Charles Barkley was just one of the many legends on hand to deliver a speech on what was hailed as (and confirmed to be) Dirk Nowitzki's final home game for the Dallas Mavericks.

The “Round Mound of Rebound” opened with his viral story about first meeting the German sharpshooter as a teenager during a Nike Hoops Heroes exhibition game in 1997 and propositioning him to go to his Auburn alma mater after torching them for 52 points. He then concluded his thoughts with a heartwarming description that Nowitzki has over the many icons he had the pleasure to share the floor with.

Sir Charles dubbing Nowitzki as ‘the nicest man ever' is definitely tall praise and one that sent the Mav nearly in tears. As one of the few players to not make any trade demands despite Dallas's consistent playoff failures, bailing out to go ring chasing, or fashion his contract during free agency to take less money so as to accommodate signings, the 40-year-old is certainly a unique breed. On top of conducting his charity visits and personal affairs in nearly complete secrecy instead of milking it for praise and attention as well as eschewing endorsements for products he likely doesn't care much about, Barkley's claim is sound.

What Nowitzki intends to do with his post-retirement time from a basketball perspective is still a mystery. He has long shut down the possibility of coaching or being away too long from his family so being on the bench or taking up Barkley's humorous offer of a TNT slot is probably out of the question.