WASHINGTON –Go ahead and scratch coaching off the list of things Dirk Nowitzki wants to do whenever he decides to retire from playing in the NBA.
That’s not a career move on the Dallas Mavericks’ superstar forward’s bucket list. However, Nowitzki did admit to wanting to at least stick a foot into the coaching circle in some form or fashion.
“Maybe like individual stuff, working with guys on skills, skill development, player development type stuff,” he said following Wednesday morning’s shootaround at the Capital One Arena. “I think that I would enjoy that, and I think obviously I’ve got some experience there.
“But head coaching? It’s just something that I’m not real interested in.”
Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged that players of Nowitzki’s ilk have a very special view of the game and could develop into a great coach. He used Larry Bird as Exhibit A.
Bird was a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion while playing for the Boston Celtics from 1978-’92. Then he became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997-’00.
“I played with Larry for three years (with the Celtics) and became close friends with him over time,” Carlisle said. “I never would have guessed he was interested in coaching. That came out of nowhere, so you never know.
“I think in Larry’s case he was out (of basketball) for three or four years and he wanted back in, he wanted to be involved in the game and he wasn’t afraid to dive in. It’s very personal as to what extent guys want to do that, but that’s something you’ve got to ask (Nowitzki).”
Nowitzki broke into the NBA in 1998 and his first coach was Don Nelson, who employed a lot of the push the pace 3-point offensive schemes that’s used on a regular basis in the NBA today. That got Nowitzki to thinking if he did one day change his mind and decide to venture into coaching.
“I was never really interested in defensive schemes my entire career, as you probably know,” Nowitzki said while laughing. “I’m more about having fun offensively and sharing the ball.
“My style would probably be more like Nellie back in the days – look for mismatches, push the pace and enjoy playing.”
Now in his 21st season, Nowitzki and the Mavs will face the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at 6 at the Capital One Arena. Meanwhile, Carlisle knows whenever Nowitzki does decide to retire, the next chapter in his life will probably be as fruitful as the current chapter.
“Dirk Nowitzki can do anything he wants to in this game,” Carlisle said. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Share and comment