CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki and Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade said goodbye to the All-Star Game stage in style as both future Hall of Famers were honored during Team LeBron's 178-164 victory over Team Giannis on Sunday night. Nowitzki and Wade were added to the All-Star pool of players by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and both appreciated the gesture and the emotional moments they experienced throughout the weekend -- the biggest one coming between the third and fourth quarters, when each player was presented a framed All-Star jersey by his team's captain and were both joined at center court by the rest of the game's All-Stars for a picture. "This one was special," Wade said of his entire experience. "I'm just thankful for the NBA for making sure and accommodating one of the things that I didn't even think I needed or wanted. My team did an amazing job, my family. I couldn't ask for anything more of this weekend. It definitely was my most enjoyable. People like to ask, and this one will take the place now as my most memorable and most enjoyable All-Star." Both Nowitzki, 40, and Wade, 37, gave a small speech to the crowd during the jersey presentation. "The game is in good hands," Wade said. "So it's easy to walk away right now." Both players had their share of memorable moments throughout the night. Nowitzki knocked down a pair of long 3-pointers at the end of the first quarter that got him smiling wide while running down the floor. Wade and former Heat teammate LeBron James connected for an alley-oop in the third quarter that brought back memories of their days playing together in Miami. "That was obviously awesome," Nowitzki said. "I wanted just to play a few minutes and hoist up a 3 and that's exactly what happened. The first one I was a little deep, but I was like, 'Hey, last time on this stage, I'm going to go for it.' It went in. The second one I was like, 'Hey, let me step back a little more and see what happens,' and it went in too. It was just a fun all around weekend for me. It was a pleasure to compete with these guys one more time on this stage. I got honored in between the third and fourth quarter, that was emotional, so it was a great weekend for me and I'm ready to go home." Nowitzki played just four minutes but finished 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Wade played 10 minutes and had seven points and four assists. "I had some cool moments," Wade said. "I got the moments I wanted. I feel like the whole weekend has been that way. You visualize something and you hope it goes that way. It definitely has. It went way beyond the moments that I visualized, and that's all I needed." Wade and Nowitzki's teammates seemed to be enjoying their success as much as each player did. The group spoke with reverence after the game about the impact both men have had on the NBA during their respective careers. "It meant everything," said James, a close friend of Wade. "Like I've been saying the last couple of days, it's been a bittersweet moment for me with him. The bitter part is obviously this is the last time being on the same floor together and playing the game we love so much, and obviously all the memories we have, both as competitors, as teammates, so on and so on. Playing here in the States, playing abroad with Team USA and doing what we've been doing for so many years. And then the sweet part of it, seeing him be able to go off on his own terms, saying when he's done and nobody forced him out or did anything of that nature. He's able just to hang it up when he was ready to hang it up and be at peace with it all. So that's real sweet of it." "It was surreal, man," Golden State Warriors All-Star swingman Klay Thompson said. "Those guys are such legends. Especially from my childhood. I've watched them battle it out in the Finals and the regular season, and those are two [players] that have had so much impact on the youth. You would practice the fadeaway, you practice the Eurostep Dwyane Wade set a precedent with. To be here and for the NBA to honor them like they did, they deserve it because they're true global superstars in this game and took our game to new heights." Both players have been getting standing ovations in opposing arenas throughout the season, but only Wade has officially stated this is his last season. When asked about his own future after Sunday's game, Nowitzki was still not fully committed to retiring at the end of the year, but wore the look of a man who knew his time on the floor was coming to an end soon. "Nothing that happened today changed my mind, if you're asking that," Nowitzki said. "But I want to see how the rest of the season obviously goes. Hopefully I can feel even better than the last few weeks and we'll see how it goes." Nowitzki said new teammate Kristaps Porzingis has tried to talk to him about coming back for another year. "We talked about that briefly," Nowitzki said. "I want to make that decision by myself. But I really want what's best for the franchise obviously. We'll see how my body is feeling, but if I just can't do it no more then it's time to go." Knowing this was his last time on this stage, Wade was trying to soak in as much as he could with his family in attendance. Wade said the most meaningful aspect of his final season has been all the kind words from players throughout the league. "I've had so many guys that play this game, guys that I maybe have a 'what's up' relationship with or guys that I don't even have a relationship with," Wade said.<doc-sep>CHARLOTTE – For the first time in NBA history, All-Star rosters each have 13 players. Don’t expect that to be a permanent change. Don’t expect it never to happen again, either. In addition to the five starters chosen by fans, players and media and the seven reserves selected by coaches, NBA commissioner Adam Silver named Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki extra All-Stars. “I didn’t think about it in terms of the next year or whether there will be other opportunities,” Silver said. “I think that, as a league, I like to think we have the flexibility, when there are special occasions.” Except 1971-73, when they went a whopping 14 deep, All-Star rosters have had 10, 11 or 12 players. It’d been 12 the last 36 All-Star games. Meanwhile, the league has grown larger than ever. There are now 30 teams. The result: It’s harder than ever for players to become All-Stars. The NBA should use adding Wade and Nowitzki as a springboard to keeping All-Star rosters at 13 players. Going forward, the extra spot should go to someone deserving based on their current play, not used as a lifetime achievement award. Two players snubbed annually now usually deserve All-Star status based on historical standards. Plus, 13-player All-Star rosters would match regular-season active rosters, which expanded to 13 in 2011. Most current players have spent their entire career with 13-player active rosters. It has become strange to have just 12 in the All-Star game. But Silver – who once said he supported expanding All-Star rosters – views this as a “special occasion.” “I thought it was a very unique situation in which you had two NBA champions, two NBA players who had long, fantastic careers, both of whom had been All-Stars multiple times in their career,” Silver said, “and both of whom, in the case of Dwyane Wade, had already announced it was going to be his last season. In the case of Dirk Nowitzki, I saw him painfully running up and down the court, and I think it was clear that this was going to be his last season. And it just seemed like a wonderful opportunity to honor two greats.” Story continues Whoa, that is harsh about Nowitzki. (Also accurate.) This is a nice honor for Wade and Nowitzki. But it’s also an opportunity to normalize 13-player All-Star rosters. Hopefully, the NBA isn’t slow to seize it.