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LSMF · 03-17-2008, 10:44 AM

It seems like the chemistry is improving in the locker room, but my problem is that I don't want anyone using the words Adolph Hitler to joke around Dirk.

'The Hitler Card'?
Dirk's Mood: Punchlines & Punchouts
By Mike Fisher -- DB.com

A strange phenomenon occurred on the front of each of DFW’s daily newspapers this weekend: Ol’ Randy and JJT essentially wrote the same exact column. They both insisted that Dirk is “happy.’’ (Ol’ Randy says it with Southern-fried simplicity; the aspiring poet JJT writes, “he’s doing it with a smile on his face and joy in his heart.’’) But neither of the columns offer any “proof’’ of The UberMan’s gleefulness.

So allow me to tell you a quick Dirk Nowitzki anecdote, a story that includes as the unlikely punchline … Adolph Hitler.

“Germany has produced lots of champions!’’ laughs Dirk Nowitzki as he enters the locker room after yet another Mavs victory.

“Really? Name one!’’ challenges Jason Terry.

“What about Max Schmeling?’’ offers Dirk, name-checking the great heavyweight champion boxer of the 1930’s.

Replies Terry, a rather astute sports historian: “He beat Joe Louis once, but then came the rematch, and it was the big one, and (Schmeling) couldn’t win the big one!’’

And then, out of nowhere, a third voice tries to settle the faux feud.

“Yeah!’’ giggles Malik Allen. “And what about Hitler?’’

And all the Mavs within earshot crack up, another joke told, another victory secured, another intangible bond maybe solidified.

That conversation occurred Wednesday night, in the middle of what is now a five-game winning streak thanks to the Mavs’ 98-73 victory in Miami on Sunday. Dallas has destroyed these five have-nots by 19 points or more. And all the Mavs have played key roles in the surge to a 44-23 record: From Jason Terry accepting his benching to Josh Howard emerging as again being Robin-like to subs like Allen earning rotation slots to the main source of Dirk’s happiness, Jason Kidd, taking over the demanding job of team leader.

But most of all there is Dirk. He was the MVP a year ago due to his numbers: 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Well, don’t look now, but The UberMan is presently at 23.6/8.7/3.7. You want efficiency? In these five outings, he’s scored 120 points in 136 minutes.

“Good locker-room chemistry has always been one of the trademarks of our team,’’ says Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who credits Nowitzki with helping to set the mood. “And Dirk? He’s the MVP, but he’s also just one of the guys. He doesn’t have an inflated opinion of himself. He’s as hard a worker as we have. He’s self-depreciating. (Success) couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.’’

Therefore he is able to take the ribbing – even when the ribbing includes an awkwardly funny reference to Hitler.

“It’s locker-room humor,’’ says Terry, who then shifts gears to his thoughts on June 22, 1938, at Yankee Stadium. “That must’ve been something, huh? Millions of people, leaning toward their radios, listening to Joe Louis, with the whole world getting ready to go to war. … Imagine the pressure! And for that moment, anyway, despite segregation and whatever, black and white people, pulling together, rooting for the same thing. …’’

Yes, it’s just locker-room humor. It’s not Louis-Schmeling and all its societal gravitas. It’s not World War II. It’s just a highly-competitive race for the playoffs in the NBA’s Western Conference. But there is pressure. And inside the Mavs, there are tensions and conflicts and adversity. There are newcomers trying to mesh with holdovers. There are black and white people, pulling together, rooting for the same thing.

And in the middle of it, there is Dirk Nowitzki. Happy? Yes, so happy that he’ll allow himself to be the butt of Hitler jokes.

03-17-2008, 10:44 AM	#59
LSMF Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 5,501	It seems like the chemistry is improving in the locker room, but my problem is that I don't want anyone using the words Adolph Hitler to joke around Dirk. 'The Hitler Card'? Dirk's Mood: Punchlines & Punchouts By Mike Fisher -- DB.com A strange phenomenon occurred on the front of each of DFW’s daily newspapers this weekend: Ol’ Randy and JJT essentially wrote the same exact column. They both insisted that Dirk is “happy.’’ (Ol’ Randy says it with Southern-fried simplicity; the aspiring poet JJT writes, “he’s doing it with a smile on his face and joy in his heart.’’) But neither of the columns offer any “proof’’ of The UberMan’s gleefulness. So allow me to tell you a quick Dirk Nowitzki anecdote, a story that includes as the unlikely punchline … Adolph Hitler. “Germany has produced lots of champions!’’ laughs Dirk Nowitzki as he enters the locker room after yet another Mavs victory. “Really? Name one!’’ challenges Jason Terry. “What about Max Schmeling?’’ offers Dirk, name-checking the great heavyweight champion boxer of the 1930’s. Replies Terry, a rather astute sports historian: “He beat Joe Louis once, but then came the rematch, and it was the big one, and (Schmeling) couldn’t win the big one!’’ And then, out of nowhere, a third voice tries to settle the faux feud. “Yeah!’’ giggles Malik Allen. “And what about Hitler?’’ And all the Mavs within earshot crack up, another joke told, another victory secured, another intangible bond maybe solidified. That conversation occurred Wednesday night, in the middle of what is now a five-game winning streak thanks to the Mavs’ 98-73 victory in Miami on Sunday. Dallas has destroyed these five have-nots by 19 points or more. And all the Mavs have played key roles in the surge to a 44-23 record: From Jason Terry accepting his benching to Josh Howard emerging as again being Robin-like to subs like Allen earning rotation slots to the main source of Dirk’s happiness, Jason Kidd, taking over the demanding job of team leader. But most of all there is Dirk. He was the MVP a year ago due to his numbers: 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Well, don’t look now, but The UberMan is presently at 23.6/8.7/3.7. You want efficiency? In these five outings, he’s scored 120 points in 136 minutes. “Good locker-room chemistry has always been one of the trademarks of our team,’’ says Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who credits Nowitzki with helping to set the mood. “And Dirk? He’s the MVP, but he’s also just one of the guys. He doesn’t have an inflated opinion of himself. He’s as hard a worker as we have. He’s self-depreciating. (Success) couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.’’ Therefore he is able to take the ribbing – even when the ribbing includes an awkwardly funny reference to Hitler. “It’s locker-room humor,’’ says Terry, who then shifts gears to his thoughts on June 22, 1938, at Yankee Stadium. “That must’ve been something, huh? Millions of people, leaning toward their radios, listening to Joe Louis, with the whole world getting ready to go to war. … Imagine the pressure! And for that moment, anyway, despite segregation and whatever, black and white people, pulling together, rooting for the same thing. …’’ Yes, it’s just locker-room humor. It’s not Louis-Schmeling and all its societal gravitas. It’s not World War II. It’s just a highly-competitive race for the playoffs in the NBA’s Western Conference. But there is pressure. And inside the Mavs, there are tensions and conflicts and adversity. There are newcomers trying to mesh with holdovers. There are black and white people, pulling together, rooting for the same thing. And in the middle of it, there is Dirk Nowitzki. Happy? Yes, so happy that he’ll allow himself to be the butt of Hitler jokes. __________________ Monta Ellis is an All-Star. Last edited by LSMF; 03-17-2008 at 11:05 AM.