Mark Jackson: It feels great to get back in the win column. It was a game we needed to keep us from falling too far back in the standings. We are only two games back from the 8th seed and feel we are in a great position to reach the postseason for the first time since CSLs inaugural season.
We didn't play a pretty game, but it was a fun game to coach and a fun game to watch. We hustled, we went after the ball, and most importantly we protected the ball. Our shot isn't always going to fall but sulking after a missed shot and allowing your opposition an easy lane to the hoop is not something we are going to stand for here.
Our next 5 games are at homes
Great game, very solid win. Feels good to get a W after this losing streak we had. We hustled, played extremely hard, fought through some adversity, and didnt turn the ball over. This is how we expect to play in Dallas and hope it can continue moving forward.
Golden State is having a tough year and has some key players injured. But they are a team full of CSL quality players. Embiid and Payne are both going to be really special in a couple of years to just name two. So to get a hard fought victory against anyone in this league is great.
I know there will be a lot of questions in regards to our lineup tonight, so lets get those started.
Q: Why were the starters benched?
MJ: This is something I have done in the past for other basketball organizations and have had solid results. I felt now was the time to send a message before the season got any further away from us.
Q: But Wall and Miller have only been here 2 days, the remaining starters barely over a month. Isn't the benching a bit premature?
MJ: I don't care if they been here an hour, a day, or a year. It is time for a culture change here in Dallas. The Mavericks aren't going to be the team where you can come to collect your check and not put forth the energy that we expect.
Shots arent always going to fall. That's basketball. But to mope around and allow your defender an easy lane to the hoop, not diving for balls. Simply not hustling is unacceptable. And if they can't figure that out then they won't have to worry about being benched. We will ship their ass to the dleague and they can lolly gag there while riding a bus from game to game.
Q: How long until they get reinserted back into the lineup?
MJ: Until I feel they got the message and come to practice ready to work. If they show up to practice tomorrow and work hard then we can expect them to be back in the lineup vs Charlotte. If not, well they can continue to be in street clothes.
There are 9 other players on this team that would love to be out there fighting, competing. We saw that tonight. Rashad Vaughns first game every starting, 3rd game every playing and he was tremendous. 9-12 from the field I believe it was. 20 points in just 23 minutes. Kendrick Perkins, 13 and 9 with 2 blocks on 6-7 shooting in 23 minutes. Those guys went out there and busted their tail. But this is why we traded for Perkins, someone to bring that vet leadership.
Perkins came out with a purpose tonight
Q: Will we see more of Vaughn after a performance like tonight?
MJ: We will play who we feel is best to help us to win each and every night. If we feel Vaughn can exploit a matchup then he will play. He is a team player, and has a very bright future here in this league. His time will come, until then the young fella just needs to keep working hard.
Q: Any comments on your upcoming game against Charlotte?
MJ: They are a very difficult matchup. Solid team 1-5 without many weaknesses. Whoever we throw out there is going to have a challenge. As long as we understand that we can't always control what shots fall and whats don't, but can control our defensive intensity then we should be okay.
It's a long season and we aren't even a quarter of the way through it. This is a very talented team. One I would venture as to call having the most talented backcourt in the league. Only two games back from the 8th seed, just keep working hard, play team ball, avoid silly turnovers, and we should be alright.
