Art Garcia | Mavs.com
Posted: Oct. 5, 2007

Bubbly isn’t often associated with Mavericks practice, especially during training camp. Friday, though, you couldn’t avoid it.

Kym Johnson, also known as Mark Cuban’s better Dancing with the Stars half, stopped by the morning practice to watch the last few minutes from the baseline before mingling with players and coaches.

Avery Johnson (no relation) asked her about her accent. (She’s Australian). Jerry Stackhouse shared a hug. Dirk Nowitzki posed for pictures. (Many, understandably, were taken). Cuban acted as the willing tour guide.

“I feel like I’m part of the team,” Kym gushed. “I’m here at practice. I want to shoot a hoop.”

The surprise appearance had more to do with necessity that promotion. Johnson actually received treatment from head trainer Casey Smith after turning her ankle at dance practice Thursday. Mark and Kym are preparing a jive routine for Monday night’s DWTS appearance.

“It’s quite ironic,” Kym said. “I’m the one up there in the locker room getting worked on and he’s the one with the hip replacement.”

Mark’s thoughts have been chronicled the first two weeks of the show, so it seemed appropriate to ask Kym about her experience thus far. She’s been impressed with her partner’s drive and enthusiasm.

“He’s such a hard worker,” she said. “He’s so determined at wanting to get it all right in very long practices. It’s great to come here and see his team in his element. He’s obviously very passionate about it, just like he is with his dancing.

“When he’s in the dance studio he’s becoming the dancer, which is really quite funny. He wants to do the jive. He wants to get the technique right.”

Alluding to how nerve-racking it was face the red light at the end of Week 1, Kym wondered if she should pick Avery’s coaching mind on relaxation methods.

“I know who the better dancer is, but Mark is holding his own,” Avery said with a laugh. “I am pleasantly surprised. It's been very interesting.

"I'm mad with our head of security, Jim Colleran, he let an imposter in my practice today, but he said he got overruled by the guy that signs his checks.”

Kym certainly isn't a pretender, even when it comes to coaching her dancing mate.

“It’s hysterical,” she admitted. “When I was up there on the chair with Casey I said to Mark, ‘C’mon, kick.’ It’s quite fun bossing around this billionaire. I don’t think he’s had anyone boss him around, really, except his wife.”

Though she’s been on the show four times now, the native Australian hasn’t picked up at least one staple of stateside culture. Cuban is helping change that.

“I’m never been to any American sporting events,” Johnson said. “I went to a football game, the Cowboys, and a Cubs game in Chicago. I’m hoping that I get to come back and see a basketball game with the Mavericks.”

The Mavs do play San Antonio on Tuesday night in the preseason opener.

“We’ll be busy that night,” she reminded. “Hopefully we’ll get through and I can come back. I’m sure Mark can get me good tickets.”