This season's Dek Nowitzki is a year older, and looking at the stats alone, he is still a step back from last season.

In the regular season, Nowitzki scored just 22.8 points. It was one of his few low-scoring seasons.

And that didn't make it to the best first team.

Of course, the Hard Heavenly Master did not enter either.

This year's first team is Li Zhen, Kobe, James, Durant, and Yao Shu.

However, this did not affect the fact that in the summer of 2010, Mark Cuban generously offered him a four-year, $80 million contract extension.

After carefully watching the Mavericks' video highlights at Kobe's house, Li Zhen went home and watched Nowitzki's personal highlights.

Li Zhen is deeply aware of ...... The data is a fake. Nowitzki's absence from the first team this year is a case of snow falling in June.

The Germans are progressing again. It's like Kobe Bryant's essential sublimation in the first round of the playoffs.

The difference is that Nowitzki's progress began last summer.

Germans seem to be born with the ability to rejuvenate, perhaps because of diet or race. If you know world football, you will find that if an Italian footballer or an English footballer reaches the age of 30, they may be in decline. But age seems to have no restraint on the Germans.

This year is Dirk Nowitzki's 33 years old, and among the players his age, except for Kobe, who can still be evergreen. Mr. Maddie, who is a year younger than him, is no longer popular in the NBA, and plans to go to the CBA to play a little emotional basketball. Paul Pearce, who is a year his senior, didn't even make the All-Star team this season and he was exhausted.

In a sense, Nowitzki has not even reached his peak since the beginning of the season. In the regular season this season, he played games, and the Mavericks were 55-18; In the game he didn't play, the Mavericks went 2-7.

The Mavericks, who have the most deep roster in the league, won't play at all after leaving him.

So what's really strong about Nowitzki this season?

In addition to his career-high shooting percentage this season, he's also become a very different player. He far surpassed Nowitzki, who led the team to the first place in the regular season and played six games against the Heat.

At the beginning of the new century, the German tank shot five three-pointers per game (less than half of them today), ran wildly all over the court, broke through the basket, and made a stop-and-go shot. In 2006, he beat the Spurs with a mid-range ball-holding breakthrough + free throws. But now? He's an authentic man with a long back.

The closest thing to his current style of play is probably Larry Bird, who was still playing power forward in the early 80s.

In the series in which the Mavericks crushed the Nuggets, Nowitzki's tandem connected the entire team, and he even freed up point guard Jason Kidd.

Half of Terry and Barria's breakthrough is an opportunity to make up for it after doing a high block with Dirk - the opponent's big man can only be pinned down by Dirk at the three-point line, watching the breakthrough and not daring to make up for the defense; The Mavericks' positional battle was three-pointed, half of which was caught by Dirk in the low post, passed back to Kidd, and Kidd sent it out.

When Nowitzki wasn't on the court, the Mavericks' offense was left with "Kidd working hard and Terry throwing." But as soon as the German tank returned, the calf was immediately refreshed. Nowitzki scored singlely, Nowitzki drew the bag with his back and passed back to Kidd, and transferred to the right wing Terry for three points; Nowitzki picks and rolls high to escort Barria to a breakaway layup.

And when the opposite side no longer wrapped Dirk and saw him singles, he also easily scored 48 points on the night when Li Zhen angrily slashed 83.

"That's the biggest difference Dirk has now: he's no longer a shooter/scorer, he's an axis."

Li Zhen said to the players on the plane to Dallas.

Especially Eddie Griffin, Blake Griffin, and Jordan Jr.

They have a particularly heavy task in this series.

80% of the Mavericks' current tactics revolve around Nowitzki's high pick-and-roll or back-to-back ball. Kidd has mutated at heart, moving from a traditional point guard to a basket-carrying mission. He was in charge of taking Nowitzki's plate of German ham and other shooters as condiments and preparing the dishes.

And the most scary thing about the German tank is that his back is certainly not like the shark of the year, once he receives the ball in the low position of the left waist, it must be a dunk as soon as he rolls over; But he has many, many points where he can catch the ball with his back, across the two penalty lines. So the Mavericks can give him the ball without limits, and he can start the offense.

