<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mark Cuban Opening Statement:Obviously, we?re incredibly excited to welcome Mo to the Dallas Mavericks. We feel very fortunate that he managed to slide his way down to us at 28. We?re hoping he continues the tradition of numbers 28 and 29 turning into a real player for us.Avery Johnson Opening Statement:We?re really excited to have Mo on board. This is a great day for the Mavericks. He fits really nicely into our system. I had a chance to visit with him and he?s all about winning and playing defense.Maurice Agerid you watch the NBA Finals and picture how you could fit in with either team?No question. I watched all the way to the last game. I was rooting for the Mavericks to continue to play but things happen. I always looked at Dallas as being a great place for me. I think the energy they bring, playing hard every day?getting up and down the floor, scoring, shooting? it?s exciting.Did you work out for anybody leading up to the draft?Actually I had 23 workouts. The last one was this past Sunday in Utah.Can you talk about working out with Jim Boylan?Jim was real tough on me. He did a good job not only with preparing me conditioning wise, he taught me a lot of little things like showing good character, making a great first impression, speaking well, getting rid of bad habits and just becoming a pro.Were you surprised where you were drafted?: ?To be honest, going into the draft I looked at the worst case scenarios. Honestly, I didn?t think I would go that late but it?s a great situation and I?m glad I?m here. You hear predictions all day and I was all over the board so I didn?t know what to expect. Sitting there with the first round winding down and your name hasn?t been called yet, it?s kind of tough. I just thank God I got through it.Talk about finally hearing your name called:It was very emotional. I know you hear people say this all the time, but it?s a dream come true. I?ve wanted to play in the NBA since I was six, seven years old. I can?t speak for others, but it?s a privilege and I feel honored to be able to play at this level.How big is defense in regards to your overall game?Even my high school coach was very defensive minded. Playing for Coach Izzo for four years, you got to play defense because that?s the only way you can get out on the floor. After a while, it?s something you become good at and something you enjoy doing. It?s something I really want to do for myself. If you can be a great offensive player and a great defensive player, that separates yourself.How fortunate do you feel getting picked by a winning team?Very fortunate. Like Avery said, I?m about winning. That?s the most important thing. I won at every level so hopefully I can come here and contribute to help this team win.How did four years of college help you?It was great. As far as basketball, that?s one thing, but growing up as a man, maturing and learning things. I never thought there was anything wrong with going to college for four years. It was fun and it helped me grow up to be a man.The NBA didn?t invite you to New York for the Draft, but you still went. Was it important for you to experience that?Oh yeah. We felt comfortable with me being a first round pick and the NBA Draft only comes around once. I just wanted to go up there and shake David Stern?s hand.Maurice, what are your playing expectations as a rookie?Gotta defend. That?s the first thing. You have to defend to get on the court in the NBA.What would you say your biggest strength is?:Getting to the basket. Driving. It?s kind of hard in the Big Ten because the defense packs in but I feel that?s one of my strengths along with athleticism and quickness.What do you need to continue working on?I think I need to continue working on being a combo guard. Ball handling and decision making.Why do you feel the Mavericks are a perfect fit for you?I feel that way because of Avery Johnson. I know he?s a tough coach. I?ve dealt with a tough coach for four years at college and I feel like Avery can push me and I can take it.</div>Wow, I love that defense-minded attitude IF he is really serious about it. And I don't doubt the Mavs' scouting one bit with what we've pulled off in recent years. And check out his number... looks like I found some use for that old jersey. :happy0144:
Maurice Ager was my favorite player at the college level, and I am happy he was drafted not only by a successful franchise, but one that appriciates his talents.Congrats to Maurice for being drafted by the Mavs.
I'm starting to get a really good feeling about all of this... for some reason I can't help but feel that Daniels is going to go in a deadline deal for a shooter who can energize the team down the stretch and Ager will start to get some serious minutes off the bench.
Wow. Sounds like he will be a heck of a player. The main thing is for him to spread out the floor and be a consistent outside shooter but if he can drive well also than he is a complete player.
