Training Camp Report: Day 7 - Mavs adjust to European time difference, Kaman goes through full practice
Training Camp Report: Day 7 - Mavs adjust to European time difference, Kaman goes through full practice
BERLIN – Although Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is normally a lead-by-example type of guy, even the head man on the sideline fell victim to the carryover effect from the team’s travel to Europe this week.
After preaching to his players not to fall asleep too soon in order to get adjusted to the seven-hour time difference, Carlisle was caught candidly on camera by Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki asleep on the team’s bus. It was just further proof of how hectic the last few days have been for the Mavs since leaving Big D for Germany, as the squad prepares for its first exhibition contest on Saturday versus ALBA Berlin.
“He was like, ‘Guys don’t sleep, don’t sleep,’ and he was passed out,” swingman Vince Carter joked after he watched his coach unexpectedly catch up on some much-needed rest. “I saw him and I saw Dirk take the picture. I didn’t think he was gonna tweet it, but it was classic. I forgot to retweet it. Thanks for reminding me.”
“I saw it live,” newcomer Elton Brand laughing added. “We were on the bus and we were just cracking up laughing. Coach told us not to go to sleep but to stay up, don’t go to sleep, and then he gets caught with his mouth open sleeping like that. That’s pretty embarrassing but it’s pretty funny.”
All joking aside, however, the Mavericks appeared to finally be adjusted to their new schedule when they reconvened at O2 World Arena for a Friday morning practice, fine-tuning their skills one day before facing off against another team for the first time.
“I think everybody is as adjusted as we’re gonna be,” Carter added. “Two or three days is not gonna be enough. We’re gonna have to get up early to practice. As long as I don’t look at what time it is in Dallas then I’m OK.”
Friday, it was revealed by Carlisle that the 6-foot-6 Carter could be featured a number of different ways this preseason, including a little time at power forward. Meanwhile, the Mavericks could be at full strength after both center Chris Kaman (sprained lower back) and big man Brandan Wright (strained quad), who celebrated his 25th birthday on Friday, went through the full practice.
Showing no ill effects of the injury in practice, Kaman hopes to play for the first time with his new team, likely starting if he is able to suit up. And after playing for a Los Angeles Clippers team in 2006 that fell to defeat in a European exhibition matchup, the 7-footer hopes to help notch a victory and doesn’t plan on just settling for his first game action in a Mavericks uniform.
“Actually, I was on a team that lost to CSKA in Moscow a few years ago with the Clippers. I definitely don’t want to have that happen again here,” Kaman said, reminiscing on the loss despite his 15 points and 11 rebounds in that game. “They have a good team. … We have to do what we came to do and try to win these games. It’s early in the season and we don’t have all our plays down and everything, but we’re getting there and we’re slowly improving every day. And it’s important to have everybody healthy as well. I’m glad I’m back in the lineup, I’m back in the rotation and I feel comfortable.”
Hopefully for the Mavs’ sake the seven other new additions share Kaman’s comfort level, as the team tries to build chemistry and establish an identity on the fly.
“Eight new guys, these games are important. You get to find out where guys like the ball, certain tendencies, and I think getting together a few days earlier than other teams helps,” Brand explained. “Playing these preseason games bodes well for our club. I think these preseason games are really gonna help us get better and grow as a team.”
