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NBA coaching staffs are about as transient as railroad hobos. Just when you learn all their names, where they sit, and what they do,
it is a new season and the faces have changed. Below is a cheat sheet to catch you up as to who is on the bench this season.
Back Row (Left to Right):
Gary Fineske:
Full-time, on-staff massage therapist. He works on players during timeouts to keep them loose or works on problem areas that a player may be experiencing during the game – tight muscles, cramps, etc. If he is not behind the bench,
he is probably working on an injured player more thoroughly in the locker room.
Monte Mathis:
Video Coordinator. Monte is a long-time college coach who keeps a litany of stats during the game in order to rate the performance of the Mavericks after each period of the game. He charts and rates man-to-man defense, zone defense, post defense, post offense, transition defense, transition offense, screens for scores, and pick and rolls to name a few. At each quarter the stats are reviewed and interpreted by Paul Westphal who then relays the information to head coach Avery Johnson.
***Not pictured but in a back room is Mike Shedd,
an assistant video coach who works closely with Monte during the game. Mike slices, dices, bags, and tags the entire game in real time. He breaks down each play and compiles a video of each offensive and defensive stand.
Late in the second quarter each game Monte will send a list of plays (selected by Avery and used as speaking points at halftime) that Mike will have queued up for review at halftime. Mondrick Jones is also in the back room helping with the game tapes.
Lester Geason:
Part-time bench help. Is an athletic trainer for high schools in real life. He makes sure all the players get the drinks they want during the game.
Popeye Jones:
Player Development Coach. Ex-Mavericks player and long time NBA journeyman. His game night responsibilities focus on defensive grading system. After each quarter he gives a report to the head coach.
Billy Owens:
Player Development Coach. 11-year NBA veteran. On game nights he helps by keeping track of uncontested shots, deflections, penetration baskets, and transition baskets.
Front Row (Left to Right):
Mario Elie:
Assistant Coach. 11-year NBA veteran. 3-time NBA champion. First season with the Mavericks. Works closely with Avery Johnson. Mario has game night responsibilities for scouting the opponents 31 games of the season. When a coach is assigned to scout the opponent, it means that he focuses on what the opponent does offensively and what the Mavericks will do to stop them defensively. Played with Avery Johnson on the 1999 San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship Team.
Paul Westphal:
Assistant Coach. 24 years coaching experience. 12 year NBA player. NBA Champion as a player in 1974 with the Boston Celtics. First year with the Mavericks. Game night responsibilities include overseeing trends in the game, interpreting stats from other assistants and translating them to the head coach. General over-all game experience helps him to be a heady advisor to the head coach.
Avery Johnson:
Head Coach. Responsible for it all. Main man. It's his show.
Avery prowls the sideline calling offensive and defensive plays. You might have seen or heard him if you have been to a game. Actually, you probably heard him if you were sitting at home watching the broadcast. Avery is an intense, hard working perfectionist who had a 16-year career in the NBA. Won a championship in 1999 with the San Antonio Spurs. You don't survive as a 6-foot nothing point guard in a land of giants without the heart of a lion.
Joe Prunty:
Assistant Coach. 16 years of coaching experience. Long-time San Antonio Spurs assistant coach.
Collected 3 NBA championships during his 9-year tenure with the Spurs. Works closely with the head coach and is responsible for 51 opponent scouts throughout the season. Big time X's and O's guy who works closely with video coordinators to prepare for each game.
Casey Smith:
Head Athletic Trainer. Sits at the front of the bench overseeing the general health of the Mavericks. If everything is going smoothly he helps the team by keeping track of timeouts and fouls.
Baseline perpendicular to bench (not pictured):
Robert Hackett:
Assistant Coach/Strength and Conditioning. “Hack” is in his 6th season for the Mavericks and on game nights he helps stretch players and make sure that they are prepared to play throughout the game.
Mark Cuban:
The most famous sports owner in America is known for speaking gently to the referees about their game performance. Often gives friendly advice and precise recommendations to referees about certain calls they make throughout the game. I guess you could say he is sort of like a consultant to the refs as well as the owner of the team.
Al Whitley:
Equipment Manager.
Yeah, that's Mr. Whitley with the disappointed scowl on his face for the referee who didn't blow the whistle on Dirk's drive to the basket. I am sure MC is offering his opinion as well at that particular moment in time. Probably jumped right up out of his seat to offer his assistance in making the obvious foul call. Al's game night responsibilities include making sure everything is right with the player's uniforms and shoes.
Dionne Calhoun:
Assistant Athletic Trainer.
Assists players with minor injuries and gives game time treatment to players on the injured list. Fills in for Casey if a player needs immediate attention to a major injury during a game.
Mike Roth:
Long-time/part-time Mavericks employee. Grew up in the locker room as a ball boy and is now assistant equipment manager. Helps equipment manager Al Whitley on game nights with player uniforms, shoes, socks, and is also responsible for setting up the bench and making sure Al and Dionne's “floor seats” have enough air. That's inside scoop,
don't tell anyone.
Cash Birdwell:
Part-time trainer for the Mavericks. Retired trainer who keeps his skills tuned up by working with the prima donna referees before and after each game. Cash sits in the opposing tunnel during games keeping the heat wraps ready for players to use as they come off the floor. A lot of players use them to keep their backs warm and also their knees.
In a nutshell, that is the Dallas Mavericks' bench. Speaking of furniture, did you know that the Dallas Mavericks are running an awesome promotion with Stacy Furniture? You know Stacy Furniture. They run commercials on cable every night when you are flipping channels between Cold Case
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and Without a Trace
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You've probably caught a glimpse of one. It's the dude and his daughter. Come on man, you know who I mean.
At any rate, this is the last week you get a chance to get your furniture purchase for free.
You can check out the fine print of the deal here: http://www.stacyfurniture.com/deal/
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DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that you can check NBA.com the morning of a Mavericks game and be alerted as to which referees will be working the game that night? Check it out so you can be an informed heckler.
http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
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