Dirk Nowitzki is still chugging along at the ripe old age of 39.
The 7-foot German has started every game this season for the Dallas Mavericks, and while he can no longer jump or dive for loose balls, Nowitzki is putting up a respectable 11.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while making 41.6 percent of his threes.
Dallas appears destined for another trip to the lottery, but that doesn't bother Nowitzki. So long as he feels healthy, he intends to play his 21st season for the Mavericks in 2018-19.
"I’m not going to say 100 percent I’ll be back - but it’s looking like it," Nowitzki told Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. "I feel fine so far. I’ve played every game. I’d love to play all 82. That would be amazing at 39. We’ll see how the body feels. But so far, it’s been fine."
Sticking around for a rebuilding effort doesn't bother Nowitzki, who already did it all with the Mavericks including winning the franchise's lone title in 2011. Nowitzki signed a two-year, $10-million contract this summer and he fully intends on honoring the entirety of that deal.
"We drafted an unbelievable prospect this summer (Dennis Smith Jr.) ... I figured we’re going to be a team that’s rebuilding a little bit and trying to get better and trying to get back to winning ways.
"I signed up for, obviously, two years to help the franchise push through that and get better. I didn’t think we would be sitting here 10 (games) over .500. I mean, I wasn’t delusional. We felt like we might have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs. And we still do. We’ve played the toughest schedule in basketball to this point.
"As long as my body feels fine like it has so far, with no setbacks like last year when I missed two months, I’m looking forward to hopefully fulfilling my contract."
Playing 21 seasons would make Nowitzki the longest-tenured player to suit up for only one franchise. He is currently tied with Kobe Bryant at 20.
