Don Nelson

Mavs GM/Head Coach Don Nelson
How is training camp progressing for your team?
We are having a real good training camp so far and are working really hard. We will just keep doing that until we accomplish what we need to and until we play that first preseason game next week. We are doing certain things each day and then implementing others as we go. There are about 16 different NBA defensive situations that we play a little different and we cover about four of those a day and we started doing those today. Individual defensive drills and focus are a constant and we'll be doing it everyday all through training camp.

Did players show up with a defensive mindset for this training camp?
Yes, they bought in real early on that concept. They had a hint this summer of what was coming. Everyone is trying their best to get to it done.

How has Popeye Jones fit into camp so far?
He is great. He is really doing a good job at doing the things early in camp that we are asking the big guys to do. It is different for some, but Popeye has been there before and so he is setting the tone defensively and in rebounding which are the two areas that we are really concerned with improving.

Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson
What is your role here in Dallas?
You know Nellie has been really good to me in regards to my role here in Dallas. He has said to me that he has a lot of confidence in my knowledge of the game and if I see something I need to speak up. He realizes that I have a lot of basketball experience. I don't try to over step my boundaries. I am just here in whatever capacity Coach Nelson needs me.

Is defense a key this season?
You know I came from a defensive ball club. All the things that we are doing now I am really used to already. Coach Nelson, historically, knows a lot about defense, especially from his Boston Celtic days. I think he is going to force this team, if they really want to win a championship, to play better defense and challenge us everyday to do it. Hopefully we will respond.

Don Nelson talks to the media about progress made on Day 2. Danny Bollinger/dallasmavericks.com

Eduardo Najera stretches before practice. Danny Bollinger/dallasmavericks.com

Popeye Jones brushes up on his free throws on Day 2. Danny Bollinger/dallasmavericks.com

Bradley recaps his day during an interview after practice.. Danny Bollinger/dallasmavericks.com