Dirk Nowitzki Not Interested in Playing Overseas … for Now

Unlike several of his fellow NBA stars, Dirk Nowitzki hasn’t really given the idea of playing abroad during the lockout very much thought. At least, for the time being. From ESPN: “There have been offers from China, feelers from teams around Europe and, of course, aggressive interest from Bayern Munich and other top clubs in his native Germany. But Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki isn’t ready to think about playing abroad in the event of an extended lockout … Spending the week in Berlin to combine a commercial shoot with private training sessions with longtime mentor Holger Geschwindner, Nowitzki said: ‘I’m going to play the Euros and then see where the lockout is after that. Until then, I’m not going to look at playing anywhere else.’ The EuroBasket tournament runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18. Keeping a promise he made to the German federation to try to lead the country’s next generation of basketball players to a berth in the 2012 Olympics, Nowitzki agreed last month to rejoin coach Dirk Bauermann’s national squad. Nowitzki’s commitment then triggered the participation of Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman … But he reiterated Thursday that an extended lockout ultimately will prompt him to play overseas somewhere. He is determined to play in 2011-12. ‘I’ve always said I’m too old to sit around for a whole year,’ said Nowitzki, who turned 33 a week after the Mavs’ title-clinching Game 6 in Miami. ‘I still can’t see this being a long lockout, but if it is, I’m going to find somewhere to play.'”