Full-Court Press

Flopping rules may be the same next season

WEST, TX – For those growing tired of players flopping in the NBA, don’t expect any changes next season.

At least not according to Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who is a member of the NBA’s Competition Committee.

“The competition committee met this week and a lot of progress has been made this past year and in the playoffs with the rule decreasing the amount of flops and attempted flops,’’ Carlisle said Saturday. “I believe we’re going to stay the course with the rule basically the way it is, and just continue to work to clean it up.

“And as time goes on, if it needs to be addressed again, it’ll be addressed again.’’

Carlisle was in West on Saturday as a large group from the Mavs' organization came here to put smiles on the face of the local residents who experienced a fertilizer plant explosion on Apr. 17.

-- Dwain Price

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Nowitzki believes Cuban's track record speaks for itself

DALLAS -– Dirk Nowitzki has no doubts owner Mark Cuban will get the Dallas Mavericks back in the NBA's championship conversation.

Nowitzki, the Mavs' superstar power forward, has seen Cuban do it again and again and again. In fact, the Mavs were playoff participants for 12 consecutive seasons before missing out on the postseason this year for the first time since 2000.

“I think (Cuban’s) track record has been great over the years,’’ Nowitzki said Monday at the Mavs Summer Hoop Camp. “We had 12 seasons straight (seasons) of making the playoffs, so obviously we did something right.’’

What the Mavs did right was advance to the NBA Finals in 2006, then finally break through and win the NBA title in 2011. Nowitzki credits Cuban for acquiring center Tyson Chandler prior to the 2010-’11 season as the final piece to the Mavs’ championship puzzle.

“You can say we got a little lucky, I guess, with winning the championship,’’ Nowitzki said. “We had the right kind of crew.

“Nobody really knew that Chandler was going to take us over the top that year. We came off of two years of injuries and he was exactly the piece we were missing.’’

Nowitzki hopes the Mavs can again acquire a piece like Chandler during the upcoming free agency period.

-- Dwain Price

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Nowitzki ready to be a role model to his kid

DALLAS -- For years, Dirk Nowitzki played the role of the reluctant role model.

The Dallas Mavericks' forward knew that because of his status as an NBA player, little kids, teenagers and grownups would look to him as a role model. It was something Nowitzki wasn't so sure of.

"I think for me at the beginning it was hard,'' said Nowitzki, who joined the Mavs from Germany in 1998. "I think there was a language barrier when I first here.

"It was uncomfortable speaking and I really saw myself more as a kid than a role model myself. When I came I was 20. I could have been sitting there with the kids at the camp, that’s how young I was, that’s how young I felt in my head.''

Still, Nowitzki navigated his way through the language barrier. His English got better, his game got better, and his popularity got even better.

Now, Nowitzki loves to exchange conversations with kids. He did a lot of that on Monday at the Mavs Summer Hoop Camp, which was held at the T. Boone Pickens YMCA.

It was almost as if Nowitzki was rehearsing for the life-changing event that'll take place probably sometimes next month when his wife gives birth to the couple's first child.

"I always said, off the court, one of the biggest dreams of mine is to have a family, have some kids running around,'' Nowitzki said. "I always thought I was great with kids.

"Obviously having your own is different. It’s a full-time job, but it's really exciting.''

It's an excitement Nowitzki said he's ready for.

"I timed it really well in the off-season,'' he said. "Obviously I'm not going to sleep much at the beginning, but at least that’s the summer.

"By the time, hopefully, the season rolls around I'll be able to get some sleep and have a little rhythm. I'm looking forward to having my own kid. That’ll be a great and hopefully wonderful experience.''

Much like the experience of talking to kids, which Nowitzki now fully enjoys.

"I enjoy being in the limelight a little more,'' Nowitzki said. "Back then I was really shy and now I embrace the role (of being a role model).

"Like I said I’ve been doing it for a long time and trying to help kids in the community for as long as I'm in the league. Now actually I really enjoy it. At the beginning it was a little uncomfortable for me.''

-- Dwain Price

Follow me on Twitter

@dwainprice

Nowitzki ready to be a role model to his kid

DALLAS -- For years, Dirk Nowitzki played the role of the reluctant role model.

The Dallas Mavericks' forward knew that because of his status as an NBA player, little kids, teenagers and grownups would look to him as a role model. It was something Nowitzki wasn't so sure of.

"I think for me at the beginning it was hard,'' said Nowitzki, who joined the Mavs from Germany in 1998. "I think there was a language barrier when I first here.

"It was uncomfortable speaking and I really saw myself more as a kid than a role model myself. When I came I was 20. I could have been sitting there with the kids at the camp, that’s how young I was, that’s how young I felt in my head.''

Still, Nowitzki navigated his way through the language barrier. His English got better, his game got better, and his popularity got even better.

Now, Nowitzki loves to exchange conversations with kids. He did a lot of that on Monday at the Mavs Summer Hoop Camp, which was held at the T. Boone Pickens YMCA.

