Philippines, 12 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA -- Mark Cuban: "Dirk is the Mavs. The Mavs are Dirk"


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- At 39 years of age and campaigning in his 20th NBA season, the twilight is dawning on Dirk Nowitzki, inarguably the best player to ever put on a Dallas Mavericks jersey.

Whether retirement comes after this season or the next is Dirk's call. Whenever that it is, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told PhilBoxing what the 7-foot- German means to the franchise.

"Dirk is the Mavs. The Mavs are Dirk. He is our culture. Our leader. Our brother. I can't say enough good things about him," Cuban said via email.

In an era where NBA salaries are escalating, Nowitzki, a 13-time All-Star who won an NBA title in 2011, is making just $5 million this season because he took a pay cut gives the Mavericks salary cap flexibility to procure talent around the team.

In a wide-ranging interview, Cuban also said that he thinks a Filipino will eventually make it in the NBA sometime soon. "Absolutely. The Philippines is a basketball hotbed. There will definitely come a time. I think it will be a lot like Canada. Once you get the first NBA player it will inspire the best athletes to play."

Here are other questions Cuban fielded from PhilBoxing:

1) PhilBoxing -- Are you surprised how good rookie Dennis Smith Jr has been so far?

Mark Cuban -- Not at all. He is getting better game after game. The sky is the limit for Dennis.

2) PhilBoxing -- Larry Bird once told me that he thinks Dirk Nowitzki is the best shooter in the NBA. Your thoughts

Mark Cuban -- His shot is a thing of beauty. It's amazing. Even tonight watching him shoot the ball gave me goose bumps.

3) PhilBoxing -- Although you've been fined by the NBA for over $1.8 million dollars since 2000, you have been quiet recently. Has time mellowed you over the years?

Mark Cuban -- No. I cant think the NBA officiating group has changed and adapted. I'd like to think I've helped drive that. Plus, since we have struggled some recently there is no point in complaining. But when we make our run. Stay tuned!

4) PhilBoxing -- The new NBA is built heavily on the 3-point shot. Do you like this better than the old school era of inside-out offense where big men dominated?

Mark Cuban. Yes definitely. More skilled base. I love it.

5) PhilBoxing -- When are you going to visit the Philippines?

Mark Cuban -- That's a good question. I don't know.

6) PhilBoxing -- Is there a chance the Mavericks will play a preseason or regular season game in the Philippines?

Mark Cuban -- That's up to the NBA. I'm wide open to it.

Postscript -- Mark Cuban has always been generous to us with his time. We would like to thank him again for granting us this interview.

The author (L) with Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Boxing trio reunited up there
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • 1st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Laurente to promote amateur boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.