The German National Basketball Team walked out of the Bercy Arena in Paris not only victorious but also having created history! By defeating Greece during the Quarter-Finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the current roster has become the first one from the European country to qualify in the Olympic Semi-Finals with a perfect 4-0 record. As it turns out, even before others recently started singing their praise, ex-NBA sensation Dirk Nowitzki had already predicted the German Team’s success.

In an interview with Marc Stein, Nowitzki was all praise for his home country’s national squad, who remained as valuable contenders in the Olympics only a year after having been declared the ‘World Champions’ at the FIBA World Cup. “This is the best generation we’ve ever had,” said Nowitzki about the current German basketball squad. “It’s the most complete team in German basketball history.”

Coming from someone who’s served as the flag bearer at the 2008 Olympics, and a valuable contribution to the basketball world, this is another feather in the Team’s hat.

During his professional basketball career, spanning 4 years with DJK Würzburg and 21 years with the Dallas Mavericks at the NBA, the national team couldn’t attain much success. Between 1996 and 2016, they qualified for only 1 out of 6 Olympic Tournaments i.e. the 2008 Beijing Games. Nowitzki was present during the same and went on to average 17 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists for five games. Unfortunately, his performance wasn’t enough, causing the German team to finish in the 10 position.

Now, the tide has certainly changed from when Nowitzki was a member of the roster. In the last five years, Germany has qualified Olympics, won a bronze at the 2022 EuroBasket games, and secured gold with an 8-0 record at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. A high finish in Paris could mean three consecutive years of medals.

Germany’s triumph is not being noticed by a former member of the squad but by rival players as well. In a recent statement, LeBron James admitted that France was not playing per his expectations. How did he know so? Because Germany completely dominated the home team!

“I wasn’t very impressed with their (France) last game. I didn’t think they were ready for the physicality of Germany. Other than that, they were playing some good ball,” said LeBron James.

Dirk Nowitzki is all-in to support his German national team. After all, if his recent appearance told us anything, it is that the former player is not all words when it comes to sending out praise.

Franz Wagner pays tribute to Dirk Nowitzki as the latter cheers the German Team on

In the crowd of so many basketball fans at the Bercy Arena, it would have been hard to find the 2011 NBA champion among them. However, that is what some eagle-eyed attendees did. After attending the 3×3 game of the women’s team, the 46-year-old donned a simple outfit and took his seat at the courtside to cheer on the “best generation.”

Nowitzki’s presence was not just a mere thing, as it may have given the German squad the motivation they needed to secure the win against Greece. Whether that was the case, the players were still glad to have the veteran amongst them. Lead scorer Franz Wagner took an interview in the aftermath of the matchup and stated, “I think I was seven when Dirk played in the Olympics and I think we’ve come a long way, and that’s because of guys like him. It’s up to us to keep that going forward and also to know who came before us and why we’re here.”

The German squad will have to go up against Canada or France in the upcoming days. By luck, they may prove to be a worthy opponent to another team that is continuing with a winning streak: Team USA.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.