"He punched me" - Shark Tank's Mark Cuban recalls Dirk Nowitzki's reaction to being chosen second to Luka Doncic

Shark Tank's Mark Cuban playfully stirred up the set when he declared Luka Doncic a better player than Dirk Nowitzki on the FLAGRANT podcast on October 2, 2024. Host Andrew Schulz jokingly warned that the comment might "rile up NBA Twitter."

The Shark Tank investor Cuban expressed his deep affection for Nowitzki, but couldn't deny Doncic's exceptional skills. He pointed out that Nowitzki, although an all-time great Maverick, required the ball to be passed to him to create plays. In contrast, according to Cuban, Doncic can single-handedly control the game, bringing the ball up and making plays on his own.

When pressed to choose between the two, Cuban confessed that if he were starting a team, he would select Doncic first, followed by Nowitzki. He even revealed that he had shared this opinion with Nowitzki himself. When host Andrew Schulz asked about the outcome of the incident, Mark replied sarcastically which brought laughter on the sets of the podcast.

"He punched me," stated Shark Tank Mark Cuban.

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Shark Tank's Mark Cuban claims to be ahead of Dirk Nowitzki in one-on-one matchup

Mark Cuban fondly described Dirk Nowitzki as a "good guy," but also revealed a surprising claim that he is 1-0 against Nowitzki in one-on-one basketball. According to Cuban, the matchup took place shortly after he purchased the team, when he was shooting with the players and challenged Nowitzki to a game.

The Shark Tank investor Cuban recounted that he started strong, and was up 2-0 when Dirk was taking the Shark Tank investor lightly.

"I just bought the team, and I was out there shooting with the guys, and I was like, let's play one on one. And so I get the ball out first, and he's not really guarding me, you know, and I hit a jumper, boom," said Mark.

Later, the Mavericks legend Nowitzki drove past him and scored, prompting Cuban to quit prematurely. Despite the outcome, Cuban jokingly declared himself the winner.

"Okay. And like, fake, layup. Next one, blocks the shit out of it. His ball. I'm up 2-0. He goes by me, bam, on my head. I'm like, 'I quit.' So, 2-1, I win," revealed Mark Cuban.

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Mark Cuban reflects on his early days as Mavericks owner

Akaash Singh reminisced about Mark Cuban's arrival as the Dallas Mavericks' owner, recalling the team's historically poor performance in the front office. Cuban's purchase of the team marked a significant turning point according to the co-host, Akaash, with the Mavericks nearly making the playoffs within a month.

Mavericks eventually secured a playoff spot the following year, starting a streak of 12-15 consecutive playoff appearances. Cuban attributed the team's rapid improvement to his approach. Upon taking over, he made it clear that he expected to win, and anyone not committed to that goal would not be part of the team.

"I just walked in the door and I said, sh*t's gonna change. You know, we're gonna try to win, or you're gone," revealed Mark Cuban.

Cuban also invested in upgrading the team's facilities, travel arrangements, and accommodations, demonstrating his commitment to creating a winning environment. One notable example was Cuban's response to player Gary Trent's complaint about the team's subpar accommodations and lack of amenities on the road.

Cuban promptly upgraded the team's hotel arrangements, ensuring they stayed at top-tier establishments with proper amenities. According to the Shark Tank judge, this move sent a clear message to the players, Cuban was dedicated to providing the best possible resources to support their success.

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Mark Cuban currently appears in Shark Tank season 16 on ABC.