Mavericks 2002-2003 Preseason Press Conference

[fearthebrow]

Welcome to the Dallas Mavericks' preseason press conference. It's been a busy off-season! First of all, we're thrilled about our Finals appearance last season. No one likes to lose a championship, but what we accomplished last season was legendary. We look forward to carrying that momentum over to our team this year.

One thing we wanted to improve this year was our bench. So we did. Rookie Mike Dunleavy is key to our long-term plan. After a nice training camp, he has solidified himself as the sharpshooting bench threat that he will be. Additionally, Derek Fisher will come off the bench backing up Andre Miller and playing shooting guard as well. We think Fisher will provide lockdown defense and that he rounds out our backcourt nicely with Bruce Bowen. Finally, we were able to bring back veteran Chris Gatling. He'll also come off the bench, and he'll provide important minutes at the 4 and 5.

We also added several other veteran post players in Toni Kukoc, Anthony Mason, Brad Dougherty, and PJ Brown. These guys have battled throughout training camp and the preseason. One of them will emerge as a starter this season.

Finally, we think we have an awesome core in Andre Miller, Antawn Jamison, and Marcus Camby. With Dunleavy and Fisher added to the mix now, we feel great about our chances. We also have three 2003 first round picks next season.

The time is now in Dallas. Championship or bust. Questions anyone?

[aburns211]

You say "championship or bust". Is it safe to assume that your stockpile of draft picks will be used as trade bait to bring in the talent to win a championship now? Or are you confident enough in your roster as is?

[fearthebrow]

You say "championship or bust". Is it safe to assume that your stockpile of draft picks will be used as trade bait to bring in the talent to win a championship now? Or are you confident enough in your roster as is?

We like our team the way it is. We kept last year's core in tact and made a few additions that we think will make us better than last year. Next year's draft picks will only help. We think we're in a very good spot.

[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker from the Cleveland Rocker:

You surprised everyone last season. How did you do it, and how are you going to get that going now that you are no longer a surprise?

[WigNosy]

How much improvement do you need to see from Andre Miller this season for your team to get back to the Conference Finals or beyond?

[fearthebrow]

Dr. Rocker from the Cleveland Rocker:

You surprised everyone last season. How did you do it, and how are you going to get that going now that you are no longer a surprise?

We flew under the radar last year, but we knew we had a good team after Marcus Camby was acquired. This year with the same core and a few improvements, we have high expectations. We look forward to getting every team's best shot.

[fearthebrow]

How much improvement do you need to see from Andre Miller this season for your team to get back to the Conference Finals or beyond?

Our biggest priority this offseason was making sure Andre and Derek Fisher became familiar with each other's playing styles. We think they'll provide a great one-two punch with Fisher coming off the bench. Andre needs to just continue doing what he does best -- distribute the ball, play good D, and be a great floor general.

[coltsguy510]

Who do you see you as your star player?

[fearthebrow]

Who do you see you as your star player?

Antawn Jamison is our star player. He led our team to a Finals appearance last year. He'll be a force for many years to come.

[Bowtothebill23]

With Weatherspoon leaving and your vast depth of backcourt and wing talent, will Antawn Jamison be switching to the 4 this season?

[fearthebrow]

With Weatherspoon leaving and your vast depth of backcourt and wing talent, will Antawn Jamison be switching to the 4 this season?

Antawn will start at SF, but he'll also see minutes at the 4. It depends on matchups, but he's more comfortable and durable at SF.

[Darth Vegito]

Yes or no, do you think Andre Miller deserves a max contract? Because despite the faith you "say" you have in him, what I see is a underachieving and inefficient player posing as a star. Can he defend? Sure. Can he be the floor general? Probably. But is he not a HUGE liability on the offensive side of the ball? His FG% have decreased EVERY season since he was drafted. Do you consider taking him off the court in the 4th quarter so he doesn't cost you a game? And if so, how can you justify paying a guy like that so much money?

[fearthebrow]

Yes or no, do you think Andre Miller deserves a max contract? Because despite the faith you "say" you have in him, what I see is a underachieving and inefficient player posing as a star. Can he defend? Sure. Can he be the floor general? Probably. But is he not a HUGE liability on the offensive side of the ball? His FG% have decreased EVERY season since he was drafted. Do you consider taking him off the court in the 4th quarter so he doesn't cost you a game? And if so, how can you justify paying a guy like that so much money?

Andre fills a very important role, and he fills it well. Of course we'd love to see his offense improve, but we're not concerned about his offensive production because that's not what we demand of him. At this point it's a bit early for us to talk publicly about his future contract, but I'll let it be known that Andre is an important piece to our puzzle. Numbers aren't as important to us as results are, and we made the Finals last season with him as our floor general. We like him a lot.

[PrepP]

Will Mike Dunleavy be your 6th man this season and what type of production are you expecting of him?

[NOLa.]

You were right there in the championship game of the Finals last season but fell short to the champs. Do you feel this team is better than last seasons, and is another trip to the finals only to be bounced so easily considered a waste?

Sent via Morse code

[Soundwave]

Tell us something about yourself that we don't already know.

[fearthebrow]

Will Mike Dunleavy be your 6th man this season and what type of production are you expecting of him?

Mike will be our 6th or 7th man this season, filling in for Antawn off the bench. He's a solid basketball player in the making, and he brings great 3 point shooting ability. All we ask of him is to keep the turnovers down and to make one or two 3 pointers per game.

[fearthebrow]

You were right there in the championship game of the Finals last season but fell short to the champs. Do you feel this team is better than last seasons, and is another trip to the finals only to be bounced so easily considered a waste?

Sent via Morse code

We're definitely a better team. We lost Macon and Weatherspoon to free agency, but we added Mike Dunleavy, Derek Fisher, and a few others. We're also one year older.

Our rebuild won't be complete until next season, so if we make the Finals this season and lose again, it won't be considered a waste. We have a young team and that kind of experience is invaluable.

[IamQuailman]

Awarded 5 pts!