Dirk Nowitzki Lacked Confidence, Swag Of Luka Doncic During Rookie Year

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was very impressed by the performances of rookie Luka Doncic this season so far.

The Slovenian was the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft and has not disappointed as although the Mavericks are currently 3-8, Doncic is averaging 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in those 11 games.

Nowitzki is yet to play alongside Doncic this season as he recovers from ankle surgery, but a lot of comparisons have already been made between the two European stars. But in the 40-year-old's eyes, Doncic is already ahead of him, at least if you compare their capabilities as rookies.

“(Doncic’s) like a savvy veteran to me already," Nowitzki told the New York Times. "The way he sees things. The way he reads pick-and-roll situations. He's got stuff in his repertoire that you just don't have at 19. The whole floor game that he has — he really has no holes."

"If you go under the screen and roll, he shoots the 3-ball way better than I thought he would. If you go over, he kind of keeps you on his back. He's got the floater. He's got the passes. Really, really impressive for a 19-year-old. The sky's the limit."

Nowitzki added the current state of the game will help players like Doncic, and said the 19-year-old already possesses confidence and swag he himself did not have entering the league.

“I didn't have that confidence, that swag, when I got in the league. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it in this league. This guy comes here basically knowing he's going to make it in the league. And that's how he carries himself on the court. ... No fear. It's just completely different. Also the way the game is now is kind of perfect for him. When I got into the league 20 years ago, it was way more physical. The bigs were just shoving in there and holding. And now everything is a foul call. So I think the rules play right into his wheelhouse. It's not even close to compare us.”

As for Nowitzki, he is still waiting to make his comeback after undergoing ankle surgery at the end of last season in what was been a frustrating process for him.

"It's hard not being out there. It's what I love. It's what I've always done," Nowitzki explained. "Throughout my entire career, I always tried to play all 82, no matter if I'm sick or I rolled my ankle or whatever. I was only able to pull it off a couple of times in my career, but it was a pride thing."

"So for me, any time I had to sit out, it never feels right. And it's the same now, especially because it's been a rough start for us. You're in a suit and you're not as involved as you want to be. Hopefully once I'm over this tendon thing then I won't look back again for the rest of the season."

The Mavericks lost their seventh game in their last eight after a 117-102 defeat to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. They will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday next.