Y13 [EN]: Chapter 49

Y13-49 Regular Season 2010-11

Dallas Mavericks team office.

Coach Rick Carlisle and assistant coaches Dwaine Casey and Terry Stotts were gathered around a desk, deep in discussion. The desk was covered with papers, and a computer screen displayed game footage on one wall.

“Okay, the preseason is over, and the regular season is about to begin. Let’s discuss our lineup and tactics for this season. Casey, what are your thoughts?”

“Assuming Kidd, Nowitzki, and Butler are our core players, the main questions are at shooting guard and center. I think starting with Haywood at center is the best option, at least initially. He has established chemistry with the others, and it’s important to consider his confidence.”

Terry Stotts concurred with Dwaine Casey’s assessment.

“I agree. Tyson Chandler has shown flashes of brilliance during the preseason and in international play, but Haywood has been more consistent overall. I have some reservations about Haywood’s conditioning coming into the season, but I think he’s the right choice to start.”

“Then we’ll start Haywood, but with closely monitored playing time. Chandler’s prone to injuries, so it’s risky to play him for more than 30 minutes a game anyway. That leaves the shooting guard position. Jason Terry’s height and defensive limitations mean he’s best suited as our sixth man again this season, which we’ve already discussed with him. That leaves us with two options: either move Butler to shooting guard and keep Marion at small forward, like we did in the second half of last year, or start Stevenson or Yoon and manage their minutes.”

Coach Carlisle laid out the options, and Dwaine Casey, who had been listening intently, offered his opinion.

“I think we should give Yoon a shot at starting. Starting Yoon would improve our guard defense and rebounding, and it would also add another dimension to our offense. He’s still a rookie, of course, with limited experience outside the Summer League and preseason, but that’s why we should try it early in the season when we can afford to experiment.”

“Yoon’s understanding of the game and his individual skills are surprisingly advanced, but is throwing him into the starting lineup right away too much of a risk? I’d prefer to start DeShawn Stevenson. Regardless of their preseason performances, I’m concerned about the difference in experience.”

Rick Carlisle clearly valued Stevenson’s experience over Youngjae’s potential. He had a history of favoring seasoned veterans over unproven rookies.

“I have a different idea. Let’s start Terry for the first few games and have Yoon and Stevenson compete for the spot. We can evaluate who has better chemistry with Kidd and Terry and who best fits the role we need at shooting guard. It’s still early in the season, so we can afford to test the waters for the sake of the playoffs.”

Coach Carlisle and Coach Casey looked intrigued by Coach Stotts’s suggestion. It was a well-balanced compromise that incorporated elements of both their viewpoints and seemed like the most practical approach.

“I agree with Coach Stotts. Let’s give Yoon and Stevenson 20-25 minutes each, alternating starts every three or four games. That should give us enough data to make an informed decision.”

Coach Casey added his support, and Carlisle nodded in agreement.

“That should be sufficient. Let’s do it. It’s also time we gradually reduce Kidd and Terry’s playing time. Last season, Kidd played 36 minutes a game at 36 years old, and Terry played 33 minutes at 32 years old. This season, I want to bring them down to around 30 minutes each. Hopefully, other players will step up to fill that gap.”

The meeting continued for several more hours. The three coaches finally wrapped up late that night, marking the end of the Mavs’ preseason. All the final preparations the Mavs could make were complete. During that short period, Youngjae had demonstrated his potential, showing that he belonged on the team and giving his all, even if it was only for 10 or 15 minutes, to earn his place on the Mavs. He quickly established himself as a rookie that even the players, coaches, and Coach Rick Carlisle couldn’t help but like, thanks to his dedicated play and his understanding that the team’s success was tied to his own.

Perhaps as a result, the Korean media began publishing numerous articles highlighting Youngjae’s potential. The NBA fever, which had been dormant in Korea, was slowly starting to reignite. However, the sometimes-exaggerated content of the articles caused some fans to raise their eyebrows.

[Dallas’s Y13, ‘He Can Even Beat Rose’]

Expectations are soaring for Yoon Youngjae (19), the first Korean player to join the Dallas Mavericks. In particular, expectations have risen even higher after he supposedly dominated John Wall, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, during the preseason. According to a team official, ‘He has already surpassed John Wall’s skills. Coach Rick Carlisle also highly values Yoon Youngjae’s potential.’ The official went on to say, ‘He overwhelmed John Wall, who was picked first overall, so he can beat Derrick Rose too. He is already on par with Derrick Rose,’ expressing a sense of awe.

Re: Rick Callile ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ It’s Rick Carlisle, you trash reporter!

