Tuesday, Oct. 14 - Day 14 of Training Camp:
Game against L.A. Clippers
Monday, Oct. 13 - Day 13 of Training Camp:
My family came into town to see me play in my second home game on Saturday. That was a great game for them to come to because it was a close one! As much as I would have liked to have won by a comfortable margin, it was a good experience to be in because it gave me the chance to see what it takes to win those types of games. I'm sure we will have more of those close games throughout the regular season. We've been in training camp for almost two weeks now and I am starting to settle into my position as a rookie. I am still learning everything I can and trying to keep a level head about me.
Sunday, Oct. 12 - Day 12 of Training Camp:
Day off!
Saturday, Oct. 11 - Day 11 of Training Camp:
Second preseason home game vs. New Orleans Hornets
Friday, Oct. 10 - Day 10 of Training Camp:
My free time:
I make sure I take some free time to myself, but there's not a whole lot of it with the season about to start. I am still getting my apartment in order! Everything is not in place, where when I get home all I can do is sit down and relax. I am close to having it all complete. I just need to get my telephone working.
Learning my way around Dallas:
I am slowly learning my way around the city, but it will take me a while to get comfortable with it, especially the outskirts of town. I've definitely learned it takes about 45 minutes to get to everything! I can get to the airport, Target and the Sprint store. I’m working on the rest of it!
Pregame rituals:
I don’t have any one specific thing that I do. I make sure I get some practice taking shots before the game. Other than that, I try to stay calm.
Toughest part of practice and the best part:
The hardest part of practice for me is getting loose. Once I get loose, I am okay with everything else they have me doing. The best part of practice is when I get to show my defensive skills. I love playing defense!
Thursday, Oct. 9 - Day 9 of Training Camp:
On my thumb:
I wear a bandage on my thumb because our team doctors tell me to wear it. I re-injured it in summer league. I actually hurt it before I got to college, but I played without taping it. I feel like the tape changes my shot, but I can’t take it off until the doctors tell me it’s okay.
The toughest Maverick to guard in practice:
I got dunked on by Dirk today and that was the first time I have gotten dunked on in a while, so I am going to go with Dirk. It was kind of embarrassing because it hasn’t happened in so long. But I kept on playing and got over it.
On Nellie’s praise of my playing:
It’s great to know that he feels that way about my playing. He’s a well respected coach around the league and for him to give me praise at this young age and stage in my game is an amazing feeling. It lets me know where I can go and what I am capable of doing. I definitely appreciate it.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 - Day 8 of Training Camp:
My first home game:
It was definitely cool, I really enjoyed playing for the fans last night. Early on in the game, I was able to get to the lane and dunk the ball and it was great to hear the crowd react to that play. Dallas has great fans and I am looking forward to performing for them this season.
Getting to start against Orlando and playing a lot of minutes:
I wasn’t expecting to start, but I found out that Antawn was going to sit out so it opened up the opportunity for me. Like I said before the Mexico City game, I wasn’t expecting to play in that game and I ended up playing a lot of minutes so I’m learning quick that I just have to be prepared for anything. Starting was great though and I am glad for the opportunity.
Playing against Tracy McGrady:
I used to watch Tracy play high school ball back in my home state, so it was a huge thrill to be out there on the court competing against him. I looked up to him growing up, so it was just a big thrill for me last night.
Learning from Antawn Jamison, who also played for an ACC team in college:
The one thing Antawn’s talked to me about is just to keep playing hard and not to let up. He tells me not to back down on the court just because I’m a rookie and that I just need to focus on playing my game.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Day 7 of Training Camp:
First preseason home game vs. Orlando Magic.
Monday, Oct. 6 - Day 6 of Training Camp:
That was my first time in Mexico and I really enjoyed it. Another city, another place I’ve never been to before. We didn’t really have enough free time where I was able to go around and explore the city, but I still had a lot of fun down there. I went out to eat at a Hard Rock Café there which was nice, outside of having to wait too long for our food!
