Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for Luka Doncic’s rookie season

2. Absorb everything from one of the best

With Dirk Nowitzki returning on a one-year contract, the future Hall-of-Famer will be a Dallas Maverick for his 21st straight season with the club — an NBA first. With Dirk making history, as great a story as that is, the underlining story that Doncic and Mavericks fans alike should be watching is the transition of face of the franchise.

If Doncic even comes close to duplicating the career of the sixth-highest scoring player in NBA history, every Maverick fan would be overjoyed. That is one tall glass to fill, but not exactly out of the question. At least, the Dallas Mavericks don’t believe it to be. After trading up to acquire Wonder Boy, re-signing Dirk to his new contract goes hand-in-hand with passing on the torch.

With Dirk being 41 years old playing in his 21st season, his role on the team is being mentor and providing quality, albeit limited production. Dirk knew from the time the team acquired Doncic that this would be his part to play for the only franchise he has ever known.

Doncic was part of the 2017 EuroBasket tournament in which his home country was victorious playing alongside and against fellow NBA players. One of those EuroBasket competitors was the big German himself, and needless to say they have history with one another.

Many fans are hoping Doncic will carry on this championship pedigree alongside NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki in what possibly might be his final year in the league. The responsibility is on Doncic to use his time with one of the greats to learn all he can about the game, and help himself transition into becoming an NBA star.