Despite being well on his way to playing 81 games during his 20th season in the league, Dirk Nowitzki missed the last four games of the regular season to undergo an ankle surgery to get himself as ready as possible for what's expected to be his last season in 2018-19.
Having had two disappointing seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, the German international is now hoping to retire with much more than the measly 24 wins the Mavs mustered during this rebuilding season, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com.
“I miss the playoffs the last couple of years,” Nowitzki said. “The intensity goes up, the atmosphere is amazing, so it’s still tough to watch.
“Obviously in our league the fun comes with winning, so hopefully we can get back to winning some games.”
The former league MVP is hopeful the Mavs draft a player who can chip in right away, along with a couple of free agents acquisitions to help bring this team to the forefront.
Meanwhile, he’s been focused on his recovery, hoping to make training camp with better wheels.
“The foot is not great,’ Nowitzki said. “That’s obvious after 20 years in the league. I think I got arthritis in every joint I have in my body, which is normal, I guess, after 20 years.”
Having been through his fair share of injuries, the soon-to-be 40-year-old 7-footer will have to exercise patience until he's fully healed from the procedure.
“It’s been over two weeks now (since the surgery) and I’m moving around without (the walking boot) already pretty good at home,” Nowitzki said. “But once you step out (of the house), I’ll still wear the boot.
“It’s progressing good, but it’ll be awhile until I can run and do basketball activities. I already started rehabbing a little bit and riding the bike and lifting a little bit and doing some movement stuff. It’s going to be, unfortunately, a piece of work all summer, but hopefully it’s going to help me next season.”
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