Mavs draft Michigan State guard. Avery finds his perfect combination player

[mqywaaah]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...s/14928468.htm

DALLAS - Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was somewhat anxious and a bit nervous as he anticipated making his first NBA Draft picks as a head coach.

But he emerged from the draft room at American Airlines Center, fresh off his first-ever pick, with a huge smile on his face.

Johnson and the Mavs picked Michigan State's Maurice Ager at No. 28 overall. Ager has been described as a little bit Michael Finley and a lot Jerry Stackhouse, maybe the perfect combination for an Avery Johnson-coached team.

The Mavs drafted George Washington guard J.R. Pinnock at No. 58 in the second round, but they traded him to the L.A. Lakers for their second-round pick, obtained via Miami, next year.

Ager, a 6-foot-5, 202-pound shooting guard, is a tough-nosed player.

And Johnson described Ager as having "strong character" after he stayed at Michigan State four years, improving each season.

"He really just fits in well with our system," Johnson said. "We were looking for that kind of guy in the draft. We're fortunate to fill a need at the 28th pick. It fits a need for us, and we have some other needs we can address with free agency."

Ager led the Spartans in scoring with 19.3 points per game as a senior, and he averaged 12.5 per game in four years under coach Tom Izzo.

"It's a perfect situation going on there," Ager said by phone. "I love the way they play....I think it's going to work out perfect."

Johnson pointed out Ager's defensive skills as a reason he could contribute a few minutes per game next season.

"We were looking for a guy that had the potential to be a shut-down guy at the 'two' spot," Johnson said.

"We don't think we had that on our team. But a guy also that can stretch the defense a little bit...you won't lay off of him. You'll respect his shot."

Ager, who was emotional as he hugged family members after hearing his name called by NBA commissioner David Stern, did not work out for the Mavs prior to the draft.

But president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the Mavs "had enough information going in on him."

Ager is scheduled to arrive in Dallas today.

"We expected him to go higher," Nelson said. "We got lucky."

Briefly

Donnie Nelson said the Mavs thought about taking Damir Markota, who was drafted No. 59 by the Spurs, with their No. 58 pick and then keeping him overseas. But instead they traded J.R. Pinnock to get a second-round pick in next year's "richer draft," Nelson said.

Assistant coach Charlie Parker will not return to the Mavericks staff, Avery Johnson said.

Maurice Ager is expected to play on the Mavs' summer league team. Rolando Blackman will coach the team in Las Vegas from July 6-13, and Joe Prunty will be the coach in Utah from July 14-21. Former Texas forward Brad Buckman is also expected to play in the summer league.

IN THE KNOW

The Maurice Ager file

Position: Guard

Ht./Wt.: 6-5/202

Date of birth: Feb. 9, 1984

College: Michigan State

Strengths: Ager is a remarkable athlete who can slash to the basket and shoot from long range. He plays well in transition and is hard-nosed defensively. He averaged 19.3 points his senior season at Michigan State.

Weakness: He is not a great ballhandler and must improve his mid-range game.

Quotable: "It's a perfect situation going on [with the Mavs]. I love the way they play....I think it's going to work out perfect."

[Maringa]

Originally Posted by mqywaaah

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...s/14928468.htm


Weakness: He is not a great ballhandler and must improve his mid-range game.

There's the Finley comparison.....

[#1MavsFan]

Originally Posted by Maringa

There's the Finley comparison.....

... or this:

"We don't think we had that on our team. But a guy also that can stretch the defense a little bit...you won't lay off of him. You'll respect his shot."

[scorched03]

great. so does that mean he wont dribble off his foot in a crucial situation?

[mqywaaah]

None of Fins weaknesses and none of Stacks weaknesses... that would be sweet!

[fluid.forty.one]

Hope he gets at least a few minutes a game off the bat.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

Hope he gets at least a few minutes a game off the bat.

I hope so too, but I doubt it. He'll get some minutes this year though, later in the season.