Published on November 4th, 2018 | by Landon Buford
0John Wall Presents A Different Level Of Speed & Forces, Says Rick Carlisle
The Dallas Mavericks have gotten off to a slow start this season. The team is currently 2- 7, and now on a six-game losing streak heading into their Tuesday matchup at home against the Washington Wizards and John Wall. That means Dennis Smith Jr. will draw the assignment of guarding Wall of the defensive side of the ball.
After their Sunday’s practice Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media and before any of could ask any questions, Carlisle addressed Dylan Duell of the Dallas Sports Fanatic’s report.
“One of the Maverick veterans having an obvious unpleasant conversation with Donnie Nelson just outside the locker room postgame,” said Duell after the 118-106 loss to the New York Knicks.
Dalton Trigg of DallasBasketball.com would confirm that the Maverick veteran that was seen in the unpleasant conversation with Donnie Nelson was Wesley Matthews.
Troubling site of one Mavs veteran having an obvious unpleasant conversation with Donnie Nelson just outside the locker room postgame tonight.
Nelson clearly had to play role of talking him down as he put his hand on his shoulder while speaking to him.
— Dylan Duell (@DylanDuell) November 3, 2018
*Disclaimer* this was a very quiet, side conversation out of site of most media. No big scene or anything. I only saw it because I’m too short to try to be in the middle of the other media getting quotes.
— Dylan Duell (@DylanDuell) November 3, 2018
#MFFL can take this for what it’s worth, but I think it’s basically just Donnie doing his job. The team is 2-7, everyone’s frustrated, & emotions are running high. This particular situation just happened to be in public sight. https://t.co/T8cSb8oXLv
— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) November 3, 2018
Rick Carlisle defused “any notion” that there was a heated or negative conversation between Donnie Nelson and Wesley Matthews on Saturday night. All positive, he said.
Carlisle also, shared with the media that he was in on the conversation with Donnie Nelson and Wesley Matthews. The conversation was about Matthews wanting to know what else he could do to help the team win more games, Carlisle said.
He also added that Rookie Luka Doncic did not practice due to a sore ankle.
Carlisle also shared where he would like to see Dennis Smith Jr. improve on the defensive side of the ball heading into their match against the Wizards and John Wall.
“We really got hurt as a team off the dribble penetration against New York. Wall presents a whole different level of speed and force coming at you. Carlisle told me”
He added:
“That is going to be the big challenge containing off the dribble, and containing full-court off the dribble…It’s a hard job. Last year he (Dennis) had two opportunities to play against him, and he got some good experience. So, he will know certainly of what to expect from the first couple times we faced Wall last season, but it’s a big task.”
The Dallas Mavericks will take on the Washington Wizards on Tuesday at 7:30 CST at the American Airlines Center.
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