We all know that Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic are close friends. Ever since the Dallas Mavericks acquired Doncic in a trade on draft night in 2018, Nowitzki has made it a point to get to know the player who would eventually become the team’s face once he retires. However, Nowitzki, the indisputable GOAT of the Mavericks franchise, is becoming increasingly “mad” with Doncic as a result of his recent play.

Speaking with Kevin Hart on NBA Unplugged during Wednesday night’s ESPN broadcast of the Mavericks’ 111-92 victory over the Miami Heat, Nowitzki expressed his amazement at how well Doncic has been playing lately, though he jokingly expressed his displeasure that some of the records Doncic has been setting have come at his expense.

“Dude, I’m really angry.” He’s smashing every record I have. We observed in the first year that he had boundless potential. However, I genuinely didn’t think he could move [to the location he is today]. The way his game is devoid of any offensive gaps. He is a one-man show—he can shoot the stepback and move in both directions. He has the ability to post, shoot from the midrange, float, and make horse shots. He’s got everything,” Nowitzki remarked.


“I tell myself, ‘This kid can’t possibly get better,’ every year. And sure enough, he returns the next year with an expanded repertory.


The fact that Luka Doncic is only 25 years old should not be overlooked. Dirk Nowitzki may not be impressed by this, but Doncic still has plenty of time left in his career to shatter the records held by the Mavericks’ all-time great.