WASHINGTON – Dirk Nowitzki obviously is dreading the day when he announces he’s going to retire from the NBA.
Basketball has been such an integral part of Nowitzki’s DNA, all the way back to when he was a kid growing up in Germany.
“I love the sport,” Nowitzki said following Wednesday’s shootaround at the Capital One Arena. “It’s given me so much over my life and my career. I’ll definitely stick around in some capacity, but I’m going to need some time away when it’s all said and done.
“We have (three) young children, so it’s time for me to be in their lives a little more and be a little involved, and eventually obviously something has to come. You can’t just sit home for the next 40 years.”
Other than stepping back and traveling the world with his family whenever he retires, Nowitzki has no imminent plans for what he’ll get involved with in terms of employment sans the NBA.
“If the Mavs need me to do something, we’ll find a little niche there once I’m done,” he said. “And I’m sure we’ve got plenty of time to talk about that, but as of now I’m still enjoying it even though it gets hard at times.
“When you’re out there and something constantly bothers you, that’s not the most fun way to play. But I’m still trying to enjoy it and trying to enjoy my minutes out there with the teammates, and enjoy the bus rides and the meetings and just having fun with the young guys and just enjoying making the best out of it and enjoying my time.”
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