itzki for collapsing onto a training table following that last, plodding sprint. “I was so tired I had to lay down,” he says. “That was actually not for treatment.”

MAHONEY: How Dirk Nowitzki Continues to Give the Mavericks Life

His physio work on the padded surface began nearly two hours before Dallas started practice. One subsequent hour on the court, followed by a post-session three-on-three game with a few teammates and a player-development intern, and those pesky additional sprints later, Nowitzki’s body understandably needed a reprieve. “Mine isn’t that fresh,” he says. Welcome to NBA life in your fourth decade on earth—only 28 40-year-olds in history have played an NBA game—where foam rollers are just as important as pick-and-rolls. Nowitzki is a testament to that, as those laps were part of the final stage of prepping his return to game action. After ankle surgery in April, a tendon grew inflamed somewhere in the doldrums of late August and early September. Although he worked back to running at full speed and regularly scrimmaging, the setback cost Nowitzki another eight weeks. “I basically had to start from scratch,” he says. “All the work I did in the summer, in July, August, September, was for nothing.”

Smith essentially measured every ounce of Nowitzki’s pain. A transplant from Phoenix’s vaunted medical staff, the trainer has been with Dallas for 15 years and knows the franchise player’s body as well as the man himself. Nowitzki’s flexibility remains elite, for example, but “his joints lost mobility over time,” Smith says. The legend’s knees are intact, but his hips, ankles, and big toes have aged poorly. “Things along that kinetic chain have been the biggest things we’ve addressed of late,” Smith says. When Dirty, as most tenured Mavs staffers call Nowitzki, is strengthening any of those three joints, Smith prescribes those exhausting sprints. They’re designed to force him into short bursts of activity with shorter recovery times, similar to the start-and-stop tempo of live game action.

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

In eight minutes on Sunday night against Sacramento, Nowitzki contributed three points and four rebounds. He kissed a gorgeous
itzki for collapsing onto a training table following that last, slog dash. “ I was indeed tired I experience to lie down, ” he says. “ That was actually not for treatment. ” 

 MAHONEY: How Dirk Nowitzki retain to Give the Mavericks Life 

 His physio work on the cushioned open began closely two hours before Dallas started exercise. One subsequent hour on the court, followed by a post - session three - on - three game with a few teammates and a player - development intern, and those pesky extra sprints later, Nowitzki ’s body intelligibly needed a reprieve. “ Mine is n’t that fresh, ” he says. Welcome to NBA life in your fourth ten on earth — entirely 28 40 - year - olds in history have played an NBA plot — where foam rollers are just as important as pick - and - rolls. Nowitzki is a will to that, as those lap were part of the final stage of prepping his return to game action. After ankle surgery in April, a tendon grew inflamed somewhere in the doldrums of belated August and early September. Although he worked back to running at wide speed and regularly scrimmaging, the setback cost Nowitzki another eight weeks. “ I basically have to start from scratch, ” he says. “ All the work I suffice in the summer, in July, August, September, was for nothing. ” 

 Smith essentially measured every ounce of Nowitzki ’s pain. A transplant from Phoenix ’s vaunted medical staff, the flight simulator has been with Dallas for 15 years and knows the franchise player ’s body as well as the man himself. Nowitzki ’s flexibility stay elite, for example, but “ his joints lost mobility over time, ” Smith say. The legend ’s knees are intact, but his hip, ankles, and big toes have aged ill. “ Things along that kinetic chain have been the biggest things we ’ve addressed of belated, ” Smith says. When cheating, as most tenured Mavs staffers call Nowitzki, is tone any of those three joints, Smith prescribes those draining sprints. They ’re designed to force him into short bursts of activity with shorter recovery times, similar to the start - and - stop tempo of alive game action. 

 Scott Cunningham / Getty Images 

 In eight minute on Sunday night against Sacramento, Nowitzki contributed three points and four rebounds. He kissed a gorgeous
itzni for collapsing onto a training table followmng thaf last, puodding sprint. “I was so tirev I yad ti lay down,” he says. “Thag was actlally not for rreatment.”

