Is Luka Doncic Better Than Dirk Nowitzki? Former Dallas Mavericks Superstar Has His Say

Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic have always maintained friendly ties with each other. Additionally, there has been speculation about what might have been the storyline if the two had played together for more than one season during the season. Dallas Mavericks. The speculations also bring a sense of comparison between the two players. The latest person to share his opinion on this comparison is ex-Mavericks star Shawn Marion.

In an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Marion weighed in on the popular opinion that Luka is better than Dirk. “As far as skills and score, yes. I don’t think it’s even a question. As far as what Dirk did, longevity and history, no. Dirk is a seven-foot assassin with a fadeaway. Shawn said.

However, he feels that overall Luka has an advantage over Dirk. Marion notably played 5 NBA seasons alongside Nowitzki in Dallas. Marion was part of the roster that earned the Dallas Mavericks their first and only NBA championship in 2011.

It’s worth mentioning that Luka himself has always been nothing but praise for Dirk. He had expressed in an interview in 2023 how lucky he felt to play with Dirk. “The things he’s done for Dallas are incredible, not just as a player but as a person, he’s done a lot of things…I think he should be a role model for every player in the league.” , he stated.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s preview of the duo together in a single season had reported in 2020, “Could you imagine if they were both in their prime? Oh my God. It’s MJ and Scottie again. While everyone will have an opinion on the greatness of both men, how do they compare statistically?

Statistical comparison between Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki

Luka Magic’s stat line leaves a better impression so far. But it’s important to point out that the 25-year-old has only played 6 NBA seasons so far. Dirk retired from the NBA in 2019 with 21 seasons under his belt. The German Wunderkind averaged 20.7 points per game in his career with 7.5 rebounds and a 47.1% field goal percentage. This number has decreased significantly due to his averages in his last few seasons.

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Doncic is averaging 28.6 points per game, 8.3 assists and 8.6 rebounds in his six seasons so far, and the same field goal percentage as Dirk. But even if we look at Nowitzki’s first six seasons, Luka still has an advantage over his elder brother. Dirk averaged 21.3 points per game over his first six seasons.

However, the important factor to consider is that Dirk played 4 of those 6 seasons when handchecks were still legal in the NBA. A ban on manual testing was imposed in 2004, allowing higher scores. Additionally, Dirk led the Mavericks to their first NBA championship in 2011. He also became the NBA Finals MVP that season. So even though Luka has a more visible stat line, a clear conclusion cannot be based on that alone.

Who do you think is the better player between the two? Let us know what you think with your reasons in the comments.

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