The Dallas Mavericks, a storied franchise with a rich history, have their eyes set on the ultimate prize: the NBA Title. But what if I told you that a player from a small town in Germany could be the missing piece to their championship puzzle?
Würzburg, a picturesque city nestled along the Main River, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of NBA talent. However, it’s the hometown of none other than Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks’ legendary power forward. Nowitzki’s impact on the franchise is immeasurable. His silky jump shot, work ethic, and leadership guided the Mavericks to their first-ever NBA championship in 2011. The bond between Würzburg and Dallas runs deep, and fans often wonder if lightning can strike twice.
Enter Maxi Kleber, a versatile forward who hails from Würzburg. Kleber’s journey to the NBA was anything but straightforward. Undrafted in 2014, he honed his skills in Europe before catching the Mavericks’ attention. His defensive prowess, shot-blocking ability, and three-point shooting made him a valuable asset. But during the 2024 playoffs, disaster struck. An injury sidelined Kleber, leaving the Mavericks without a key rotation player.
Despite the setback, Kleber’s resilience shone through. His absence forced the Mavericks to adapt, and other players stepped up. But when Kleber returned, he brought a renewed energy.
As the Mavericks face the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, the Würzburg connection looms large. Can Kleber channel Nowitzki’s spirit and propel Dallas to another title?
The team’s fate hangs in the balance, but one thing is certain: Würzburg’s legacy lives on, and Maxi Kleber’s resilience exemplifies the heart of a champion.
After the Western Conference Finals deciding Game 5, I had chance to catch up with Maxi to talk about his injury and the upcoming Finals.
Aurelia Rieke:
Hi Maxi, first of all, congratulations on making it to the Finals.Maxi Kleber:
Thank you very much.Aurelia:
How’s your shoulder? Are you still in pain when you play, or was it okay today?Maxi:
It’s getting a little better every day. Of course I’m not at 100% yet, but it’s good enough.Aurelia:
You looked really good during warmup shooting.Maxi:
In phases, it takes a lot of concentration. But yes, it’s getting better.Aurelia:
How important was the first three-pointer you dropped in the game to get the feeling and confidence back?Maxi:
That’s important. If I get the ball and I know it’s the right play, then I shoot it. I try as hard as I can with my shoulder. Of course, it’s not quite ideal yet.Aurelia:
How hard is it mentally to not get too upset that this injury happened in the first place. Or can you deal with it well because as a professional athlete, you know that injuries are part of the game?Maxi:
Yes, it was very annoying, but yes. Injuries are also part of it. I’m just glad that the team managed to get me back on track so quickly.Aurelia:
I’m really pleased that it’s going so well.Maxi:
Thank you.Aurelia:
In the 9 minutes you played, you were able to build on your old strength. You hit one of your 2 three-point attempts and had a plus-minus rating of +23 points. With the week off now, it’s perfect that you and the others can recover well.Maxi:
Yes exactly, I’m very happy that we won today and therefore have enough time to recover.Aurelia:
As much as you would have liked to see a 7-game series from a basketball fan’s perspective, I think it’s better this way so that not only the Celtics can recharge their batteries. Otherwise there’s a lack of balance in the Finals. I’m looking forward to Boston now.Maxi:
In any case, once Boston gets really hot, it’s going to be tough. We were ahead by 36 points today and then the Wolves make 3 threes in a row and then it’s only 27 points. Boston is one of those teams that just sink 3.4 threes in a row. You really have to be careful.Aurelia:
On the other hand, they are very dependent on their threes. If they don’t fall, they quickly run into problems. It’s going to be a strong series, I’m really looking forward to it. All the best to you again and congratulations on winning the Western Conference Finals.Maxi:
Thank you very much, see you then.
