Dallas Mavericks New Players, Jerseys and Ace Mans Up

On Sept. 23, the Dallas Mavericks held a press conference for the seven new players on this year’s squad at the American Airlines Center.

It was open to the media and general public. In addition to the players, Mark Cuban revealed the Mavericks’ new alternate jerseys for the 2015-16 season. According to Cuban, the team will wear this jersey for a total of eight games during the course of the season.

Cuban took a few questions after revealing the new look and one that stood out wasn’t about the jerseys, but about the Houston Rockets. I’m paraphrasing of course, but the fan asked whether or not the Rockets are their biggest rivals now after Parsons came to Big D and Jason Terry moved to Houston

“I hate them all. I want one team to go 82-0 and 29 to go 0-82 if that was possible, they all suck,” Cuban briefly said. Needless to say, that brought out a roar from the crowd. 

For more on the new jerseys, move over to here for a little more info and pictures.

Back to the press conference, everyone aside from Richard Jefferson sat up there and took questions from the media as well as fans. Chuck Cooperstein (@coopmavs) and Mark Followill (@MFollowill) emceed the event.

Cuban, Rick Carlisle, Donnie Nelson alongside Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler, Greg Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu, Raymond Felton and Jameer Nelson.

Carlisle began the press conference with an opening statement- “Good Afternoon, thanks for being here. We’re very excited about this team. Coming into this year, we know we’re going to be a better team than last year. Last year’s team was not a good defensive team, on paper, and unfortunately we performed that way majority of the time.

This year, we’re slightly better on paper and with Tyson back, he has promised me that he’ll will us to become a good defensive team…and we got him working on his threes too (Laughs).  We should be good offensively again, so it’s exciting when you get an ejection of new blood into your roster.

We’re becoming use to it each year now, a lot of new guys for the last three years, which I like. I like the challenge that we think that this team can be special and we’re looking forward to it.”

One fan asked Tyson about his contract situation, “Just like 2010-11, you’re in your last year of your contract, what percentage do you put on being resigned this time around? Cuban butt in quickly by saying, “I learned from my mistakes.”

Felton also got into the mix and was asked what it meant to be a Maverick- “Feels great, ready for a fresh start. This is a great organization with great fans.”

A lot of fans, without even starting their question, called out Tyson and welcomed him back to Dallas, where he spent the 2010-11 season with the Mavericks and helped the franchise win its first NBA championship.

Here’s what was said:

“I am so fired up, you have no idea. You know how important I think chemistry is, so just being able to get a feel for how all the guys get together and how they get along [is important].” – Cuban (via Dwain Price @DwainPrice)

“The guys in the locker room — whether it’s Jameer, Dirk, Tyson, Chandler — they’re locker room, blue-collar guys who encourage other guys and push guys to work out and understand the team concept. To me, that’s the most reminiscent of 2011 where we didn’t have me-guys, we had team guys.” – Cuban (Price)

“I feel very fortunate to be back. The biggest thing is for us to come out and compete night in and night out, and compete in practice.” – Chandler (Price)

“When you don’t win it all, you’re one of 29 tied for last. That’s how we look at it around here, and we want to change that. Each year the league becomes a little more even, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement is geared towards a little more parody. So, teams are getting closer in talent and it’s going to come down to chemistry.” – Carlisle (via Earl K. Sneed @EarlKSneed)

“You know, the summer has gone by quickly. The new guys that we have, have been great and they’ve communicated with us. I think we’ve had more guys come (into the gym) in early September than we ever have since I’ve been here, so that’s an exciting thing. And we just want to get started on Tuesday.” – Carlisle (Sneed)

“I really like what I’ve seen so far coming here. You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen this many guys coming in this early on any team that I’ve played on. And coming to camp I think it will build a lot of chemistry, and it’s also been very competitive. That’s what you want to see, especially going into camp. It’s going to be a lot of players fighting for a lot of positions and trying to jockey for time.” – Chandler (Sneed)

“I think we added six guys who were starters on other teams last year, and we were able to keep a lot of our depth as well. So, you know, I think we’ve got a group where everybody has had their own personal success but not a lot of team success or great team success. So, coming here, we don’t have guys that are looking to just throw up numbers. They’ve already done that and now they’re looking to win. You know, they’re not 21 or 22 anymore, and they’re ready to win. That’s going to have a big impact.” – Cuban (Sneed)

“We’ve got a veteran team that has been through a lot of stuff, and we have a great staff that really emphasizes defense. Where I’m coming from, you know, offense was always our main goal. So, now, we’ve got to win games and win championships on the defensive side. So, I’m totally locked in and dialed in to do that.” – Parsons (Sneed)

“Our feeling is we may not be as good a looking team as we were last year. But we’re going to be better defensively, we’re more talented and we’re smart, which is a good combination. Generally speaking, that wins games in the NBA.” – Nelson (Price)

“I’m ready to do whatever Coach Carlisle needs me to do.” – Parsons (via Michael Lark @Michael_Lark)

“I just want to kick every one else’s ass and win again.” – Cuban (via Bryan Gutierrez @BallinWithBryan)

You can check out other stories from the event here:

Dwain Price- http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/09/23/6144084/mavericks-owner-fired-up-about.html

Earl K. Sneed- http://www.mavs.com/new-look-mavs-emphasize-chemistry-depth-defense-entering-training-camp/

Bryan Gutierrez- http://www.mavsoutsider.com/2014/09/23/dallas-mavericks-introducting-players-jerseys/

Michael Lark- http://mavsfanatic.com/new-era-dallas-begins/

ACE MANS UP

If you didn’t realize by now, your very own Ace Feltman (@MFFeLtman) and I (@Gosset41) were in attendance and the former stepped to the plate and threw a curveball to Chandler Parsons.

Asked Ace- “Who’s the better defender, James Harden, Jeremy Lin or the camel (Mavs camel from Hump Day commercials)?”

Parsons paused for a bit, chuckled, looked over at Tyson and replied, “It’s a push.”

VIDEO

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