Media Day Highlights

h/t to Bryan Gutierrez, Tim MacMahon and Earl K. Sneed for the quotes.

Rick Carlisle

On defense
"We've just got to be better in all areas. We came into last year, if you look at analytic numbers, we were somewhere in the twenties.  ... For the most part, we were below average, but we mitigated it because we had really good offense. This year we have to be better than that defensively. On paper, right now, we're better than we were last year, but we've got to take it to a higher, more consistent level this year to get to where we want to go."

On analytics
"There's a lot of information. There's more all of the time. One of the challenges is sifting through all of it and seeing what's most relevant for your team. We've got a strong analytic department, led by Roland Beech. He's got three guys working with him. We'll be stronger-manned than we've been at any time in that area. In my meetings with him, we're trying to find things that are most-pertinent to chart for our success. You can get carried away and go overboard with metrics, but it's been a good tool for us. That said, it doesn't decide everything."

Mark Cuban

On Daryl Morey
"You know what? The money was pretty much equal with Chandler, right? And he said it was the deal-turner. The only reason I’m even responding is because I respect and like Daryl, who’s smart. He’s got some Donald Trump in him where he doesn’t really understand media all that well, but he’s a smart guy and one of the smartest general managers in the league. So we can have some fun going back and forth.”

On the CBA
"There’s a lot of downsides in all different directions. This CBA is far better in terms of fixing mistakes. It’s worse in terms of keeping your best players. It’s also because the cap can change so dramatically in a lot of different ways. I think we're just all learning on how to approach it."

Dirk Nowitzki

On Chandler Parsons
“I think we want him obviously to expand and evolve his game. He’s only 24 or 25. He’s still not in his prime. He can still get a lot better. But we like what he brings to the table and that’s his versatility. He can play a lot of positions and guard a lot of positions. For 6-9, he’s an unbelievable passer. He’s got a good drive-and-kick game. His 3-pointer is much improved. He’s going to be in a lot of situations for us. He’s going to play some 4 here and there. We’re going to use his versatility to our advantage for sure."

On his Minutes
“We try to stay low 30s. Some nights it goes over 35. Some nights you get blown out or you are blowing out and your minutes get lower. I did a lot of work this summer. I feel ready to play with whatever comes. And I’ll use these four weeks to get in even better condition and I guess I’m ready. In the playoffs, I averaged close to 35 or 40, so whatever comes, comes. I’ll be ready for it.”

Chandler Parsons

On Being in Dallas
"I love it so far. The whole process of getting settled, it’s obviously new to me. I feel like the new kid at school a little bit, but everybody’s been great. The whole organization has made me feel welcome and at home. Teammates have been great and we’ve really been competing all summer long, so I’m excited. This is where I want to be and I’m looking forward to opening up tomorrow. We’ve developed this chemistry for the past month. Nothing’s going to be new for us tomorrow. There were few familiar faces when we first got here, but now everybody knows each other. It’s been a good process so far and we look forward to getting started."

On Playing the Rockets
"Well, I think we play them in a like a week, so it’s coming up quick. It’s funny how they scheduled that. But, no, I have no hard feelings.  It ended a little ugly media-wise, but I’ve talked to all those guys and have respect for all those guys. It was home for three years. I really enjoyed playing there. I really enjoyed playing for coach McHale. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t weird when I go back there and play. I hope there’s no hard feelings. I’m sure there will be, but that’s just another game for me. I’m focused on the big picture, not just the Rockets games, which just happens four times."

Tyson Chandler

On Being Back
"It feels great to be back. At first it was a little surreal, especially walking back into this building. The last three years I’ve been a visitor, so coming in and getting in the locker room and seeing all the guys, it’s a great feeling."

On Staying Longer Than a Year
"We’ll see. I couldn’t answer that question the last time. If you would have asked me that question the last time I would have said yes, and I would have said I would have finished my career here. It still could happen, but I’m not going to be. . .Well, I guess I am in control. But there’s other parties that have to be thinking on the same page as well."