Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki opened up about the complicated emotions he experienced after longtime teammate and close friend Steve Nash left Dallas to join the Phoenix Suns in 2004.
Nowitzki admitted that while he genuinely wanted Nash to succeed, watching his former teammate thrive with a Western Conference rival was difficult to accept.
The two players had developed a close friendship during their six seasons together in Dallas, spending considerable time together both on and off the court.
However, Nash’s departure changed the nature of their relationship, particularly as the Mavericks and Suns became competitors.
“It was just weird. When he first left, we were kind of best friends. We were hanging out every night, and all of a sudden he’s with a rival and playing against each other at the biggest stage.”
Nowitzki explained that their friendship initially continued after Nash joined Phoenix, with the two still meeting for dinner and spending time together.
However, those interactions gradually became uncomfortable because they were now competing against each other, making it difficult to maintain the same relationship they had enjoyed as teammates.
“And it was kind of, you know, first couple times we’d go to dinner or I’d go to his house, and then I’m like, ‘This is a little weird,’ what we’re talking about, and we’re not talking about the game tomorrow.”
