POSTGAME: Mavericks speak to media after postseason hopes end with loss to Bulls

Yeah, I think we can start backwards. I think understanding our record or being eliminated isn't something that we want to be at and we got some work to do this summer. But understand things happen. It wasn't our season. We got to learn from this and we'll get better. The first part of your question is those guys in the locker room, they were pros. They came out and did their job. Everyone played. We played our young guys a lot tonight. Understanding we didn't win the game but those guys played hard and they put themselves in a position to win that game and we just came up short. Just understanding it's not so much waving the white flag. Decisions sometimes are hard in this business and you have to make hard decisions. We're trying to build a championship team. Sometimes you got to take a step back and understanding again with this decision, this is maybe a step back but hopefully it leads to going forward. Again, it's not always easy to make decisions but these are decisions that are made from my bosses and we got to follow them and we trust Cuban and Nico are going to put the pieces together to put us in a position to win a championship. That's just starting to process today. I don't think I have to smooth over anything with the players. I'm very honest with the players. I was very honest with them before the game. I said that those guys in that locker room were pros. They played hard. That's what I asked them to do and they did it. That first half, those guys, the ball was moving defensively was great. I think that group that was in there last got a little tired but we played them heavy minutes and we got to see the younger guys play. When you look at AJ and those guys and Wright, those guys did their part. Understanding that and we'll see those guys again on Sunday. The big thing is we just have to get better all the way around. I think one to get him ovation coming out for what he's done this year for this franchise. Ending his normal run, he wouldn't get the standing O. To be able to get him in the post, get him a score, and then for him to take a foul to come out so that people could recognize him coming out, that was the thought behind all that as we started. We told him before the game that he was going to go the hole first and then let's figure out a way to get you a standing O and respect for what you've done for this organization this year. I thought it was great. Again, for what he's done, his stats are incredible. It's well deserved. He's one of the best players in the world. Most likely the group that you saw today, you're going to probably seek that same group sitting on the sideline. Maybe one might play, but Luka's not going to participate Sunday. Luka and Kai will not play Sunday. There's going to be some other ones that won't play Sunday either. That's a great question. I would probably start with chemistry. That would be the number one thing that we'll focus on. Can you give us a summer to try to figure that out? Thanks. That's a great question, Tim. Where did it go? It was inconsistent. In this league, the teams that are top four are a little bit more consistent on both ends of the floor. We were inconsistent. Offense probably was the closest thing to being consistent for us this year. We got to get back to looking at how we can be better defensively on a consistent basis and not just for one quarter or two quarters a game. We got to learn the understanding. Last year, and I said this before the season started, this is a different team. This was different. Some listened to that. Some didn't. Understanding that defense wins championships, not just offense. Yes, sir. That's a tough call. It's a great question. I don't think Luka played last year. Just understanding he wanted to play and he played, but just understanding there's a different plan in place and things change in the league quickly. Things changed this morning with the direction that we were going into. He's part of the team and he has to understand that. He did, but he played 14 more minutes than he did last year when this game took place. I know he is going to do everything he can for his national team to make up for those people who flew here, but sometimes things just don't work out the way that some wanted to. I think we can improve on everything. When you look at the defensive schemes, understanding the offensive schemes and putting players in better positions, we'll have a little bit more time, but understanding this roster, it's always dictated on the roster. You gotta wait to the roster because there's gonna be a lot of people who aren't back. There's gonna be new faces and there's gonna be some that come back, but we don't, as coaches know, and the last names do have an impact on schemes, both offensively and defensively. We have to wait to see what that roster looks like. That's a good question. That's early for rotation, but for some of you sitting here, rotation could be 15. Just understanding he's worked extremely hard. He's one of our two ways. His future is very bright. We're excited about not just what he did tonight but what we have planned for him to work this summer and then you never know if he can crack that rotation again. With the roster, it will be dictated on what those last names are and who's back and who's gonna be new. If I was a betting man, I guess I would say he would be back. Why would I say he wouldn't? Confidence, that's too strong. I think Cuban made that clear. He's the number one priority to have him come back. I would second that. I'm not into paying the bills around here. I'll leave that to Mark to decide on and Nico to decide on what his value is. I think he's enjoyed his time here. I think he's at peace. I think he has enjoyed being a Maverick. Hopefully I'm not talking out of turn that he wants to be here. Hopefully that's the case. When you talk about the talent and the match of him and Luca, it's pretty dynamic. He has the option. Very few are free agents. He has that opportunity to explore. Hopefully we've done everything to position him to want to stay. It's up to Cuban and Nico to figure that out. I felt amazing. I got the opportunity to come out on the court and just play hard. My teammates were all encouraging me. It just felt good to see the ball go in and the crowd had a great amount of energy that just kept boosting my spirits. I just always play hard. It's still my first year. Every day is still a learning experience for me. When I got the opportunity, when he called my name, I was ready. I felt like I'm just going to come out and play hard every time. That's the results that came. I'm going to rebound. I'm going to play defense. When the shot's there, I'm going to shoot it. Just keep playing hard. Be professional. Be pros and just play the game. We came out hard. The guys came back, sadly. I feel like my shot is way more consistent. I felt like beginning of the year, I had trouble with consistency. I feel like my shot, my follow through, everything's been way more consistent because of all the reps I've got and the coaches. Me, by myself, is coming in late night, early morning, stuff like that. I just keep getting shots of being consistent with it. I feel like my shots got way better and my decision making over time. I'm going to say my versatility because I can guard one through four. Offensively, I can just be able to stretch the court, be able to knock down the shot and also show athleticism. Today, I got that put back dunk. I had a dunk that didn't count. Just being athletic, being an athletic, versatile player. That's a great question. Just being here every day, putting that work in that's not on the court. That you guys don't see, extra shots up in the gym, having good vets talk to you, keeping you locked into the game, having the coaching staff always be in your ear, telling you what to do. I feel like they all do a great job with that. That always just keeps me locked in. Honestly, all the guys. Keep that came in. We got Doe that left, Spence that left. Even Luca talks to me. All the guys, honestly. Even Kyrie. Everyone. Just keep going out there and playing hard. Showcasing me and just being the team guy. I'm going to work on my ball handling a lot this year because I want to tighten up my handle. Just keep working on my shot. I want it to be consistent. I want to shoot over 40 from three. Just my decision making so I have less turnovers when I get in the game.