Y13 [EN]: Chapter 163

Y13-163 2011 Off-Season

June 15, 2011.

Dallas American Airlines Center (AAC)

Dozens of people murmured in a large hall that could seat dozens. It was the official press conference following the Dallas Mavericks’ Finals victory. Immediately after winning, some players had individual interviews, but this was the first group interview after the team’s victory party and break, drawing a large crowd of reporters.

For this group interview, owner Mark Cuban, President Donnie Nelson, Head Coach Rick Carlisle, assistant coaches, and all 15 players were present. While individual game interviews typically featured the coach, captain, and key players, this event served as a season review and Finals victory celebration, making everyone’s participation meaningful.

“We have finally won the championship we dreamed of. We fully enjoyed the joy and elation yesterday, and we rested. Now, let’s take questions from those of you who have prepared them.”

The host began calling on reporters one by one to ask questions and receive answers.

“It’s a cliché question, but how does it feel to finally win the NBA title? There wasn’t a single player on the Dallas roster with a championship ring. On the other hand, there were more than 10 veterans with eight years or more of experience. Many believed that the hunger for that championship was the driving force behind this victory.”

Dirk Nowitzki spoke first, still radiating the joy of winning.

“Hunger for the championship… that’s right. Except for five young guys, we’re all in our late 20s or older. I don’t think there has ever been a championship team this old without a single player with a ring. We were all desperate, and that desperation led to trust in our teammates. Six of us joined this season. Nevertheless, I think we showed a stronger organization than any other team through trust in each other. And that bond led us to victory. If you look at our playoff and final games this season, most were won in the fourth quarter. If you only look at the fourth quarter, we seemed unbeatable.”

After that, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and others briefly answered questions. When it was Youngjae’s turn, he leisurely gave the answers he had prepared.

“I still can’t believe I won the championship in my rookie season. And I am really grateful to my colleagues. Everyone else has just won a championship ring, but I was able to win the championship with such a great experience from my debut season. Looking back on this season, I don’t think there will be another where I can spend time with such like-minded colleagues. I know it might sound like something a rookie would say, but I will never forget this season’s team chemistry. I hope that this atmosphere will continue to be maintained in Dallas in the future.”

Youngjae’s wish was shared by the other players. Dallas had always been a strong team looking to improve, so they tried to recruit better players, often changing the roster in the process. For example, only Nowitzki and Terry remained from the runner-up team five years prior. Moreover, besides Nowitzki, the only players who had won All-Star awards were Steve Nash, Michael Finley, and Josh Howard, indicating a lack of superstars relative to the roster size.

Youngjae was well aware of Dallas’s moves over the past 10 years, so he indirectly expressed his hope that there would be no major changes to the current roster. Knowing that some players would be leaving after the championship season, he desperately wanted things to stay as they were, but he wasn’t the general manager or coach.

Besides, it was a Finals victory celebration interview, so his remarks were likely to be taken as mere lip service to the team members. The situation and timing weren’t ideal to push the issue further. It was fortunate that he could say something with even a double meaning.

“Thanks to winning the championship, you don’t have to erase the tattoo. Have you thought about the tattoo since winning the championship?” a reporter asked, referring to Jason Terry’s personal interview on the day of the victory, hoping to lighten the mood. The room filled with laughter, and Terry, also laughing, began to roll up his sleeves. He proudly flexed his tattooed arm, making his muscles bulge, and answered with a proud voice.

“No. What would I be thinking at that time?! My mind just went blank, and I just thought, ‘We finally won!’ I shared the joy with my friends and colleagues and was moved by the championship trophy! I realized this while talking to Shawn Marion yesterday about this tattoo. Looking at this tattoo, I once again pledged to myself: ‘I am a champion!’”

After that, the reporters asked each player what they wanted to know, and as the atmosphere became more comfortable, the players skillfully conducted interviews, creating a positive environment.

“I’m Ira Lyker from *The Dallas Morning News*! Yoon? You have been brilliant in these playoffs and the Finals. No one would have thought you would perform this well, but did you believe you could?”

The last question went to Youngjae. He smiled at Ira Lyker, whom he knew, and waved his hand, saying he hadn’t expected it at all, with a bewildered expression.

“I couldn’t believe it either. I just did my best. I followed the coaches’ plans and played to my teammates, and that’s how it turned out! I really think I’m blessed! I would like to thank the coaching staff and colleagues who have helped me grow like this and led the team to victory once again.”

Another reporter who knew Youngjae, not wanting to be outdone, stood up and continued the questioning.

“I’m Richard Powell from *CultureMap Dallas*! You played better and better despite sluggishness and aftereffects of injuries in Game 1, and became the game MVP in Games 4 and 6. The Finals are usually a burden for rookies, and you were sluggish in Game 1, but how could you quickly recover and perform better?”

Youngjae considered an appropriate response, as it was a slightly difficult question to explain, but eventually gave up and began to calmly talk about his feelings at the time.

