CHICAGO (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Germany's living legend, Dirk Nowitzki, may not know it but he's been the true inspiration for one of the best players ever to emerge from Spain.

That player is the former Real Madrid star and current Chicago Bull, Nikola Mirotic.

"He's always been my favorite player, the one I tried to learn the most from," Mirotic said to FIBA.com. "I always watched his videos and tried to do the same moves that he does because I've always been a great fan of what he's been doing."

Mirotic faced Nowitzki at FIBA EuroBasket 2015

So Mirotic, who was born in Montenegro, a country with a rich basketball history, and lived there until he moved at the age of 15 to Spain, another country that has spawned hoops greats, idolized Nowitzki, a German sports icon and long-time Dallas Maverick.

"He is one of the smartest players ever," Mirotic said. "I like him being a power forward-center that can stretch the floor and play in such a smart way. Him being a European player also inspired me a lot and I have always wanted to follow his path."

The experience of EuroBasket 2015, when we went through some hard times in the first round, can’t be forgotten. We will need to play at our best level to have a great campaign.Nikola MiroticNikola Mirotic

Fortunately for Spain, Mirotic has represented them the last couple of years as a naturalized player because he's been a big part of their success. He even got a chance to go up against Nowitzki in Berlin in the last game of the Group Phase for both sides at FIBA EuroBasket 2015. Spain had to win the game to stay in the title hunt and did, barely, before capturing the trophy.

After claiming their third EuroBasket in the past four editions, Spain traveled to Rio de Janeiro and with the help of Mirotic overcame defeats to Croatia and Brazil to reach the Semi-Finals.

They ended up edging Australia in a thrilling Bronze Medal Game.After winning the EuroBasket, Mirotic claimed bronze in Rio

Heading into this third summer, Mirotic is again shaping up to be an important player for Spain, who should be stronger with the expected return of Marc Gasol to the lineup.

Spain will play in Group C, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, against Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Romanians. 

"It's a complicated group, very competitive," Mirotic said. "During a competition like the EuroBasket, every team can beat you. The experience of FIBA EuroBasket 2015, when we went through some hard times in the first round, can't be forgotten. We will need to play at our best level to have a great campaign."

The clash against the country of his birth promises to be tricky.

"The game against Montenegro is going to be very special," Mirotic said. "A lot of emotions are going to be involved but I am going to try to play as if it is just another game, even if it will be hard to. I am proud to have been born in Montenegro and it will be a very special game, that is for sure. I will give my best and I will play to win."

For now, Mirotic is firmly focused on Chicago and having a good end to the season. The team looks as if it is going to make it to the post-season, something that was a big uncertainty earlier in the campaign when the Bulls were struggling. Mirotic himself had to overcome some tough times on the court.

"I played well in the first couple of weeks and then I went through kind of a bad time for a bit, where I lost part of my confidence," he said. "That is part of being an athlete; that happens sometimes. But right now I feel great and I am happy with the way I have been playing in recent weeks. I am playing very well now in the most important time of the season, so it feels good. The most important thing is not how you start the season; it’s how you finish it."

Only once the campaign is over can he turn his full attention to Spain. While he is one of the most talented players in the team, Mirotic will not be thinking of himself as a leader. His aim will be to win, and the only way for Spain to do that is if the players do so as a team and not and as a group of individuals.

"My goal is to keep my teammates of the national team to keep trusting me and knowing that they can count on me," he said. "I believe in teamwork more than anything."

FIBA