Luka Doncic is carving out his own legacy on the Lakers, but when it comes to signature moves, he’s still paying homage to the legend who came before him.
During a recent appearance on Bilibili, Doncic was asked which iconic move from another NBA player he would most want in his arsenal. His answer was quick, respectful, and invoked some heavy emotions from the Mavericks fans who detest his departure.
“I would take the Dirk Nowitzki fadeaway as a signature move,” Doncic said.
It’s a fitting tribute to Nowitzki, whose one-legged fadeaway helped define a generation and led the Mavericks to their first NBA title in 2011. According to Dirk, the move originated out of necessity as he got older and his legs began to wear down.
As he was losing strength and mobility, Dirk was determined to create a move that he could use to shoot over defenders and conserve energy as his athleticism declined. Nowitzki, being 7’0″ tall, decided to use his height to his advantage, and it’s how he came up with the idea to do his signature one-legged fadeaway.
Besides being a beautiful shot, it was also very effective. When he pulled it off properly, nobody could get a hand on the ball, effectively ensuring that it would at least make contact with the rim. It helped Dirk build an iconic NBA career as a 14x All-Star, 12x All-NBA player, 1x champion, and former Finals MVP. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023 with career averages of 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game over 21 years.
For Luka, incorporating Dirk’s go-to move into his arsenal would only enhance his game, but their connection is more than purely professional. For the first six and a half years of his career, Luka Doncic was Dirk’s successor, and Dirk was his mentor.
In just a few short years in Dallas, Doncic ascended to legendary status for the Mavericks with multiple All-Star appearances, frequent MVP considerations, and averages of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game on 47.0% shooting.
He developed a personal connection with not only the city of Dallas but also Dirk Nowitzki himself. Dirk passed Luka the torch, hoping he’d lead them back to glory.
Sadly, the Slovenian superstar never got the chance to see it through. Without warning, the Mavericks traded him in a blockbuster deal to Los Angeles, and everything changed in one fell swoop. While separated, Dirk continued to support Luka and was even in attendance during his Lakers debut.
Now with the Lakers, Luka is on a revenge tour, out to prove Dallas made a mistake letting him go. Whatever happens, Dirk will be watching and cheering him on as if he never left Dallas in the first place.
Whether he’s wearing a Mavericks jersey or a Lakers uniform, Luka Doncic’s story is forever linked to Dirk Nowitzki. From signature moves to shared history, their bond represents the passing of the torch between generations of European greatness.
Now, as Luka writes the next chapter of his career in Los Angeles, he’ll carry a piece of Dirk with him in the way he approaches the moment. Even from afar, Dirk will still be there, watching as the player he once mentored tries to build his own legend, one step at a time.
