Heated, hated and loved, all at once, if that’s possible.
Yes, it’s the Miami Heat with Dwyane Wade that Nowitzki and the Mavericks have hooked up with twice in the NBA finals, with each winning a championship.
But the Spurs? That’s down the road on Interstate 35. That’s David Robinson. That’s Tim Duncan. That’s Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
And, of course, Gregg Popovich.
The legendary coach took time before the Spurs played the Mavericks Tuesday night on TNT to pay homage to Nowitzki. Whether or not Nowitzki retires after this season isn’t the point.