Dirk Nowitzki reflects on Jalen Brunson establishing himself as an NBA star

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki recently acknowledged his initial skepticism regarding Jalen Brunson's potential to become a league-wide superstar. During Brunson's rookie season in 2018-19, Nowitzki observed the point guard as a teammate and viewed him as a solid rotational player rather than a primary franchise leader. Nowitzki noted that he particularly worried about Brunson moving to the intense New York media market, but admitted that the guard exceeded all expectations. Brunson transitioned into a star-level player for the New York Knicks following his departure from Dallas. His progression included leading the franchise to a championship win during the 2026 season. Nowitzki credited Brunson for his hard work and impact both on and off the floor, marking a significant turn in his career trajectory.

• 3:16 AMYahoo Sports — Dirk Nowitzki admits that he never thought Jalen Brunson would become a superstar