New Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May laid it all out last week, telling 105.3 the Fan that the Mavs aren’t teaching these guys how to win, they’re already well-versed. That’s a serious statement right there, and it speaks volumes about what Dallas is trying to build heading into the pre-season. This isn’t just about X’s and O’s, it’s about a foundational shift in mentality.
The Culture Club Is Officially Open in Dallas
You wanna know what winning looks like? Just check out the current NBA Champions, the New York Knicks. They aren’t rolling with an MVP or the league’s top scorer. What they have is a rock-solid, well-built team and a true leader in Jalen Brunson. Brunson came up in that team-first Villanova system, you know? He gets how to make everyone click and step up when it matters most. That’s pure winning culture, a firm foundation from top to bottom. And that kind of mental game, that winning culture, is just as crucial as any individual skill on the court. It’s clear Dallas Mavericks president and GM Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz have made this their top priority since they took over, from who they drafted to who they acquired and who they kept on the roster this summer. They’re making moves.
These Guys Know How to Get It Done
May went deep on specific players, saying they’re more than ready to help stamp that winning mindset all over Dallas. He called out Marcus Sasser, who came from a winning college program at Houston and then the Pistons. The man’s used to winning, simple as that. Then there’s Tarik Biberovic, who was just playing in the EuroLeague finals! And Morez Johnson Jr. already has a championship under his belt. That’s not a coincidence, that’s intentional. May even pointed out Zacch Risacher, who was with an Atlanta Hawks team that had the Knicks on the ropes in the playoffs before New York somehow flipped the switch. And can we talk about Sergio De Larrea? He just clinched a Spanish championship with Valencia over powerhouse Barcelona AND was named Best Young Player in the Spanish ACB league for 2026. This dude knows how to win. May’s repeating it: they’ve got a ton of guys who already understand what it takes to stack up W’s.
Dallas hasn’t seen this kind of winning culture since their Finals run back in 2024. Building it back, truly making it stick, takes more than just young talent; you need veterans and leaders, both on and off the court, setting the tone for everyone. With pre-season around the corner, what these guys bring to the locker room could be everything. This isn’t just about individual talent, it’s about a collective hunger for victory.
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.
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