By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dirk Nowitzki expressed his support for the Greek Freak, reacting to Gilbert Arenas’ recent comments about the lack of improvement of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The FIBA EuroBasket Ambassador Dirk Nowitzki also weighed in on Luka Doncic and shared his view on the growth of European basketball in a press conference held in Milan Monday.
“Unbelievable. When I first saw him, he was this skinny kid. Just to see the growth over him the last couple of years, he has gotten stronger, his skill level improved and he seems very hungry to still get better, to work hard, to play for his country, work in the summer and come as an even better player the next year,” he replied to a question about the leader of the Milwaukee Bucks and Greece national team, “So, it has been a wonderful journey for him. Obviously, MVP and champion already. I am really happy for him. He is a good kid. And he keeps working hard and keeps getting better. I am a big fan.”
“He is one of the best players in the world and has shown it as a champion and an MVP,” he added commenting on Arenas, “He is the first one to tell you you can always improve, but if you look at what he is done already at such a young age, he is one of the best.”
At the conclusion of his career, he enjoyed sharing the court with Doncic at the Dallas Mavericks.
“Usually guys come in and they are raw and develop, and with experience and hard work they just take that next level,” explained Nowitzki, “But to me, the way he already reads the game and makes decisions, off the pick-and-roll, when to pass and when to shoot. He is already playing like a 30-year-old. I have been super impressed. From day one, he came in just reading the game, his basketball IQ is just on another level.”
Switching to the role of the special advisor to the Mavs, the discussion stretched to a new addition to the Dallas squad, Tyler Dorsey and him turning head in the EuroBasket. “I welcomed Tyler to the Mavs, he made a bunch of threes against Italy, I am happy for him. He is a very good shooter, he can also handle the ball. We are excited for him and hope he will have a good camp, but we are excited about him,” he said.
Germany and Orlando Magic upstart Franz Wagner, and Utah Jazz newcomer Simone Fontecchio were also discussed by the legend of German basketball. The remaining topics included the challenges of the NBA expanding to Europe, and how the game has changed and grown globally in the last couple of decades including the pioneers of European basketball who made it to the NBA, spearheaded by Drazen Petrovic.
Check the press conference:
Photo Credit: YouTube