Re: Rick Callile ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Reminds me of David Villa [a famous soccer player known for his name being misspelled].

Re: Crazy, which team official is that? Show proof, you trash reporter.

Re: It’s Rick Callile. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ And Derrick Rose? What a load of crap. Don’t get ahead of yourselves.

Re: It’s so easy to make money as a sports reporter. LOL, I’m speechless…

Re: How can you even compare him to Derrick Rose LOL

On the other hand, reporters like Eom Yong-geun, who had a deep understanding of the NBA, were able to generate excitement among fans with well-researched and factual articles.

[Yoon Youngjae, Entering the Starting Lineup From His First Season?]

Yoon Youngjae (19), who joined the Dallas Mavericks, is becoming a hot topic. According to local media reports, there’s speculation that Yoon Youngjae could be in the starting lineup from day one. Jason Terry, Yoon Youngjae’s main competitor for playing time, has already established himself as a sixth man since last season and is expected to continue in that role.

That leaves DeShawn Stevenson as the only remaining obstacle. J.J. Barea and Rodrigo Beaubois are primarily point guards, and Beaubois is currently sidelined with a long-term injury. J.J. Barea’s height and defensive limitations make him an unlikely starter.

Yoon Youngjae has outperformed DeShawn Stevenson in the preseason. His field goal percentage is more than 10% higher, and his basic stats, such as points, rebounds, and assists, are also significantly better. Based purely on the numbers, Yoon Youngjae’s inclusion in the starting lineup seems almost certain. However, DeShawn Stevenson’s years of NBA experience give him a clear advantage.

Furthermore, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle has a known preference for veterans over rookies, and the team’s complex and unconventional tactics can be challenging for rookies to grasp. All eyes are on whether Yoon Youngjae can become the first Korean NBA player to secure a regular role.

Re: Come here after seeing this and look at Rick Callile LOL

Re: On a pilgrimage~ God Yonggeun!!!

Re: This is what it takes to be worth reading. It has expertise.

Re: I guess the coach here is a boomer too. Why does it have to be a boomer coach?

Re: Okay, Mavs, do well. Nowitzki is getting old, and Kidd and Terry need to win a championship before they get even older.

October 27, 2010.

The NBA’s grand opening, which transforms the United States into a basketball frenzy, had arrived. The long season began with a highly anticipated game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. It was a clash between the veteran Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, who had won a championship together a few years prior, and the newly formed, young Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami.

It was a battle between the established Big 3 in Boston, who had already tasted championship glory, and the young Big 3 in Miami, assembled to challenge their dominance. These were the two powerhouses of the Eastern Conference this season, making their matchup a natural choice for the opening game. From the NBA’s perspective, this was a must-see event to generate excitement for the league.

“Hoo.”

Meanwhile, at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks, including Youngjae, were going through their final warm-ups before their first game of the season. Their opponent was the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that had gained increased attention due to Michael Jordan, who had been approved as the team’s owner by the NBA Board of Governors on March 18, 2010, being a co-owner.

Although Michael Jordan’s impact as a co-owner was still developing, the team had shown promise, reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2009-10 NBA regular season.

However, the Dallas Mavericks were entering the season with sky-high expectations. They had a strong preseason record of 7 wins and 1 loss in 8 games, with their only defeat being a close one against the Orlando Magic, who had also looked dominant in the preseason.

The Mavs had struggled against the Orlando Magic, led by Dwight Howard, one of the league’s top centers, Vince Carter, known for his spectacular dunks and scoring ability, and Jameer Nelson, who orchestrated the offense. Orlando’s potent offense, often referred to as their “archery unit” [referring to their array of three-point shooters], proved too much to handle. However, the loss to Orlando served as a wake-up call, and the Mavs went on to win all their remaining preseason games, finishing with an impressive 7-1 record and entering the regular season with considerable momentum.

“Yoon, relax. What’s wrong? You seem nervous all of a sudden.”

As the preseason progressed, the team’s rotation began to take shape. Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki had solidified their roles as undisputed starters, reaffirming their status as key players. However, the remaining three starting spots were up for grabs, leading to intense competition.

The small forward position was essentially a two-man rotation between Caron Butler and Shawn Marion. Caron Butler was favored when the team needed shooting or three-point threats, while Shawn Marion was preferred for his ability to drive to the basket and hit mid-range shots. Additionally, Caron Butler’s versatility allowed him to play shooting guard, giving him an advantage in terms of playing time regardless of the lineup.

