interview
Maxi Kleber is in the NBA finals with the Dallas Mavericks. Before the third game, Kleber spoke to Sportschau about his special role, the lessons he learned from the first games and Dirk Nowitzki.
Sports show: After the two defeats in Boston, the Dallas Mavericks are trailing 0-2 in a series for the first time in these playoffs. How much does that increase the pressure for the two upcoming home games?
Maxi Glue: The pressure doesn’t necessarily change. There was pressure the whole time, it’s the finals. We just have to keep believing in our game, playing the way we want to play. Defensively, I think we can improve and offensively we have to be stronger too. Playing at home now will hopefully make a difference.
Sports show: What did you learn from the two defeats in Boston?
Glue: I think we just need to get into a better rhythm offensively, create more space for Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in terms of space distribution. But overall we can take positive things from game two. We did a good job of forcing the shots that we wanted the Celtics to take. But of course our goal was to win a game in Boston.
Sports show: You suffered a serious shoulder injury at the beginning of May, were out for three and a half weeks and only returned shortly before the final series. How fit are you?
Glue: Of course, it’s not ideal to have missed so many games (nine games in total/Editor’s note). I now have to make up for that by watching videos of the opponent. The days off before the final helped me to work on my fitness and to treat my shoulder specifically. I play with a bandage around my shoulder and receive treatment before and after every match. But of course there is no excuse at this stage.
Luca Benincasa, Sportschau, 11.06.2024 20:54
Sports show: You are considered a kind of defensive anchor for the Mavericks. Despite your height of 2.08 meters, you can be used flexibly and can defend even smaller, more lively opponents well. How exactly do you define your role?
Glue: I have various tasks. A lot depends on coordinating who is where and who helps where and when. Simply communicating so that we are on the same wavelength. So I have to support my teammates on the field, tell them who has to go where in the rotations in order to achieve stability. But defense is a team job. And otherwise, of course, I am proud of the matchups I get, I want to make it as difficult as possible for every opponent.
Sports show: The Celtics were the best team in the series, losing only two games on their way to the finals. From your perspective as a defender, how can you stop the Celtics offense?
Glue: Well, of course not as an individual player. A lot depends on us coordinating well and rotating quickly. Of course, the Celtics are an outstanding team with a lot of good shooters, which makes the game a little different compared to other teams. We have to work on taking away their easy three-point shots.
Sports show: How do you perceive the chemistry of your two best players, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
Glue: The chemistry is very good. I think they have grown together over time, made a lot of progress, learned how to play together and who creates their shots where.
Sports show: Dallas is in the final for the first time since 2011. How are you experiencing this final series?
Glue: It’s a huge success for us as a team that we can be in the finals, a cool experience. Playoffs in themselves are always a success and of course they are much more fun. These knockout round games are a day’s work, you just go from game to game.
Sports show: Has Dirk Nowitzki contacted you yet?
Glue: Yes. He had already written to me after my injury, saying, “Keep your head up, keep going.” He was also at a few home games in the playoffs. And whenever he is shown on the scoreboard, everyone cheers. Everyone just knows who made the Mavericks what they are – namely Dirk. You can feel that in the city too. We have the Nowitzki Way in front of the arena and also his statue.
Maxi Kleber with Dirk Nowitzki (2018)
Sports show: After skipping the World Cup last year, you announced that you would not be taking part in the Summer Games either. How satisfying are you to have reached the NBA Finals?
Glue: For me, it’s not about satisfaction, it’s just about us as a team enjoying the game. I think it’s nonsense to try to find something out of it. I was very happy when the national team won, and of course I have a lot of friends in the team who I wrote to straight after we won the title. I’m happy about their success, I’m happy about my success here with the team – and I’m also happy when they play well again at the Olympics in Paris.
2024-06-11 16:58:00
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