Official Preseason thread-- Media Day, practice reports, preseason games and more

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Dalembert is really just going to have to be better than at least I expect him to be for the defense to have any chance. I think Ellis and Calderon can hold their own for the most part, but I just don't see the starting unit working defensively if Daly doesn't protect that rim with a purpose.

[some1nw]

full practice report http://www.mavs.com/practice-report-..._report_100113

[EricaLubarsky]

edit

[DirkFTW]

High definition sweat and high definition Crowder... yikes!

[Bayliss]

You know what is sad? I have no idea who 14 is........

And it is sad that Cuban doesn't televise every pre season game.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

You know what is sad? I have no idea who 14 is........

And it is sad that Cuban doesn't televise every pre season game.

that isn't sad at all. The guy is mostly likely going to play D with us for 10-15 days before getting waived and heading to the Legends for some D-league play.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Fab-Melo-5715/
Best case: Haywood
Worst case: Diop

Ouch. That comparison hits close to home. Anyway, dude looks like a decent body to try to scrimmage against. He's just most likely not going to make the regular-season roster.

[Bayliss]

Well he is giving the "cut sign" in the photo. He must be psychic.

[SMC0007]

http://www.wfaa.com/sports/Dale-and-...226081231.html

[EricaLubarsky]

In Dalembert, Mavericks might have next Chandler

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10...#storylink=cpy

BY DWAIN PRICE
dprice@star-telegram.com

DALLAS — Samuel Dalembert hopes to do this season for the Dallas Mavericks what Tyson Chandler was able to accomplish during the 2010-11 campaign.

Chandler joined the Mavericks on July 13, 2010, via a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats. The fiery, athletic center came to Dallas as a wounded warrior, having navigated his way through a series of injuries and saddled with lingering questions about his health.

However, Chandler used his hustle, grit and determination to change the Mavericks’ culture with his tenacious defense and ability to protect the rim. His contributions were extremely instrumental in the Mavs winning the 2011 NBA championship.

Fast forward to Dalembert, who left the Milwaukee Bucks via free agency over the summer. While surveying the NBA landscape, he knew the Mavericks would become a perfect fit for his style of play. In essence, Dalembert (6-foot-11, 250 pounds) realized he was the right player to fill the role Chandler once occupied.

“I just looked at things from last year, and this team just needed one more ingredient,” the 32-year old Dalembert said after Tuesday’s first practice of training camp. “We can score — scoring is no issue for us.

“It’s just the defense and giving up second-chance opportunities.”

Small forward Shawn Marion welcomes a player such as Dalembert, who can protect the rim.

“I like somebody that’s aggressive around the paint and that’s going to attack every time somebody comes in there,” Marion said. “It’s not going to be an open lane to the basket.

“When somebody is able to protect the paint it makes it a lot easier for us, and it makes us want to defend even more.”

Power forward Dirk Nowitzki also sees value in the Mavericks signing Dalembert to a two-year, $7.5 million contract in July.

“I think Sammy should bring some of the stuff that really meshes well with my game, and that’s rebounding and protecting the paint,” Nowitzki said. “He’s always been one of the best rebounding-per-minute guys, and his length should really help us around the basket.”

Like Chandler, Dalembert is trying to prove that the numbers he posted the season before coming to Dallas were an aberration.

Prior to joining the Mavericks, Chandler averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.8 minutes per contest for the Bobcats during the 2009-10 season. Last season with the Bucks, Dalembert averaged 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game.

If Dalembert can do for the Mavericks this season what Chandler did in the 2010-11 season, that would be a nice comeback after he — save for his rookie season — registered career lows in rebounds and minutes played.

“It was a down year last year,” Dalembert said. “It was one of those moments where ... you can take it one way or you take it another way as a challenge, and that’s what I’ve done.

“I’ve got a new opportunity here, and I’m not going to let that slide down.”

Only time will tell whether Dalembert is the second coming of Chandler, who won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011-12 while playing for the New York Knicks.

“When [the Mavs] called me, I didn’t think twice,” Dalembert said. “A veteran team that wants to win, and everybody here knows what to do.

“And they play to win. That’s a good thing.”

Dwain Price, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @dwainprice

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10...#storylink=cpy

[EricaLubarsky]

Players coming in early helped Carlisle on opening day

http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...ening-day.html

OCTOBER 01, 2013
DALLAS – Because several players came to American Airlines Center work out on their own a few weeks ago, the Dallas Mavericks were ahead of the game when they opened training camp Tuesday.

With the players antsy to get on the court, that made things much easier for coach Rick Carlisle during the first day of training camp.

“There were a lot of guys here through the month of September,’’ Carlisle said. “In a way the reason there weren’t any surprises today is we’ve been able to see most of these guys working for three weeks, so that really helps.’’

Carlisle used the first practice to start implementing the intracacies of his defensive strategies. He knows a solid defense could carry his team a long, long way.

“This was totally a defensive practice this morning -- all defense,’’ Carlisle said. “There was no
offensive stuff other than just simple drive-and-kick stuff to help set up a defensive situation.

“I just look at the roster and I just know that that’s got to be our emphasis. Defense, working on late-game situations.’’

Carlisle, of course, will not ignore the necessary steps to enhance his team's offense. He knows that wouldn’t be prudent.

