Mavs Spotlight: Mayo, Crowder make their marks in Mavs' preseason home opener
Mavs Spotlight: Mayo, Crowder make their marks in Mavs' preseason home opener
DALLAS – For Dallas Mavericks rookie Jae Crowder, his NBA journey is just beginning. Meanwhile, fifth-year guard O.J. Mayo’s path met a crossroad this offseason, leading him to Dallas as a free agent.
The two paths crossed at an intersection this summer when, after being drafted in the second round with the No. 34 overall pick, Crowder – who teamed with Mayo’s younger brother, Todd, at Marquette – ceremoniously forfeited his No. 32 jersey to Mayo after he signed with the team. The two then bonded while working out together months before the Mavericks assembled for training camp.
So, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone within the Mavericks’ organization when Mayo and Crowder starred on the offensive end in the team’s preseason home opener.
The hard work this summer seemed to pay off for both Monday night, after Mayo and Crowder carved up the Houston Rockets’ defense for 20 points each in a 123-104 preseason home win to improve to 2-1 in exhibition play. More importantly, it could be just the start of much more to come.
With 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki sidelined for the second straight exhibition game due to a right knee effusion, the ball swung to Mayo in the starting lineup on the offensive end Monday night despite the laceration on his shooting hand. And after an abysmal 0-for-7 shooting night in a 99-85 defeat to F.C. Barcelona Regal last Tuesday night following a fall on a flight of stairs that left a gash in his right hand, Mayo quickly recaptured the form that made him such a hot commodity for the Mavs’ front office.
“It’s a much different role than my last two years,” Mayo said, referencing the reserve role he played for Memphis in Years 3 and 4 of his young career before becoming a starter in Dallas. “It’s kind of a green light, but it’s a responsible green light. Still make great plays, hit the open guy but remain aggressive.”
That aggression showed itself in the third quarter of Monday night’s victory when Mayo scored 10 points in a 20-0 Dallas run that blew the game open. And in just over 23 minutes, Mayo finished 7-of-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
Then it was Crowder’s turn.
Coming in cold off the bench late in the third quarter, the first-year budding star still managed to hit 8-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-7 from deep in about 15 minutes of action. He also showed the ability to affect the game at both ends of the court, to the delight of Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.
“Look, he was the Big East Player of the Year, so he’s a good offensive player,” Carlisle said with high praise for the rookie. “But, the reason people love him so much as a prospect is because of his attitude, his disposition and his toughness. You know, he took a charge on [Royce] White that one time and the guy is like a freight train; he just stood there and just flat out took it right through the chest. And when you make a play like that defensively, it just energizes the team. … So, he did what he’s supposed to do. He stepped into open shots and he played his [tail] off at the defensive end.”
“I’m just a ball player, just trying to get it done by any means,” Crowder modestly added. “Whether it be on the offensive end or the defensive end, I don’t want to limit myself to being a dirty work player or nothing like that. I’m just a basketball player when it comes down to it and I like to win ballgames.”
In order to win ballgames this season, however, the Mavericks may need even more from Crowder and Mayo when the games begin to actually count in the standings. Still, after putting in the work together this summer, don’t be surprised if the two are up for the challenge.
Note: The Mavericks return to action Wednesday night in an exhibition showdown against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The game will air on TXA 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS or by visiting Mavs.com.
