Mavericks: Jalen Brunson on Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, his goals, and more

Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson on Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, his goals, and more

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson missed the Walt Disney World restart because he was recovering from shoulder surgery. He did not travel with the team to Orlando. The Mavs were without his ability to run the second unit and make plays, but it created an opportunity for Trey Burke to step-in and thrive.

Brunson has recovered and will be full-go when training camp opens on Dec. 1. Expect him to play a similar role as the backup behind Luka Doncic next season. It will be interesting to see if Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle can find a few more minutes of the two players sharing the floor.

JB hopped on the Constant Quest Podcast to discuss a plethora of topics including going through his entire basketball career. Fans can listen to the episode here. Let us take a look at some of the highlights of interest to Mavs fans.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson shares thoughts on Dirk, Luka, his goals, and more

Brunson was asked what he learned in his one season playing with Dirk Nowitzki. He responded with the following.

"“Just watching Dirk’s competitiveness at age 41 year 21. A dude like that doesn’t have to be that competitive or just want it as much as he does. It was cool to see that at that stage of his career. You’re literally walking next to a living legend. You’re playing next to an icon. I mean when he retired, people cried. There are only a select few players that could happen to.”"

The 6’3 guard also responded to what it is like playing with Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

"“Just watching him be so successful at such a young age. I mean he has a lot on his plate. The whole organization is basically saying here, take us to the promise land. Obviously, it is going to be tough, and he can’t do it alone. What he has done in his first two years, you were not expecting year two to look like that.”"

Brunson also noted it was “Luka’s franchise from the moment he walked into the door”. That should come as no surprise. The Mavericks saw Doncic was special the moment he arrived in Dallas. Things have worked out well so far, and the best is yet to come.

JB was asked about what he is trying to improve on this offseason. See his response below.

"“For my body, I was vegan for about four or five months. I switched up my diet a little bit. I feel great, actually lost 12 pounds. I gained a little bit back, once I could lift again with my shoulder. I feel fantastic. I’ve brought back fish like I haven’t eaten chicken or red meat.”“From a basketball standpoint, I just worked on everything. Once I got the okay to do things, I was working on my contact finishing through stuff. I just feel overall better. Not just health, but everything. I feel like everything is starting to become easier. One thing I say I work on is shooting off the dribble from deep. Just shooting the ball deep. That is where this game is going.”"

Brunson went on to note that he plans on sticking to his mid-range game and finishing, but he wants to improve his outside shooting. The 24-year-old also let fans know that his goal to be an All-Star at some point in his career. It was a fantastic and wide-ranging interview that fans will not regret checking out.

The Smoking Cuban will be back with all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks offseason from news to analysis to rumors, so please return to the site regularly to catch it all.