Dirk Nowitzki

I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. Once that love is gone, and I'm tired of working out every day and doing all the stuff to get me ready for games, and I'm tired of lifting and conditioning and doing all that other stuff around it, and I'd rather stay in bed, then it's time to go. ”

I love to play, and I love the sport, but I don't play it to gain popularity. ”

When you're older and get more experience, the game slows down for you. I know exactly what spot to get to where I can always get my shot off no matter who's guarding me. ”

Off the floor, I'm really laid back: like, nothing really fazes me too much. But on the floor, I do get emotional and a little carried away. However, I started playing when I was 13 to have fun with my teammates, and that never stopped. I enjoy traveling and having fun in the locker room with the guys. Life is too short to be miserable. ”

I try to stay away, but In-N-Out, you just can't compare it. It's the best. It's the best. It's healthy fast food; they do their own meat and their own salad. ”

The only advice I would give young guys is to keep your ears and eyes open. Never see yourself as a finished product. ”

I want to raise a family and have a couple of small Dirks running around. But it will not be easy to win my heart. ”

I felt, when I was 20, I wasn't quite ready for the physical contact of 82 games. Mentally, it was tough. I forgot what city we were in most of the time. I can't even imagine going through it at 18 or 19. ”

I was never a great screen and roller, obviously. ”

It's fun being around guys that want to work, that want to learn, that want to get better. ”