“We’re going to work hard on our offense, but our major emphasis has got to be at the defensive end,’’ Carlisle said. “There’s three areas that we’ve really got to work at -- transition defense, take away three’s, one-on-one defense.

“We’ve got to be better at guarding the ball without fouling.’’

-- Dwain Price

Follow me on Twitter

@dwainprice

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...#storylink=cpy

Good to hear that the guys came in early, are working hard and are ready to hit training camp. These guys are going to need a solid camp and pre-season to hit the road running in the regular season with such a brand new roster. I remember last year we only had Dirk and Kaman here before Media Day and Dirk shooting by himself for the 2-3 weeks prior to that.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Earl K. Sneed ‏@EarlKSneed 1h
Per Rick Carlisle, @DallasMavs PG Jose Calderon's hamstring became tight and he was held out of some of today's practice.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Earl K. Sneed ‏@EarlKSneed 1h
Per Rick Carlisle, @DallasMavs PG Jose Calderon's hamstring became tight and he was held out of some of today's practice.

Not really an injury and it's just a preventative thing early, but it's a tiny bit concerning.

[EricaLubarsky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkRDDcWfaY
Media Day overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgvAVJGDDa0
Jose Calderon interview at Media Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUYz46--ugw
Dirk interview from Media Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWWcaXPPa6s
Shawn Marion interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XmOXRgjaBk
Carlisle/Dirk talking 2013-2014 season


Pretty good if you dont want to pay for DB.com

[Bayliss]

Calderon probably should not have played over the summer. He aint no spring chicken.

[EricaLubarsky]

edit

[ottawasucks]

Erica, where'd you get these pics?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Wright looks a smidge stronger in those pics

[yahyes]

Jose was shown the defense during practice. He better see it. Also, Monta do your work!

[markus1234]

Originally Posted by ottawasucks

Erica, where'd you get these pics?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5485460&type=1

[some1nw]

http://www.mavs.com/well-conditioned..._report_103213 carter ready to do more if needed.

[EricaLubarsky]

Anyone going to the scrimmage tomorrow?

[Murphy3]

Only if you're going to be there Erica

[EricaLubarsky]

http://www.mavs.com/mavsfanjam/?utm_...estream_100413

Watch live.

[yahyes]

It's confusing to know who's who with the low quality and random player subs.

[EricaLubarsky]

yeah. Ellington and Carter both hit some nice threes. Ellis had a nice drive. I kept confusing Balkman and Crowder with the low-res cam.

Still, it's nice that they televised it. I'm pretty pumped. Really think that Mekel will look good if he gets some time with better players like Dirk. He already looked good scooping it to guys like Crowder. Ellington is exciting. We saw no Dirk-Ellis combo, which made me sad.

And that sound was awffffffuuuulll.

[some1nw]

Do i gotta follow in order to watch the stream

[some1nw]

damn it must have ended

[yahyes]

After reviewing most of the team practice. Blair and Wright out there in the 4 and 5 spots should be experimented more.

[some1nw]

is there a replay of the scrimmage?

[dirk2003]

Brandan Wright who is still listed at his rookie weight of 210 pounds but weighed in at 240 pounds after reportedly adding 15 pounds of muscle.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by some1nw

is there a replay of the scrimmage?

Unfortunately not.

Pre-season starts Monday, though.

You didn't miss a whole lot. It was just fun watching all the guys. Ellington hit a nice three, Carter hit two big threes, Ellis had a couple of lightning-quick drives, Marion was still a pogo stick and had a bunch of layups. Mekel made some sweet passes. Dirk hit a midranger (after shooting about 1/5). The whole thing was only about 30 minutes.

[EricaLubarsky]

Brandan Wright with Shane Larkin and DeJuan Blair signing autographs

Marion having fun signing autographs

Monta finishing a team ball

Ellington looks nice

Dalembert hamming it up

Ellis signing autographs

Dirk

Dalembert and Melo

Ellis with the quick drive

Mekel looking sharp

Rookies forced to sing "Happy Birthday" to Wright and Calderon

From Mavs facebook

[Kante]

Man, all those pics make the page really slow...

Maybe just link to them?

[iella]

Originally Posted by Kante

Man, all those pics make the page really slow...

Maybe just link to them?

Get faster internet, bro.

[Bayliss]

Board's a ghost town. Can't use the offseason excuse either.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by dirk2003

Brandan Wright who is still listed at his rookie weight of 210 pounds but weighed in at 240 pounds after reportedly adding 15 pounds of muscle.

Egggggsellent.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Board's a ghost town. Can't use the offseason excuse either.

Yeah, I've been trying, but only 4-5 visitors per day.

Hopefully Monday will help. There isn't a whole lot of news or media content coming out of practices.

Still, we had a live stream of the scrimmage and still nothing.

[rabbitproof]

Social media killed the web forum star.

It'll pick up as the season gets and games start.. but different days, different times... won't be like it ever was. Salud.

[NorwegianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Yeah, I've been trying, but only 4-5 visitors per day.

Are there only 4-5 visitors to the board each day? A total of 4-5? I check in at least once a day, but I don't have a lot to contribute with.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by Kante

Man, all those pics make the page really slow...

Maybe just link to them?

Yep..even with fast internet service, it can sometimes slow it down quite a bit. One of the perks of putting everything involving Mavs on a Mavs forum into one thread.