Long-time fan
Mike DA’ ntoni admires Dirk Nowitzki.
Though Mavericks star
Dirk Nowitzki was not the first European to succeed in the NBA, none before or since has reached his level of accomplishments that helped spread the word about the potential of players in Europe. That had not gone unnoticed by a former European player.
But Rockets coach
Mike D’Antoni, who began his career in the NBA but took off while playing in Italy, said Nowitzki’s contributions go beyond being a trend setter.
“He was one of the first, not the first; there were other guys before him that changed it,” D’Antoni said before Monday’s game against the Rockets, expected to be Nowitzki’s last in Houston. “Dirk, what I like about him, he’s an ambassador all the time. He plays every summer for the German national team for years. He loves to play. You can see that. He’s witty. He’s funny. He’s one of the best players ever.
“So, whatever he’s done to help basketball around the world, he’s been a standard-bearer for a long time. It’s great. He’s had an unbelievable career.”
With Rockets rookie Isaiah Hartenstein called up from the G League on Monday, there were nearly as many members of the German national team (Hartenstein, Nowitzki and the Mavs’ Maxi Kleber )as one-time USA Basketball senior national team players ( James Harden, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon and Kenneth Faried) in Monday’s game.
Doncic ready to handle NBA
When the Rockets saw Mavericks rookie Luka
Doncic prior to Monday’s meeting, Doncic took off on an 11-0 run late in the game to carry his team to the win in Dallas. In his game prior to facing the Rockets again, he nearly matched that, scoring 13 of the Mavericks’ final 17 points to lead a comeback win against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
“His experience playing at high levels over in Europe, in big games and high stakes national team games has prepared him for all these different situations,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “That’s why he looks so poised out there, because he’s had so much experience for a young guy.”
Lee likes move to Mavs
Courtney Lee reached the NBA Finals as a Magic rookie but has been in the playoffs in just four of his next nine seasons, falling short in each of his past two seasons (along with both seasons when he played for the Rockets).
With last week’s trade to the Mavericks, however, Lee said he is on a team with a chance to make a run this season. Plus, there’s a legitimate chance next season when fellow former Knick Kristaps Porzingis is expected back from injury and Dallas has its dramatically retooled roster together from the start of the season.
“We can go on a crazy run and make the playoffs (this season),” Lee said. “Next year will be a bright season. Especially with KP coming back, it will be fun. I’m excited to compete for the playoffs right now.”