P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II Celebrate Season Kickoff with Mavericks Fans at Raising Cane’s
P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II engage fans at Raising Cane’s, share team chemistry insights, and set season goals ahead of the Mavericks’ final preseason game.
DALLAS — With the Dallas Mavericks’ regular season opener nearing against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II participated in an event at a local Raising Cane’s after Wednesday’s practice.
The event involved the support of over 100 fans ahead of the team’s final preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Washington and Lively embraced their temporary roles as Raising Cane’s crewmembers. Washington, who became a fan of the chain in his youth, enjoyed the opportunity to bring his love for the restaurant full circle.
“We had a great time at Cane’s celebrating the start of the new season,” Washington said. “The first time I tried Cane’s was in fifth grade before a game, and now to be here today is a full circle moment. My go-to order is the Caniac Combo with extra sauce, I gotta be full afterward.”
Lively, entering his second season with the Mavericks, recalled discovering the restaurant during road trips, showing off his enthusiasm by dunking a Box Combo into a bag and sharing a handshake with Washington through the drive-thru window.
“My favorite thing about Cane’s is the Cane’s Sauce,” Lively said. “I’m from up north, and whenever I went on a long trip to Virginia or Tennessee, we’d get Cane’s. After a long day when I’m hungry, I need a Box Combo – I’ve definitely had my fair share of Box Combos over the years.”
Emphasis on Chemistry
Lively highlighted the importance of team chemistry, which has been a focal point for the Mavericks during the preseason. He noted that building off-court relationships, including a team trip to Kyrie Irving’s home while the team was in Los Angeles for a preseason game against the Clippers, has helped strengthen the squad.
“Just being able to talk and understand one another. We are a family,” Lively said. “When you’re on the court, you’re only talking about things on the court, but when you have time with each other off the court, you get to learn more about each other. Those are moments you really take to heart.”
Washington added that improved chemistry is expected to be a key factor in the team’s success this season.
“Mavs fans can expect to see a lot of wins and a lot of hard work and effort on our part,” Washington said. “It takes the whole team to get to the top of the mountain, and every man needs to be locked in and ready to go. We have a good mix of younger guys and vets on the team this year, and I think that will be really beneficial to us.”
In a video courtesy of Raising Cane’s, you can watch Lively and Washington having a lot of fun going through the event together.
Setting Goals for the Season
Both players spoke about their motivations for the upcoming season, with Washington recalling how his childhood dreams came to fruition.
“In elementary school, I took a piece of paper and wrote that I wanted to be a Kentucky player, a lottery pick, and play for the Mavs,” Washington said. “That was motivation for me, and I’m living those dreams that I had when I was younger. Now, I have my sights set on bringing a championship back to Dallas.”
Lively, known for his defensive presence and versatility, stressed that he does not plan to limit himself on the court.
“Just not putting a ceiling on myself,” he said. “Everyone is going to put a ceiling on me, no matter what they see or think they see. If you need me to bring the ball up, I can bring the ball. If you need me to set a screen for Klay or post up, I’m ready for that. It’s just about playing basketball and doing what’s needed for the team.”
Fan Support Integral
As the Mavericks gear up for their final preseason game against the Bucks, Lively underscored how much the support of the fans means to the players.
“The AAC isn’t going to be as good as it is without all of our fans,” he said. “They come out to show love, no matter if it’s a Monday, a Sunday, or a Wednesday morning. Just knowing I’m going out there and I’ll always have someone cheering for me... coming back to give back to them shows that we appreciate them just as much as they love us.”
The Mavericks begin the regular season at home against the Spurs on Oct. 25, looking to build on last year’s success and make another deep playoff run.
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