"Dirk is a killer" - Corey Brewer on his championship teammate 'Dirty Dirk' Nowitzki
Corey Brewer is an NBA champion, and it's safe to say that his then Mavs teammate Dirk Nowitzki played a pivotal role in that achievement. So when podcast host Ryan Hollins spoke with him about winning his only career championship title, it naturally centered around the crucial role Dirk played in it. For the German superstar, the now 37-year-old retired Brewer had nothing but praise.
"People say Dirk was soft, Dirk was this. Dirk's not soft. Dirk is a killer, "Brewer shared in the recent podcast episode.
Nowitzki's legendary playoff run
As former NBA player Hollins mentioned, there were growing opinions that, despite his exceptional performances, Nowitzki might not be considered a true championship-winning player. Yes, he was an MVP, but that primarily focuses on the regular season, and after all, it doesn't take into account postseason performance.
Nowitzki was in the form of his life during that time, but he alone couldn't win a championship. He received crucial assistance from a perfectly assembled roster, as Brewer recalled.
This roster featured veterans like Jason Kidd, a center adept at controlling the paint in Tyson Chandler, and a high bench scoring option in Jason Terry. Also, highly versatile players such as Shawn Marion and Brewer made tremendous contributions on both sides of the court.
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When the postseason then rolled around, the German superstar did everything to prove to the people that he was 'the guy,' as Brewer remembered.
"Dirk was like, 'Give me the ball,' like he demanded the ball. He wanted the ball. He felt like nobody could guard him. And I was looking at that mother******, yeah, nobody could guard him. Because he was just crazy and wanted it, though," Brewer added.
Unstoppable Nowitzki
The journey all the way to the title was legendary and historic because the competition was fierce. In their memorable run, the Mavs defeated stacked teams, including the Bryant-led Lakers and the Thunder, featuring the young trio of Westbrook, Harden, and KD. And in the finals - just as they did in '06 - they faced the Miami Heat with their Big Three of James, Wade, and Bosh.
"The whole series, the way he played, it was unbelievable basketball… He's doing it against Hall of Famers too. So, that's why it's even more crazier," continued Brewer. "He didn't back down. No fear. We say: Dirty Dirk, man…He felt that nobody could stop him. And it was true…he wanted to bring Dallas a championship. That's what he did," Brewer remembered their faceoffs.
Brewer's champion status
In his mid-20s and relatively inexperienced, Brewer wasn't thrown into the deep waters of the NBA Finals. He mostly found his name on the roster but spent most of the time on the bench. Both as a solid defender and a fearless shooter, he could have been utilized more often, and it's essential to have such players in reserve - just in case.
Therefore, his status as an NBA champion can never be questioned. However, treating Dirk Nowitzki to a delicious dinner as a token of gratitude would likely be a great idea. Brewer would surely agree without any hard feelings.
So if it hasn't already been arranged, it's never too late for that. Moreover, it's an excellent opportunity to reminisce about their shared experience of winning the title in an epic way in 2011.
