Former NBA star and Hall of Famer Steven Nash gave an interview to NBA CAFE Barcelona in which he talked extensively about playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, his opinion about Luka Doncic, his own career and more.
“I think he’s maybe the best twenty year old the NBA has ever seen. I mean the game’s a little different than when LeBron came into the league. I think the numbers are a little inflated because of the pace and the hand-check. But still but still I don’t think LeBron was so gifted but I don’t think he was as polished as Luka at 20. Now Luka never gonna be the athlete that LeBron is but he’s a great athlete. He’s an underrated athlete.”
“I spoke to Luka and he said he worked in the gym a lot this summer on his physicality. And so if he continues to do that he’s an underrated athlete. You can see it in moments where he turns it up a gear and he gets where he wants but he also gets on top of the rim and rebounds and is and more physical than you expect. He’s gonna be a Hall of Fame player if he stays healthy.”
“It’s possible [for Doncic to be better than Nowtizki] for sure. I mean especially when you look in Dirk at 20… Dirk was amazing at 20 but compared to Luka – no, because physically he was catching up. Luka already physically is there. I think Dirk played in the second division in Germany. Luka’s been playing in the EuroLeague – Real Madrid. So it’s a different time.”
“Dirk was a rare rare thing then. Now it’s like normal for a guy to come from Europe and be good right away. But Luka is not normal in any way. So he has a chance to be better than Dirk. And Dirk’s one of the best players we’ve ever had so that just says you know what I want an incredible player and talent Luka is,” Nash said.
Watch the full interview:
