Dallas Mavericks fans, get ready: new head coach Dusty May is officially taking the reins, and his approach to the game is all about building killer relationships, a style that just helped Michigan secure the NCAA Championship in 2026. This isn’t your granddad’s coaching playbook; it’s a deep dive into the human side of the game, and honestly, the league might not know what hit ’em.
Forget X’s and O’s, It’s About the People
Look, we all know drawing up plays can be complex, but according to Mike MacKay, the director of technical development for Canada Basketball, the “soft skills” of coaching are actually way harder. He’s been emphasizing this stuff at clinics, like a recent one in Copenhagen. MacKay says things like communication, building relationships, empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation often get called “soft,” but he’s not buying it. He even dropped this gem on his podcast “On Point”: “There is nothing soft about coaching people.” He’s right, though, isn’t he? “Drawing up a play is relatively easy. Talking to a disappointed athlete, who has just lost their starting position, is harder. Holding an athlete accountable when you’re angry, frustrated, and under pressure is a lot harder,” MacKay explained. That hits different, right? It makes you think about what really drives a team.
May’s Secret Sauce: Trust and Teamwork
Dusty May isn’t just talking about these relationship-based skills; he’s living them. Before coming to Dallas this summer, he coached Michigan, and if you watched that team, it was clear he had super close relationships with every player. That connection wasn’t just for show either; it helped them absolutely thrive and pull off huge things, like winning the NCAA Championship in 2026. You just can’t fake that kind of bond. May understands how to build trust and rally his squad. Like that moment during March Madness 2026 when he highlighted a bench player who was ready when their number was called. He told the team in the locker room, “The game rewards the guys that have a great attitude and show up and work when it’s not about them. He probably didn’t expect to play, I’ve been telling him three or four games, stay ready, stay ready.” And he constantly reminds them they’re a collective, teaching them how to win together: “Let’s take care of each other. And just be happy for each other’s success. I’m so happy for the guys that stayed the course and came in and won that f…” (Yeah, the quote cuts off, but you get the vibe!). This guy gets it.
What does this mean for the Mavs? Well, we just saw May in action talking with Sergio de Larrea #55 during the 2026 NBA China Games against the Houston Rockets on October 9. That kind of direct, personal interaction is what we’re gonna see a lot of. It’s not just about drills; it’s about building a team that trusts each other deeply. Get ready for a squad that plays for each other because their coach is all about those hard, human connections. This season is gonna be wild to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
Leave a Reply