Dirk's interview (German press)

[ZueriMav]

Well, since the off-season is pretty boring, here is an interview with Dirk, which appeared in Germany. WEB translation of NBA related questions ONLY!!!! (corrected for obvious mistakes). German here if somebody wants to translate entire interview.

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NOWITZKI INTERVIEW




SPIEGEL ONLINE: During Olympia, it was to be observed that the basketball autocracy of the USA finally passed. Are you surprised?

Nowitzki: Actually not. Already during the preparation tournament in Cologne, one saw that US crew will have their problems. They were trashed by Italians. They also almost lost against us. I think, they are still luky to get away with the bronze medal at the end. But for gold, it was not enough with that crew. That shows that the Americans must bring their top people, if they want to become olympia winners - the remainder of the world got better.


SPIEGEL ONLINE: One sees that already in the NBA. There is meanwhile a fifth of the players, which don't hold US passport, in the all star game, six foreigners participated this year. What is the reason for that?

Nowitzki: The European players profit from their comprehensive training: Most can score both from short distance and from the outside. There is a trend in the NBA that such players with allround package are very in demand: That is because of the fact that the game in the NBA becomes faster and the rules changed. Today, zone defense is also permitted, it is important that one can make the outside shot. In addition, formely, it depended much more on the physical game, the refs let go through pretty much. Nowadays, fouls are given more quickly, which also comes along my way of game: Otherwise, a heavy opponent could simply make me flat.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Are there any further Gertman players, who you would think are capable to make it into the NBA?

Nowitzki: For the current national players, that becomes difficult. Most are already 23, 24 years old, and in this age, it is nearly too late.


SPIEGEL ONLINE: The past NBA season ended for you disappointing: You were hurt, and Dallas exit in the first Play off round. Which goals do you have for the season beginning in November?

Nowitzki: The past year was a lost year. We had gotten Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker, were high expectations. But we never got it on the same page as the team. I hope that we find a better rhythm this year with the new acquisitions . I want to go into the semi-final in any case, perhaps even further.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Why, do you believe, are stronger the Mavericks than in the past play time?

Nowitzki: We finally got a good center with Erick Dampier - that we missed in the past five, six years. He can clear up under the basket, block shots and get rebounds. In addition, he can provide throu it down in offense. Erick played a superseason last year and he is really a top man. In the process, we unfortunately lost an important player with Steve Nash, but I believe, we can compensate that.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: If you had the choice between the NBA title with Dallas or olympic gold with Germany 2008, for what they would decide?

Nowitzki: In the doubt for the NBA title. There are many great players in America, who look back on a great career without titles. If somebody speaks about them, it always means: "he was a great player, but..." I would love to avoid this "but". With Olympia, the participating thrills me. To run into the stadium and to live with all athlets in a village - this is the dream I would like to fulfill in 2008. From the sports point og view, surely the NBA title is more important; emotionally, the olympic gold.
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O boy, German is pretty difficult language [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]