Derknowitz is becoming a veritable master of the back.

You must know that in 2007, he was caught by his old mentor Nelson because he couldn't carry his back, and swallowed the defeat of Black Eight.

Now, Nowitzki has also lost weight, and his back-to-back skills are not as wide as those of a traditional center.

He's like a shooting guard at all.

This superstar, who has shooting, pace, and hard work, seems to have suddenly realized it overnight.

Carlisle has set up a special tactic for him this season, and the result is the most terrifying Nowitzki of the season.

Nowitzki is able to shoot from a distance, but he also suddenly retreats to the basket when he is on his back, and uses his signature tentative step and shooting feints to make a triple threat - his tentative steps and breakthroughs may not be as sharp as melons, but the mid-range threat is far greater, so his feints are extremely powerful; At close range, he can cast his signature "Golden Rooster Independent Leaning Back".

"When Nowitzki's back becomes a master, he completely becomes the tactical center and soul of this Mavericks team, he can be used as the Mavericks' offensive starting point everywhere at the three-point line, high post, low post, he carries more responsibility and pressure, and this team relies on him to an unprecedented extent."

"So, the only way we can win is to contain Nowitzki!!"

Li Zhencheng told the coaching staff and the players in a conclusive manner.

The players are aware of that.

But restricting Nowitzki is easier said than done.

The German, who was ridiculed by the media as a soft forward, is actually far tougher than Garnett, who is constantly facing failures and fiascos. The media has not stopped falling into him since 2006, and the Black Eight in 2007 made him even more discredited, but he never gave up.

Finally, at the age of 33, he evolved into the best version of himself. Under these pressures, Nowitzki is stepping to another peak. While the average person has experienced nightmares like his 2006 Finals and 2007 series against the Warriors, he has long since collapsed, but he has become more and more courageous, and by the age of 33, he has successfully transformed his past weaknesses into strengths and used them to support a team. At the end of the day, that's the bones.

The older generation of superstars all have a gritty character, they are a generation that has grown up from the scuffle and should never be expected to give in under pressure.

Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett...... Of course, there are exceptions, such as going to the CBA to continue to win the league's No. 1 calf.

But overall, it is much more resistant to pressure than in the Mesozoic.

……

The night view of Dallas is beautiful, and the American Airlines Center arena is brightly lit.

Li Zhen once made a name for himself in this arena, once received the cheers of the audience here, and Mark Cuban, who loved basketball, even promised to give him a stake by recruiting him from the sidelines.

Tonight, however, he was booed by the cowboys.

No one is going to welcome a team that is trying to take away the glory of their own championship.

Dallas fans have endured it for too long, and they have even shouted this season: Dreams that will be ridiculed if they speak out are more worthy of being realized, and the Mavericks want to win the championship!

They have been in shape since 2005 and have continued to strengthen their squad of players to show their toughest form this season.

It is worthy of being the most formidable opponent in the playoffs in the eyes of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

The Mavericks, who form the core of the core of the older generation of stars such as Enovitzki, Jason Kidd, Sean Marion, Tyson Chandler, Jason Terry, Michael Finley, and Stojakovic, have mental strength that is hard to look at.

They were so hungry for a championship ring.

For a moment, Li Zhen even thought that if I joined this team in the summer of 2010, it would be natural to win the championship.

Even though there are so many powerful forces in the east, but... Who will be the enemy of unity?

The New York Knicks with the Big Four??

Li Zhen shook his head.

It's not that they look down on the Knicks, but their mental strength is really fragile compared to these old guys. Coupled with the skills of Li Zhen and Nowitzki, the Knicks will definitely raise the white flag in six games.

Even before the game started, Mark Cuban was still chatting with Li Zhen: "Have you ever thought that playing with a group of newcomers is far less fun than playing with a group of old guys. ”

"You should have been in Dallas in the first place. I can also give your dad shares. And, here, there are no paparazzi filming your whereabouts everywhere, and no one will take your son to the development department. ”

Mark Cuban is as upright as ever.

Li Zhen gave him a roll of his eyes.

