Dirk Nowitzki Backs Luka Doncic Led Dallas Mavericks To Make Big NBA Statement Run
NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki has backed the Dallas Mavericks to make a deep run into the postseason in 2024/25 and believes with Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson in step, Jason Kidd’s side could once again reach the NBA Finals
In 2023/24, the American Airlines Center franchise reached the Finals, only to lose to the Boston Celtics in five games. The arrival of Thompson from Golden State will certainly aid another push for the ultimate prize, and Nowitzki certainly knows a thing about winning in the NBA.
The German won his single NBA ring in 2011, represented the Mavericks with aplomb for more than two decades, and was a 14-time NBA All-Star pick. Dallas fans who wish to follow up Dirk’s recommendation with a bet on the Mavs may want to make use of any of the best NBA betting apps to place a wager on Kidd’s roster to win their first NBA Championship in over a decade.
Last season marked the first time the Dallas Mavericks reached an NBA Finals series, albeit they lost out to the Celtics, and it was, of course, Nowitzki who proved pivotal in that 2010/11 success, winning the FMVP for his displays in their six-game win over the Miami Heat.
Nowitzki is confident that the NBA Finals experience will stand Kidd’s side in good stead and is a stepping stone to bigger and better things, and he highlighted other factors and potential concerns in his assessment of the Mavs ahead of 2024/25,
[I think] there’s some depth issues on the wing even with Klay [Thompson] and [Naji] Marshall coming in
Dirk Nowitzki
The younger guys should’ve gotten better, worked harder over the summer… Adding Klay, one of the best shooters the game has ever seen, should give Luka [Doncic] and Kyrie [Irving] freedom on the ball. I really think we have a great, deep team… If we stay healthy, I think we can make a long run again
Dirk Nowitzki
He went on to praise Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II, making comparisons to one of his illustrious teammates, Tyson Chandler,
He reminded me so much of Tyson early on
Dirk Nowitzki
Pushing guys around… For a rookie, that’s not normal, and he’s still so young. The sky’s the limit for him. Mavs fans are gonna have a fun time watching him grow.” Nowitzki added
Dirk Nowitzki
Above all else, the key to the Mavs going deep into the postseason remains Luka Doncic, and fortunately the Slovenian is one of the most consistent performers in the NBA and has been ever since he arrived from Real Madrid back in 2018.
The five-time NBA All-Star pick has posted amazing numbers from his second season onwards, with his PPG average remaining above 28 ever since. Last season, he hit new heights with an average of 33.9 across the regular season, and if Kidd gets something similar from the 25-year-old this coming season, then you can expect Dallas to be up there and challenging with the best of them in the new campaign.