Dallas Mavericks -Legend and Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki admitted that he was just as shocked as everyone else when he heard the news that Dallas Luka Doncic sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster -trader earlier this month.
Dirk Nowitzki was on vacation with his family in the Maldives when the Mavericks Luka Doncic traded on the Lakers
“When I saw the news, I was actually everywhere on the other side of the world,” Nowitzki told 96.7 the ticket in Dallas on Friday when he was asked about his first reaction to the trade. “I was on vacation with the family in the Maldives.”
Nowitzki said he and his family were about to have lunch when his phone began to blow up “left and right”, after which he looked at social media. It was 11:01 am on the Maldives when he placed his reaction: a blushing face emoji.
“I think I was just as shocked and surprised as someone was. … I really couldn’t believe it, “Nowitzki added.
When Doncic made his Lakers debut in Crypto.com Arena, Nowitzki was present to support the Slovenian superstar. Nowitzki even shared that Doncic had asked him to be there.
Dirk Nowitzki believes that Luka Doncic wanted to end his career at the Mavericks, will never be a Lakers fan
Nowitzki also shared his thoughts while texting Doncic shortly after the deal.
“I felt a bit disappointed and sad for him,” said Nowitzki. “I think he clearly didn’t see this coming. So he invited me to come to his first game in LA and I felt that I had to support him. I felt that, you know, I played my last season with him, we got around, I tried to guide him, I tried to help him as much as possible and he is just, he is just, he is he is A good child.
“So I felt that I had to go outside and support him in this new chapter, because you know, I think it – I mean, it was reported that he was pretty clear and disappointed about how it went, and so I wanted to be there for him, I wanted to be there for his family and show support.
“I’m sure he wanted to end his career [with the Mavericks] Like I did. … but I mean, you saw my face. It was weird. It was surreal to see him play in front of the Lakers. So at the end of the day I will never be a Lakers fan, but I will always be a Luka fan. “
Nowitzki expresses empathy for Anthony Davis, Max Christie
No matter how strange it was to see Doncic ‘in purple and gold’, nowitzki said it was great to be there for him. “I was happy to do it,” he said. “I am glad I started supporting him, and I think I now think he is looking forward to the chance there after a few weeks.
“He plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I think he sees the chance now. And clearly he has to wrap his head around it, that he is now with the Lakers and he must clearly move forward and do his thing outside. Of course we all wish him the best. “
In Dallas there is both the trade itself and the way in which the organization has dealt with the Fallout. Nowitzki expressed empathy for Anthony Davis and Max Christie, the players who treated Los Angeles on the Mavericks.
“I feel a bit bad about advertisement and Christie here in this deal,” said Nowitzki. “They are both great players, fun to watch, and of course they all get it, they get the news and they see it. And I only hope that they still feel welcome and are still able to clearly contribute to a good team here. “
Doncic started his NBA career in the last season of Nowitzki
Luka Doncic, 25, started his NBA career in the 2018-19 season, which was Nowitzki’s last season of his 21-year career at the Mavericks. The seven-year-old Vetera Wacht is a five-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA member.
He won Rookie of the year in 2019 after an average of 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 Steals per match.
Dirk Nowitzki, 46, won MVP in 2006-07 and led the mavs to their lonely championship in 2011 against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. The 7-footer retired in 2019 as a 14-time All-Star.
As usually a Power Forward, Nowitzki was on average 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 1,522 games in the regular season (1,460 starts) with Dallas.
