NBA: Nowitzki jokes about doping control

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks has been known for his self-irony on Twitter for years. On Saturday the 40-year-old showed that he is already back in shape for the coming season.

Nowitzki, who is currently working in Dallas on his rehabilitation after an ankle operation, was visited by an NBA official for a routine off-season doping test.

The German wrote: “I told him:’Did you see me moving last year? If I were to take something, I’d have to change the product as soon as possible!'”

Nowitzki has been making jokes about his age and bones on Twitter for years. Nevertheless, the Power Forward has recently been officially extended at the Mavericks and will now also complete its 21st NBA season in Dallas.

Never before has a player in the NBA 21 seasons played for the same franchise, only four other players in the world’s top league in 21 seasons: Robert Parish, Kevin Willis and Kevin Garnett as well as the still active Vince Carter.

Nowitzki played 77 games for the Mavericks last season, scoring 12 points with odds of 45.6 per cent from the field and 40.9 per cent from the triple line.