Before Germany's practice today, I overheard an unnamed German player bagging on Nocioni for being a dirtball. Love the guy.

I interviewed Dirk "world's greatest videogame basketball player" Nowitzki after practice and after his post-practice regimen. He shoots 50 three-pointers from all around the horn. Then, he takes 40 mid-range jumpers. Starting at the top of the key, he ball-fakes, takes one dribble and a long stride to the elbow and pops. He takes 20 shots from each elbow, missing only a few. Free throws are next. He has to make 10 in a row before he allows himself to lunge from the baseline to half court. This next drill is ludicrous: He leaps as far as he's able to, taking off and landing using both feet, until he gets to the baseline. It takes him five bounds to cover the 45-foot span, before he screams, "That's too easy!" 20 fingertip push ups later, we begin.