As he winds down his career, Dallas Mavericks legend, and future Hall of Famer, Dirk Nowitzki is seeing the appreciation for his career demonstrated throughout this season.

Still, despite the opinion of others, Nowitzki doesn’t consider himself the greatest international NBA player in league history.

“I would never say that myself” Nowtizki said, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com.

“There are so many great players that I respect, starting with (Detlef) Schrempf, obviously who is German, (Toni) Kukoc and (Drazen) Petrovic, who obviously his career got cut so short, unfortunately. (Vlade) Divac. There’s too many to mention – players that I respected kind of. . .paved the wave the way for me. And if I helped change the game in a way or helped some Europeans down the line, then that’s obviously an honor and that’s great.”

Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic recently sat down with NBA TV and discussed the differences between scoring in the NBA versus scoring in the EuroLeague.

Doncic claims it is easier to score in the NBA as opposed to Europe, which isn’t hard to believe considering the NBA’s lack of defense, and officiating favored, seemingly, towards the offensive side of the ball.

.@luka7doncic explains why he thinks it’s easier to score in the NBA as opposed to Europe.#OpenCourt pic.twitter.com/T3SO9AQHo0— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 19, 2019

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle knows that rookie guard Luka Doncic is having an incredible rookie season, but understands that the guard is carrying a big load for the team.

Doncic took over the game in the Mavs’ win against the Portland Trail Blazers that came down to the wire.

“It was one of those times where he was going to have to finish for us to have a chance,” Carlisle said, according to Gerry Fraley of SportsDay. “I love the fact that he loves carrying the load. He’s one of those dynamic young players that has the charisma to give his teammates confidence.”

The Mavericks made a number of moves at the trade deadline, leaving even more on the plate of Doncic.

“There’s more responsibility falling on Luka,” Carlisle said. “This is an important stretch to feel what it’s all about and what it feels like and what it feels like to have to deliver in all these different areas. He’s certainly capable of doing it.

“We’ve got to prepare him to carry this load going forward.”