Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving had recently expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Now, Irving’s teammate Luka Doncic has opened up about his grief, lamenting that he didn’t have more time to play alongside Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki.
During a recent press conference, the Serbian superstar reflected on his initial experiences with Nowitzki upon joining the Mavericks.
“I remember my first year when I came here, it was surreal to be on the same team as Dirk Nowitzki. I wish I could’ve played with him more, but his last season and my first was amazing. So it helped me a lot seeing him work every day even in his last season, the amount of work he put in and everything,” Doncic said.
Doncic entered the NBA when Nowitzki was in the twilight of his illustrious career. Their lone season together was Nowitzki’s farewell campaign in 2018–19, during which they shared the court for 42 games.
Nowitzki’s impact on the Mavericks franchise is unforgettable. The Mavs legend led Dallas to their last NBA championship in 2011, earning MVP and Finals MVP honors that year.
Luka Doncic Reflects on Mavericks’ Grueling Journey to Finals
After learning from his Mavericks idol, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic is poised to follow in Nowitzki’s footsteps after 13 years. The journey to the NBA Finals has not been easy, as Doncic recently shared how challenging it has been to reach this point.
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“I mean, I always had that 2022 run. You know we had great chemistry, and we stayed together, and I feel the same thing with this team. You know, we went together for, like, five months, four or five months, and we made the NBA Finals. I said it’s been really hard. But like I said, we deserve this, and our chemistry is great, and we stay together,” Doncic said.
Though the Boston Celtics are in a favorable position going into the 2024 Finals, the stunning partnership between Doncic and Kyrie Irving can potentially change the course of history. Their combined skill and determination have been key factors in the Mavericks’ successful run.
Fans can catch all the NBA Finals games live on ABC, with the first game starting on June 6.
Also Read: NBA Finals 2024: Scott Foster & Tony Brothers Set to Officiate Celtics vs Mavericks.
