Dirk Nowitzki recounted the physical problems he endures after 21 seasons as a Dallas Mavericks player

A true legend of world basketball. An indelible mark for the NBA, but much more for Dallas Mavericks, who enjoyed it for 21 seasons. The German Dirk Nowitzki, at 44 years old, is an icon within the franchise and a reference for new generations. The former pivot, who was champion in the 2001 NBA and MVP of those finals, spoke again about the physical difficulties that he carries after so many years of high demands.

Nowitzki retired in 2019 and in recent days he spoke with some local media and explained that perhaps he extended his career too much and that made him pay a high price in the physical, something consequences have to live in the day to day. “As I said a while ago, I keep thinking that surely those last two years in the NBA were not worth it. There were brilliant moments, of course, but the team did not do well and the reality is that I could hardly move anymore.

Some time ago, in the podcast of Toni Kroos, his compatriot and Real Madrid midfielder, Nowitzki explained everything that those efforts he made suffer today, especially about the end of his career: “If I had retired two years earlier, I am sure I would be able to move better now. I could play soccer from time to time with the children. Now I can’t even do that”.

Nowitzki started playing basketball late: the jump was made at the age of 13. The German came to the NBA in 1988 and after playing in the German second division, he became a standard bearer for the Mavericks. However, such an intense career left marks that he must deal with today, such as not being able to play tennis as he would like, another of the sports he loves. “Tennis is a great sport, very fun. But if you can’t move like God intended, it’s hard. I try to play a couple of times a week, but I have almost no mobility. Almost everything I play is doubles matches, I hit a few forehands from the back of the court and not much else.”

One of his last public appearances was during the tribute to the 75 best in NBA history that took place during the All-Star de Cleveland, and there he was seen with problems moving and with some gestures of pain. Nowitzki now works as a consultant for the Dallas Mavericks, which gives him more free time.

Beyond these difficulties that he has to endure with his physique, he is happy with how he can enjoy himself after retiring: “The best thing is that I can organize my time. I can take a whole month off and do things at home with my wife. And then I can be a few more weeks active in my role as adviser to the Mavs. Now I am my boss. That’s why I told Mavericks officials this was the role I wanted right now, I didn’t want to get into a full-time job. I’m very comfortable like this.”