Is Nowitzki The Answer In Crunch Time?

Hooped Up | March 20, 2007

Dallas Mavericks all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who is still hearing criticism for his meltdown during a 129-127 double-overtime loss to Phoenix last week, admitted yesterday that he gets tight during pressure situations. “I think everybody who says they don’t get tense, they’re lying,” Nowitzki said following practice at Dodge Fitness Center on the campus of Columbia University, where the Mavericks were preparing for the Knicks tonight. “It’s big games. You got to find ways to stay loose and relax. I’ve been doing a decent job of not letting the pressure get to me and still enjoying the moment.”