Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban have likely had their share of disagreements throughout the former's 20-year career, and the idea of tanking is perhaps one of many.

Cuban recently admitted his Dallas Mavericks would be better off tanking the rest of this season during a conversation with Hall of Famer Julius Erving in his podcast House Call with Dr. J.

The Mavs are among the worst teams in the league, based on nonperformance and an aging roster that just doesn't have the same capabilities, but Nowitzki isn't a fan of letting go of the rope.

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“You don't really want a culture here that's just giving up and quitting and not playing hard,” the 7-footer told ESPN's Tim MacMahon. “I think it just sets the wrong tone for the future. I think it's important for our young guys to learn how to compete and to compete all the time, play hard.”

“You play your minutes hard. That's the only way to get better. That's the only way to play in this league, and whatever happens after the season, we'll just go from there. But for now, you play your minutes hard and you play to win.”

The divide between player and owner couldn't be any more obvious here. Players are paid to play and win, whereas owners and front office staff have to see the bigger picture and prepare the franchise to win long-term.

Nowitzki is winding down the last few playing days of his career and wants to be remembered as a winner, while Cuban's priority is to keep this franchise in business by securing a strong build for the future.