→ popstarkirby:mini-camp是很多球員圓NBA夢的機會@@ 06/13 14:02
Earl K. Sneed -Mavs.com-
For 20 NBA hopefuls, the chance at playing in the league next season could
rest in the hands of Dallas Mavericks president of basketball operations
Donnie Nelson and Mavs coach Rick Carlisle.
The Mavs’ two-day, free agent mini-camp tipped off Thursday at the team’s
American Airlines Center practice facility. While inclement weather on Day
One cut the number on the court to just 10 of the invited free agents from
around the world, all of the players are expected to be on display on Friday.
“This is the American dream,” Nelson said after taking in Thursday’s
session.
“This is American Idol of the NBA. They’re all fighting for jobs.”
Nelson and Carlisle will be there to witness both days, as the two search for
a diamond in the rough.
Though none of the camp participants have eligibility for the NBA Draft on
June 25, each player could sign with the team this off-season as a free agent
before possibly suiting up the Mavs on the team’s Summer League squad.
Every player invited to the camp has prior NBA or overseas professional
basketball experience.
“This is the starting point of the summer cycle to get the team together for
next season for us and obviously trying to make the team for them,” Carlisle
said after supervising the camp on Thursday. “We’ve got some competitive,
athletic guys. This is a good camp.”
For Nelson, finding a player that wows him in a mini-camp isn’t a
far-fetched notion. Last season, forward James Singleton did just that,
earning a contract with the Mavs before going on to average 5.1 points and
4.0 rebounds per game in 62 of 82 games, including six starts.
“This is the James Singleton drill,” Nelson said. “Last year, James came
in here and in a period of two days really knocked our socks off. As a
result, he walked out with a one-year guaranteed contract. We’re not afraid,
if a guy shows himself and is what we’re looking for and is a good fit. One
thing we can do around here is make a quick decision.”
Two players that the Mavs think may prove to be this year’s version of
Singleton are NBA veteran Jeff McInnis and former Dallas second-round pick
Shan Foster.
The 6-foot-4 McInnis is an 11-year NBA pro, averaging 9.4 points for his
career. He hasn’t played in the league since the 2007-08 season.
Foster was taken with the 51st overall pick by the Mavs in last year’s
draft, but he bolted for Europe after summer league play.
In addition to McInnis and Foster, the Mavs think they could find serviceable
players at all positions.
“We’ve got some different things at different positions. I’d say we’re
looking at backup slots, one through five. It’s really anything goes here,”
Nelson said. Nelson and Carlisle are hoping someone will emerge when Day Two
of the Mavs’ mini-camp commences Friday morning at the American Airlines
Center.
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