Dirk Nowitzki: Another European Unable to Come Up in The Clutch

When Boston started creeping back against Dallas Thursday night, I already knew Boston was going to win.

I didn't know this simply because Boston is the better team (although they are that). I didn't assume this because Boston was fired up after Kevin Garnett got in Dirk Nowitzki's face and coach Doc Rivers was tossed after being assessed two quick technicals.

No. I knew the Mavericks would cough up the lead and the game because of who their superstar is: Dirk Nowitzki.

Don't get me wrong. I love a lot of things about Nowitzki's game. He's a seven-footer with ridiculous range, making him almost impossible to guard. He's a taller, European version of Larry Bird.

And that's the problem.

Nowitzki is European. German, specifically. As talented as Nowitzki is, his background dissuades me from believing in him as a legit, all-out, killer-in-the-clutch superstar. 

Late in the fourth quarter, Nowitzki hit a timely three and then a fadeaway to tie the game for Dallas. Paul Pierce comes back the other way for Boston and hits an even more ridiculously in-your-face fade. The duel is on.

Nowitzki gets the ball at the high post, and, obviously frustrated by the extreme-close-up defense by Pierce, fakes one too many times and catches Pierce right in the face with his formidable elbow. Turnover, Dallas. Pierce, the self-proclaimed "I'm the best player in the world", promptly hits the sickest fall-back shot of the night. Game over.

I'd be lying if I said I knew that was the exact sequence that would play out. What I was sure of, was that Nowitzki wouldn't be able to match Pierce's "I'm the man" factor.

Maybe it's the style of pla

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