Kleber strives for greatest achievement amidst national team dispute
Another German basketball player, Maximilian Kleber, could potentially be the second NBA champion from Würzburg. Similar to Dirk Nowitzki, he also plays for the Dallas Mavericks, boasting almost identical jersey numbers. The only distinction in their respective roles leading to the championship is the degree of responsibility each of them carries.
The legacy of Dirk Nowitzki permeates every corner of the Dallas Mavericks arena. "Whenever Dirk shows up at a game and is on the screen, people cheer," explains Max Kleber, a professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. "We still have the 'Nowitzki Way' outside the arena." While Kleber might not desire a separate street or statue in honor of his achievements, he could potentially follow in Nowitzki's footsteps by winning an NBA championship.
If the Dallas Mavericks were to defeat the Boston Celtics in the final series, commencing at 2:30 am on Friday (DAZN), both Nextitzki and Kleber would be the only two NBA champions from Germany. This dream is every basketball player's desire. As a former student, Kleber witnessed Nowitzki's first title as Final MVP in 2011. If Kleber managed to emulate Nowitzki's legendary performance 13 years later, he could easily deal with the disappointment of missing out on the Olympic games.
Kleber's participation in the Olympics was called into question following his conflict with national team captain Dennis Schröder, which led to Kleber's withdrawal from the World Cup and Germany's unexpected triumph. He swiftly disregarded any participation in the Olympics. As a result, he was not included in the provisional 16-man squad for Paris, announced by national team coach Gordon Herbert onTuesday. His current focus is on the NBA Finals, as Kleber has recently recovered from a shoulder injury.
Nowitzki will likely be watching, having served as a consultant for the Dallas Mavericks since his retirement. Unofficially, Nowitzki is not offering any advice to Kleber anymore, as he is now a seasoned professional with seven years of NBA experience. Kleber is rooted as a key member on the team alongside superstars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Unlike those players, or Nowitzki before them, Kleber specializes in tough defense and allowing others to shine.
Nowitzki's jersey with the number 41 still hangs above the arena, whilst Kleber dons the number 42 - a nod to his defensive prowess. "I'm responsible for playing defense well, making the right plays and freeing up my teammates," Kleber says. Cleber's contributions are worth $33 million to the Mavericks, an investment that may be justified if he assists Dončić with the game-winning pass in the final match against Boston.
Kleber and Nowitzki, hailing from Würzburg, could become the only two NBA champions from Germany if the Dallas Mavericks prevail over the Boston Celtics. It's a dream come true for any basketball player, including Kleber, who acknowledged Nowitzki's influence on him when he was a high school student.
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In the NBA playoffs, Max Kleber and his Dallas Mavericks team aim to compete against the Boston Celtics for the championship, a feat that, if achieved, would make Kleber and Dirk Nowitzki the only two NBA champions from Würzburg. Kleber, like Nowitzki, plays for the Mavericks, wearing a jersey number reminiscent of his mentor.
The NBA and basketball playoffs hold significant importance in Kleber's career, as he strives to follow in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki, a fellow Würzburg native and former Dallas Maverick who won an NBA championship. Despite his current disagreements with the German national team, Kleber remains dedicated to his team's success in the NBA Finals.
As part of the Dallas Mavericks, Kleber aspires to secure an NBA championship, mirroring the achievements of Dirk Nowitzki, another Würzburg-born basketball player who made history in the NBA. Kleber's fierce determination to excel in the NBA playoffs and secure the championship title represents a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport.
