Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that not only is Germany?s Dirk Nowitzki the best player at the World Championships, he was almost good enough to beat Team USA all by himself.

The Dallas Maverick forward scored 34 points and actually had his German team in the lead in the third quarter against the Americans. Team USA's Paul Pierce rose up when Nowitzki wore down and the U.S. squad emerged from a prolonged scare to defeat Germany, 104-87.

Pierce finished with 26 points, scoring 15 of those during the third quarter when Team USA went from a 67-65 deficit to a 77-67 lead entering the fourth quarter. "In the first half I was frustrated with the way I was playing," said Pierce. "The first half I settled for the three-pointer instead of driving to the basket. I'm able to adjust in the middle of the game and I was able to get going, give my team some confidence, give them some momentum."

In the fourth quarter, the Americans pulled away racing to a 22 point lead as Nowitzki ran out of gas. After three quarters of carrying the German team, he could only muster four points on free throws in the fourth. "Dirk's the one, two and three option on that team," said U.S. forward Michael Finley, who had 21 points. "We just wanted to eliminate his touches [in the second half]. We knew when he got the ball good things were happening for him so we tried to deny him the ball and when he got it, contest it."

The United States (2-0) will play its first-round finale Saturday against China, which defeated Algeria 96-82 tonight behind 38 points, 13 rebounds and 8 blocked shots by 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming. Though China isn't expected to test the United States like Germany did, U.S. Coach George Karl said, "I think we're going to be in two, three, four more games like this."

Art Garcia of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Dirk Nowitzki may be the best player at the World Championships? and China would probably agree. Nowitzki scored 30 popints to lead German over China 88-76.

Nowitzki hit 10 of 18 field goals, 9 of 9 from the free throw line and grabbed 9 rebounds as well. "To guard Dirk Nowitzki completely I don't think is realistic," China coach Wang Fei said. "But you hope when you are guarding him, you can limit his scoring chances."

Houston?s number one draft pick, China?s Yao Ming was hampered by foul trouble and Germany?s aggressive post play. He only played 17 minutes, but scored 16 points with 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram reports that Wang Zhi Zhi?s career as a Dallas Maverick is likely over. The tension created by Wang?s refusal to report to the Chinese National Team this summer has all but forced the Mavericks to sever ties with the 7-foot-1 restricted-free-agent center.

"Wang doesn't want to leave Dallas, but there's a 99 percent chance he's going to leave," Wan?s advisor, Simon Chan said. "For the sake of the Mavericks' relationship with China, they may let him go." Chan said he believes in the next five to 10 days, the Mavericks will work out a sign-and-trade and ship Wang to either the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors or Orlando Magic. Chan also said Wang has no plans to defect to the United States.

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that Wang Zhi Zhi?s disappearing act this summer may hamper the Mavericks ability to re-sign him for this season.

At 10am Wednesday, teams participating in the World championships must finalize their roster. Zhi Zhi is not currently on the Chinese National Team. And by all indications, Wang will not be reinstated to Team China's active roster after being listed as an alternate last week. Once Wang is officially omitted, the Mavericks must decide if they still wish to re-sign the former soldier ? which would clash with Dallas' longstanding promise to Chinese authorities that Wang will report to his national team whenever his presence is requested.

The Associated Press quoted Simon Chan, Wang?s U.S.-based advisor, as saying Tuesday there will be no reconciliation in time to beat the 10 a.m. deadline. Asked about the implications of Wang's expected omission, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said only, "We don't know yet."

Although the Mavericks haven't ruled out keeping him, re-signing an AWOL Wang could jeopardize the club's longstanding relationships with China with regard to future NBA prospects. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, traveled to China's training camp in Denver last week to "make sure this awkward situation doesn't jeopardize those relationships."

Should the Mavericks decide such costs outweigh the benefits of keeping Wang, they will undoubtedly explore sign-and-trade options to guard against losing an asset for nothing.

Frank Hughes of the News tribune reports that the Supersonics are looking into a contingency plan in the event that Rashard Lewis does not return. On Monday, the Sonics brought in free-agent forward Popeye Jones to interview him in case Lewis chooses to join the Dallas Mavericks. Jones has also talked with the Mavericks. It appears as if Jones will go to the team that doesn?t get Lewis.

"He has proven that he can rebound, and rebounding was one of our problem areas last season," Sonics general manager Rick Sund said.

The only way the Sonics can sign Jones is if Lewis leaves, which would free salary space. If Lewis goes to Dallas, then the Sonics could offer Jones a salary starting at $1.4 million - and it would keep the Sonics under the luxury tax threshold.

