HoopsHype.com Rumors

Germany’s coach Svetislav Pesic has announced the preliminary squad for the European Championship qualifier in the summer. As expected, NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman weren't on the list. kicker.de

Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, Germany 

Coach Svetislav Pesic named 21 players for the German National Team Training camp. Germany will play the Eurobasket 2013 Qualification Round in the summer. Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman are not in the list, as expected. Sportando

Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, Germany 

Will Dirk Nowitzki be in the roster? Svetislav Pesic (Germany's head coach): “Nowitzki needs rest from everything, after the end of the season for Dallas Mavericks. We will have a meeting, if I am in Germany in June, about the possibility of him playing with us, this summer. We talked and we said we will be in touch in June. I will call him and we will meet to discuss, what he needs to do, if he is going to play with the national team or not”. EuroHoops.net

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Olympics, Germany 

heinnews: One of the goals of the German Bundesliga is to become the number one domestic league in Europe, overtaking Spain. You have seen Germany now a bit and know the Spanish ACB from your years there. What do you think about this goal? Maceiras: It’s a very good question. When I was coming to the gym, I was thinking Germany is really the biggest hope for European basketball, if not the latest hope. I think the organization here is great. The teams are real professional organizations and very consistent. And this is the biggest market in Europe. And also the ethics of the German people is great for basketball. The combination is excellent. It’s just a matter of keeping the development that the German basketball started some years ago. I think the league is getting better all the time. The teams are good and the organization of the games is good. The attendance is good. And I think this Bayern Munich project is something that can really push not just German but European basketball. So in my opinion they are going in the right way. And if they keep going how they are going then they have all the tools to become the best domestic league in Europe. HeinNews.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Germany, Antonio Maceiras 

Germany will need to finish in the top two of their group, or as one of the four best third-place teams in the six groups. "I'm thrilled because of this new opportunity,” Pesic said. “For years, Germany put just too much emphasis on (Dirk) Nowitzki, but there is young talent that can create something new, yet - successful like in Dirk's most brilliant seasons.” Does Nowitzki figure into Pesic's plans? "I believe that Nowitzki isn't expecting my call," Pesic said. FIBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Germany 

"He needs peace, a summer vacation. He has to think about his future. But, of course, we'll discuss his plans. "Germany lived on Dirk's glory for long time. Since the bronze in Indianapolis, silver at the FIBA European Championship in 2005, up to these days. "Because of the magnitude of his personality and basketball qualities, many other players were just - other players. "That wasn't bad, it was normal back in those days as Nowitzki is a true leader on the court, but I think that there is a new wave of players in Germany that can help to build new future." FIBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Germany 

Svetislav Pesic says he won't call up Dirk Nowitzki this summer, rips German Federation for depending too much on him. “Everyone depended a bit on him, the Federation and the other players of the NT. The hided behind him. Nowitzki is great, but he always was the problem solver. Too often they thought ‘Dirk will take care of it’. TalkBasket

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Germany, Svetislav Pesic 

Dirk Nowitzki heard the news that the Dallas Mavericks will play two preseason games in Europe next October, one in Berlin in his native Germany and another in Barcelona, but sounded as if he might not actually believe it until owner Mark Cuban personally tells him so. The Mavericks and the league have not yet made it official and dates are not set, but a source has confirmed the trip. Nowitzki, who has long hoped for the team to be included in the NBA's international preseason schedule, has been left disappointed because Cuban has always declined the league's overtures to play overseas. "If that's really the case, I think it's awesome. I think it's been long overdue," Nowitzki said. "A couple years ago there was a game in Kolnarena [in Cologne, Germany] where Phoenix played Philly and everyone was like, 'Where are the Mavs at?' So it's been disappointing to see all these teams go over there and play and we were never a part of it. I think it's going to be great." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban, Europe, Germany 

