Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki retired after the end of the lasts season, and that also ended an era for the Mavericks’ franchise. However, it is also a turning point for the Mavs, who can turn to Luka Doncic to lead the next generation forward. According to the NBA Hall of Famer, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Doncic should be Dallas’ new face, and he expects big things from the Slovenian international.
”Luka is probably not top-ten yet. He has one year in the league and had a great year as a rookie and was phenomenal. Sometimes it could happen quickly for a guy years one through three more so in my estimation when a guy is in the league. His fourth and fifth year is when you really what you got. The fact that he started playing professionally at age 16 or 17 hasn’t hurt him so he might be an early bloomer than some of the guys, who go to the universities in the U.S. The one and done guys, but he had a great season, and he is a great replacement for Dirk,” Erving said in an interview with Fanatic View.
Doncic experienced a fantastic rookie season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game last season, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in the process.
Now, Nowitzki is gone, but the Dallas Mavericks have added Kristaps Porzingis, who came in a trade deal with the New York Knicks last season. Doncic and Porzingis should be the Mavs key players for years to come.