“I hate the word ‘regret’ the most. It’s better to do something than to worry about whether I can do it. The same goes for the Finals. If I had a bad game, I can do well in the next game. If I continue to be sluggish in the next game due to that regret and burden, I will regret it in the future. I never wanted to do that. And even if I can’t, other colleagues will make up for it, and the coach will replace me. I trusted my colleagues and the coach and played without thinking about the word ‘failure.'”

“Your play that didn’t flinch when facing Dwyane Wade or LeBron James was impressive. What are your thoughts on facing them? And expectations for next season are high due to this victory and performance! Some say that this season is the maximum because it is more than expected, but what do you think about that?”

The host was about to cut off the question but remained silent, thinking he would only receive one more question at the end. Youngjae began by acknowledging that some media outlets were worried and concerned about him.

“They are superstars who dominate the league, but they are just players. I thought that the moment I believed I couldn’t overcome them, I would remain a loser, so I think I ran even harder. I was determined to pay them back when I was hit, and fortunately, it worked out well. They will be determined to face me next year, and I will try not to be pushed back in the confrontation with them.”

Youngjae picked up his water cup, took a sip to quench his thirst, and then faithfully answered the rest of the question.

“Next season, I will be analyzed and scrutinized more closely. To overcome that, I have to work hard again. I will strengthen my lacking physical strength and further improve my ball handling and shooting. And I will analyze my opponents as much as they analyze me. The limit is set by yourself. I think I can go higher if I don’t become complacent and continue to push myself.”

Even after the official press conference, the Dallas Mavericks players, including Youngjae, were exhausted from the tight schedule that resembled a superstar’s. The players experienced the hardships of celebrity even for a short time, but there were no complaints among them about spending a busy time in a different sense than when playing the game.

It was a natural consequence of winning the championship and a reward for the fans who had continued to support the Dallas Mavericks even though they had failed at important moments without winning a title.

They visited orphanages, met Eddie Lars and the children again at the pediatric hospital he had visited on Halloween, spending quality time. With the doctor’s consent, they invited about 50 children, including Eddie Lars, to the American Airlines Center and showed them around for half a day, providing delicious food and fun stories, and even letting them watch the players play a light 3-on-3 match right in front of them.

In addition, the players spent busy days faithfully fulfilling their roles in various fields by holding or attending various charity events that could contribute to the local community.

“Phew~ Today is the end of the busy days!”

Time flew by so quickly that it was already June 18th. The players gathered at the American Airlines Center (AAC) in groups of three or five from the morning. Owner Mark Cuban, President and General Manager Donnie Nelson, Head Coach Rick Carlisle, and coaches Dwayne Casey and Terry Stotts all gathered, and Cuban personally led everyone out of the stadium. Today was the day of the car parade to commemorate the victory.

“Woah…”

The Dallas Mavericks’ colt emblem was emblazoned on the hood above a pattern of white and blue waves. The parade-only trailer attached to the back of the tuned large SUV was completely open on all sides, with nothing but the floor. However, in the center of the trailer, the Dallas Mavericks’ emblem, carefully crafted stitch by stitch, stood tall as a large sculpture.

Starting with the parade’s lead car, a makeshift parade car made by remodeling a pickup truck was also prepared. Youngjae watched the players who had already brought their families or friends to participate in the parade, wondering if he should call people who could come even now, but decided against it.

============================ Work Review ============================

★Thank you to those who gave advance notice, recommendations, comments, and coupons!!

＠First of all, Youngjae will continue to push through interviews. He said that it would be nice if this team would stay the same. And usually, even if it’s a super rookie, that’s the limit of the statement. He is not a FA [Free Agent] player, nor is he a superstar who generates huge additional revenue, so he cannot strongly pressure the club. Even the same remarks have different meanings depending on whether they are made at a victory celebration interview or during the FA market. The former is mostly taken as lip service, while the latter has a strong meaning of actually pressuring the club.

＠For now, Youngjae’s influence will be included to some extent, and the team’s composition and direction will change due to Youngjae’s existence. So it’s a bit of a headache. The Dallas team’s roster has been completed, but the performance and roster of other teams will change little by little. I have to check all of this so that it doesn’t get twisted later, lol.

Naye, Laytime, Goddess Yuri Praise, Jabes, ㅡMinTㅡ, -DarkANGEL-, Gayeon Eul, papilion/// Aren’t you guys too happy, lol.

-DarkANGEL-/// That’s right. It’s rare for this much to explode in the lower picks. If there is such a player, the club and fans will push him tremendously.

h0h/// LOL, so sticky, lol.

Ultra 10/// I will come back upgraded next year!!

goimosp/// I’ll put it in from time to time, but their dates have to fit the schedule.

Finensia, White Knight Killer, Disappearing Soul, Omarion, CountOfDark/// Thank you for your comments!!