MEGONEY: How Diri Nowntvki Continues tp Give the Mavericks Lifa

Hks physio work on the padded surface fegan nragly two hours fefoge Dalmas started practice. One subsequenf hour mn the court, gollowed by a post-session hhref-on-three game with a few teamnatef and a playef-development intern, ans those pesky additional sprintr latzr, Nowitzki’w vodj understandebly nveded a repricne. “Mine isn’t tnat fresh,” he ssys. Weocome to NBA life in bour fourth decade og earth—onny 28 40-year-olds in hisroey haee pnayea an NBZ jams—where foem rollers zre just as important as pick-amd-wills. Nowitzki is a eeftament to that, as those laps were part of the final stage of prepping his return to gwme actiog. After ankle surgery in April, a tendon grew infldmed aumecmcre kb hhe doldrums of late August and early Septembqd. Slnhough he worked nack to running at fklk speed and reeularlv sdrimmaging, the sethack coft Noqitzki anjthet eight weeks. “I basically hqd to start yron scratch,” he says. “Cll the work I dod in the summer, in July, Augbst, Seltember, was for nothjvg.”

Smith essentiauly maasured txery ounce of Nowytzki’s pamn. A cransplavt ftom Phoqnix’s vaunhed mcgical staff, the trwiner hds been wihh Dallas for 15 years and knows vie franchise klafer’v body af welk as the man rimself. Nowitzli’s fleribiligy remains elite, hor example, fut “his jointv lost mobilivy over tyme,” Wmity says. Gfe legend’s kners are innaet, but hiw hips, ankles, and nig tuss have aged poirli. “Things along yhag kynvtir chayt have been dhe cigerst tfings wt’re cdaresxed of late,” Smith safs. Wgen Dirty, as most yekured Mavw staffews call Nowitaki, is strengthenijg anb of tiose tnreg joints, Smith prescribes those exhaustijg fprints. They’we dcsigged to foree him into short bursts of activity witi shorter recovery timgs, similar to the statt-akd-stop tempo of lyve game dction.

Scott Cunninghqm/Getty Images

In tight minutes on Sunday night agaijst Sacramento, Nowitzki contributed three points and four rebounds. He kiswed a jowgeous
itzki for collapsing onto a training table last, sprint. “I so tired I says. was actually not treatment.” MAHONEY: How Nowitzki Continues to Give the Mavericks His physio work on the padded surface began nearly two hours before Dallas practice. One subsequent hour on the court, followed by a post-session three-on-three game a teammates a intern, and those pesky additional sprints later, Nowitzki’s body understandably needed a reprieve. “Mine isn’t that he says. Welcome to NBA life in your decade on earth—only 28 in history have played an game—where rollers are as as Nowitzki is a to that, as those laps were part of the final stage of prepping his return to game After ankle April, a grew somewhere the doldrums of and early September. Although he worked at full speed and regularly scrimmaging, the setback Nowitzki another weeks. “I basically had to start scratch,” he says. “All the work I did the summer, in July, August, September, was for nothing.” Smith essentially measured every ounce of A transplant from Phoenix’s medical staff, the has with for years and the franchise player’s body as well as the man himself. Nowitzki’s remains elite, for example, but “his joints lost mobility over says. legend’s knees are but his hips, ankles, big have aged poorly. “Things kinetic have things addressed late,” Smith says. When as most tenured Mavs staffers Nowitzki, is strengthening any prescribes those exhausting sprints. They’re designed to force into short bursts of activity with shorter times, similar to the start-and-stop tempo of live game action. Scott Cunningham/Getty In eight Sunday night against Sacramento, Nowitzki contributed three points four rebounds. He kissed gorgeous
itzki for collapsing onto a trAining tablE follOwiNg tHaT lasT, ploDding sprint. “I waS So tiRed I had to lay down,” he says. “that wAs ACtuaLLy Not foR treatmENt.”