It was almost as if Nowitzki was rehearsing for the life-changing event that'll take place probably sometimes next month when his wife gives birth to the couple's first child.

"I always said, off the court, one of the biggest dreams of mine is to have a family, have some kids running around,'' Nowitzki said. "I always thought I was great with kids.

"Obviously having your own is different. It’s a full-time job, but it's really exciting.''

It's an excitement Nowitzki said he's ready for.

"I timed it really well in the off-season,'' he said. "Obviously I'm not going to sleep much at the beginning, but at least that’s the summer.

"By the time, hopefully, the season rolls around I'll be able to get some sleep and have a little rhythm. I'm looking forward to having my own kid. That’ll be a great and hopefully wonderful experience.''

Much like the experience of talking to kids, which Nowitzki now fully enjoys.

"I enjoy being in the limelight a little more,'' Nowitzki said. "Back then I was really shy and now I embrace the role (of being a role model).

"Like I said I’ve been doing it for a long time and trying to help kids in the community for as long as I'm in the league. Now actually I really enjoy it. At the beginning it was a little uncomfortable for me.''

-- Dwain Price

Follow me on Twitter

@dwainprice

Nowitzki picking Heat to beat the Spurs

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki is not backing down on his pre-NBA Finals prediction that the Miami Heat will defeat the San Antonio Spurs and capture this year's championship.

The Dallas Mavericks' perennial All-Star believes the Heat has more firepower -- headed by LeBron James -- than the Spurs.

"I just think LeBron is the best player on the planet, and their supporting cast is obviously experienced,'' Nowitzki said Monday at the Mavs Summer Hoop Camp. "They've got some shooters.

"What I feel is the key, and I said it, is I think they're going to find a way to keep (Spurs point guard Tony) Parker out of the lane with the athleticism of the bigs in the pick-and-roll. They should be able to contain Parker and they can switch LeBron over. I think Parker makes that whole offense go.''

The Spurs-Heat series is tied 1-1 after San Antonio won Game 1 in Miami, and the Heat used a second-half flurry to capture Game 2 on their home court on Sunday. The next three games will be played in San Antonio on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

"I said Miami was going to win, (and) I didn't loook good after Game 1, but (the Heat) had a great Game 2,'' Nowitzki said. "They really came out there in the second half and played well, and everybody clicked, their shooters were on fire, but it's going to be a long dragged out series.''

Ultimately, Nowitzki, whose team beat Miami in six games to win the 2011 NBA title, believes the NBA will be the biggest winner no matter who captures the Spurs-Heat series.

"It should be a fun Finals to watch,'' he said. "This is a great Finals.

"This is exciting for the NBA. Both teams are really, really good -- fun to watch -- so we'll see who comes out on top.''

-- Dwain Price

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Nowitzki likes Kidd's chances as a head coach

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki let out a sigh Monday afternoon when asked about the possibilities of former teammate Jason Kidd becoming a head coach in the NBA.

Kidd retired last week following an illustrious 19-year career, which includes being a Dallas Mavericks teammate of Nowitzki from 2008-'12. Kidd is now a serious candidate to become the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

"Jason Kidd as a head coach, it's tough for me, right from player to coach,'' Nowitzki said. "That’s tough, but I think if one guy can do it, it’s him.

"I obviously played with him numerous of years and there’s stuff he came up with every year. (Kidd would say) ‘Hey, why don’t we try this, why we try that.’ ''

Kidd was generally regarded as having one of the highest basketball IQ's in the history of the NBA. How that translate to coaching is anybody's guess.

"He’s got an unbelievable mind for basketball,'' Nowitzki said. "There’s stuff he sees out there it’s almost like a coach already.

"Like I said, that's a tough transition, but if anybody can do it I think it’s him.''

If Kidd lands a head coaching job, Nowitzki is sure he'll be surrounded by assistants who have been around the block a few years.

"Usually what teams do when you have an ex-player that’s coaching is that you get really, really good assistants that’s been around, that has experience, that know what's going on in the game so that at least takes some pressure off the ex-player,'' Nowitzki said. "If he decides to do that, then I'm sure they’re going to get some assistants that have plenty of experience.''

-- Dwain Price

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Mavs' Dionne Calhoun receives big honor

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks assistant trainer Dionne Calhoun received a major honor Thursday when he captured the David Craig Assistant Trainer of the Year Award.

The annual award is handed out by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association and recognizes Calhoun's dedication, performance and outstanding service.

Calhoun worked two years for the San Francisco 49ers and just finished his eighth year with the Mavs.

A native of Compton, Calif., Calhoun received a bachelor's degree from San Diego State in kinesiology -- with an emphasis in athletic training -- in 2000. He also is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the National Basketball Athletic Trainers' Association, and is licensed as an athletic trainer in the state of Texas.

 "While there are many qualified candidates for this award, we are very proud of Dionne and feel it is completely deserved,'' said Casey Smith, the Mavs' head athletic trainer. "His contributions to the organization are appreciated by those of us who work closely with him every day, but for those outside of our organization to recognize him is truly special.''

