years After Using Kobe Bryant?s Millions to Overcome Huge Debt, 2x Lakers Champ Reveals How Late NBA Legend Is Always in His Ear

Dirk Nowitzki rejected Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban in a conversation with the Dallas Morning News, opened up when he came across Dirk and Steve Nash before he was the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. Cuban said,“?I saw Steve [Nash] and Dirk and offered to buy them a beer. And they graciously denied me. Then they saw me the next day when I got introduced to the team. That was the start of it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: After Mark Cuban’s misunderstanding Kyrie Irving fanboys over rapper’s 1964 rendition.?

The billionaire was eager to offer the basketball greats an alcoholic beverage but the duo politely declined his offer not knowing that the man was their new owner.