DALLAS – Whenever he hits the court for his first few NBA games of the 2018-’19 season, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has a warning.
“Rhythm will be tough,” Nowitzki said after Sunday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities. “The last game I played was (Apr. 10 against Phoenix). Nobody can take seven months off, eight months off and comes out balling.
“That’s going to be a progress for me playing against NBA players – the speed of the game these days. Everybody’s pushing the ball, a lot of athletes. It’s going to take me probably a couple of games to get used to it, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Nowitzki, 40, is still recovering after undergoing left ankle surgery on Apr. 5. He’s had his good days and is bad days, but the Mavs will not put him on the court until he’s fully healthy.
“He’s not quite there yet,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “When he’s ready to play he’ll play. And also it’s important to manage the expectations of this and protect him.
“He’s been out for eight or nine months and when he comes back to play it’s going to be a limit on the minutes. There’s a very good chance the first — I don’t know how many games — he may only play in the first half. I don’t know that for a fact, but that’s possible. Let’s just be reasonable about all this.”
As Nowitzki told Mavs.com on Friday at the Mavs’ Dinner With Santa event at the Statler hotel, there is no timetable set for his return. Meanwhile, Carlisle has talked to Nowitzki about what his role will be once he returns.
“He and I have had some conversations about his return and the timing of it and some of the challenges that go along with it,” Carlisle said. “He’s very aware and does not want to disrupt anything, but we do need to get him healthy and back on the floor and available.”
The Mavs will take a 13-11 record in Monday’s home game against Orlando. Dallas has won 11 of its last 15 games after a 2-7 start and that, for Nowitzki, takes some f the sting off his inability to plat at this time.
“If you’re winning it’s fun to be around, whether you play or whether you’re not playing, so it’s been fun the watch,” Nowitzki said. “I‘m really proud of the guys.
“Of course I want to be out there, but it’s a lot easier to sit there and watch wins and come in and work hard if guys are playing well and we’re winning.”
Share and comment