BRAUNSCHWEIG, Germany, Aug. 26 -- With a collection of talent that includes Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan, it's understandable that the eyes of U.S. hoops fans are on the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. But if you headed a few time zones East last weekend, you'd have found another international competition that pitted European players like Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Gordan Giricek against one another. And the action in Germany was no less intense than what was seen in San Juan.

Nowitzki

Giricek

Take, for instance, one play that took place during the Croatia-Germany matchup on Saturday. After Croatia's Giricek had a layup blocked, he rushed down the court to get back on defense only to lay a hard foul on Germany's Nowitzki during a three-point attempt. The Dallas All-Star's off-balance shot was good and Nowitzki ended up on the ground as more than 6,000 spectators jumped to their feet cheering.

Such is the passion that fuels international basketball in Europe. The spirited play at the Super-Cup in Braunschweig, Germany -- a prestigious tune-up tournament for the European Championships that pitted Croatia, France, Germany and Sweden in a four-team tournament (ultimately won by France) -- proved that.

DOUBLE DEUTSCH Mavs assistant gives Germany a hand Dirk Nowitzki isn't the only member of the Mavericks organization to spend time in Germany this summer. Blackman When not working as an assistant coach for the Mavericks, four-time NBA All-Star Rolando Blackman helps the German national team in a similar role. "I wanted to do some coaching in the summer time," Blackman said. "Since (Mavs assistant coach) Donnie Nelson is very aware of what is going on in international basketball, he thought it was a good combination to give me a chance to work with Dirk Nowitzki and also get the chance to coach with the national team." Blackman, with the help of Nowitzki, has turned an average German side into a pure powerhouse that "has the chance to win it all in Sweden" at the European Championships. Now in his third year as an assistant, he has already guided the team to the semifinals in the last European and World Championships. "The main thing was to change the mental thought process," Blackman said. "You have to use each other's strengths and protect each other's weaknesses. But the most important part is to execute on the court. That's number one. The other part is to be confident. And then you have to band it together as a team. "I'm a strategist. The reason the team has been doing well in the past years is because I have been here to help with strategy, development and the understanding of how to play and what to do." After retiring from a successful basketball career in 1997, the Mavs' all-time leading scorer finished his degree in marketing and social sciences before working as a journalist for ESPN and CBS. Now he is enjoying every minute of his new life as a coach. "I love coaching, that's what I want to do for the rest of my life," he said. "I love the opportunity to work with the players, to show execution and good mental thought." International tournaments like the European championships are, according to Blackman, a great chance to see some good talent. "It makes it exciting for the fans to see the best play," Blackman said, "and for me, I'm a fan, too, because I get to see many players for the first time." The retired shooting guard is also full of praise for his superstar. "Nowitzki is such a great player," Blackman said. "The only thing that has changed with Dirk is that he now understands how good he is. He's not wondering any more." -- Johannes Berendt

Nowitzki, for one, gave his home crowd a very encouraging first-hand look at what they should expect from him once the European Championship begins later this summer. He poured in 37 points in a 91-84 win over Croatia, but then limped out of the 86-78 championship loss to France with a minor ankle injury that, according to the USA Today, "showed no bone or ligament damage."

While his Mavericks bosses might not like the idea of their star player risking injury on international duty, Nowitzki -- a veteran of 50 international games -- is having a heck of a time.

"It's a lot of fun," Nowitzki said. "This is much better than spending four or five hours alone in the gym every day. That would be the only alternative."

Nowitzki, who lifted his country to semifinals appearances at both the Euro 2001 and World Championships last year, said playing for Germany was "as much fun as playing for the Mavs."

"I would not do this if I didn't enjoy it," Nowitzki said. "I'm just 25 and at good health. My main goal is to play a good Eurobasket (session), and then I'll switch my full attention to the NBA season. Both things are equally important to me."

While his popularity in Germany has exploded ever since his breakthrough with the Mavericks, Nowitzki does not receive preferentail treatment while on the national squad.

"It hasn't changed in the last two or three years," Nowitzki said. "I'm not the boss, but a member of a very good team. In my early national team days, I had to go through the normal learning process with limited playing time."

Parker

French guard Tony Parker is also seeking international glory a mere two months after lifting the NBA trophy with the San Antonio Spurs.

"My goal with (the French team) is to win some championships," Parker said. "I'm very proud to play for my country, it's great.

And while it might be difficult to adjust to playing without Tim Duncan, Parker has learned to adjust.

"Playing without someone like (Tim) Duncan is not a problem because we've got good guys here too," said Parker.

When the game is on the line, however, Les Bleus (France's nickname) hand over the reins to their undisputed leader. In the final against a Nowitzki-less Germany, Parker fueled a 16-7 French run in the final four minutes with two long three-pointers, a couple of free throws and a brilliant assist.

After a long season and a short layoff of just three weeks, during which he spent time with his family in France and held his own basketball camp, Parker believes international competitions are an excellent opportunity to get in shape.

"Now I won't return to the Spurs in poor shape because I kept playing," Parker said. Parker's French teammate Tariq Abdul-Wahad also welcomed the extra action after a knee injury had hindered him for most of last season in Dallas. A 20-point average in three Super-Cup games underscored his increased form.

"My health is much better now," Abdul-Wahad said, "and it's a lot of fun to play with all your friends from childhood."

Those "friends from childhood" include a number of NBA players, including Toronto's Jerome Moiso and Hawks draft pick Boris Diaw.

Playing for your homeland gives NBA players more than just a chance to reunite, however. When on international duty, Giricek turns from a key role player with Orlando to the number-one scoring threat on Croatia, a role he relishes.

"I'm not an NBA star but it's different here," the sharp-shooting Croatian explained. "I'm the guy who is in charge of the result. I proved I can live up to this challenge. I have to adjust my role in Orlando, but it's easy with so many good guys around you."

Although he called the long summer "very exhausting" and hopes not to show up "too tired" for training camp, representing his country was "a pleasure and a big honor." Yet he can't decide whether the NBA or European Championship crown proves more worth to him.

"Here, I am one of the leaders and it would be a big success, but I can't tell," said Giricek.

The Magic swingman hopes to lead Croatia back to international prominence after a decade in which they have won no major international titles.

"Everyone (in Croatia) prays for us to win," Giricek said. "We want to do something good for our country, which means qualifying for the Olympics." They can count on the help of Cleveland center Bruno Sundov and New Jersey Nets draft pick Zoran Planinic, while Bucks forward Toni Kukoc has chosen the beach over the gym.

Croatia, France and Germany are all likely to have a say in the title, but not without their NBA heroes at the top of their games.

"There are many good European teams because European basketball is very good," Parker said. "It will be very hard to win the championship."

Johannes Berendt is a basketball and soccer correspondent for SportsTicker and a freelance writer. He is based in Germany.