If you are in for a quick laugh, this one should do it. Mishearing names are always funny, and this one's no exception, especially since it's about a rookie and his team's ultimate veteran and greatest player ever.

Watch as Dallas Mavericks' first-year guard Dennis Smith Jr. talks about the first time he knew of the Mavs' 39-year-old living legend, Dirk Nowitzki.

“Earliest memory of Dirk, is probably a year he was playing with Steve Nash. I kept hearing [about] somebody named Dirt – like with a T. So, I'm like, ‘Why is a dude named Dirt in the league?' … Then I found out he was actually pretty good, so I started watching him more.”

Article Continues Below

Dennis Smith Jr. threw a compliment towards the end, but after a story like that – though made in a fun light – Dirk Nowitzki and the other pros could now be looking to haze him even more. He should be preparing to buy more donuts, pick up more team dinner tabs, and do more laundry duties. Who knows? Maybe he'll get the famous popcorn treatment, too.

All that aside, though DSJ is having the usual lumps of a first-year pro, he's been playing like the speedy, fearless, high-flying player that the Mavs had hoped for. With his 6-foot-1 height and an impressive 48-inch vertical, he's a highlight reel always waiting to happen.

The production is also there – 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 made threes per game – so an All-Rookie team selection should be on the way.

Let's just hope he doesn't mishear what plays he's asked to run.