Dirk Nowitzki is apparently as chill as a cucumber or some other lame analogy. As the defending champion Dallas Mavericks get ready to start their series tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one of the NBA Playoffs, the team's star and likely future Hall of Famer had some interesting words when asked about defending the title: "We'll see what happens."

Dirk on another run in the Playoffs: "We’ll just see what happens, let it all hang out."

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) April 28, 2012

Whether his nonchalance will help the team keep cool in the face of staunch competition remains to be seen, but the series is guaranteed to be a competitive, entertaining one with so many stars involved. It's the rise of the dynamic, young franchise against the defending champs. Dirk has to be only one calm about this series.

For more on the Oklahoma City Thunder, be sure to check out Welcome to Loud City and join the discussion. For more on the Dallas Mavericks, check out Mavs Moneyball. For more on the 2012 NBA Playoffs, check out the SB Nation NBA hubpage.