To Dirk Nowitzki, trash talk is a necessary part of ball - no matter how young your opponent is.

Ahead of Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers, Nowitzki was playing some 1-on-1 with Dallas Mavericks teammate Brian Cardinal's son. And Nowitzki couldn't help but hit a jumper and call And-1.

Dirk goes 1-on-1 with Brian Cardinal's kid -- and talks trash!!! pic.twitter.com/VWKXLEfBnr — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 16, 2015

Though, he did give the Little Cardinal a compliment: "Better handling than papa."

- With h/t to For The Win