There are very few names that come close to Dirk Nowitzki when the topic is about loyalty.

Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki opens up about supporting Luka Doncic during his Lakers debut, sharing his thoughts on the star’s journeyDirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Playing for the Dallas Mavericks, the 2007 NBA MVP led his team to a championship run in 2011. Acknowledging his loyalty to his team, Nowitzki has a white bronze statue just outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Now, when the Mavericks’ legend was spotted supporting Luka Doncic on his Lakers’ debut, the fans went berserk.

With speculations going wild, Dirk Nowitzki has finally put an end to all the speculations himself. In a recent interaction, Nowitzki stated that Doncic was pretty much disappointed with how his trade with the Lakers went down. Thus, he felt it necessary to extend his hands of support.

“He invited me to come out to his first game in LA… He was pretty down & disappointed on how it went down, so I wanted to be there for him…,” Nowitzki said. But you guys saw my face… It was weird. It was surreal to see him play for the Lakers… I’ll never be a Lakers fan, but it’s always being a Luka fan.”

Surely, this was a great gesture from Dirk Nowitzki. Afterall, the Luka Doncic trade was so sudden that it sent shockwaves through the NBA. Meanwhile, this was not the first time that Nowitzki is coming out in support of Doncic.

Dirk Nowitzki Promised To Support Luka Doncic Despite Being A Laker

Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki shared the locker room only once. Back in the 2018-19 season, the two played as teammates. From thereon, it was Doncic who took up the mantle of taking the Mavericks forward. But a midseason surprise transfer had a significant impact on Doncic’s mental health. Thus, despite him turning up in a Lakers’ jersey, Nowitzki made sure he was in his corner.

Ahead of Doncic’s debut as a Laker, Nowitzki stated, “I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 @luka7doncic in the first game of his new chapter!”


Thus, with things going down in a pretty interesting manner for Luka Doncic, he is now expected to replicate his superstar role for the Lakers. However, whether he can do that is a question that only Father Time can answer.