Could Nowitzki Return to Germany?
Alba Berlin Reaffirms Interest in Dallas Mavericks Wunderkind
Oct 22, 2008
Josh Childress was the first decent sized name from the NBA to bolt David Stern's universe for the riches of Europe. And shortly after that came rumors that Greek clubs were trying to line up enough money to attract the absolute superstars - names like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Now a German team has reaffirmed its interest in bringing German Wunderkind Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks back to Deutschland.
German Champs Relatively Poor in Europe
Reigning German champion Alba Berlin is not one of the richest clubs in Europe with a budget of about 8 million euros. Compared to the 50 million euro deep pockets in Greece, Berlin's wallet is pretty bare. But Alba still has the highest budget in the German BBL league.
"Certain Logic" of Dirk in Germany
And now Alba management have once again reaffirmed its interest in bringing in Dirk Nowitzki. Club general manager Marco Baldi told the Berliner Morgenpost online site on October 20 that he would love to get the German national team hero in Alba's baby blue colors. "There is a certain logic that a guy like Dirk Nowitzki does not just talk about his commitment to his country but also lives it. And that could lead us to one another," said Baldi.
But ...
The Berlin boss however said Alba acquiring Nowitzki is not an immediate issue, adding: "Admittedly that would take two, three years."
Nowitzki Model For Commitment
Throughout his career Nowitzki always remained committed to the German national team with which he won the bronze medal at the 2002 World Championship, silver at the 2005 EuroBasket and participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics - fulfilling a life-long dream of his. And Nowitzki really had to fight with Dallas Mavericks management for the right to play with Germany once he became a big star - out of fear that he could get injured. But Dirk - who returns to his native Würzburg every summer - always was there for Germany.
Disagreement With German League
Nowitzki however has at times been at odds with German league officials. Often urged to do more for German club basketball and its development at the youth level, Nowitzki expressed his interest in helping at the youth levels but regularly countered that the German league must improve its foreigner restrictions. A few years back teams were required to have only one German player on its game day roster. That number has increased to three on the team list and four on the roster for this season. A further increase - as well as a return of Dirk to the league - could lead to Nowitzki helping out more with the league and the German youth development.
Alba Thinking Bigger Than German Market Leader
Berlin finally last season won its first German title since 2003, which was the last of seven straight German crowns. And Baldi knows his team is heavy favorite to repeat the championship this season. But he is thinking bigger - which also led the move from Alba's former arena, the Max Schmeling Halle to the O2 World, which will host the Euroleague Final Four in May. "We don't want to be satisfied with being market leader in Germany. We want to establish ourselves in Europe. Our middle term goal is to be among the Top 16 in Europe. And that being continuously. And the only way for that - with our opportunities - is with the O2 World," added Baldi, whose team tips off its Euroleague season on Thursday at home against Roma.
