Prior to the start of training camp, Dirk Nowitzki made the requisite rounds with the local media , and among a variety of topics, he discussed his playing future.
Jeff Caplan of the Star-Telegram asked Dirk how much longer he plans to hoop in the NBA, and according to the 30-year old former MVP, it might not be too much longer.
“After the 2010-11 season you will turn 33. Do you envision yourself retiring even though you likely would have more solid seasons to come?”
“I think the worst thing that athletes can do is play too long and at the end look slow and don’t look right and they lose some of their reputation. I want to still play when it’s fun, but when I have to get up in the morning, everything hurts and I have to go to work, if that’s my mentality, then I’d rather quit and do something else. Obviously, as you get older you start thinking about other things, too … stuff like family comes up over the years and we’ll see what happens there.”
Way to fire up Mavericks fans, Dirk!
While it’s understandable (and commendable, even) for a player to leave the game before he turns into a shell of his former self, isn’t thirty-three a little young to consider retirement, especially for a guy who’s never been thought of as being particularly physical in the first place?
