[Cato] Nowitzki’s first real rivalry was against Kevin Garnett. It wasn’t until Nowitzki began talking back to Garnett that they began developing mutual respect. In a game against Minnesota, Garnett fell down and Dirk, without hesitation, yelled, “Get your ass up, we ain’t through kicking your ass"

Nowitzki’s first real rivalry was against Kevin Garnett. He didn’t like the way Nowitzki talked, the phrases he’d say on the court, and Nowitzki didn’t like Garnett either. It wasn’t until Nowitzki began talking back to Garnett that they began developing mutual, if begrudging, respect.

Wilson often talked trash to opponents from the bench. It was a moment when Nowitzki stole one of his favorite lines that made him realize Nowitzki was growing up. In a game against Minnesota, Garnett fell down and Nowitzki, without hesitation, yelled, “Get your ass up, we ain’t through kicking your ass.”

“He finally got the confidence in himself to be able to go back at ’em,” Lewis says, “and that was a big part of his growth and maturation.”

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