MIAMI — The carrot dangling at the end of the stick hasn't changed for Dirk Nowitzki over his 18-year, Hall of Fame-caliber NBA career.
Sure, he won't hoist another MVP trophy above his 7'0" frame, and his Dallas Mavericks seem a step or two shy of championship contention.
But even if the destination isn't where he'd like it to be, the drive is the same as it's always been.
"I love competing at the highest level against the best athletes in the world," Nowitzki told Bleacher Report after Dallas' 106-82 loss to the Miami Heat on Jan. 1. "I still enjoy the grind of working out, lifting weights and doing all the extra conditioning.
"Once the fun is gone from doing all that, I have to retire."
Judging by his recent body of work, he's in no rush to iron out his retirement plans. Even as the 37-year-old gets deeper into his fight with Father Time, his competitive edge remains razor-sharp.
With a game built more around skills and savvy than explosive athleticism, he's better equipped than most to withstand the physical costs of aging. He can't carry as heavy a load as he once did&mda ...
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Article written by Zach Buckley
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