Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki reportedly will not retire this summer. Dirk plans on returning to the NBA for at least one more season:
Dirk Nowitzki: “I definitely won’t retire. That’s out of the question. I felt great this year.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 26, 2016
Dirk Nowitzki, selected #9 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA Draft, was later traded to Dallas in a draft night deal. Over the entire duration of Dirk’s storied 18-year career, Nowitzki stayed with the Dallas Mavericks for the whole ride. Dirk, a 13-time All-Star, is the Mavericks’ leading scorer in franchise history with 29,491 points, all coming in a Dallas uniform.
After being eliminated Monday night by Oklahoma City, Nowitzki commented on his future in a post-game interview.
Following from Tim MacMahon of ESPN:
Dirk Nowitzki: “I signed on for three years a couple years ago. My intention was always to finish this contract. I always said I wanted to retire [with] the Mavs, especially after we won the championship a few years ago. There’s no reason to go anywhere unless the Mavs are rebuilding. I always said that the last couple of years, I’d never want to be a part of rebuilding. Next season, I’ll be 38. As long as we go for it and every summer we add guys and keep competing, then I’ll be a Mav for the rest of my career.”
Dirk Nowitzki was a part of the 2011 Championship roster that defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals 4-2. In that series, Nowitzki averaged 26 points, 9.7 rebounds and shot 98% from the free throw line.
This season, Nowitzki averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Nowitzki, 38, shot 45% from the field, otherwise known as his worst shooting season since his rookie year.
Dallas fans, rejoice. Dirk Nowitzki will return and play once again. As for a potential Dirk Nowitzki retirement tour in Kobe Bryant fashion next year? If Dirk decides to retire, he remains positive a Kobe Bryant ending 2.0 would never happen, per Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated:
“I don’t want people to high-five me everywhere I go or make this a big deal about me,” Dirk said. “What [Derek] Jeter did or what the closer, Mariano Rivera, did? at every ballpark you get some gifts, you know, sausages in Milwaukee?” Nowitzki shook his head, shifting onto one elbow. “No chance I’d ever do that. I’m not the guy who will say, ‘This is my last year.'” He paused. “When I’m gone, I’m gone.”