-- Dwain Price

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What's next for Seattle and its NBA bid?

DALLAS – The folks in Seattle will get another NBA team one day.

It just won’t happen under commissioner David Stern’s watch.

The NBA owners voted 22-8 on Wednesday to keep the Kings in Sacramento during a meeting
held at the Hilton Anatole. The vote came despite the fact that the Seattle group led by Chris Hansen put up a higher bid than a Sacramento group, which is led by Silicon Valley billionaire Vivek Ranadive and Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson.

So, despite a higher and NBA-record bid of $625 million, a promise to build a new arena and an offer to kick in an additional relocation payout fee of over $4 million for each of the 30 owners, somehow the  Seattle group failed to prusuade the owners to vote in its favor?

“I mean, Chris Hansen did everything he said he would do plus more,’’ said Stern, who plans to retire
in February. “Steve Ballmer (part of Hansen’s group) couldn't have been more supportive, and in a good way, just all‑in in the effort.

 “We have and retain a very good relationship with both of them, and we anticipate a continued relationship of some type.’’

Stern all but said that once the group from Sacramento went full-bore and was all-in into keeping the Kings in Sacramento, it was going to be difficult for anyone to pry the Kings away from Sacramento. Especially when money was put into escrow and property was secured to build a new arena in
downtown Sacramento.

“I think that once Sacramento got engaged in doing this and being able to deliver on the promise, which didn't really exist when the original deal was made in Seattle, that the principal advantage to the incumbent was going to prevail, looking back with hindsight,’’ Stern said. “Nobody really thought that the property could be acquired, that the second site could be acquired, that the money could
be put into escrow, all kinds of things, or that the size and strength of the group that ultimately was in Sacramento, would likely emerge.

“So kudos to Vivek Ranadive and actually to all of the owners who were here. . .So it was advantage incumbent. Nobody had any doubt that the same or similar thing could happen in Seattle. It was just do you give the edge to a city that has a 28‑year history of support?’’

That’s certainly no consolation prize to Seattle, who failed five years ago in preventing the Sonics from leaving Seattle and moving to Oklahoma City.

With Adam Silver set to replace Stern next season, the current commissioner has no doubts basketball will return to the Emerald City.

“This was very difficult because the board and the committee was presented with a very strong Seattle bid from a very strong Seattle group, and they were faced with something else of a similar nature from Sacramento which are detailed,’’ Stern said. “ And that just was a lot of to and fro', lot of ex‑spouts from experts, a lot of legal analysis, a lot of document analysis.

“This was just a lot of work over a longer period of time than I hope ever happens again for Adam's sake.’’

So how does Seattle attract an NBA franchise after almost opening the bank to the NBA this time around?

“Well, I guess that's an ongoing conversation that I think would best be had by Commissioner‑elect Silver, and then Commissioner Silver and the powers that be in Seattle and interested purchasers,’’ Stern said. “There have been, from time to time, several interested purchasers.’’

Silver chimed in by saying: “The only thing I’d add is we've never wavered in our desire to return to the Seattle market at some point, as Chris Hansen made clear in his presentation to the Board of Governors today.  The league continues to enjoy strong support in the Seattle market.

“We have strong support for our telecast, our national telecast in Seattle, and expansion was discussed at least as a possibility down the road.  We want to wait and see what happens in our
next national television negotiation, but we're very appreciative of the fans in Seattle, and we've regretted having to leave the market the last time and we fully expect we'll return there one day.’’

-- Dwain Price

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Nash believes Mavs had too many players with one-year deals

SAN ANTONIO -– Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash believes he knows why the Dallas Mavericks missed the playoffs this year for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.

“Obviously, it turned into a pretty tough situation to succeed when they had to sign all those guys to one-year deals,’’ Nash told the Star-Telegram following Monday’s practice at the Texas Military Institute. “You’re not only putting a bunch of new guys on the team.

“But you’re also trying to put a bunch that don’t know what their future is together. So that’s a difficult situation.”

-- Dwain Price

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Nash said Nowitzki will be a great dad

SAN ANTONIO – Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash is very happy that his friend -- Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki -– is about to become a father for the first time.

Nowitzki said his wife, Jessica, is slated to give birth to the couple's first child in the latter part of this summer.

“I’m thrilled for him,’’ Nash told the Star-Telegram after Monday’s practice at the Texas Military Institute. “I told him how pumped I am for him and how excited I am.

“It’s going to be such a thrill for him and Jessica. He’s going to be a great dad.’’

Nash, who became fast friends with Nowitzki when the two were Mavs teammates from 1998-2004, believes Nowitzki and fatherhood go hand-in-hand.

“He’s got a big heart, so he’ll be a great dad,’’ Nash said. “The only advice I have to him is to know that it’s the hardest thing he’ll ever do, so it’s something you really have to work hard at.’’

-- Dwain Price

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@dwainprice