Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

15. The passing of the torch in Dallas

Over the past 20 years, Dirk Nowitzki has been the face of the Dallas Mavericks franchise. The 13-time All-Star helped the Mavs win their first-ever NBA championship in 2010-11, and they made the playoffs 15 times in a 16-year span in large part thanks to him.

The 40-year-old sounds as though he’s ready to pass the torch to another international phenom.

“He’s an incredible talent,” Nowitzki said in reference to No. 3 overall pick Luka Doncic during a recent appearance on the Ben and Skin Show. “His court vision and passing for his size at his age is something I’ve never seen in my 20 years.”

The Mavericks traded the No. 5 pick along with a top-five-protected pick to the Atlanta Hawks to move up two spots for Doncic, so their front office seemingly feels the same way. Seeing as Doncic is the youngest player ever to be named EuroLeague MVP and MVP of the Spanish ACB, it isn’t hard to see why.

“Off of what I’ve seen over the last two days, anybody who doesn’t jump on season tickets now is going to sorely regret it later, that’s all I’ll say,” head coach Rick Carlisle said in early September, per Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.

The Mavericks might not make the playoffs in 2018-19, but the backcourt duo of Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. are what League Pass dreams are made of.