A San Antonio columnist saw a man alone on an escalator at Madison Square Garden during the NBA Finals. That man was Dusty May, the Michigan head coach who had just won a national championship, according to San Antonio Express-News. He sat behind the Knicks bench to watch the Spurs blow a 29-point lead. This quiet night in New York became the start of a journey that led him to the Dallas Mavericks.
May did not have a ticket for that game. He searched for one just hours before tip-off. He found a seat because of a connection with a fan on vacation. The coach watched the Spurs lose and thought about the challenge of coaching at that level. He told reporters later that he wanted to be part of that kind of team. Months later, Dallas hired him to lead their franchise.
The Night at Madison Square Garden
A columnist for the San Antonio Express-News rode the escalators and saw a lone figure on the landing below. The man looked familiar, but it seemed strange for a college coach to be at an NBA Finals game alone. May had no former players on the court that night. The NBA playoffs are not a standard networking event for college coaches.
May explained how he ended up there in a recent interview with the Express-News. He punched NBA.com into his phone to check if a game was happening. He saw the Knicks and Spurs were playing. Just hoping someone possessed a ticket, he began making calls. He found one because of a guy on vacation that he had a connection to. The seat was right behind the Knicks bench.
May said he was not a fanboy, but that was cool. He sat next to Kit Harington, the actor who portrays Jon Snow on Game of Thrones. The coach watched the Spurs build a huge lead and then lose it all. He saw the game end in a crazy way. The columnist who saw him that night did not know the full story until weeks later when the Mavericks hired May as their new head coach.
The Moment of Inspiration
Watching the game gave May a specific feeling about what he wanted to do next. He did not think the Spurs made obvious mistakes during the game. He believed the outcome came down to making shots. But the way the game played out sparked a thought in his mind. He thought about the difficulty and the reward of coaching in the NBA.
May told the Express-News that he had a clear thought while sitting in the stands. He saw the intensity and the high stakes of the Finals.
He followed that thought with a wish for his future. May said he would love to be able to do what the teams in the Finals are doing now. He wanted to be in a position to coach at the highest level. He moved to the pros after watching the Spurs lose. The idea stayed with him until the right job opened up.
A Fresh Start in Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks made a big change after a difficult season. The front office was overhauled, and the coaching staff was replaced. Masai Ujiri took over leadership and hired Dusty May to lead the team. Fresh from securing a national championship at Michigan, May arrived.
The change in culture has been quick and noticeable. Players are responding well to the new system in the early stages of the season. To discuss the new coach, Center Daniel Gafford appeared on 105.3 The Fan.
Gafford described how May holds players accountable while speaking life into them. The center believes May will have a great career with players in this league. The energy and accountability have helped the team find a new rhythm. Players like P.J. Washington and Walter Clayton Jr. are playing their best basketball under this new leadership.
Fixing the Rebounding Issues
Dallas has faced some specific challenges on the defensive end. In a recent game, the San Antonio Spurs secured 22 offensive rebounds. Victor Wembanyama had 9 of those boards and scored on two putbacks. Before the next game, May pointed to defensive rebounding as the primary issue to fix.
May said the team played with the right edge in the second half but needs to fix the rebounding. He noted that analytics show the team is in the right position but does not get enough of the balls. Sometimes they fumble the ball out of bounds or let opponents take 50-50 balls. The goal is to go from bad to good and eventually get great.
The coach wants his players to be quicker to the ball and go up for high-point rebounds. In the loss to San Antonio, P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg each secured 10 rebounds. May believes that if the team gets a few more rebounds a half, it will move them into the top 20 in the league. He expects the team to make a big jump with more determination.
The Role of P.J. Washington
P.J. Washington has been a key player in the team’s early success. While shooting more threes than ever, he is averaging career highs in points and rebounds. In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, Washington scored 22 points in the first half. His shooting gave the team a whole new dimension.
May explained that they need Washington to be a three-point shooting force. He praised Washington’s beautiful shot and his ability to play multiple positions. The coach noted that Washington played at the five, the four, and the three depending on the lineup. His aggressiveness on the outside helps the offense space the floor.
Washington described his role as trying to be the glue guy for everybody. He said he tries to clean up everybody’s messes and make everything stick. He works with assistant coach Rob Fodor to improve his shot. Washington trusts the coaching staff and believes in the system they are building.
Cooper Flagg and the Young Core
The young players are stepping up to meet the challenges of the NBA. Cooper Flagg has been a major factor in the team’s offense. He assisted on four of Washington’s six three-pointers in the game against the Jazz. Flagg also helped set up other players and contributed to the team’s energy.
May credits Flagg and Kyrie Irving for flipping the switch during the game. The team needed a spark, and the young players provided it. Flagg’s ability to pass and play defense helps the team function better. The coach sees great potential in the young core of the roster.
Walter Clayton Jr. has also emerged as a revelation. Signed to a two-way contract with Dallas after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies before the season, he joined the team. He has become the team’s best guard behind Kyrie Irving. His performance shows that the coaching staff is getting the most out of every player.
Waiting for Santi Aldama
Santi Aldama is set to make his debut for the Mavericks soon. He is probable to play against the Utah Jazz. May expects Aldama to help with spacing and his feel for the game. With the Memphis Grizzlies, Aldama has shot 34.6% from three-point range throughout his career.
May said that Aldama’s skill and feel for the game make the offense function better. He makes concepts and actions make sense for the other players. The coach believes that his addition will be a nice fit for the team. Aldama has not played five-on-five with the main group yet.
Minute ranges for several players have not been mapped out by the team. May said they will make in-game decisions on how long Aldama plays. The coach wants to see how he functions with the main guys. The team is confident that water will find its level over the 82-game season.
The Path Forward
The Mavericks are focused on fixing their issues and building a winning culture. May wants to clean up the most glaring problems without chasing too many rabbits. The team has to play the game in front of them and adapt to different styles. Some nights will be up and down, while others will be slugfests.
The coach emphasizes the importance of preparation and belief. He told his players to keep believing and having faith that their time will come. The team has shown they can compete with the best when their mind is right. The loss to the Spurs showed they can hold teams to low points in the second half.
Dallas faces the Utah Jazz in their next game. The Jazz have lost six straight games and are without key players.
