As Dirk Nowitzki did his best Lance Armstrong impersonation on an exercise bike at the far end of the Mavericks' practice facility, Rick Carlisle gave what little update he could provide about Nowitzki's recovery from foot surgery.
It wasn't very encouraging.
In fact, from the sounds of it, Nowitzki's availability to start the regular season in 20 days may be in jeopardy.
"He hasn't been on the floor yet," Carslisle said. "He's doing gradually better. I don't know that there's any reason to talk about anything until next week at the earliest."
The Mavericks will be in China by then for two preseason games against Philadelphia.