Not seeing Dirk Nowitzki take the court during Dallas Mavericks games requires some getting used to. We've all had the pleasure of seeing the German legend in a Mavs uniform throughout his illustrious 20-year career that somehow, the team just feels incomplete without him at this point.

This is probably why some folks have been particular about not seeing Dirk during Mavs home games this season, even just as a supporter. As it turns out, the 41-year-old is just taking some much needed time off from the game and enjoying his retirement.

“I think that was always my plan to get away for my mental state and physical,” he explains, via The Dallas Morning News. “I basically spent 25-30 years of my life almost every day in the gym. That’s been a nice part, just to get away some. And not get up early in the morning, go to the gym, work out or think about the next opponent and just not having that pressure has been really quite enjoyable for me.

“I didn’t want to be all over the Mavs still and go to every game. I just needed a little mental break, if you want to say. Of course, I still watch them a lot when we’re in town, I’m still sitting on the couch. Went to a few more games lately, I saw Vince [Carter] the other day, which was amazing. I still go to, obviously, some games when we’re in town. I do, of course, I follow everybody on Twitter and on Instagram, so I see what’s going on. I still do get that and I still do watch as much as I can when I’m home.”

Nowitzki made it abundantly clear that his loyalty and support for the Mavs has not wavered one bit. He's just taking some me time, which is something he absolutely deserves.