Dirk Nowitzki Wants To Play Two More Seasons

 

(AP Photo/LM Otero)

 

Dirk Nowitzki.

 

Retirement plans.

 

Devastated.

 

That is how all of Mavs Nation had to feel yesterday when Dirk Nowitzki took questions at the annual Dallas Mavericks Media Day yesterday. There are a few things we know for sure. Nowitzki will retire a Dallas Maverick and play his entire career for the franchise he fell in love with as a young 18-year old German teenager with lofty aspirations. He also touched on how long he expects to continue playing before hanging up those sneakers.

 

“I want to play two more years under contract here, hopefully at a high level, compete, hopefully be efficient when I’m out there.”

 

Who knows what those next two seasons will bring, but with hanging injury issues regarding Wes Matthews and Chandler Parsons, the Mavericks will have to rely on Deron Williams having a comeback player of the year type season, and hope that Dirk can halt the aging process a little bit longer.

 

Yesterday, the thing that became abundantly clear to MFFL’s everywhere was that the end is coming even closer, and we are inevitably going to have to accept it. It’s amazing to think that the 2011 Championship happened over four years ago. Dirk Nowitzki was at the height of his career, and even according to Chris Bosh, was the best player on the planet at that time. While he still can light up the scoreboard on the occasional night, he needs far more help to provide winning basketball in the Western Conference.

 

“Obviously it gets closer, but it’s not like I’m thinking of the beach every day.”

 

While Dirk Nowitzki lounging on the beach with his 7-foot frame makes us all giggle, not seeing him lace em up for 82 games a year is a daunting reality that we don’t want to face, but all know it’s coming. Nowitzki even gave an indication on how he wants that final year to go…just like every other year. No big ceremonies or farewell tour needed.

 

“That’s the worst thing that I can think of, having to talk about every day. When I’m gone, I’m gone. That’s how it’s going to go.”

 

Sorry big man. You’ve done far too much for this franchise, the city of Dallas, and Mavericks fans across the world. You may not want it, but you are going to receive every bit of love and gratitude you deserve.

 

*Cue the goosebumps*