Mavs player Dereck Lively II gets to the NBA Finals in his first year and gets help from 2011 Dallas champion Tyson Chandler, Yahoo Sports‘ Jake Fischer revealed.
“When Lively returned to the Mavericks locker room Thursday night, his phone was already answered by former Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler,” Fischer said. “Reminders to keep his head down and stick to grinding. ‘Messages,’ said Lively. ‘I’m taking phone calls.’ Chandler, once a wonderful presence in the paint that supported Dallas’ last championship in 2011, was part of the franchise in some way during his retirement, a common theme among former players during Mark Cuban’s ownership of the organization. Before home games, you’ll see Chandler, bright orange hat turned backwards, leaning his big frame on Lively in the paint.”
Chandler was absent for Game 1 in Boston, but he made sure to keep encouraging Lively during such an important time.
“He tells me to do the little things, whether it’s hitting them in the box or being able to talk to my teammates in the back,” said Lively. “It’s just doing small things so that everyone can communicate with the court, so we don’t leave anyone behind.”
Lively played out of his skin in the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves, where he averaged 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 21.9 minutes.
He also made one of 16 field goal attempts, surpassing Chris Andersen’s record for most field goals made in a playoff series without a miss.
With most of the Mavs being 25 years old or younger, the future in Dallas looks bright.
READ MORE: DeMar DeRozan on Beef With Dillon Brooks: ‘I just don’t like him’
Source link