Essentially, Caron Butler, as the team’s second-leading scorer, was guaranteed a starting role. Shawn Marion had agreed to transition into a key sixth-man role, depending on the game situation. The coaching staff had the flexibility to make adjustments based on strategy, regardless of who started and who came off the bench.

On paper, Brendan Haywood appeared to be the starting center, but Tyson Chandler was the preferred option. Brendan Haywood, who had signed a long-term contract with the Dallas Mavericks this summer (6 years, $55 million), had struggled to perform consistently, giving the impression that he was losing ground during the preseason. He seemed to have gained weight compared to the previous year, and his movements appeared sluggish.

Ian Mahinmi, who made occasional appearances in the preseason, had established himself as the third-string center, primarily showcasing his speed and athleticism for a big man. However, he was facing competition from Alexis Ajinca, who had been acquired as part of the Tyson Chandler trade.

Finally, the shooting guard position was the most hotly contested. Jason Terry and DeShawn Stevenson, who primarily played shooting guard, were joined by Yoon Youngjae and J.J. Barea, who could both play either guard position. These four players engaged in a fierce battle for the backup point guard role and the two shooting guard spots.

Jason Terry, aware of his advancing age, had engaged in numerous discussions about his playing time and eventually agreed to reduce his minutes after a long conversation with Carlisle. He accepted the role of sixth man but requested guaranteed playing time comparable to a starter and consistent minutes in the fourth quarter. Carlisle agreed to these terms, resolving the situation.

Jason Kidd, the oldest player on the Mavs, also recognized the increasing physical demands of playing extended minutes. He was able to reach an agreement with Carlisle to reduce his playing time, similar to Terry’s situation. The willingness of both players to accept reduced roles, and Coach Carlisle’s decision to limit their minutes, was largely due to the emergence of Youngjae and J.J. Barea.

Both Youngjae and Barea provided the Mavs with valuable guard depth and the ability to penetrate the defense. Previously, the team had been limited to a perimeter-oriented offense due to a lack of guards who could drive to the basket and create scoring opportunities. They had invested heavily in developing Rodrigo Beaubois, but he had suffered an unfortunate injury. Youngjae and Barea were now capable of filling that void. Barea, however, had earned the nickname ‘Bareaam’ [a derogatory term implying reckless play] in Korea due to his perceived tunnel vision and risky passes. He had even faced criticism from local fans and was sometimes ridiculed as Coach Carlisle’s favorite.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

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

★Thank you for the sponsorship coupon, Writer Euiseol!!

※Archery Unit: A case where several 3-point specialist shooters are positioned.

＠The regular season has finally begun. We’ve entered the regular season faster than expected. Please look forward to it a lot~

＠The text has been slightly modified after being uploaded.

Thank you, Brilliant Legacy, Cheonsangbyeolli, Feel~!!!

Niapekkotminam/// Is sports fiction all about the exhilarating taste?

Gogireulmeokja, kksswqq771/// I lightly expressed the Korean media’s reaction ㅎㅎ

Dydqlsl/// Sigh, the community is still in an uproar over the hack-or-not operation. It’s a never-ending debate because there’s no right answer.

Infinite Fire Dragon/// ㅎㅎ I have delivered one episode.

Writer Euiseol/// Now it’s finally the regular season~ I wonder how well he’ll do ㅎㅎ

Misscherry/// Athletes grow every year. Youngjae will be the same

Topican/// Thank you~ Today is the beginning of the regular season, so it feels like an introduction

Zigichacha/// Griffin is a bit too strong. The Clippers… are having a hard time meeting San Antonio.

Angel’s Excuse/// ㅎㅎ One episode for now~

-DarkANGEL-/// Thank you~

Guardia/// At this time, the Dallas shooting guard needed a dual guard. A dual guard is a 1.5-player like Jordan, Kobe, and Iverson who can score, pass, and break through. Youngjae is exactly this type. And when describing Youngjae’s play, shooting is described a little more concisely or less often than passing. We will try harder in this part. Thank you for your feedback.

Lafir and Jint/// He was just a monster. He was the third unanimous Rookie of the Year in history and the only rookie selected to the All-Star Game that season.

Omariyon, Financia/// Thank you for your comments as always.

Huhcafe/// We still lack writing skills ㅠ.ㅠ I thought we highlighted Youngjae, but it’s not. We will try harder. And Youngjae’s importance will gradually increase as we go through the regular season ㅎㅎ

Swoemangchi/// ㅎㅎ Thank you for the compliment~

Ithilien/// Chandler’s contract expires at the end of this season, and I’m thinking about what to do in the offseason. I’ll probably decide when I describe the playoffs.