Nowitzki on Achilles injury: 10 years ago I'd still be able to play effectively

Dirk Nowitzki is sidelined indefinitely with a right Achilles strain after disclosing his "little setback" Saturday and the Mavericks all-time leading scorer hopes the injury clears soon enough.

According to the Star Telegram's Dwain Price, Nowitzki said the movement-limiting nature is the tough part. He's played in just five of the Mavs' first 19 games.

"If it limits my movement 10 years ago I'd still be able to play effectively out there," said Nowtizki. "But if it limits my movement now, I'm already a step slow - that makes me three steps slow and it just makes no sense to be out there."

The 38-year-old is in his 19th season, and he's working on a treadmill and doing small work on the court in his current rehab stage. He's under no illusions that he's able to do things he could do as a younger player.

"Sometimes it's tough because I know the one thing I can still semi-do is score the ball and spread the floor," Nowitzki said. "At this stage of my career I don't move well any ways, so if I'm out there at 80-90 percent I don't think I'm a big help."