"I asked him, why are we never a part of it?," said Nowitzki, now in his 14th NBA season. "He said he doesn't like the travel and he loses a preseason game, basically. Those were his reasons and I understood." But now Cuban doesn't have the option to decline. The league changed the rules and so Nowitzki will finally play a game, albeit a preseason one, in a Mavs uniform in front of family and friends on his home soil. "Obviously, the travel always sucks, especially if you're only over there for a week and it usually takes a couple of days to adjust and the next thing you know you're leaving again," Nowitzki said. "But I think it's going to be an experience for all the guys to see something new and get out of the hotel some and see a different country. Berlin is a fun city. Barcelona, to me, is one of the best cities in Europe, so if that's going to happen then I think it's going to be a great trip." Said Cuban: "I could pass on the trip. I just wanted to do it for Dirk." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban, Europe, Germany 

Having seen promising young guard Rodrigue Beaubois go down playing for France and now seeing face of the franchise Dirk Nowitzki nursing an injury and out of Dallas' lineup after playing for Germany, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he will continue the uphill battle to make international basketball off limits to handsomely paid NBA players. Cuban has argued that NBA owners should not be saddled with the full risk of their players suiting up for their countries in the offseason, and he said other owners agree with him but aren't as vocal in their opposition. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Rodrigue Beaubois, Mark Cuban, USA Basketball, David Stern, France, Germany 

Tas Melas: Dirk Nowitzki wins "German Athlete of the Year" and produces a very Dirk-esque photo: http://bit.ly/virmum Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Germany 

Emiliano Carchia: Kevin Durant and BBC Bayreuth did not agree yet on marketing rights. In Germay they belong to clubs, Durant would have for him Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Germany 

J. Michael Falgoust: Durant's agent says discussion w/German team "serious" & he will go if terms are met #nbalockout #okcthunder Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Germany 

Emiliano Carchia: Wolfgang Heyder, GM of @BroseBaskets, confirmed he spoke several times with Dirk manager Geschwindner in the latest days. "We had a lot of phone calls in the last days.He said Dirk will play in Europe just if the NBA season will be cancelled" said Heyder on Dirk Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Lockout, Germany 

Three German teams have emerged as the strongest contenders to sign Nowitzki should the lockout drag on: Reigning champions Bamberg, big-spending newcomers Bayern Munich and ALBA Berlin. Bamberg is the only team of the three to be playing in the Euroleague this season with Real Madrid and the other top clubs on the continent. World soccer power Bayern Munich is relatively new to the basketball scene in Germany, but Nowitzki's national team coach, Dirk Bauermann, is also Bayern's coach and Nowitzki is close with some of Bayern's soccer stars, such as Bastian Schweinsteiger. Another potential lure for staying home: Kevin Durant's ongoing negotiations with German club BBC Bayreuth raise the previously unfathomable possibility of Durant and Nowitzki -- last seen dueling in the Western Conference finals -- rekindling their rivalry on Nowitzki's turf. "In this situation," Nowitzki said, "you've got to look at every option." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Real Madrid, Lockout, Spain, Germany 

Emiliano Carchia: Heyder, manager of @BroseBaskets, said that a return to Germany of Dirk Nowitzki is very realistic. 'If we reach Top16 there will be more chances for us to get Dirk (if the NBA season will be fully cancelled)'. Bamberg has already checked the financial details of signing him. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Lockout, Germany 

According to a SPOX.com article, Durant’s agent has called the Beko BBL club out of the blue and both sides are in serious contract negotiations since. According to Bayreuth GM Manfred Schöttner, a decision could come as early as today or Wednesday. k1x

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Germany, Beko BBL 

SPOX: When do you expect a decision by Durant? Schöttner: To my knowledge, I expect Durant to make a decision on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. SPOX.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Germany, Beko BBL 

SPOX: Why are there sticking points yet? Schöttner: We are still in the race, some still very easy to imagine. Our offer is on the table, the big unknown is the insurance amount. SPOX.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Germany, Beko BBL 

SPOX: How was the contact? Schöttner: Amazingly, Aaron Goodwin has called our manager Uli Eichbau directly on the phone. We were completely surprised them, that an NBA agent wanted to talk to us little Bayreuthers. Uli first thought that it was a joke, but in the course of the conversation it became clear that it is serious. Since the conversations are fair and objective, and those are professionals. SPOX.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Lockout, Aaron Goodwin, Germany, Beko BBL