Philippines, 18 Feb 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:

  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 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.