Most Valuable Player -Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Fort Worth)
Q. You didn’t look very tired out there for a guy who had a busy week.
I can feel it though, I came from Houston a couple of days ago and then I went to Austin yesterday and I played. And going back up to the Mavericks I usually don’t get that much time, so I had to find a way to get my wind back, and yesterday I didn’t play so well. So I wanted to come back and show Coach [Sidney] Moncrief that I was going to be able to play and I was going to make up for what happened yesterday, so I just wanted to come and play as hard as I could, which is the only way I know how to play.

Q. Talk about it what its like to be an environment with these other players.
I’m just glad I’m here. When they said that I had made the team, I was already back up with the Mavericks so I told some of the people in the front office that I really wanted to play. And I really wanted to be a part of this whole event so I just made it my goal to come back and play. It wasn’t about winning the MVP for me; it was about being with these great players and being known as one of the better players in the D-League. So I’m just glad I was part of the whole event.

Q. The Mavericks are pretty deep. Do you think a performance like this will help you with another team?
I’m a Maverick; I’m going to be a Maverick. We’re on a very deep team, so as competitive as I am, I am not really as mad that I’m not getting a lot of time because we obviously have the best power forward in the game and the best team in the NBA. I’m on a good team, so I can’t complain about not getting a lot of minutes, my time will come, and I have to pay my dues. So, I think this is part of it too.

Q. What do you think you need to do to make the NBA on a full-time basis?
Be more consistent. I think the question about me is whether I can guard multiple positions. Whether I can be more consistent on offense, and make sure that I’m a defensive threat at the same time. I think what coach [Avery Johnson] wants from me is more experience. I haven’t been playing basketball too long, so my basketball IQ – I’m increasing that everyday. So I’m just trying to learn as much as possible and pick up as much as I can from some of my teammates.

Q. Talk about some of the people that have helped you get to this point.
The whole Dallas Mavericks, I got players likes Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse. They’re really helpful in getting me along in this whole process. They schooled me in what to do and what not to do. And being down in the D-League has been great for me. I go down there, I’m getting the reps, and I’m playing all the minutes. So it helps me build my confidence, so when I go back up with the Mavericks I’m ready to go and I’m not sloppy and I’m not out of synch.

Sidney Moncrief, Head Coach East
Q: Can you talk about the experience of being out here as head coach of the D-League All-Stars?
It was a lot of fun. I was thinking, “Wow, if I had this team every night, it’d be great.” It was a great experience. I was coaching good players who really know how to play the game. They were all willing to sacrifice their personal goals for the team goal, and that’s what helped us win the game today.

Q: Can you enlighten us to your travel schedule – it sounded like some players and coaches alike have been up against a tight timeline.
Well our team played last night in Austin, and then those of us coming out here had 6:30 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. flights – and that’s after we got home from last night’s game at around 2:00 a.m. Some players are turning around and heading back right away. I am staying for the night – I needed the extra rest.

Q: Was there a message that you tried to get across in the locker room about what it means to be a D-League All-Star?
I was trying to make them understand that this game is a showcase but we have to play the game the right way – and I think we did. This is high-quality basketball, not a playground game. I told them we had to move the ball and play defense. I think they did a good job of that and represented themselves very well tonight. It was a total team effort. These guys are All-Stars because they know how to sacrifice the personal for the good of the team.

Joe Wolf, Head Coach West
Q: Can you give us your overall impressions of the game today?
We just didn’t hit shots. We had a smaller team, so we knew we had to come out and push the pace and hit shots. We were certainly capable of it – everyone out here could shoot the ball. We just didn’t have our legs today and our shots didn’t fall. You also have to give those guys credit – they were very successful going inside on us and using their size to their advantage.

Q: You mentioned your guys didn’t have their legs underneath them tonight. Can you attribute some of that to the hectic travel schedules?
Well my legs are ok. (Laughs). We (Colorado 14ers) left Broomfield, Colorado on Wednesday and flew to Bakersfield to play the Jam on Thursday night. Then we took a bus down to Anaheim to play there on Friday night. Then this morning we woke up and flew from Anaheim to here and now we have to get back to Anaheim from here to play again tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

Q: What was the main message you tried to get across to your team about the honor of being selected to compete in the inaugural D-League All-Star Game?
Just do what you do. I let them know that they were nominated to be All-Stars in this game for a reason and your talents are what they are, so come in here and show people why you are an All-Star. I told them to come in here and respect the game and play hard – and I think that’s exactly what they did – unfortunately, we just didn’t hit shots.

Q: What are the biggest positive things that you can take away from this experience in serving as head coach?
It was just a great experience. This whole NBA All-Star experience is fantastic for the fans, for players and for anybody involved in basketball. It is a great event for the game of basketball and we’re all just honored to have our day in the sun and to be a part of experience.

Elton Brown (Colorado)
Q: You’re having a tremendous season in the D-League. How close do you think you are at this point?
I think I’m real close. I’ve been putting up some big numbers, averaging double figures in points and rebounds, and our team is also having success. Hopefully an NBA team will call and the time will be right and the opportunity will be there.

Q: Do you think the issue with you not being as tall as NBA power forwards is overrated?
There are a lot of smaller power forwards [in terms of height] having success in the NBA, guys like Zach Randolph, Elton Brand. Those guys are basically my size. The height thing doesn’t matter as much as some people think. You can have a seven-footer, but what if he plays with no heart. It’s about who can get the job done at the end of the night.

Q: Why have you opted for the D-League at this point instead of playing overseas?
I went overseas, was in the top league in Greece, led the league in rebounding and won rookie of the year. After that, I figured I’d have a good chance to stick with an NBA team, once I got the opportunity. All I need is a shot.

Q: What would you say about the overall talent level in the D-League?
It’s pretty incredible night in and night out. Everybody comes out with a lot of intensity each night. The teams are really eager to win. I’ve had a great experience.

Dijon Thompson (Albuquerque)
Q: You had a recent call up with the Atlanta Hawks. How close do you think you are at this point to sticking for good in the NBA?
I think I’m right there, right on the cusp. I think I just need time and opportunity. I’m not even doubting my skills. I think I have what it takes and when the right situation comes along, hopefully I’ll make the most of it.

Q: What was your experience like with the Hawks?
It was fun. A very good learning experience. Good to learn a new system, having been with Phoenix last year. I enjoyed all the players. It’s a young team. They treated me very well.

Q: One of the criticisms you’ve heard about your game is that you don’t play with enough aggression, and that you’re too unselfish. What do you think of that?
I’m just an unselfish player. I like making plays for teammates. I know I can score the basketball, but I think you have to balance that with trying to make plays for others, in order to win games.

Q: Would you agree that the talent level in the D-League continues to get better and better each year?
Definitely, especially when teams are sending down players the caliber of a Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who had a great game tonight. There’s a lot of NBA experience the in the D-League, and you really need to bring it every night to get noticed.