AUSTIN -- Dirk Nowitzki may have retired, but he's staying busy receiving honors commemorating his 21 years in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.

On Tuesday, he traveled to Austin to meet with Gov. Greg Abbott and appear before the Texas House and Senate.

"We are so proud of you," Abbott told Nowitzki before introducing him to the media. "The greatest player in the history of the Dallas Mavericks and one of the greatest players in NBA history."

Abbott told Nowitzki that he wouldn't dunk on him, and Nowitzki replied wryly, "I've been dunked on before."

Nowitzki said it was his first time to visit Austin, but he had heard about the city's traffic.

"It's really nice," he said. "The traffic wasn't too bad either."

Nowitzki posed for photos with former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek, who was also honored in the House on Tuesday.

A round of applause for @swish41 on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives! pic.twitter.com/t8Hl6RUTmo — Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 14, 2019

Nowitzki received a standing ovation in the House, and members lined up to take a photo with him. House Speaker Dennis Bonnen recounted his role in the Mavericks' 2011 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat.

Dallas Cowboys great Jay Novacek, joined by his wife and son, plus their Labradoodle service dog, wins recognition on the Texas House floor. The dog is not carrying a ball. #txlege — Gardner Selby (@gardnerselby) May 14, 2019

After meeting with Abbott, Nowitzki headed to the Texas House, which has already passed a resolution in his honor that lists his many basketball and community service accomplishments.

Part of the House resolution reads: "Whereas, Mr. Nowitzki earned a special place in the hearts of Texas sports fans in 2011, when he piloted the Mavs to their only championship to date, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP for his outstanding performance; a seven-foot-tall power forward whose perimeter shooting has helped revolutionize the position, he is the league's highest-scoring foreign-born player, and he has rewritten the Mavericks' record book, becoming the team's all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocked shots, minutes played, field goals, three-pointers, and free throws."

In the Senate, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, honored Nowitzki, calling him a "a true legend and icon."

"You're a Texas legend already, and you are no doubt going to be a Hall of Famer," said GOP Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Houston, who added that Nowitzki has "bipartisan support."

Austin correspondents Rebekah Allen and W. Gardner Selby contributed to this report.