<doc-sep>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CBSDFW.COM) – With it likely being his last appearance as an NBA All-Star, Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki made sure to go out in style during his short stint on the court. The 14-time All-Star was met with a roaring cheer as he checked into the game on Sunday towards the end of the first quarter. With a little over 30 seconds left in the quarter, Nowitzki drained in a 3-pointer. He wasn’t done, though. The 7-foot German splashed in a perfect shot from way beyond the 3-point line with about three seconds left in the game to energize his team. His team, Team Giannis, could be seen jumping from their seats on the bench in reaction to his shot. In the second quarter, Nowitzki made this third 3-pointer to make him a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc. He soon checked out after that and didn’t return the rest of the game. Nowitzki and Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade — both were made honorary all-stars — were honored at the end of the third quarter at midcourt with commemorative jerseys. “Thank you to the commissioner and the NBA for allowing us to both be on this stage again,” said Nowitzki. Nowitzki has not officially said that this season is his last, but teams and fans around the country have treated it that way during the regular season. At away games, he’s given standing ovations when he checks into games, and NBA players have been seen finding the 21-year veteran after games to get autographs. Nowitzki also participated in the 3-Point Contest on Saturday night where he finished with 17 points and in sixth place out of 10 players. Team LeBron defeated Team Giannis 178-164 with the Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant winning MVP of the game.<doc-sep>Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid share special moments with legendary Dirk Nowitzki at All-Star Game originally appeared on nbcsportsphiladelphia.com The NBA All-Star Game is a polarizing event. Some people find it to be a no-defense embarrassment while others revel in the pure entertainment of a glorified three-point shooting contest with a smattering of impressive dunks mixed in. As Dwyane Wade put it during a mid-game interview, the game is a chance for the legends of the league on their last leg to interact with the young guys they'll pass the torch to when they finally retire. Credit to NBA commissioner Adam Silver for giving Wade and Dirk Nowitzki a final curtain call down in Charlotte this past weekend. The gesture paid dividends. Nowitzki entering the game on Sunday and promptly drilling a handful of long three pointers was among the most wonderful moments of the weekend. It also allowed the Sixers' young stars to interact with a guy they both marveled at as kids growing up watching the NBA. Simmons even had an up-close look at Nowitzki's game when the Dallas Mavericks' legend hit a three in his face. It provided some great levity as well when the TBS cameras captured Nowitzki thanking Simmons for not really D'ing him up on the play. "Appreciate it, kid." Simmons had a chance to talk about what Nowitzki meant to him following his first All-Star Game victory. "He is one of those guys that came over from overseas, dominated the game and changed it," Simmons told reporters following the game. "Just the way he played the game, he played the right way, was not a selfish player, and was always willing to give the ball up and he could also score it. One of those guys who had a huge impact internationally for guys like me, Joel and so many others." Story continues Embiid also had the chance to share in a Dirk moment prior to the game when the two were interviewed together. "When I started playing [basketball] back in 2011, one of my coaches gave a tape of all the great big men and [Dirk] was part of it. I remember the only move I used to do, I would catch the ball on the block, dribble, spin, and then his fadeaway off of one leg. I used to do it all the time. That's when I started getting better and learning the game," Embiid said. A smiling Nowitzki looks on and says how humbling it is to hear he inspired the next generation of stars. Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device. More on the Sixers<doc-sep>
Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki are on the fast track to the Basketball Hall of Fame and there is really no disputing that. Both players have had some incredible careers that are winding down to the end. Wade has made it clear that this is his final season in the league, while Nowitzki hasn't confirmed it but it appears as though this could be his final season as well. Neither player made it to the All-Star Game, although commissioner Adam Silver decided to add them to the rosters anyway. Both players were honored with framed All-Star jerseys and some pretty hefty applause from the crowd. "This one was special," Wade said according to ESPN. "I'm just thankful for the NBA for making sure and accommodating one of the things that I didn't even think I needed or wanted. My team did an amazing job, my family. I couldn't ask for anything more of this weekend. It definitely was my most enjoyable. People like to ask, and this one will take the place now as my most memorable and most enjoyable All-Star." Nowitzki echoed those sentiments after the game saying: "That was obviously awesome. I wanted just to play a few minutes and hoist up a 3 and that's exactly what happened. The first one I was a little deep, but I was like, 'Hey, last time on this stage, I'm going to go for it.' It went in. The second one I was like, 'Hey, let me step back a little more and see what happens,' and it went in too. It was just a fun all around weekend for me. It was a pleasure to compete with these guys one more time on this stage. I got honored in between the third and fourth quarter, that was emotional, so it was a great weekend for me and I'm ready to go home." Wade ended up defeating Nowitzki as Team LeBron won the game by a score of 178-164.