Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash take on Header Challenge

Dallas Mavericks GOAT Dirk Nowitzki and his pal Steve Nash tackle the Header Challenge. Dirk has a message for Luka Doncic too.

The Dallas Mavericks traded for two all-time great players on June 24, 1998. They acquired the draft rights to Dirk Nowitzki from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Mavs also made a deal to grab Steve Nash. The point guard was entering his third season but had not broken out because he was playing behind Jason Kidd.

Both players were in their early 20’s at the time. It started a five-season partnership that saw both players blossom into All-Stars.

Nash left in free agency in the summer of 2004. He went back to Phoenix and won two MVP awards. Nash was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, and Dirk is not far behind. He figures to be a first-ballot inclusion in 2023.

Nowitzki and Nash connected over that time and remain friends to this day. Nash just played in Dirk’s annual tennis charity tournament on Sept. 15. That was not the only thing they did while Nash was in Dallas.

Header Challenge

The Hall of Fame point guard is now a soccer analyst for Turner Sports. As part of his gig, Nash has been doing the Header Challenge with various sports stars. Mavericks fans will remember he completed it with Luka Doncic earlier this summer.

Now it was Dirk Nowitzki’s turn. The Mavericks GOAT also shares a message for Luka at the end of the video.

Dirk played in a few charity soccer games this summer, so it should be no surprise that he can play a bit. It was fun to see his chops.

Doncic had a funny response for Nowitzki which he shared on Twitter.

Dirk and Luka bonded during their lone season as teammates. Expect plenty more jabbing over the years between the two Mavs stars.

The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for their first campaign without Dirk Nowitzki since that 1998 trade. They have Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis ready to lead the team back to the playoffs, though.

It should be an exciting season. The Smoking Cuban will be the place for all the opinions on your favorite organization, so please return regularly.