Nerlens Noel draws high praise from new Mavericks teammates

Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki has enjoyed an iconic career, one that recently saw him score his 30,000th NBA point. The 7-foot Nowitzki is in his 19th season and has seen players of all shapes and sizes, and his enthusiasm for the skill level of new teammate Nerlens Noel was evident when he talked about the former 76er after Thursday's practice at Temple University.

Noel's return with the Mavericks - they face the Sixers on Friday at the Wells Fargo Center - will be the big story. An underlying story is how Noel has made such a favorable impression on his new teammates, especially the one future Hall of Famer, since being dealt to the Mavs on the Feb. 23 trade deadline.

"His touch is really good," Nowitzki said. "He can dribble for a big. He can make plays from the high post where he drives and finishes, and he has finished with both hands."

Nowitzki got more enthusiastic as he talked.

"Obviously he is a crazy athlete. We knew that coming in," he said. "He gets off the ground so amazingly quick. He has been fun to be around, man. We hope his body can hold up, but he has been fun to be around."

Noel has played seven games with the Mavericks, averaging 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds in 24 minutes. He sat out three games due to left knee soreness but returned on Wednesday and contributed 12 points, including two late free throws to seal the 112-107 victory over the host Washington Wizards.

Nowitzki says the Washington game illustrated the importance of the 6-foot-11, 228-pound Noel, especially on the defensive end. Noel can defend against either centers or power forwards.

"Against Washington, they threw a quick [power forward], Otto Porter, and Nerlens said, 'I will take Porter. You take the big guy,' " Nowitzki said. "He can slide his feet. He is quick off the ground, and we even have him switch on some guards. He is a defensive force for us. We need him out there."

Nowitzki said during the three games Noel was sidelined the Mavericks missed his presence.

"The three games he missed was tough. We lost two and really needed his presence, length, athleticism, quickness at the big spot. So we are happy to have him back," Nowitzki said. Dallas (29-38) has been 6-1 with Noel in the lineup.

Noel said his knee feels fine, and there is no doubt he will be playing on Friday - once he finds his way around the Wells Fargo Center.

"I have never been to the visiting locker room," Noel said after practice.

Then, laughing, he said, "I will find my way there."

Noel, who turns 23 on April 10, said a big benefit has been playing with many veterans on the Mavericks, a stark contrast to his time with the Sixers when he was looked on as one of the leaders.

The admiration that Nowitzki has for Noel is returned.

"He definitely is somebody that that you have to take all the little things from the way he does things, the way he operates on a day-to-day basis as a true professional," Noel said. "You can see why he is a 30,000-point scorer, and I was blessed to be on the court with him when he accomplished that feat."

It isn't just Nowitzki who is teaching Noel.

"I am learning from all these guys, especially Dirk," Noel said.

"This is a different situation than in Philadelphia because we have some older veteran guys who have been around," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "This is probably a good thing for him to experience, a different kind of locker room."

And like his franchise player, Carlisle has high praise for Noel.

"The things that are most important are things we can't coach, which is launching up and being able to finish lobs, being able to protect the rim and go get the ball off the boards," Carlisle said. "We have had a really good experience with him so far, and we look forward to continue to work with him."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard