Dirk Nowitzki

“I want to raise a family and have a couple of small Dirks running around. But it will not be easy to win my heart.”

“I never looked at basketball as work. I always enjoyed it as my hobby. I loved it. Once that love is gone, and I'm tired of working out every day and doing all the stuff to get me ready for games, and I'm tired of lifting and conditioning and doing all that other stuff around it, and I'd rather stay in bed, then it's time to go.”

“I'm not big on material things, but I like my cars. They are German-made and custom-made.”

“Money isn't something I play for. I want to compete. I want to win.”

“Most of my game is not really based on explosiveness, but I've gotta have a little lift on my jumper.”

“I felt, when I was 20, I wasn't quite ready for the physical contact of 82 games. Mentally, it was tough. I forgot what city we were in most of the time. I can't even imagine going through it at 18 or 19.”

“It's fun being around guys that want to work, that want to learn, that want to get better.”

“Over the years, I pride myself on being more than just a spot-up shooter. I've gotta put the ball on the floor. I've got to post up and drive the ball from the perimeter and get to the basket - all the stuff I was actually doing that helped us win the championship.”

“I was never a great screen and roller, obviously.”

“I was never the most confident man in the world.”

“I try to stay away, but In-N-Out, you just can't compare it. It's the best. It's the best. It's healthy fast food; they do their own meat and their own salad.”

“Off the floor, I'm really laid back: like, nothing really fazes me too much. But on the floor, I do get emotional and a little carried away. However, I started playing when I was 13 to have fun with my teammates, and that never stopped. I enjoy traveling and having fun in the locker room with the guys. Life is too short to be miserable.”

“Top of the key is my shot.”

“The only advice I would give young guys is to keep your ears and eyes open. Never see yourself as a finished product.”

“I may not be the most physically tough player, but I think mentally I'm right up there.”

“My dad never really played basketball, but now he's my biggest critic. I come home, and he says: 'Why didn't you shoot there? Why didn't you drive?'”

“I think different guys have different priorities. For me, it was always important to be in one spot, one city.”

“I came into this league when I was 20, and I didn't know if I was going to make it.”

“I've never faked an injury or an illness before.”

“I love watching Steph Curry. When he's hot, every time he gets it, I'm like, 'Shoot!'”