Nowitzki expected Doncic to have 'tougher transition' in 2nd season
Luka Doncic dazzled in his debut season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and six assists en route to capturing the Rookie of the Year award.
Despite the Slovenian's success, Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki had doubts about how Doncic would fare in his second year.
"I got to be honest, I thought he would have a tougher transition here in year two," Nowitzki said, according to USA Today's Mark Medina, after the Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-100 on Sunday.
"Just because he was so phenomenal last year with all the triple-doubles, I thought people were really going to hone in on him. But he seemed to have gotten even better."
Almost all of Doncic's numbers - excluding blocks and turnovers per game - are up from last year. The 20-year-old is averaging 30.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.6 assists in just over 34 minutes per contest.
"I guess I was wrong," Nowitzki added. "Even the experts can be wrong. He’s looking fantastic."
Nowitzki is widely considered the greatest Maverick in franchise history given his 21-year run with the organization and his role in delivering the team its first-ever championship.
If things keep up at the rate they're going, another name could give the towering German a run for his money.