Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki assured he meant no disrespect to former teammate Chandler Parsons while giving praise to his replacement, Harrison Barnes.
It was perceived that the German international slyly insinuated Parsons' poor dedication to staying in the gym while raving about Barnes' work ethic.
“There's been tons of guys that told me that they were gym rats and I've never seen them in the gym at nights, but this guy is constantly in here, mornings and nights,” Nowitzki said of Barnes as told to ESPN's Tim McMahon during media day. “He wants to be great.”
Nowitzki was surprised about the media perception of his comments, saying he wasn't speaking specifically of the player Barnes was replacing, but of players he's met throughout his 18-year career.
Though since him and Parsons have a history of jokingly trash-talking with each other, the seven-footer couldn't resist the sarcasm opportunity this moment opened up.
“He knew he wasn't a gym rat. He never said he was!” joked Nowitzki.
It appears there's no ill will between the former teammates, though that didn't stop Parsons from landing another jab at the Mavs icon.
“Dirk is getting pretty old, so he was probably asleep when I was in the gym,” said Parsons in a text to ESPN.
We'll call this fight even for now.
Follow Us
Subscribe