Meet the Mavs--updated Today was the "Meet the new Mavericks" day, Damp,Terry,Booth,Henson and Stack, at the AAC. They held a press conference and the public ask questions. I wasn't there but I heard a few things on the radio. From what I heard, Terry is a really class guy and people think he will fast become a fan favorite. Damp was kinda quiet and a little nervous around everyone. Stackhouse was excited about playing and he said he will be the sixth man. After the conference they let people shake the player's hands (no autographs).People asked some good questions. Avery Johnson will be signed next week. Press Conference Audio Here is some of the script... Coach Don Nelson: I think this summer Mark and Donnie have done a great job of assembling a really great team. Our coaching staff has been excited ever since we made our last deal. We feel really good about what they have assembled. We will probably be as traditional as we have ever been. We have centers who are centers, power forwards who are power forwards, etc. We have back-ups at every position. I think the strength and depth of our team is really strong. It?s now up to the coaching staff to put them together and get them to play winning basketball. The talent and the will to win is there and now we have to put the whole package together. This is as excited as I have been in a long time as far as our team is concerned. Assistant Coach Donnie Nelson: We are excited about the future. We feel like we are deep and are a little more traditional. The center position is something we wanted to address and we feel that we?ve done that in a big way. We feel that in the absence of Steve Nash, we got two very capable point guards that have very bright futures. We?ve got some very good help for Finley and some of our younger players. Jerry Stackhouse has been an impact player in this league for a long period of time and is looking for a challenge of making a run for the Western Conference. We needed some back-up help for Dirk Nowitzki and we feel that Alan Henderson will be looked at to fill some of those minutes. The five spot is as deep as we?ve ever had it in Dallas. Erick Dampier was one of the most coveted free agents this summer. We feel blessed to have him in a Mavs uniform. Calvin Booth had probably played his most successful basketball in a Mavs uniform a few years ago. He?s healthy for the first time in two years. We feel we are deep and talented and we feel we have the makings to make a run at things. It?s going to be an exciting year here in Dallas. Mavs owner Mark Cuban: I think this is the best team we?ve had since I?ve been here. Like everyone else has said it?s the strongest and deepest. We got some good steals. We got Jerry Stackhouse who is coming in as the unsung hero and he is here to surprise some people. With all the pieces we?ve put together, we are going into training camp in shape and ready to play. Since my first full year here I?ve had a lot of hopes, but not truly a lot of certainty. This is the first year that I am really excited. On playing in a system that will maximize your skills: Jason Terry: I?m very excited. I?ve been here about three weeks and have gotten settled in. I?ve been working with the trainers and coaches. That day to play won?t come soon enough. We are going to tip it off with Sacramento and we?ll be ready. Jerry Stackhouse: I?m excited to be a part of it. Last season was a tough season for me. I can?t wait for the season to start. On the chemistry of the team: Calvin Booth: It?s a little early to determine that. I think we are going to have a chance to develop something special. I think everyone is going to come in and have one thing on their mind: winning. On replacing Steve Nash: Jason Terry: In 1998, he gave me a pair of his game shoes. Last time I checked they still fit! I?m not going to try to be Steve Nash. I?m going to be Jason Terry. I am going to do whatever the coaches ask of me. I think this team is a winner. On your role: Jerry Stackhouse: I?m the sixth man. We have a lot of scorers on this team. It?s an opportunity for me to come in and thrive and to keep me going. I talked with the coaching staff and that is the role that they think will fit me best. It will be a challenge for me, but I look forward to that challenge. On not knowing if he was going to with the Mavs: Jerry Stackhouse: I think all the speculation came from you guys. From my first conversation with coach, he said I had to be his sixth man. He did tell me that there was a possibility that they were making a deal with Shaq. And that was the only thing I had heard. After that blew over. I think I have been a part of the plans. This is the best team I have been on top to bottom. Link Here are some pics.... <font color="DeepSkyBlue">Nellie, Donnie, Mark and five of the new players took questions from the media on the practice court. </font> <font color="DeepSkyBlue">Fans were able to watch the press conference live on the Prostar. mavs.com</font><a href="http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/new_player_press_conference9_17_04.html" target="_blank"> More pictures</a> And some more...
I cant wait for the Mavs season begin either. I cant wait to see how Damp stackhouse a and terry will do.
