(AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash are dear friends. The two joined the Dallas Mavericks back in 1998 and played together for six wonderful seasons.

Nash announced over the weekend that he’s retiring, so obviously Nowitzki has some words for his former teammate.

He said that in the most nonchalant, normal way on an ESPN NBA Insiders podcast. Nowitzki also said Nash’s retirement wasn’t shocking and he was surprised the news was just now coming out as opposed to several months ago.

“I think it was a relief for him, I think he was happy it was over with,” said Nowitzki. “I told him in October that I was proud of him. That he had an amazing career.”

(AP Photo/Linda Kaye)

When they joined the Mavs, Nowitzki was a first-round draft pick and Nash was acquired from the Phoenix Suns. Nowitzki explained how that first year was hard being so far away from Germany, but that Nash and Michael Finley made him comfortable.

“I didn’t know anyone in Dallas, my family was 10-11 flight hours away, and Steve and really Mike Finley kinda took me under their wing and helped me out, got me out of the hotel, introduced me to new people, a new world, and helped me on the court because both had been in the league for a few years,” Nowitzki said. “They just showed me how to be a professional on and off the floor and really helped me out wherever he could.

“I’ll be forever grateful to Steve and Mike for how they treated me that first year. and once I started to get better and better, they shared the spotlight with me and accepted me. So I’ll be forever grateful for those two guys and I’ll never forget it.”