Germany just defeated Puerto Rico, 96-82, to seize the final spot in the Beijing Olympics.

Mark Cuban probably isn't thrilled with having his two $20 million assets, Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, playing in Beijing, but this is a huge deal for Nowitzki. Ever since he was a 20-year-old Mavericks rookie, one of his stated career goals was to help Germany get into the Olympics.

Now he's accomplished that, and no matter how you feel about the extra wear and tear he's putting on his body this summer, it was nice to see him celebrate with his German teammates.

Dirk scored 32 points today, while Mavericks teammate Jose Barea led Puerto Rico with 18 points.

UPDATE: After today's game, the drawing to determine Olympic Group placings was held. Germany and Greece were placed in Group B, which already had the United States, China, Spain and Angola.

That means the Mavs' contingent of Nowitzki, Kidd and China assistant Donnie Nelson are in the same group. Circle these dates on your calendar _ The U.S. opens Olympic play Aug. 10 against China. China plays Germany on Aug. 16 and the Americans play Germany on Aug. 18.

Nelson has a personal (patrioticism) rule that he will not participate in strategizing or sit on the sidelines against the United States. Wonder if that extends to games against his franchise's No. 1 player?