The Dallas Mavericks have struggled the past couple of years after whiffing on superstar free agents in the offseason. However, it seems they have accepted where they are now relative to the rest of the league and have begun to properly build the team from the ground up.

While Dirk Nowitzki remains the face of the franchise, Harrison Barnes is one of the team's building blocks for the future. The small forward was never given a chance to shine when he was with the Golden State Warriors, but now has the opportunity to show what he can do in Dallas.

Nowitzki, a long-time veteran in the NBA, is a good mentor for Barnes and in an interview with Dria Roland of Complex, the 25-year-old mentioned Nowitzki's work habits as the biggest lesson he's learned:

…just his work ethic. When he came in the league you look where he started, to be able to become MVP, be a perennial All-Star, a lot of people said he would never be able to lead his team to a championship—which he did with no other All-Stars on the team, which is very rare, especially in today’s NBA—I think how he is always just precise and diligent about his work ethic is the biggest thing I’ve learned.

Nowitzki's practice regimen has been well-documented and it is encouraging to see a young player like Barnes pick up on that. The German big man is almost on his way out of the NBA and it will be up to Barnes and the rest of his young teammates to lift up the Mavericks organization once he is gone.

While next season will most likely end up in another lottery appearance, the Mavericks have solid young talent in Barnes, Seth Curry, and newly drafted Dennis Smith Jr. Brighter days are ahead in Dallas and Barnes should have a featured role going forward.