In order to fully attack again in the new NBA season, Maximilian Kleber even sacrificed his participation in the home European Championship. The Würzburg native wants to play for the championship again with the Dallas Mavericks.
An EM bronze medal is not in Maximilian Kleber’s trophy collection – an NBA championship ring may soon be on his finger. The Würzburg basketball professional, who had been plagued by an ankle injury for a long time, deliberately sacrificed participation in the home European Championship in order to be really fit when the NBA season starts this week. His Dallas Mavericks then belong to the co-favorites.
The championship with the Mavericks, it would be a dream. “We will no longer run under the radar like we probably did last year. Instead, teams come to beat us,” Kleber said in an interview with the sports information service.
Dallas among the experts on the favorites list
If the Mavericks only failed in the conference finals in the previous season at the eventual champions Golden State Warriors, this time they are hungry for more. Of course, says Kleber, Dallas wants to get back into the playoffs: “And then you just have to wait and see series after series.”
When it comes to championship contenders, the 2.08 meter giant even dares to step out of cover. “I would like to say Dallas now, but I think there are a few other strong teams there, many people have the Los Angeles Clippers on their radar with Kawhi Leonard, who is back,” says the power forward, but overall it is the competition this time “extremely difficult to assess”. Experts also deal with defending champions the Golden State Warriors, record champions the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks around the Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Already the second Würzburger in Texas
The Mavericks don’t have to hide behind their superstar Luka Doncic. When Kleber and Co. start the game with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night (4:00 a.m.), the German will begin his sixth NBA year. Almost always there: Dirk Nowitzki, who now works as a consultant for the Mavs. “Dirk is here in Dallas all the time. He’s also very involved in training. We see each other almost every day,” says Kleber.
Of course, he doesn’t yet have Nowitzki’s status in Dallas, but Kleber is valued in Texas, although he’s less the man for the big moments or crazy statistics. The club recently extended Kleber’s contract by three years until 2026. During this time he will earn a total of 33 million euros.
Kleber added value: three and defense
Not bad for an average of 7.1 points and 4.8 rebounds – that’s how much Kleber has played in his NBA career so far. But the 30-year-old, who learned to play basketball in Veitshöchheim and later made his debut for Würzburg in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), knows exactly what he’s worth.
“If I play on the five and pull the opponent’s five out of the zone in ‘pick and pop’, in many cases I don’t even get the throw. But it opens up the field for all the guards, who can then go to the basket, without a major opponent coming,” explains Kleber. He also has “a lot of influence defensively because I’m one of our top defenders and can help out a lot”.
Lovis Binder, host of NBA Overtime, the sports show’s basketball channel, also believes Kleber can play a good role. He says: “Maxi Kleber will continue to play an important role in the Mavs system with his defense and three-pointer throws.” “3 and D” is the name given to Kleber’s type of player in the USA, and they’re in extremely high demand: specializing in three-point shots and good defensive work.
Happy about EM bronze
In order to bring in these qualities, however, Kleber must be at 100 percent. But in the past season, the ankle caused problems. Kleber still played impressive play-offs, but paid for it by missing the European Championship at home. “It didn’t hurt, I was just happy,” says Kleber about his teammates’ bronze coup, “because it’s very good for German basketball.” That would also apply to an NBA champion named Maximilian Kleber.
“Here is Bavaria”: The BR24 newsletter informs you about the most important things of the day at a glance, Monday to Friday after work – compact and directly in your private mailbox. Register here!
Source: BR24 Sport 10/18/2022 – 6:54 p.m
