Dirk Nowitzki praises Luka Doncic again: "From the first practice, I knew how he felt about the game"

This Saturday, the basketball world will prepare to bid farewell to one of its great figures, Goran Dragic, who will conclude his professional career at a special event called "Night of the Dragon" at the Stozice Arena in Ljubljana, his hometown. Prior to this emotional farewell, Dragic took part in a business event in his city, where he was joined by legends such as Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and his agent Bill Duffy, who shared stories and reflections on their careers and transition to life after basketball.

During the press conference, Steve Nash, the legendary former Canadian point guard, spoke about his switch from soccer to basketball in his youth. "I grew up in the UK, and my first word was 'goal'. I played a lot of soccer as a kid. At 13, I transferred to a new school and started playing basketball. I fell in love quickly," Nash shared about his beginnings in basketball.

Goran Dragic, the night's main character, resonated with Nash's story. "It's a very similar story. I also started with soccer, but I had a leg injury, and my mother said 'No more soccer'. I went to watch a basketball training, and there were only 9 boys. The coach invited me to play five-on-five, and that's how I started playing basketball," recounted Dragic, the iconic Slovenian basketball figure.

Dirk Nowitzki also shared his experiences, focusing on his NBA arrival and time with the Dallas Mavericks. "I had no idea what to expect when I first arrived in Dallas. Everything changed when Mark Cuban bought the team; we became good friends and had a great relationship. He was always loyal to me, and the city embraced me. I was fortunate to stay there; it's my new home," said the German icon.

Love for Their Countries and Basketball

Dirk Nowitzki also expressed his love for representing his country in basketball. "I always loved playing for my country, it meant a lot to me. Basketball gave me so much; we played in the NBA, and with the time zone differences, we always played at night. For me, it was essential to play in the summer so fans could see us up close. I never regretted playing for the national team; it was an honor," he stated.

Goran Dragic, who led Slovenia to the European crown in 2017, shared similar sentiments. "I always loved basketball. For me, it was an easy choice to play for the Slovenian national team. I was with my friends; the fans here are incredible. That was my preparation for the next NBA season, the best thing I could do. When responsibilities came, I had to be a leader. Now it's Luka's [Doncic] team, and he's doing an incredible job. It's passing the torch," expressed Dragic.

Speaking of Luka Doncic, Nowitzki reminisced about watching the young Slovenian in his final season in Dallas. "The transition was quite smooth for him. I played with him for one year, my last. We all didn't know how good he was. He was the EuroLeague MVP, but that meant nothing when he entered the NBA. From the first practice, I could tell how he felt about the game," revealed Nowitzki.

The Future of Dragic, Nash, and Nowitzki

As Goran Dragic gears up for his big night at the Stozice Arena, he reflects on his new life after retirement. "I'm already retired. If I'm honest, it's a little scary. I dribbled the ball all my life, and suddenly that's over. That competitiveness, being with my teammates in the locker room and games, that excitement is gone. I need to find new things to give meaning to my life," he admitted.

Steve Nash also discussed his transition from player to coaching and how that experience was unique but not necessarily his future path. "I didn't plan on being a coach, but a unique situation arose in Brooklyn that called my name. It was a rapid transition. I'm now focusing on my family and teaching my kids," shared Nash.

On the other hand, Dirk Nowitzki doesn't see himself as a team coach in the future. "I don't see myself as a team coach. It could change, but I see myself more like a skills coach. I'll stay in basketball; I'm not sure in what capacity," said Nowitzki, who currently serves as an advisor for the Dallas Mavericks and remains involved in the international basketball community.

The "Night of the Dragon" promises to be one of the most prominent friendly encounters, bringing together stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Luka Doncic, who will honor the illustrious career of Goran Dragic, a true Slovenian basketball icon.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dirk Nowitzki vuelve a ensalzar a Luka Doncic: "Desde el primer entrenamiento, supe cómo se sentía con respecto al juego"