Dirk: "We are not that far away."

If i like talking? -- Ask me again in three days.

The Sunday edition of a rather large german (yellow page) outlet of quite turrible reputation has an interview with Dirk Nowitzki. The selling concept of the 'paper' has been acurrately described by a rather popular band as "Fear, Hate, Tits and the weather report". The Sunday edition is just a little better, though. Enjoy.

Q: You've just returned to Dallas. How did you spend the summer?

Dirk Nowitzki (32):  At first we were in Greece with the whole family. Then i spent two weeks in Malysia, backpacking a few days. That was very relaxing. Nobody recognized me, because the people over there don't care about Basketball. They only looked amazed at me, because for them, i'm 8 metres 26 ft tall (laughs).

Q: Wasn't it difficult to return to training after such a long time off?

Nowitzki: I didn't have a ball in my hands for three and a half month - longer then ever before. And i started training again just mid-august. Before that, i played a lot of Tennis and used the stairmaster two-to-three times a week. So i didn't start at zero, but the beginning was a little tough, though.

Q: You are now 32 years old and want to finally win a Championship with Dallas - are you feeling like running out of time sometimes?

Nowitzki: Especially in the last few seasons, where we were out in the first or second round, yeah, i thought  sometimes: 'Another year wasted in my prime!'  But in the end, it doesn't matter if you lose in the first or third round. If you won't win the title anyway, you might aswell lose in the first round, that way you gain at least another month of  vacation.

Q: Listening to the Experts, the Dallas Mavericks have nothing to do with the title this season, too. Has Mavs-owner Marc Cuban a secret plan in his pocket, that nobody knows of?

Nowitzki:  There is no 'Plan' [in that sense]. But i wanted to hear from him that he continues to give everything to put us in position [in the next four years] to win the title.  We experienced many Highs and Lows, on and off the court.

And for the experts....we were the 2nd best team in the regular season last year in the tough West of the NBA. So i don't want to declare us dead just yet. [Ed. note: Semantic translation, that is.] I don't believe that we are that far away, like everybody writes. We can also add players until Febuary, too. And how i talked to Cuban[ = what i sensed], there's still something possible.

Q: Could you even be cool with a second Superstar beside you? 

Nowitzki: That would be great for me. I am no egoistic Player and no egoistic Human being. Everybody who helps us winning a title will be embraced with open arms. I don't feel slighted in such things. 

Q: What games do you anticipate most this coming season?

Nowitzki: There are many highlights, this year especially against Miami and the Lakers, for sure. I've read that they pay quadrupled ticket prices for those games. I am also looking forward to play San Antonio - we have a certain rivalry between us.

Q: In Germany, the FC Bayern München is trying to rival the established clubs. The major soccer-powerhouse started his baskeball-divions and wants to compete in the highest league next year. Your opinion?

Nowitzki: It's interesting. They assembled a good team, the national coach Dirk Bauermann on top. I think that basketball can work in Munich. But of course, it's important that they win the 2nd league this year and join the Bundesliga next year.

Q: The Big Bosses are already openly talking about luring you from Dallas to Munich. When are you wearing the Bayern-Jersey?

Nowitzki: That is way to far away for me. It's the same thing as with ALBA Berlin, they too want me playing a year for them in the end. When my contract runs out in Dallas, i will be 36 yrs old. If, by then, i would want to put that burden on me, to attack in Europe again, i can't really decide that now.

Q: Perhaps the Olympics are an attractive goal? You've already forfeited the World Cup, to concentrate fully on the NBA-Season. But next year at the Euro Cup, two qualification spots for the Olympics 2012 are the prize. 

Nowitzki:  That's incredible!  Many teams are going to dig up all their stars, because it's about the Olympics. And even if Chris Kaman and myself are playing next summer, that doesn't mean we'll automatically qualify for London. And if we don't, there's this pre-olympic turney again -- that will be pretty though....

Q: For the closing words, a private question: There are some rumors about a swedish woman in your life - what's up with that?

Nowitzki: The Rumors ain't wrong. But it's still pretty early, that has to develop first.