Dirk Nowitzki always had a very good relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, sharing very good moments on the court. They were leaders of two big teams during their careers, especially in the 2000s and the early 2010s. But, at some point, Kobe tried to recruit Dirk to Los Angeles to create another big duo at the Staples Center.
Talking with ESPN, Nowitzki revealed the time when Kobe reached out to him after winning the 2011 NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks. The Black Mamba tried to lure Dirk away from Dallas but the German player wasn’t feeling any of that.
“I never really got many pitches because everybody knew I kind of loved Dallas and I wanted this to work,” Nowitzki told Nick Friedell. “I remember Kobe Bryant one year reached out to me, it was obviously an honor. I think this was after I won the championship and my four-year deal was done. Kobe was still doing his thing in L.A. We talked, we texted back and forth, but I told him, ‘Listen, I’m sorry and you know how it is. Dallas is my city and my home and it would feel super weird to put a different uniform on.’ And I think he totally understood that; I think he respected me more after that.”
Separated, they won 6 titles (Kobe 5 and Dirk 1). That number could have been bigger if they teamed up in L.A. but as we all know, Dirk’s loyalty is something bigger than the state of Texas. He continued playing with the Mavs, trying to relive those glory days but that never happened. Kobe retired in 2016 after 20 years in the league while Dirk did the same in 2019, having a spectacular farewell tour.
We can only imagine what this duo could have done together if Dirk accepted that offer from Kobe.