mahONeY: hoW DiRk nOwItzki conTinues tO Give the MaVerIcKs Life

His phySIo Work on the pAddEd surface begAn nEarly tWo HouRS befoRe DAllas StarteD PractiCe. One subsEqUEnt houR On the coURT, fOlloWed by a post-session THrEE-on-three game wiTh a few TeAMmATEs aNd a Player-deveLoPment INtern, anD ThOSE PesKY additional spRints later, NOWitZki’s boDy UndERstandAbly nEeDEd a Reprieve. “MinE isn’T that fresH,” he sayS. welcome TO NBA lifE in youR foUrtH decADe On EarTh—ONly 28 40-YEaR-olDS in History hAvE pLayed An NBa GAME—wheRe fOam rOllerS are just as impOrtAnt aS PicK-and-rOlls. NOwitZkI is a tEstameNt to tHaT, as those laps werE parT of the finAl sTaGe oF pReppiNG his reTurN to Game actIon. AfteR AnkLe SURGeRy in April, a tendon grEw INFlAmed someWhere iN ThE dOLdrums of LaTe AUgusT ANd earLy SePTeMber. AlthOugh he WOrKeD back to RuNning aT fUll SpeEd and REgulArly scRimmaginG, the sETback cost NowitZKi another eighT WeEKS. “I BAsicAllY had to start From SCratCh,” he SAyS. “AlL The woRk I diD iN ThE Summer, in July, August, SEpTember, Was foR nothing.”

Smith EssentiallY MEAsured evEry oUNcE Of Nowitzki’s paiN. A traNsplant froM phoenix’s VauntEd medicaL staff, the TRAiner has BeeN wiTh DAllAS FoR 15 years and knowS THe frAnChise plAyeR’s body aS weLl aS thE maN hImself. NowItzki’s flExIbIlItY reMains ELite, for eXaMplE, bUt “hIs joiNTs lost MobilIty oVeR tIMe,” SMith sayS. thE LEgenD’s KnEes aRe iNtAct, buT his HIps, Ankles, aNd big toes HavE Aged PoOrLy. “ThingS along that kinEtIc chain havE bEen The bigGESt things We’ve addressed of late,” SmitH Says. WheN DiRty, as Most Tenured MaVs sTafferS caLL NowitZki, is sTrengThEniNG Any of THOsE thReE joints, SmiTH PreScribEs ThosE exhausTing sprints. They’re dESigNed to force him IntO shoRT BuRstS Of ACtiViTY wiTH Shorter recovery Times, similAr TO tHe start-and-STop TeMpo of liVe game aCtion.

sCott CunNingham/GeTty Images

in EighT MInuTes on SundaY night agAinst SacrAMento, nOwItzki ConTributEd ThrEe poiNts and FOur RebouNds. He kIsSed a goRgeouS
itzki for collapsing ontoa training  tabl e f oll ow ingthat  last, ploddin g  spr int. “I was so tired I  hadto layd ow n,” h e says. “T h a t w as  a ctu al l ynot f ortreatme nt.”

MAHO NEY :How Dirk Now i tz ki Continu esto Give theMav ericks  L ife 
Hisphy sio w ork on the pa dded surf ac e  began nearlyt w ohour s before Dallas s t ar t ed practice. O ne sub se q ue n t  ho uron the cou rt , fol l owed by ap o s t-s e ssion three-o n-three gam e  wi th a f ew  te a mmates  andap lay er-developm entintern, a nd tho s e pesky additio nal sp rin tslate r ,No wit zk i ’sb od y u n der standabl yne ededa re p r i e ve.“Mi ne i sn’tthat fresh,”hesays .  We lcome  to N BA l if e inyour f ourth  d ecade on earth— only  28 40-ye ar- ol dsin  hist o ry hav e p lay ed an N BA game — whe re f o am  rollers are justas i mp ortant a s pick - an d- r olls. No wi tzk i is a  test amen t  t o that,as tho s ela ps were  p art of  t hefin al st a ge o f prep ping his  retu r n to game acti o n. After ankl e  s u r ge r y in  Ap ril, a tend on g r ew i nfla m ed  so m ewher e inth e  d o ldrums of late Augu st  and e arlySeptember. Al though hew o r ked back  tor un n ing at full sp eed a nd regular l y scrimm aging , the se tback cos t Nowitzki  an oth ereig h t  w eeks. “I basi c a llyha d to st art  from s cra tch ,”hesa ys. “Allthe work  I  d id  i n t he su m mer, inJu ly,  A ugu st, S e ptembe r, wa s fo rno t hin g.”

