GER - Dirk backs budding star Bargnani

TORONTO (NBA) – Dirk Nowitzki has backed Italian rookie Andrea Bargnani to become an NBA All-Star and admitted the Toronto Raptors forward is a better player than he was at the same age.

Nowitzki went head-to-head with Bargnani on Sunday as the Mavericks snatched a 97-96 win in Canada to keep their hot streak alive.

Nowitzki, who scored a game-high 38 points, was impressed with what he saw of Bargnani, who came off the bench to score 12 for the Raptors. Two of the those points came with an audacious dunk over the 7ft Nowitzki with 2:04 left in the third quarter.

"How old is he now, 20, 21?" Nowitzki said in the Toronto Sun.

"Whatever he is, he is certainly better than I was when I was that age.

"Obviously, he is a great shooter, but he can do it on the floor, too. I like him, I like him a lot."

However, Nowitzki warned the 2006 number one overall draft pick that he has to continue to work hard if he is to fulfil his potential.

"He still has a lot to learn. He is a rookie in this league," the German added.

"If he keeps his eyes and ears open, he will improve from year to year. He will be a great player in this league."

For Nowitzki and the Mavs, Sunday’s win was their 17th in 18 games, keeping them out in front with the best record in the NBA – a far cry from their 0-4 start.

Now Nowitzki has set his sights firmly on going all the way after suffering heartbreak in last season’s NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

"When you come in the league, you want to prove yourself," Nowitzki added in the Dallas Morning News.

"But I've been an All-Star a bunch of times, and winning is the only thing that matters."

PA Sport