Reuniting with coach Dusty May, the versatile lottery pick brings championship pedigree and a relentless motor to Dallas, promising to anchor the defense with his physical, selfless play.
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. was welcomed to Big D this week via his introductory press conference at the American Airlines Center, and the impression he's making already is a positive one.
After being selected with the ninth pick in Tuesday’s NBA Draft, Johnson Jr. will be teaming up with his coach at Michigan, the just-hired Dusty May, the Mavericks’ newly hired head coach.
May led last year’s Michigan Wolverines - a team featuring the 6-10, 250-pound Johnson Jr. - to an NCAA championship.
How about an NBA encore?
Here, the top five quotes from Johnson, who envisions himself as a "junkyard dog'' in Dallas ...
1 - Self-scouting: “I’m a competitor, a guy that wants to win, do whatever it takes to win “(I’m) very versatile on both ends of the floor, rebound very good, great teammate. ... I’d say my motor’s unbelievable, competitive, guard 1 through 5, physical (and) I wanna win.”
2 - On "expanding'' his game: “I don’t think I showed everyone that I know how to put the ball on the floor. I didn’t need to at Michigan. I had a very good team and (I’d like to) just continue to expand my range.”
3 - On meshing with young Mavs star Cooper Flagg: “I think it’s going to be very similar to how it was at Michigan, with me playing with (Yaxel Lendeborg) on perimeter. Just switching everything, pressuring the ball, forcing a lot of turnovers, and getting deflections.”
4 - On his relationships in the locker room and on the court: “Just trying to serve those guys. Not having no egos, just playing for one another, being together. I think we were so successful on the court (at Michigan) because we had a relationship off the court. We actually liked being around each other. ...
"It’s a few young guys here. I think I’ll be able to connect with those guys. I got some great vets here. Being able to learn from them guys, being up under their wings and just soak up as much information as I possibly can from these guys. ...''
5 - On coach May: “We getting a great coach here. A guy that’s gonna show up every day and be the same person every day. He’s gonna be honest with the players, push them, challenge them and put them in the best position to look great.”
