Dirk Nowitzki says Luka Doncic is better than him at 19: "Something I've never seen in 20 years"

For all his success abroad and his physical tools, the Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic is considered in most circles as the best future international perspective in the NBA. But it's one thing to hear the Doncic hype from the experts – it's quite another to hear the biggest European player in the NBA's history.

After his 21st season in the NBA, Dirk Nowitzki praised Doncic amazingly after watching the 19-year-old Slovenian play for just one week. Nowitzki has spoken with Ben and Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, and is amazed that the 6-inch-6 Doncic brings to the match.

"I really like what I see," Nowitzki said. "He's amazing with the ball for a great guy, he's amazing at play." His vision of the field is already incredible, I could not believe what I saw in a 19/20 year old. Shooter has time and I think it's going to be great for us a long time.

"He is an incredible talent, and his vision of the court and getting to his height at his age are things I have never seen in 20 years."

Nowitzki was also asked if Doncic was better than he was 19 and Dirk did not hesitate to answer.

"Oh yes, I could shoot a little but I've never had the vision of the field … the sense of the game that it brings to the game," Nowitzki said. "Just the way he already reads the pick-and-roll … all that Chris Paul and these guys do … he's going to get rid of the defenses and it's going to be fun to watch."

Of course, Nowitzki will congratulate the player that his team traded, but it's hard to imagine that Dirk would go so far with his compliments if he did not really think so. The Mavericks have traded the No. 5 overall pick (Trae Young) and a future first-round pick to get Doncic, so they're clearly on the verge of becoming the face of the franchise once (if?) For good .

Doncic led Real Madrid to EuroLeague last season and became the youngest player to win the EuroLeague MVP trophy. Teaming up with second-year goaltender Dennis Smith Jr. and newly-acquired DeAndre Jordan, Doncic and the Mavericks will look to improve on last season's 24 wins.