basketball
Ex-basketball player Nowitzki: USA not unbeatable
Team USA doesn’t think Dirk Nowitzki is unbeatable this year. photo
© Jessica Hill/AP/dpa
Unlike previous tournaments, basketball experts believe the USA is vulnerable this time. Germany could provide proof of this this weekend.
The former German Basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki considers Olympic champion USA to be much more vulnerable than in previous years.
“They have a good squad. There are super interesting young talented people there. You have to see how they can adapt to Fiba basketball. Sometimes it’s difficult. I don’t think the team is totally unbeatable,” he said 45-year-old Nowitzki, who repeatedly had to deal with the US team during his career. On Sunday Germany is testing in Abu Dhabi against the World Cup favorites.
Nowitzki: No need to worry
This year’s selection has little to do with the “Dream Team” around Michael Jordan in 1992 or the “Redeem Team” around Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in 2008. Stars like James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry or Devin Booker are not available to head coach Steve Kerr. Some professionals from the second row are not there either. “If they get along well and defend well, then they already have great talents and athletes. They are definitely among the top favorites,” Nowitzki classified.
Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards and top rookie Paolo Banchero are the top representatives of the US team. From Nowitzki’s perspective, Germany’s bronze medalist at the European Championships has no reason to worry before the endurance test. “In the end, we showed that we can play with the best countries in the world. Everyone is a year older. The distribution of roles was great,” said the ex-Dallas Mavericks professional, who ended his career in 2019. In 2022, Germany won the first medal at a major event in 17 years at the home European Championship.