Overview:
The Dallas Mavericks are entering a new chapter with head coach Dusty May, a healthy Kyrie Irving, continued development from Cooper Flagg and a roster built around a renewed focus on winning. After two difficult seasons, players and coaches emphasized communication, accountability, health and building a winning culture throughout Media Day. With new additions joining a core looking to turn the page, the Mavericks believe they have what it takes to compete for a championship.
With a season full of injuries and losses to reflect on, Dallas introduced a new chapter with head coach Dusty May, a returning Kyrie Irving and continued growth from Cooper Flagg, along with the rest of a roster hoping to bring winning basketball back to Dallas.
May knows what it takes to be a winner no matter what level of basketball you’re playing.
“The keys to winning are the same at every level. High school, college, NBA,” May said.
Quickness, communication and quick decision-making are what May hopes to implement with the Mavericks. Instead of putting a label on each player, he hopes to find what fits and will allow Dallas to be successful in various ways.
When asked if he had a goal in mind for wins, May declined to put a number on it.
“I think we have a good basketball team,” May said. “We’re going to be every day building in the short term and the long term.”
What the Mavericks hope to achieve at the end of the season is much bigger than that.
“We’re going to work like crazy to chase a championship and hang a banner in our building,” May said.
Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg will have to play together for that to happen.
Irving enters this season after being sidelined for most of last year due to injury. He said he has been cleared to do everything and does not have any restrictions, though he will continue to speak with the Mavericks’ staff about his workload and back-to-backs.
“My injury was probably the best thing that happened to me,” Irving said.
He stated that learning how to rehab gave him patience and allowed him to be more present as a father and teammate. Since he couldn’t help on the court with the ball in his hands, he took on a player-coach role and was able to guide the younger players on the team.
“That player-coach role was fun,” Irving said. “I enjoyed it. But I think I’m ready to go out there and kick some butt.”
Many Mavericks players stated that Irving looked like himself during the offseason. When asked what he thought of Irving working out with the team, Naji Marshall said Irving was “still better than everybody in the gym.” P.J. Washington and Max Christie also stated that Irving looked great and was leading by example.
One of the things that will be exciting to see is Irving and Flagg’s dynamic with each other.
“He’s wise beyond his years, but I also have to remind him how old he is,” Irving said. “He’s going to lead this franchise into the future. You can definitely bank on that.”
Flagg will be looking to have an improved season this year. After his first season, he knows what the NBA game has to offer and what it’s like to lose.
“Rookie season is done, so now I’m just improving for the rest of my career, just trying to get better every single day,” Flagg said.
During the offseason, Flagg worked on his ballhandling, shooting and finishing around the rim, as well as maintaining his body. One thing he stated that may have caused him to struggle from 3-point range was indecisiveness.
“I just have a lot of confidence right now in everything,” Flagg said. “My handle, my shot, my finishing.”
Flagg also learned that he’s 6-foot-10 without shoes this year.
Knowing how to be great as a team will be something Flagg looks to accomplish this season.
“I think just building that winning culture is going to be really important,” Flagg said.
Throughout the many player interviews, winning was a theme most brought up. Whether it was staying healthy or working toward a common goal, the Mavericks continued to return to the same message.
Daniel Gafford hopes to play all 82 games this season. Dereck Lively II has been working on getting healthy again and credits Irving for keeping him patient during his rehab process.
“Everybody here wants to win,” Lively said. “You know, from the 15th roster guy to the first roster guy to anywhere throughout the organization, everybody’s doing whatever it takes to double down on winning because we’re sick of the last two years.”
The Mavericks also acquired several players who can compete for roles during training camp.
Zaccharie Risacher hopes to contribute by defending, rebounding and shooting, along with playing in transition. Santi Aldama has started a new chapter after being in Memphis for five years. Marcus Sasser will be playing near home, while rookies Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea and Tobi Lawal will be starting their NBA careers.
There was also a minicamp held in Los Angeles by Irving that players repeatedly mentioned.
Players were able to work out together, play basketball and spend time with each other away from the game. Many said that helped them build relationships before training camp started.
“It really feels like a fresh start, to be honest,” Christie said.
With new leadership, coaches and roster changes, the players can see the change around the practice facility as well.
Will this help the Mavericks win games? Only time will tell.
One thing the Mavericks made clear during Media Day is that they believe they can become a winning team again this season.
