Category: Dallas Mavericks Blog

After arriving in Dallas a month ago to work on his game, O.J. Mayo was stunned to see a certain 7-foot German dude sweating on the American Airlines Center practice court.

Rest assured that there won’t be a repeat of a rusty, out-of-shape Dirk Nowitzki showing up at training camp.

“He was in here working out and staying in shape,” Mayo said. “It was a crazy, crazy thing to see because he’s a franchise player and he was here early like it’s his first or second year. I think that’s enough said there.”

— Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas

Dirk Nowitzki has racked up a lot of mileage on his body in 14 NBA seasons. He’s seen action in 1,055 games and played 38,314 minutes over his career, putting him 11th and sixth, respectively, among active players.

So how much longer will Nowitzki stick around? He answered that question — sort of — during a Q&A session with fans on Twitter Sunday afternoon.

Nowitzki, who uses the Twitter handle @swish41, told a fan that he’d play two more seasons “for sure” and then “see how I feel.” Nowitzki has two more years left on his current contract with the Mavs, which expires when he’ll be 36 years old.

— Reported by the Dallas Morning News

The Texas Legends have named Eduardo Najera the first Mexican-born head coach under the NBA umbrella, pending NBA approval.  Najera becomes the third head coach in Legends history, following former NBA Coach of the Year Del Harris, and basketball Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.

Subject to NBA approval, Najera will also be a minority owner of the Legends, as well as hold a front office position with the Mavericks. Najera’s NBA career began with the Mavericks in 2000, after he became the first Mexican-born player to be drafted in NBA history.

“I have the utmost respect for Eddie,” commented Legends Owner Donnie Nelson.  “The work ethic he exhibited as a player, and his knowledge of the NBA game will serve him well in his role as Head Coach of the Legends.  Whether coaching a rookie, or an NBA veteran, Coach Najera will have valuable insight for all of our players.  I am equally excited to begin working with Eddie in a front office capacity with the Mavericks as he learns the management side of the game.  I am proud to be able to call Eddie an ownership partner with the Legends.”

Najera announced his retirement from the NBA as a player in the same press conference.  Of Najera’s 12 seasons in the NBA, five were in a Mavericks uniform — 2000-04; 2009-10 — and he still regards Plano as his primary residence. In his first four seasons, the power forward averaged 17.4 minutes, helping Dallas reach its first postseason since 1990 in his rookie season.

“This is a dream come true,” commented Najera.  “I have long wondered what would be in store for me when I hung up the basketball playing shoes, and this is the perfect opportunity for my post-playing career.  The chance to develop as a coach, while also assisting Mark (Cuban) and Donnie with the Mavs, is an ideal situation.  I am thankful to have individuals such as Mark Cuban, Donnie Nelson, and Del Harris by my side as individuals to lean on for advice.”

Del Harris was the Legends head coach for the 2011-12 season, which saw the Legends have a team record two players called up to the NBA (Sean Williams and Dan Gadzuric).  Harris will return to his front office role as General Manager.  Najera represents another branch of Harris’ coaching tree.  Harris has coached more than 60 people who have become NBA or collegiate coaches, and 11 of Harris’ assistants have gone on to NBA head coaching positions.

“I look forward to assisting Eddie in any way possible as General Manager,” said Harris.  “I am proud to say that one of my former players is taking over the coaching reigns, and look forward to watching Eddie’s development as a coach.”

Najera’s addition as a minority owner brings the Legends ownership group to four individuals, including Chinese-born Sonny Xiao, the first Chinese-born owner under the NBA umbrella (joining original owners Nelson and Evan Wyly).

“Roddy B’s been working out actually. He’s been in the gym; I saw him just the other day. He’s taking boxing classes,” [Mark] Cuban said during his 70-minute appearance Tuesday on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s “Ben & Skin Show.” “I told Roddy and the folks around him, I said he’s got to learn to throw a punch and take a punch. So he’s been taking some boxing classes, he’s been working out, he’s bigger, he’s stronger. He’s going to have a chance to compete, just like everybody.”

This is a seriously heavy season approaching for the 24-year-old Beaubois. It his fourth season and the last on his contract. His eye-popping, “Free Roddy B” rookie season is all but forgotten. With a totally remade Mavs team that includes proven youth at both guard positions in Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo, Beaubois must prove he has finally put his foot injury from the summer of 2010 in the rear-view mirror and that he is ready to take charge of his career.

— Reported by Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas

For Jason Terry, winning an NBA title was the ultimate as far as personal team achievements are concerned. But what could happen next would be sheer euphoria.

“The bow was winning the championship, but the icing on the cake will be putting that jersey up in the rafters,’’ Terry told the Star-Telegram on Monday. “If it happens, I’ll be grateful.’’

Terry was referring to the possibility of having his Dallas Maverick No. 31 jersey retired in the American Airlines Center rafters.

— Reported by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Blog)