The Dallas Mavericks start into the coming season with a few newcomers and a lot of talent. Does this mean for Dirk Nowitzki that he has to prepare for a role as sixth man?
“Of course DeAndre[Jordan] will start on the five and the rest will somehow surrender,” Nowitzki told Eddie Sefko of Dallas Morning News. Therefore, the German is still unsure whether he will start for the Mavericks in his 21st season or come from the bank.
“Whether[Harrison Barnes] will return to the four or we will start with another formation, I don’t know yet,” said the tall blond. “But that’s a problem one likes to have. We want to be a franchise that gets into the playoffs, plays well, has fun and doesn’t lose 60 games again.”
Nowitzki wouldn’t mind playing the bench. “I have no problem with that,” clarifies the 40-year-old. “If that’s my part and we’re playing well, then I’m all for it.”
But Nowitzki also stresses that the new role would be a big change: “In this case, we’d rather get a stationary bike, because if I warm up and then sit on the bench for 15, 20 minutes, it will be a problem.
But nothing has been carved in stone yet. Even a big lineup with Jordan on the five and Nowitzki on the four doesn’t seem to have ruled out head coach Rick Carlisle. After all, the German claims to be 100 percent fit by the start of the season. After his ankle surgery in April, rehab had gone very well so far, Nowitzki told Sefko.