Mark Cuban is actually a little wrong, playing with the old man saves worry and effort. It's like finding an experienced partner, and as soon as you pat your buttocks, she knows what position to change.

But who doesn't love a taste of being younger. It's immature, but it's fragrant!

The Clippers' youngsters played well tonight.

Blake Griffin had a tasteful first quarter against Nowitzki.

In a sense, it's more of a mirror reflection.

Lee Jin hopes that Griffin can become a player like Nowitzki, or a player with Nowitzki's offensive qualities. Because Griffin has the ability to pass the ball, he has the ability to carry the ball, and he has more athleticism.

However, his handling of details is still too immature.

The mid-to-long-range shooting threat is nowhere near comparable to Nowitzki's.

So, in the second quarter, the gap appeared.

Then, the Clippers switched on a combination of Eddie Griffin and Milicic to block Nowitzki.

Eddie Griffin has been very mobile defensively, and Milicic from Europe has always been able to make some good predictions.

However, Nowitzki was too strong.

Griffin is not as tall as Nowitzki, his real height is only around 205, half a head shorter than full-size power forward Nowitzki, and his strength is not dominant.

So, Nowitzki did a lot of efficient activities at medium and long distances.

The Clippers couldn't stop that.

Although under the leadership of Li Zhen, the Clippers performed well on the offensive end, with good performances on the offensive end, such as Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Mario Chammos, and Otero and other forwards.

However, the Clippers held on until there were five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

At this time, the veterans of the Mavericks played a role in stabilizing the morale of the army.

Jason Kidd, who was silent at first, escaped from Li Zhen in the bottom corner of the left three-point line to complete the shot, and a three-pointer gave the Mavericks a six-point lead.

Immediately afterwards, Nowitzki independently offset Li Zhen's impact on the offensive end.

Lead the Mavericks to fix the margin with amazing tenacity.

Until the moment the whistle blew.

99:95。

The Mavericks, who are playing at home, win the first city.

The American Airlines Center Arena cheered at the moment of the whistle, and the long-suppressed emotions completely exploded.

Nowitzki, who scored 37 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds, even roared: The soft heavenly master salutes the hard heavenly master.

The defeat to the Clippers was indicative for Dallas.

Lee was so strong that he completely dominated the game in the first series.

If he can beat him, it means that he will have an overwhelming advantage in the West and have the confidence to wrestle with the New York Four, the No. 1 team in the East!

Mark Cuban said excitedly after the game: "I hope it's a good start. ”

"Bruce, who had 38 points, 12 assists and 6 rebounds, was awe-inspiring, and I'm sure they played to the fullest. To be able to beat them in such a match, in a head-to-head situation, is the proudest thing for me. ”

Mark Cuban has always respected Li Zhen, and has always claimed that Li Zhen is the first person in the alliance. This started when LeBron James was still the Chosen Son of the Day.

Therefore, Li Zhen can fully understand his excitement.

However, he doesn't think the Mavericks will celebrate their victory by winning a game.

That said, the Clippers did give it their all in this game.

But there is one thing that Li Zhen knows better than anyone.

That's that the Clippers are young.

Being young means limiting the possibilities.

Maybe it'll be better in the next game.

Compared to the Mavericks players who have played to the extreme, the Clippers have more room for improvement.

Therefore, when he was interviewed by reporters, he still maintained an optimistic mood, he told reporters: "We will get better and better, and there is no reason for us to stop there." ”

"I believe that the young men behind me are very ambitious men who should have greater aspirations than their Mavericks predecessors."

Li Zhen said with a smile.

He then walked into the dressing room and encouraged his team-mates: "You've done well, I'm sure you can do better." And, we can definitely find an opportunity to restrain the calf. ”

"You are the sun at eight or nine o'clock in the morning, and they will perish in this long-lasting race!"

Li Zhen high-fived each of his teammates.

Then, his phone rang.

It was actually a call from Nate Robinson, a former teammate who hadn't been in touch for a long time.

Small potatoes?

Can I help you?

Li Zhen hesitated, and he pressed the answer button.

……

Please indicate the source for reprinting: