Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash are dear friends. The two joined the Dallas Mavericks back in 1998 and played together for six wonderful seasons.

Nash announced over the weekend that he’s retiring, so obviously Nowitzki has some words for his former teammate.

He said that in the most nonchalant, normal way on an ESPN NBA Insiders podcast. Nowitzki also said Nash’s retirement wasn’t shocking and he was surprised the news was just now coming out as opposed to several months ago.

“I think it was a relief for him, I think he was happy it was over with,” said Nowitzki. “I told him in October that I was proud of him. That he had an amazing career.”

When they joined the Mavs, Nowitzki was a first-round draft pick and Nash was acquired from the Phoenix Suns. Nowitzki explained how that first year was hard being so far away from Germany, but that Nash and Michael Finley made him comfortable.