A source with knowledge of Jones' situation said that Jones, a nine-year veteran who has averaged 7.8 rebounds a game over his five-team career, is not interested in money as much as he is in the security of a multiyear deal. "A couple years ago we tried to bring him here," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "We still have an interest in him."

Also, the Sonics are speaking with free-agent swingman Bryon Russell, though it is less likely Russell would join the team because he will probably sign with Washington. Russell has not visited the Sonics, but has been courted by the Wizards, which is why Jones is available.

Frank Hughes of the News Tribune reports that the Sonics are shopping Rashard Lewis.

Lewis is waiting for the Sonics to increase their current contract offer of six years, $60 million. That $60 million could be as much as $75 million if Lewis makes the all-star team each year of the contract. He also has the option of signing with the Mavericks who have a three-year, $15 million contract on the table.

There is also the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal, which could get Lewis the contract he wants and also net the Sonics some value in return.

According to three league sources, the Sonics talked to the Houston Rockets about acquiring second-year forward Eddie Griffin in exchange for Lewis. It is believed free agent Walt Williams is the other player that would be involved in such a deal, which would require the Rockets to sign Williams and then trade both he and Griffin to the Sonics. However, sources say the Rockets turned down such a deal because they did not want to part with Griffin.

The Sonics also have talked to several other teams, including the Mavericks, about sign-and-trade scenarios but nothing has come close to being worked out.

Part of the problem the sides have encountered is that with a luxury tax and a season of economic uncertainty looming, few, if any, teams are willing to pay Lewis more than the $60 million the Sonics are offering -- and that is the basis of Lewis's desire for a sign-and-trade. Teams are so cost-conscious that the Sonics have not received many calls from anyone trying to unload bad contracts because other teams do not want to take on a large, long-term contract.

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that Dallas will talk to Popeye Jones this week. "We are talking to Popeye," said Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. "We think he could help us."

While the Mavericks pursue Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis with their $4.5 million mid-level exception, they could offer Jones their $1.4 million exception. Cuban adds that the Jones talks are completely independent of the Lewis situation.

Cuban also said he plans to discuss the troubled Shawn Kemp with fellow Mavericks executives Don and Donnie Nelson before deciding whether to contact Kemp, who was waived Tuesday by Portland. Dallas has also targeted Utah's Bryon Russell as a fallback to Lewis and still expects to re-sign restricted free agent Eduardo Najera.

David Aldridge of ESPN reports that the Dallas Mavericks are talking to the Miami Heat. The object of the talks: Alonzo Mourning. The discussions are very preliminary, and Miami coach and president Pat Riley has said all summer that he will not trade Mourning, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Aldridge believes that the Mavs would offer Nick Van Exel in a package to try and land Mourning.

?Coach (Pat) Riley has gone on record saying that 'Zo will be on the team this year, and it's our intention to re-sign 'Zo at the end of the season," Heat spokesman Tim Donovan told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel at the time. "I want to be (in Miami), but I can deal with change," Mourning told the paper. "I know the business, and I've seen some strange things."

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times reports that Rashard Lewis will take another step in the very long negotiation process when he returns to Seattle this week.

The logistics of the meeting have not been finalized, but the contract talks will take place in Seattle. That is a good sign for the Sonics, who initiated this latest gathering. Negotiations began slowly, and the Sonics eventually made their initial offer of a seven-year, $60 million deal that includes incentives that could push the total value up to $75 million.

Lewis said he was disappointed with the offer and has since visited the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. Although both teams can only offer a three-year, $15 million deal, Lewis said he would sign with one of the Texas teams if the Sonics did not increase their offer.

Last week Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, voiced his concern about letting his international players participate in the World Championships in Indiana due to injury concerns and lack of insurance, and it turns out he is not alone in his fears.

David Williams of the Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that the owner of the Grizzlies Michael Heisley is siding with Cuban.  Williams writes that Cuban has vowed to stop five Mavs from competing in the basketball World Championships unless concerns about what he calls inadequate insurance are addressed. He's said that injuries could cost him "millions and millions of dollars."  Heisley has similar concerns with his reigning Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol representing Spain in the upcoming tournament.

"I think Mark has made an excellent point," Heisley said Monday in a telephone interview. "It is a huge risk. . . . He's probably got more to be concerned about than anybody because, quite honestly, he's got a lot of players in this thing."

"Obviously he'd like to represent his country. We understand that. I think that's right," Heisley said.  Gasol has already suffered a strained left quad while practicing with his national team.

Heisley predicted the league would address the insurance issues, but said he understands why Cuban, who will have Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Bradley, Steve Nash, Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz participating, is pressing his case.