Luka Doncic couldn't hold back the praise for Dante Exum after the Mavericks' victory over the Golden State Warriors. "Amazing, man. Honestly, he's been amazing so far," Doncic declared. "His IQ is insane. He's attacking the basket, hitting layups and threes... I'm thrilled he's on the team, he's been a game-changer."

Exum's resurgence has been a fairytale comeback after two years out of the NBA, spent honing his skills in Europe. Now, back in the spotlight, the Aussie is averaging a remarkable 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while scorching the nets with a 57.4% overall and 45.2% three-point shooting percentage.

Coach Jason Kidd echoed Doncic's sentiments, keeping it simple: "He's a basketball player. He's doing his job and excelling in his role. He's not a max player, but he's playing like one. It's beautiful to watch, and he deserves all the credit." Kidd acknowledged the pressure on Exum after being drafted 5th overall in 2014, but emphasized that sometimes, greatness takes time to unfold.

Exum's unexpected brilliance has become a beacon of hope for the Mavericks. From struggling overseas to exceeding expectations in Dallas, he's proving that second chances can lead to phenomenal results. His emergence as a key contributor is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and innate basketball talent. This fairytale is just beginning, and with Exum playing like a star in his own right, the Mavericks might just have found the missing piece to their championship puzzle.