You don’t have to be a basketball savant to realize that Luka Doncic is a generational talent. He gets the praise, the attention, and the recognition because he’s doing things not many players have been able to do in the history of the league.
Naturally, that has prompted a debate on whether he’s better already than Dirk Nowitzki ever was. In fact, Dirk himself has said that Doncic is much better than him.
Some believe that it’s too early to compare him to one of the greatest players of all time and the best player in Dallas Mavericks history. But, if you were to ask Chris Broussard, it shouldn’t even be a debate – especially if Luka wins a ring in Dallas:
“This is not to take nothing away from Dirk. Dirk is one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen,” Broussard said on First Things First. “And he’ll get some credit for changing the game. He was one of the first bigs, seven-footers to play out on the perimeter and he had one of the greatest championships we can think of. He beat the Big 3 in Miami without a second star.”
“So, Dirk had a fabulous career but Luka is better. Luka is the elite of the elite. Some of this is because back in the day guys entered the league older, right? But you can make an argument that at 20, 21, 22 years old; we haven’t seen many better than Luka. All right, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson… Luka’s done a lot of what those guys have done,” he added.
“Obviously, he’s got to win a title in Dallas to have the career that Dirk does. If he is better individually but never wins a ring you’ll probably gotta give the edge to Dirk. But if he gets one ring, then it’s not gonna be close,” Broussard concluded.
Statistically speaking, Luka has already put up better seasons in his 3 years in the league than Dirk did in his entire career, even in his MVP season.
Then again, we’re talking about a game that’s played at a different pace and two completely different players, so perhaps comparing them wouldn’t be fair.
But, should Luka win one or more rings, he’ll be in the conversation of not only the best Dallas Mavericks player of all time but also one of the best foreign players to ever set foot in the NBA.
In or Out on Luka Dončić finishing with a better career than Dirk Nowitzki?
"I'm WAY in. Dirk had a great career, but Luka is better. Luka is the elite of the elite!" — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/pU2CoktYFk
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) August 11, 2021
