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 play in Europe. There is no "I'm the man" factor overseas. The teams on the other side of the Atlantic preach ball movement, unselfishness. The open guy takes the shot, no matter who it is.

That philosophy taught Team USA a thing or two in 2004 and 2006. It's the kiss of death, however, for an NBA team that features a European superstar as its go-to guy. Look at Pau Gasol. He was "the man" in Memphis for years, but they could never be more than halfway decent with him as the face of the team.

Playing with Kobe, it's obvious that Gasol is more comfortable not being "the man." He still gets his 19 points and nine rebounds, but in the less pressured role as second fiddle.

That's the role Nowitzki would excel in. If he plays with someone like Kobe, Dwyane Wade or LeBron James, he's going to get an open jumper or a clearer opportunity that he can handle psychologically. As option número uno? Not so much.

In fact, if I look at the roster for the Western All-Stars, I'm more comfortable with anyone else (except Gasol) taking a game-winning shot than Nowitzki.

It's nothing tangible. It's just the way it is. And the only common thread is that Gasol and Nowitzki are both, well...European. 

Other Notes:

·         The Mavs were hurting without Jason Terry. After Nowitzki's 37 points, Josh Howard turned in 17 points on just 6-19 shooting. Antoine Wright was the only other Maverick in double-figures with 10...

·         When Garnett got into it with Nowitzki late in the third, even his teammates felt compelled to try and calm him down. KG went from intense to downright scary. Smooth-as-silk Ray Allen proved to be the perfect compliment, nailing a three off a screen right after Garnett was forced to sit with his fifth foul.

·         Sure, the talk from the Heat's 95-93 win over Chicago was all about Wade's pass to Shawn Marion for the dunk with 1.1 seconds left, but how about Michael Beasley? In a game that close where every point is critical, the rookie goes 9-10 on his way to 21 points. If nothing else, the outing could boost his trade value as Miami seeks a forward compliment to Wade they're more comfortable with...

·         The Bulls have now lost four of their last five, and are currently two games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Other than rookie Derrick Rose, everyone else on the roster seems expendable. Will management stand pat and hope this team can sneak into the postseason, or will they shake things up?

·         The Blazers were uncharacteristically charitable with the ball Thursday night, committing 23 turnovers en route to their 105-98 loss to lottery-bound Golden State. LaMarcus Aldridge was particularly blatant in his giving spirit, turning it over five times before fouling out...

·         The second half of the season will be a feel-out process for Golden State. Monta Ellis is back from injury and getting into the flow with his team for the first time. He had 20 points on 7-16 shooting, but it's not a sure thing that he'll end up being the Point Guard they really hope/need/want him to be...