'That's So Sweet': Dirk Nowitzki Shares Mutual Respect with Klay Thompson

Dirk Nowitzki and the Splash Bros have something in common: they all changed the game. However, Klay Thompson has more to discuss with Nowitzki as he's a new member of the Dallas Mavericks. During a recent podcast interview, Nowitzki revealed his thoughts on Thompson as a person and what he brings to the table as a player.

NBA Insider and co-host of the DLLS Podcast, Marc Stein, asked Nowitzki what he thought of Thompson wearing his jersey around the Dallas metroplex.

"That's so sweet," Nowitzki began.

Although a humble superstar, Nowitzki doesn't go out of his way to compliment a player unless they share a mutual respect. Thompson falls under the mutual respect category, as they both committed their lives to the NBA and enjoyed significant success.

"I got to know him, talk to him at my last All-Star weekend. During my last season, we played them (Golden State Warriors), and we talked a little bit," Nowitzki said on the DLLS Mavs podcast. "He's just a really nice, chill guy. He just loves to vibe... I feel we have a good relationship, obviously a mutual respect for each other and our careers."

You could sense mutual respect between the Splash Bros and Nowitzki during the 2015 NBA All-Star game when Stephen Curry threw an alley-opp to Nowitzki and watched his and Thompson's excited reaction to such a surprising highlight.

"I feel honored that now of the Splash Bros is there and is with the Mavs now. We're excited to have him," Nowitzki admitted.

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Nowitzki also talked about how far the Mavericks have come from his twilight years in the NBA.

"It's been amazing with the turnaround. I was there in the end, during the tough time we were going through, Luka's first year," Nowitzki said. Management was able to build over these 4-5 years that I've been out. I'm extremely proud and extremely fired up to see what we were able to build."

Nowitzki displayed admirable patience during his twilight playing years with the Mavericks. Although it didn't pay off in his final playing years, he admitted that witnessing the franchise's recent competitive boom has kept him rejuvenated as a Mavs supporter.