Dirk Nowitzki was speaking to the media at the ‘Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic,’ an event held on Saturday alongside various former and current Dallas Mavericks players such as Dirk, Steve Nash, and more. Nowitzki weighed in on the development of Mavs’ center Dereck Lively II after his rookie season, saying Lively reminded him of Tyson Chandler.
“He was incredible. He reminded me so much of Tyson early on, his balance, his connectivity, he’s talking on defense, already pushing guys around… For a rookie, that’s not normal… What everybody is most excited about is his offensive potential… He’s still so young. The sky’s the limit for him. Mavs fans are gonna have a fun time watching him grow.”
We asked Dirk Nowitzki about Dereck Lively II:
“He reminded me so much of Tyson early on … pushing guys around. For a rookie, that’s not normal. … And he’s still so young. The sky’s the limit for him. Mavs fans are gonna have a fun time watching him grow.” pic.twitter.com/Ss8mvvfLRu
— DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) September 14, 2024
Living up to a Tyson Chandler comparison in Dallas is not easy, as the franchise has struggled to find an elite center since Chandler left the squad in the 2011 offseason. The Mavericks know how valuable Chandler was and could be in mentoring someone like Lively, which is why the pair have worked together extensively since the Mavs drafted Lively last summer.
Lively had a phenomenal rookie season, averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over the year. He has already built phenomenal chemistry with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, emerging as the perfect role-playing center next to the supercharged backcourt.
He has a high motor, is one of the best rim deterrents in the NBA already, and is an explosive lob catcher bringing strengths to the Mavs that they haven’t had in the Luka era at all.
Dereck Lively II Threw Shots At Rudy Gobert In A Recent Interview
During a recent appearance at a NIKE EYBL Camp with former Mavs’ guard Theo Pinson, Lively claimed reigning Defensive Player of the Year had no impact on the court during the Mavs vs. Wolves Western Conference Finals.
Theo Pinson: “Perfect example. They played the Minnesota Timberwolves, there is zero reason why Rudy Gobert should be on the court.”
Dereck Lively II: “Zero.”
Theo Pinson: “But you’re paying him $40-50 million, you better go out there and figure it the f**k out.”
Dereck Lively II: “And he didn’t. He did not.”
Many people aren’t happy with the arrogance Lively shows with these comments given Gobert’s status as a four-time DPOY and someone with over a decade played in the NBA. But Lively is going off his personal experience, as he averaged xxx over the Playoffs.
His Gobert quote is likely inspired by how easily Dereck had success in the series against the Timberwolves, where Lively shot 16/16 to make history by going 100% from the field in a Playoff series while taking over 15 shots in that span. It’s hard to tell Lively how to feel when he has such an impressive statline over Gobert already.
The Mavs and Wolves are expected to be contenders next season, so it seems Lively will have to answer for his words in the first Mavs vs. Wolves matchup of the season on October 29.
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