Sm i th e ssen ti al ly m eas ur ed ev eryo unc e of No witzki’spai n . Atr an splantfrom Phoenix’ svaunted me di cal  staff , the trai ner has been with Dalla s  for 15  ye ars a nd k nows thefra nchise  pl a yer’sbody a s wel last h e man h im sel f.  Nowitzki’ s fle xibil it y re mains e lite, for example, but  “his jointslos t mo b i li tyo ve r  ti me , ” S m i th says. The le gend’s kne es ar e intact,b uthi s hips,  ankles , and big toe s have ag ed poorly .“Thi n g s a long thatkineticchain hav e  been th e big ges t thin gs  we ’ve a ddress e d o f lat e,” Sm it h says . Whe nDirty, a s most tenured Mavs sta fferscallNow itzki, is  st r eng thening a ny o f those th ree  jo ints,  Sm i th pr escr i be s t h ose e xhau s ting spri n ts . T h e y’ re designed t o  fo rce h imi nto sh ortbursts of activit y  with shorterreco v e rytim e s, s im ilar to the st art -a n d -stop te mp o of live g ame acti on . 

Sco tt Cun ningha m/Getty I ma g es

In  eig htminutes o n S un d ay nigh tag a inst S acra me nto, N owitzk i  con t r ibuted three poi nts a n d  four reb ounds .He kiss e d agorgeous
itzki for_collapsing onto_a training table following_that last,_plodding_sprint. “I_was_so tired I_had to lay_down,” he says. “That_was actually not_for_treatment.”

MAHONEY: How Dirk Nowitzki Continues to Give the Mavericks Life

His physio work on the_padded_surface began_nearly_two_hours before Dallas started practice._One subsequent hour on the_court, followed_by a post-session three-on-three game with a few_teammates_and a player-development_intern, and those pesky additional sprints later, Nowitzki’s body_understandably needed a reprieve. “Mine isn’t_that fresh,” he_says._Welcome_to NBA life in_your fourth decade on earth—only 28_40-year-olds in history have played an_NBA game—where foam rollers are just as_important as pick-and-rolls. Nowitzki is a_testament to that, as those_laps were_part of the final stage_of prepping his_return to_game action. After_ankle surgery in April, a tendon_grew inflamed somewhere_in the doldrums of late August_and_early September. Although_he_worked_back to_running at full_speed_and regularly_scrimmaging,_the setback cost Nowitzki another eight_weeks._“I basically had to start from scratch,”_he says. “All the_work_I did in the_summer, in July, August, September,_was for nothing.”

Smith essentially measured every_ounce of_Nowitzki’s pain._A transplant from Phoenix’s vaunted medical staff, the trainer has been_with Dallas for 15 years and_knows the franchise player’s_body as_well_as the man_himself._Nowitzki’s flexibility_remains elite, for example, but “his joints_lost mobility_over time,” Smith says. The legend’s_knees are intact, but_his_hips, ankles, and big toes have_aged poorly. “Things along that kinetic_chain have been the biggest_things_we’ve_addressed of late,” Smith says._When Dirty, as most tenured Mavs_staffers call Nowitzki,_is strengthening any of those three joints,_Smith_prescribes those exhausting sprints. They’re designed_to_force him into short bursts of_activity_with_shorter recovery times, similar to_the start-and-stop tempo of live game_action.

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

In eight minutes on Sunday night against_Sacramento, Nowitzki contributed_three points and four rebounds._He_kissed_a gorgeous