My first time to wear an official Mavs jersey:
I thought I was going to be a little more nervous than how I was during the summer leagues, but I think I prepared myself well. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to play, so when I got in the game I was nervous at first, but that feeling wore off quickly.
The difference between college and pro:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the speed of the game is so much faster! Actually, everything’s just a little bit faster. Once I adjust to that, I think I’m going to be alright. It’s just great to be able to see all these guys play. I’ve been watching them on T.V. for the last five or six years and now I’m out here with them and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Playing at home tomorrow night:
I’m excited! When I was in college I loved playing at home and I know I’m going to love playing at home here. I’m just looking forward to the experience of getting to play in front of our fans for the first time.
Sunday, Oct. 5 - Day 5 of Training Camp:
Play Utah at 5 p.m. CT.
Saturday, Oct. 4 - Day 4 of Training Camp:
Travel day to Mexico City for first preseason game!
Friday, Oct. 3 - Day 3 of Training Camp:
On Sunday, I will play in my first NBA game and I can't wait! It hasn't really hit me yet that I am a professional athlete, but I think when I step out onto the court in Mexico, that is when I will realize that I am an NBA player. It will be amazing to be able to play my first game in another country. I've never been to Mexico before so that should be a fun experience for me and to combine that with playing my first professional game, it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Veterans pulling pranks:
Usually, when rookies come into a league, the veterans make them do crazy things like get donuts for the team or carry their bags. So far, I've been lucky and nobody's asked me to do anything. But I am waiting for it to happen. Finley does give us rookies a hard time every once and a while, but other than that they've been pretty cool.
Looking forward to the upcoming season:
Hopefully, we will win a NBA Championship. If not, then just becoming a better player and person. Being around this great group of guys, I think I will be able to do that.
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Day 2 of Training Camp:
There is one major difference between college basketball and the pro game: speed! The pace of the game is so much faster than it ever was in college. That is something that will take a little getting used to.
My improvements:
There are a couple areas of my game that need some improvement: my ball handling skills and shooting. Those will definitely be ready to go by the time the season rolls around.
Training Camp vs. Summer League:
Training Camp is a step up. Summer league gave me just a small taste of what was to come in the pros. I'm really into it now and I'm getting to see what goes on behind-the-scenes.
What I plan on bringing to the Mavs:
I plan on bringing many things to the table to help this team win a championship. I have intensity and have a willingness to rebound and play defense. All those are factors that I feel will give this team a boost.
Veterans helping me out:
Everyone here has been really helpful. From the players to the coaches, they've all given me a piece of their minds and have let me know what's going on out on the court. I am just listening to everything they have to say, taking it all in and filling in the rest.
Monday, Oct. 1 - First Day of Training Camp:
Today was my first day in an NBA training camp and it wasn't too bad. A lot of stuff was thrown at me and I just tried to take it all in. I know that's what I will have to do for the next month, take things one day at a time. I've been coming to the AAC on my own for the past few weeks, working out on and off the court and I think that has helped prepare me for camp.
My impressions of Nellie and the coaching staff:
Nellie and the rest of the staff are just like any other coaching staff... they get on you when you mess up and they tell you what you are supposed to do. They will definitely help me learn the NBA game. I know Coach Nelson and the rest of the staff has been around the league for a while and have a lot of knowledge to offer me. I am just going to do my best to take it all in.
The veterans showed up for camp:
The veterans came in to camp today, even though they weren't supposed to show up until a couple days after the rookies. Since we have an early preseason game, they were allowed to come and practice with us. It helps having them around. It gives me and the rest of the rookies a chance to get their input and I can use all the help I can get, especially since I am just starting out. There's a big difference between the college game and the NBA. I'm going to have to be a sponge and absorb all the advice they give.
Media Day was Sept. 30:
Yesterday was Media Day. All the local media was able to come and talk to the whole team, take our pictures, etc. That was a different experience for me. At Wake Forest, I was in the spotlight and the media usually swarmed around me. It definitely wasn't like that here! It was a nice break for me. Because we have so many great players on our team, I kind of got to play it low-key and watch how some of the other guys like Dirk, Steve, Mike and Antawn handle all the attention.
