Mavs Notebook: Luka’s China Tour, Lively at Pro Devils Weekend, Cuban’s Klay Insight, and More
Stay updated with the latest Mavs news: Luka's China tour highlights, Cuban on Klay's fit, and more as we count down to training camp at UNLV.
The Dallas Mavericks still have 29 days until media day and now 30 days until they open training camp at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
This won’t yet be a daily newsletter since there isn’t a lot going on related to the Mavericks until the season truly arrives. However, this will be a convenient way to keep up with all of my content across different platforms in a one-stop shop, while also receiving content I haven’t yet used elsewhere. I will be including content with credit to others when it stands out to me as well. For now, this will likely be more of a weekly than a daily format.
In this edition of the Mavs Notebook, we’ll dive into the latest updates and offer a glimpse into what’s to come as the countdown to the season continues. Let's kick things off with Luka's recent journey to the Great Wall of China.
Luka Dončić visits Great Wall of China and makes Beijing stop
Luka Dončić participated in the Jordan Brand Family tour alongside fellow NBA standouts Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero. The tour started in Shanghai followed by a final stop in Beijing, which included plenty of opportunities to interact with fans and also take in the experience, including the Great Wall of China.
For a more comprehensive look at Dončić’s involvement on the tour, you can check out my recent post with content from both the Beijing and Shanghai stop. The video from my YouTube channel is another great option.
Dereck Lively II puts in work at his old stomping grounds
Enjoying his time before the 2024-24 NBA season starts, Dereck Lively II visited Duke University during Pro Devils Weekend, where he caught the football team’s season-opener against Elon and put in work at the school’s basketball facility, known as “The K Center.”
“ It shows it's really a brotherhood, it's really a big old family. Many years, many opportunities, many different stories, many different paths,” Lively said in a video posted by Duke Basketball. “You've got to be able to love how all the stories can meet here, and you know we all can be under one roof, having fun, under the Duke logo, and just enjoying each other's presence.”
As seen in the video posted by Duke Basketball on X, Lively continues to spend a lot of time working with assistant coach Sean Sweeney. It’s been a busy summer for Sweeney, who also assisted Luka Dončić’s Slovenian national team during the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece before facing elimination.
Duke prospect Khaman Maluach appreciates Lively’s mentorship
Lively, 20, is already making a positive impact on the development of his peers despite his young age, which should tell you everything you need to know about his future as a leader in an NBA locker room. Maluach appreciated hearing the insight Lively shared from the Mavericks’ Finals run, while also working together on their touch in the paint, balance on hook shots, and patience in their approach.
"Working out with Dereck, it's amazing," Maluach said in a video posted by Duke basketball. "He was just in the Finals. Getting to know some of his experiences here, and we're working basically on the touch and the whole-around game, balance, staying on balance while going for hook shots — that's like the most important thing I learned today. And taking your time, too, you don't have to rush.
"I'm grateful that I got this opportunity to work out with him," he added.
Mark Cuban dishes on Klay Thompson’s Mavericks role
Mark Cuban, former majority owner of the Mavericks who remains part of the ownership group, appeared on Jalen Brunson's podcast, the "Roommates Show," and shared his thoughts on Thompson’s fit with the team.
"Obviously, the big addition was Klay," Cuban said. "Just somebody who you have to face guard, who’s going to make 40%... You know at Golden State, he had to always be on the move. They had that motion offense where he was always coming off the screens and running. We don’t do that, or not nearly as much. I’m sure we’ll run some of that action for him, but just standing in the corner and standing in the wings, and just catch and shoot from Luka [Doncic] and [Kyrie Irving]. Hopefully, his life is going to be a lot easier."
There was plenty discussed in the lengthy episode, including Brunson’s departure after the 2022 Western Conference Finals to join the New York Knicks. You can watch the full show below.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper works out in Montréal
As Olivier-Maxence Prosper prepares for his second NBA season, he’s been busy working in the weight room and on the court. The Dallas Mavericks’ official X account shared a video compilation of Prosper’s workout routine in Montréal.
Following the arrival of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes, Prosper will have his work cut out for him in order to earn playing time. I recently wrote about Prosper’s development and outlook on Dallas Hoops Journal.
Luka Dončić MVP Outlook
As of right now, DraftKings Sportsbook considers Luka Dončić as holding +370 odds to win MVP this season—trailing only Nikola Jokić with +350 odds.
I also wanted to mention that DraftKings is one of the outlets that I am working with currently, and I’ve had a great time doing it. Lately, I’ve done a lot of daily WNBA betting picks with some fantasy football season preview content. I will be creating plenty of NBA content for them once the season begins. Keep an eye out for that if this type of content interests you.
Klay Thompson views himself as “missing piece” for Mavericks
There is a significant optimism about the impact Klay Thompson can provide the Mavericks after joining the team on a three-year, $50 million contract this summer. Coming off a season averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 77 games with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson views himself as potentially being “the missing piece” in Dallas.
“Me playing with Luka and Kyrie… That's what was attractive was seeing how, especially watching that championship this year, I was really shocked to see the chemistry with the teammates,” Thompson explained. “And at this point in my career, I might not be able to run as fast as I once could or jump as high, but I can still knock down open shots… I think I can be that missing piece for them. The [defense] can't guard Kyrie and Luka, they can't send as many double-teams.”
“I think we have a chance to do something really special and win a championship,” Thompson added.
Dirk Nowitzki’s thoughts on the Mavericks’ Finals run and offseason
Dirk Nowitzki was among the participants in the star-studded “Night of the Dragon” event in Ljubljana, Slovenia that honored Goran Dragić’s entrance into basketball retirement. Nowitzki shared his thoughts on the moves the Mavericks made this summer around Luka Dončić after reaching the Finals.
You can read my full article below.
The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation to host Tennis Classic
Dirk Nowitzki and his foundation will host the sixth-year of his Tennis Classic on Saturday, Sept. 14, at T Bar M Banner House at T Bar M (6060 Dilbeck Lane, Dallas, TX). The match is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. CST with doors opening up an hour prior.
Tickets are on sale for $65 with proceeds to benefit The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, focusing on children’s wellbeing, health and education. Nowitzki, along with Steve Nash, J.J. Barea, and Mark Knowles headline the list of participants, with additional participants to be names to be revealed later.
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Additionally, check out Grant Afseth’s basketball coverage for EssentiallySports.com.