Nowitzki says he feels '48 or older'

Dallas Mavericks stalwart Dirk Nowitzki was always thought to be impervious to the rigors of time.

But as he prepares for his 19th season, the 38-year-old German gunner is really beginning to feel the mileage on his body.

When asked this week if he felt closer to 28 or 48, a pained Nowitzki told reporters he feels "48 or older," before recounting his lengthy list of preseason ailments.

"I think sometimes when I haven't done much and you start through all the sideways movement and showing the pick-and-roll and stuff, you just get tight, you get sore a little bit," Nowitzki said. "So I've been fighting through some soreness in the legs and in the hips.

"I'm usually pretty stiff-legged, but right now even more so. But usually, hopefully a couple more practices as the days go by I'll be a little better."

Despite his advanced age, Nowitzki has shown very few signs of slowing down. He averaged 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season and was the only player who performed to his standard during Dallas' first-round exit.

However, if age does start to catch up to Nowitzki, the Mavericks could be in for a long season as they've once again surrounded their franchise player with a supporting cast devoid of any stars.