Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki will adjust his off-season program to avoid a repeat of the physical problem that limited him at the start.

The Mavericks held Nowitzki out for four consecutive games in January so that he could strengthen a balky right knee. The condition improved, and Nowitzki will not require surgery. He must focus in the off-season on maintaining the knee’s strength with increased weight work.

“I struggled physically for the first time in my career,” Nowitzki said. “I’m going to really try to keep my legs strong so we don’t have to go through what I did at the beginning, because that was ugly.”

Nowitzki had the lowest regular-season shooting percentage (.457) since his rookie year. He rallied in the postseason and averaged 26.8 points per game.

– Reported by Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News