If theres an injury, for a couple games, you can have guys step in. But for a long period of time, it always catches up with you.

I wanted to avoid service, because I was on the road to becoming a professional basketball player.

As a star you never know when people are really serious.

I played all kinds of sports when I was young: tennis, handball, basketball, some soccer. I focused on basketball when I was 16 or 17 and then came to the U.S. when I was 20.

Basketball gave me a lot, which is why I want to stay connected with this sport later on, maybe working with young people. But it would be more in the background. Being in the spotlight was never really my thing. I never wanted to be famous.

When I think about my MVP season, I will also think about the loss to Golden State. But winning the award as Most Valuable Player of the NBA is just a huge honour. I didn't really realise how big it was until Mark Cuban had tears in his eyes at the award ceremony.

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.

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.

The best player I've ever played against is Kobe Bryant. I have seen him do some stuff that is just unbelievable.

I lost control of myself a couple times in the playoffs. I have to keep cooler in the future.

Growing up, my idols were Lucky Luke and Jolly Jumper. And Scottie Pippen.