DALLAS – Remember when the original Dream Team was signing autographs for some of the opponents they had just finished pounding into submission on the basketball court during the 1992 Olympics?
Dirk Nowitzki doesn’t see any of that transpiring when he returns home to Germany to lead the Dallas Mavericks in their preseason opener Saturday at 1 p.m. CDT against Alba Berlin. Nowitzki, who has played on the German National Team with some of the Alba players, knows the Alba players are not at all in awe of the Mavs.
Nowitzki said: “They’re professional and they want to obviously go out with a bang and maybe get a win against an NBA team.’’
In addition to Alba Berlin, coach Rick Carlisle believes Tuesday’s game in Barcelona against FC Barcelona Regal will also be a knock-down, drag-out affair.
“We’ve got two games we want to win, so those are the goals,’’ Carlisle said. “It’s two great cities and it’s going to be two very good teams.
“And if we’re not ready to play, we’ll get beat. It’s as simple as that.’’
In the meantime, Nowitzki is looking forward to being showered with heartfelt compliments while in Germany. Especially since the game will be played in front of a lot of his family members and friends.
“It’s a good opportunity to see some folks and they get to see me play,’’ Nowitzki said. “Usually they see me on the national team, but this is nice that they’ll see me in the Mavericks’ dress.
“It’s a fun gym to play in, it’s good and loud. So yeah, it should be a fun atmosphere.’’
-- Dwain Price
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