Top 5 Dallas Mavericks Quotes from Media Day 2013

Monta Ellis, new shooting guard, is here to play Mavericks Basketball

All around the league, teams had their Media Day with NBA preseason less than one week away. My spin on the Dallas Mavericks’ Media Day is a little bit different, because I offer my experience as a speech teacher and judge as a way to critique interviews and press conferences.

Mainly, the Mavs’ Media Day on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, addressed the issues of improving on defense, rebuilding the team, and 15-year Maverick power forward Dirk Nowitzki’s health. Owner Mark Cuban’s insider trading trial – in which the jury was picked on the same day as Media Day – was not a topic of focus.

Honestly, I would have been more pumped up about Media Day for Dallas if the franchise granted my wishes by bringing Terrell Owens to the team on its pursuit of its next NBA championship. In any case, I still bring you my “fave five” Mavs' most notable quotes from Media Day.

First, let me share with you what did not make the cut: my observation of Monta Ellis.

While I am not denying my delight about Dallas taking on Ellis from the Milwaukee Bucks, I was not impressed by his interview with Mavs.com reporter Earl K. Sneed on D210TV. Although he was well-versed when speaking about his confidence in the season, he did not seem to conduct himself with enough excitement to sound convincing to me, because he did not project or raise his voice.

As long as Ellis is as “explosive” on the court as Dirk Nowitzki describes, then the long-time Mavs forward can count on the new guard on the court.

“I think I’ve never played with a guy as explosive as Monta.”

– Dirk Nowitzki, veteran PF, No. 41

However, I also was not particularly fond of Ellis dodging a question about taking poor shots.

There's a lot of guys that take a lot of bad shots in this league... I'm going to play Monta basketball.

– Monta Ellis, new SG, No. 11

C’mon, Monta, own up to the Mavericks standards. Bad shots are not the way to go, because you won’t help your team or your stats that way. Just because other players shoot and miss does not mean you have to jump on that bandwagon; instead, just jump, shoot and score.

“I’ve never been in an organization as good as this one, and hopefully, it can be my last.”

– Ellis, declaring his satisfaction with joining Mavericks franchise

Although I just gave Ellis some grief, he now deserves a shout-out for passing along props to the Mavs.

Elaine Dispo is a Dallas Mavericks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, "Like" her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.

5. Dirk Nowitzki, veteran power forward, has been ready

Nowitzki appeared relaxed during his press conference as he described his new teammates, but I am not sure what was itching the right side of his neck as he kept scratching.

“I really like some of the guys we brought in, and now it’s time to go to work and put in four weeks in eight preseason games and try to get better. We’ll see how it goes.”

– Dirk Nowitzki, PF, No. 41

4. “The Matrix,” veteran small forward, has positive attitude

Shawn Marion had an expression of determination on his face with his eyebrow movement while being interviewed by Norrelle Dickson on D210TV.

“We got more veteran leadership… That should play to our advantage a little bit, but at the same time, it’s going to be fun. We’ve got some competitive guys that we added, so it’s going to be fun.”

– Shawn Marion, SF, #0, when asked about initial thoughts on new team roster

“You win or lose it as a team. It’s going to be a team concept. It means we got to go out there as a team, that’s all that matters.”

– Marion, when asked about his defense concerns

3. “Vinsanity,” veteran guard-forward, hopes to see team connect

Vince Carter looked refreshed, energized and animated during his interview with Dickson.

“How fast can we gel… Getting the young guys ready to play.”

– Vince Carter, GF, No. 25, when asked about his concerns for this season

2. José Calderón, new point guard, also wants camaraderie

José Calderón spoke clearly and used hand gestures to back up his answers to questions from the press.

We've got all the pieces to be a really good basketball team. Hopefully we can get that chemistry down.

– José Calderón, new PG, No. 8, in press conference

1. Rick Carlisle, head coach, tells it like it is

Nobody says it better than Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle.

“Our mission this year is to get back to winning in the playoffs.”

– Rick Carlisle, head coach, about Mavs’ goal to be more successful in the postseason

“We have to establish ourselves as a solid defensive team… Our self-belief has got to be there… We want to be a pace-oriented, skills-oriented team… The truth is we need everything functioning the right way for us to be successful.”

– more key quotes from Carlisle