Nowitzki as Professional, Perserverant as Ever as Mavs Commence Camp

Dirk Nowitzki has missed the playoffs, won a championship and everything in between. Somehow, entering his 18th training camp with the Mavericks, he remains optimistic, stubborn and, yep, even a tad naïve.

“I think we have a shot at making the playoffs,” the future Hall of Famer told reporters Monday on the team’s annual Media Day at American Airlines Center.

Nowitizki, 37, has been the constant in Dallas’ chaotic carousel. He’s back again for another climb up the mountain, this time alongside at least eight new teammates that weren’t on last year’s 50-win team.

After missing out on DeAndre Jordan most experts believe the Mavs and their Plan B roster are Lottery-bound. But Nowitzki, with only a couple years left, can’t afford to think that way.

“We’ll get it done by committee,” he said of replacing Jordan and last year’s center, Tyson Chandler.

He also said he doesn’t share the hard feelings toward Jordan as many fans do.

“We all have changed our minds before,” he shrugged. “I think we recovered fine from it.”

Nowitzki has two years remaining on his final contract with the Mavs and he intends to fulfill it. That would mean next season would be his last, though he’s not ready to talk retirement other than concessions about pre-season playing time after a basketball-filled summer playing for his home Germany.

“I want to play two more years, hopefully at a high level,” he said. “I’m going to work my butt off to get in the best shape I can, and then leave it all out there again.”

Some aging stars would come to camp grumpy or worse, after their team failed to land the big-fish free agent that would’ve made them a contender. But Nowitzki isn’t pushing for a trade, whining about what could’ve been or living in the past.

Even if his rose-colored perspective seems warped, Nowitzki’s persistence is as refreshing as ever.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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