Kevin Durant Isn’t Sure That Dirk Nowitzki Is Actually Retiring
Written by SOURCE on March 25, 2019
Kevin Durant wants everyone to slow down with all the Dirk Nowitzki retirement talk. When the Warriors superstar was asked about Dirk’s final season, KD rightfully pointed out that the seemingly indestructible big man hasn’t announced that he’s done with the NBA.
“Has Dirk retired yet? I feel like everybody’s pushing him out the league,” Durant said. “So, I’ll wait til he makes his official announcement to really comment on that.”
Durant has a point. Nowitzki has more than earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to sticking around, given that he’s played an NBA record 21 seasons. Even though Nowitzki hasn’t said he’s leaving the league, the NBA has treated this year as Dirk’s last. They added him to an honorary old guard spot at the All-Star Game alongside the definitely done Dwyane Wade. Dirk seemed optimistic that he could play one more year in interviews earlier this year.
“I think I’m going to make that decision later on, but I think the future’s bright,” Nowitzki told ESPN. “I’d love to be there for the young guys one more year, but I think it depends on how the body feels. I’ve had some issues, obviously, this year. I had some knee swelling here the last few weeks, actually before the All-Star break, so it’s not all great. But like I said, I am feeling better. I am feeling a little stronger.”
For the time being, we should probably all follow Durant’s lead and let Dirk decide if he’s done or not.
