With the BIG3 already boasting legends of the game such as Allen Iverson, Rick Barry, Spurs great George Gervin, and others, the league’s Commissioner, Roger Mason, is already making a home for another hardwood legend – Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. Mason is interested in adding Dirk once he hangs up his NBA sneakers. He also points to his time battling Nowitzki on the floor as a member of the Spurs as a starting point at recruiting the Mavs big man.
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"We absolutely would be interested in Dirk Nowitzki," said Mason. "He obviously has been one of the greatest of all time in five on five, but even where he is today he’d be a great three on three player so if he decides to hang them up this year in the NBA we certainly have a home for him here. I enjoyed my time playing against Dirk when I was with the Spurs playing Dallas a couple years ago in the playoffs so we do have a relationship and I’m sure he’s seen our games," Mason said.
Speaking with Mason today, he expanded on his continuing efforts to lure Duncan to the league and is hoping he'll have a change of heart. "I did reach out to him early on and I didn't hear back," said Mason. "But I think ultimately, it's going to be a sit down. I am sure Tim has seen the games now and if he hasn't, I am still planning on coming down to San Antonio to grab some food with him and try to get him in our league."
When the fledgling 3-on-3 basketball league the BIG3 comes to Dallas on July 30, Mavericks fans will see a familiar face on the court at the American Airlines Center -- former Mav DeShawn Stevenson, who is taking advantage of the opportunity to keep hooping in his post-NBA career. But if the league's founder and rap legend Ice Cube has his way, another Maverick will be suiting up for the BIG3 in a couple of years. "We hope one day to have Dirk (Nowitzki) in our league if he still wants to hoop out when he finishes (with) the Mavericks," Ice Cube said in a recent phone interview.
