Mavericks notes: Chandler Parsons plays back-to-back for first time in return
Something important happened to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night that hadn’t happened all season.
Well, actually it happened Tuesday and Wednesday.
For the first time this season, Chandler Parsons played both ends of a back-to-back. The fifth-year veteran small forward played in Tuesday’s game in Toronto and also Wednesday night in Brooklyn.
That was a major step for Parsons, who had hybrid microfracture surgery on his right knee on May 1 and has since been under a minutes restriction. Parsons had been despondent by his lack of playing time.
The last thing I want to do is miss this game. It’s definitely frustrating.
Deron Williams on playing his former team
the Brooklyn NetsThe Mavericks, however, expected some grumbling from Parsons concerning his minutes. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks president of basketball operations, said that Parsons had no choice but to be brought along slowly.
“He’s not one of those guys to lay out all of his ailments to the press, and so it’s been tough,” Nelson said. “He’s wanted to get out there and be there for his teammates, and we really had to put some reins on it, because he’s the kind of guy that we need to protect him from him.”
If left up to Parsons, the Mavericks know he would have averaged more than the 21.9 minutes a game he’s played through the first 28 games.
“We don’t want him pushing it and something happens and we lose him long term,” Nelson said. “I know we’ve taken the right conservative approach, and slowly as he’s able to come into more and more minutes, I think you’ll see his confidence go up, his timing and rhythm go up and his production will be the best results.”
Williams sits
Deron Williams wanted to play Wednesday at Brooklyn against his former team, the Nets, as well. The 11-year veteran, however, missed the game with a strained left hamstring.
There is no timetable for Williams’ return. Although some Nets fans kept calling his name before and during the game, Williams remained in the locker room during the game.
Williams played the past four seasons for the Nets and became the face of their franchise three years ago when he signed a five-year, $98.7 million contract. Everything went sour, however, between the Nets and Williams — partly because of repeated injuries.
Williams looked forward to playing, even though he knew he would the object of the fans’ derision.
“The last thing I want to do is miss this game,” Williams said. “It’s definitely frustrating.”
The Nets bought out the final two season of Williams’ contract last summer for $27.5 million. That paved the way for The Colony native to return home and sign a free-agent contract with the Mavericks.
Nelson said it was only appropriate.
“I think, like anything else, it’s about timing,” Nelson said. “I think that home is home — you just can’t compare it.
“Sometimes that can be a great thing and sometimes that can be a challenge. But look, he’s one of those very special Texas products that made us all proud to be part of a fraternity for years and years.”
Nelson said Williams fits in well with the list of Mavericks point guards.
“It’s the most important position, which is the quarterback position, and we’ve been spoiled rotten here with guys like Jason Kidd and Steve Nash,” Nelson said. “So the expectation level is very, very high.
“But Deron’s been excellent both on and off the court with his production, and I think as he learns how to play with his teammates more and more, I think the best is yet to come.”
Dwain Price: 817-390-7760, @dwainprice
We don’t want him pushing it and something happens and we lose him long term. Donnie Nelson on Chandler Parsons
This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Mavericks notes: Chandler Parsons plays back-to-back for first time in return."