SportFormer presidents pay their respects to Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki

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Two of the most storied careers in modern NBA history came to a conclusion Wednesday night with both Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade playing in their final NBA games.

For those of us who were too young to appreciate the greatness of Michael Jordan, these two represented a new brand of basketball. Ambassadors in every way and true role models, they helped create an interesting post-Jordan NBA.

As the two future first-ballot Hall of Famers were closing up shop on their careers, two former United States Presidents took time out of their days to pay their respects.

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president, sent out two different tweets paying homage to Wade and Dirk.

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Budweiser decided to illustrate the impact Dwyane Wade made off the court with a series of non-traditional jersey exchanges with lives he's impacted.

ATP Stars Pay Tribute To Dwyane Wade , Dirk Nowitzki . Nowitzki is a tennis fan himself and has made several appearances at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Dallas. Isner and Roddick have also participated in Nowitzki 's charity tennis event in Dallas.

Prior to their loss to the Mavs Thursday, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were making jokes about being sick. That was apparently a dig at Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki , who had a sinus infection and fever during Game 4. Ironically .or maybe it was karma . Wade hurt his hip during Game 5. James

Congrats @DwyaneWade on a storied career. It’s been a joy to watch your sportsmanship and skill on the court and your compassion and leadership off the court. I’m looking forward to your next chapter. But please, let’s just stay off the scorer’s tables for now… #OneLastDancepic.twitter.com/TE2WwAHq83

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) April 10, 2019

And congratulations Dirk Nowitzki. You deserve our sincere thanks for being an incredible international ambassador of the game and a world-class human being. Can’t wait to see your next chapter too.

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) April 10, 2019

For many leaders in Washington D.C., individuals like Nowitzki and Wade represented more off the court than on the court. As such, Clinton noted Wade's “compassion” and “leadership” off the court and referred to Nowitzki as an "incredible international ambassador."

Mavericks treat home finale vs. Suns like Dirk Nowitzki's last game in Dallas

As the Dwyane Wade retirement tour reaches its conclusion, there’s still no definitive word on Dirk Nowitzki’s plans for the future. While Wade has enjoyed the full farewell treatment this season complete with jersey swaps and gifts from rivals, Nowitzki has played sparingly off the Dallas Mavericks bench in relative anonymity as the spotlight in Dallas has shone on star rookie Luka Doncic. All the while, he’s not confirmed if this is indeed his last season, despite many — NBA commissioner Adam Silver included — nudging him out the door.

Both Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki won NBA championships against each other. Their career playoff statistics, via Basketball Reference Considering Wade won his rings with Shaq and LeBron, you could also argue that Nowitzki ’s ring holds more value on its own, especially considering it came

Of all the opposing jerseys Dwyane Wade has collected through swaps during his final NBA season, Dirk Nowitzki 's was among In reality, Wade didn’t need to worry about Nowitzki turning him down. The two-time Finals foes are elder statesmen in their league now, a co-existence better defined by

Following suit, Barack Obama also sent out his congratulations to Nowitzki and Wade.

From a big NBA fan, congrats to future Hall of Famers Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki—not just all-time greats but class acts, too.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 11, 2019

A known basketball fan, Mr. Obama is close to many NBA players. His love of the game was notable during the former president’s time in office.

For many, Wednesday represented a true end of an era. The baton might be passed on to a new generation of talent.

Though, the NBA wouldn’t be where it is today without the presence of these two men.

We join the former presidents in thanking Wade and Nowitzki for what they have done and what they will continue to do.