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.

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.

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.

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.

If you do the best you can, you have nothing to be ashamed of. A defeat is not a disgrace.

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.

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