The Dallas Mavericks, or at least the summer version of themselves, knocked off Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night to win their first game of the Las Vegas Summer League. As the old adage goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and that should be true of any grandiose Summer League takes from Dallas’ first three games.
Dallas, TX
UT Dallas lays off workers to comply with SB 17
DALLAS — UT Dallas is laying off more employees. The move comes after the school already let go nearly two dozen people earlier this year.
It’s how the university says it is trying to comply with SB 17, a controversial law out of the Capitol that prohibits institutions from conducting or supporting diversity, equity and inclusion activities, trainings and programs.
On Tuesday, UT Dallas announced plans to close the Office of Campus Resources and Support and said the people who worked there will lose their jobs.
UT Austin made a similar announcement last week, eliminating 60 jobs.
Both were a response to SB 17.
“There could be some equitable implications as to the nature of such a prohibition or restriction that comes with SB 17, and there could also be some constitutional implications regarding association, speech, due process, equal protection,” said Paul Stafford, a Dallas Attorney.
He thinks the law could have some unintended consequences for Texas universities.
“It could encourage or discourage students apply or attend schools in Texas,” he said.
The moves by universities come after the law’s sponsor, Sen. Brandon Creighton, sent a letter to university chancellors and regents about enforcing the new law.
In a statement Creighton said: “The enactment of SB 17 is a significant step towards ensuring that merit and ability are the sole determinants of success within our higher education institutions.”
Stafford said officials and citizens will have to address the new challenges that come with the enforcement of the new law.
“I think it’s incumbent on both our elected officials and our electorate to address that in a way that fosters the type of society that we believe that we want and that we say that we want,” Stafford said.
In the announcement, UT Dallas said student workers with the department will retain their jobs through the end of the semester.
The Dallas Mavericks play on Thursday afternoon at 3pm on Amazon Prime against the Summer Oklahoma City Thunder. Honestly, I forgot about this game, regular work day and all for me, and I suspect most Mavs fans won’t be catching this one either. But in case you do, here’s a discussion board:
I have no idea who isn’t playing. I hope Morez Johnson does but calf injuries are serious.
The Grizzlies game was fun. Here’s hoping this one is too. How’s that for a game preview. If any of the guys drafted in Dallas plays, then that’s a good thing. We want to see them play basketball.
Nonetheless, after attending the Mavericks’ first game in Vegas and loosely watching the last two, there are at least some big picture thoughts that I think could matter as we get closer to the NBA’s regular season.
The rooks have impressed far more than the sophomores
It’s not like Dallas was in a position where they needed a second-year guy to come to Vegas and show that they’re too good for Summer League. Cooper Flagg showed plenty enough last year in route to winning Rookie of the Year to avoid playing in Vegas again. The Mavericks did, however, bring each of their three two-way contract players to Vegas, and the results have been mixed at best.
Ryan Nembhard was legitimately terrible against the Lakers on Saturday night, with five turnovers complimenting his 3-for-11 night from the floor. John Poulakidas has been fine, albeit the shot has been a bit uninspiring after yet another 1-for-4 showing against Memphis on Monday. And then there’s Tyler Smith, who received a DNP – coaches decision on Monday against the Grizzlies after playing just 28 combined minutes in the first two contests.
Meanwhile, Morez Johnson Jr. had 27 points in game one, Sergio de Larrea just dropped 16 points and 12 assists in the win over Memphis, Tobi Lawal is doing some fun athletic stuff, and Seva Ishchenko has been better than I thought in his three games of action. That juxtaposition leaves Dallas in an interesting spot as they evaluate what the end of the roster will look like.
Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea two-man actions should be a bench-group staple
One of the more intriguing things about the first two games was seeing the synergy of the Mavericks two first round selections. In game one against the Warriors, Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio de Larrea hooked up for a couple of excellent possessions, with Johnson Jr. slipping a screen and de Larrea throwing an excellent pass, resulting in nice finishes at the rim.
As Sergio continued to get increasingly comfortable, you saw the best of him against Memphis. Twelve assists against that Memphis group is quite salty! De Larrea showed off his vision and passing creativity, throwing several pinpoint lobs for dunks. Of course, as the pair learns to scale this into the NBA there will be some challenges. But as an early return, I like the idea of this two-man tandem alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.
Seva Ishchenko isn’t ready for the NBA… yet
I’m actually more impressed with Ishchenko after the first week in Vegas than I thought! He’s been a pleasant surprise to watch, as he hasn’t been as overwhelmed athletically as many have feared. Granted, it’s been very hit or miss on that, but on the whole, he’s fit in quite nicely.
Another year or two of seasoning for The Big Lebowski would do him very well. The Mavericks should be angling for him to end up in a stronger European league than where he was last year, playing for Lokomotiv in Russia. Ishchenko needs to get stronger, which will help him overcome the issues he’s had finishing at the rim during the first week of Summer League. But there have been glimpses of what the vision there is. Here’s to hoping the Mavs can play the long game here.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Card-carrying SAG member Timothée Chalamet was “starstruck” to meet the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders — doubtless due to their impressive collective bargaining skills, as depicted in docuseries America’s Sweethearts. Or because they’re classic Americana, either way. The Cheerleaders and Anna Kate Sundvold posted a video of Chalamet meeting the group and expressing his starstruckedness. “Imagine when he finds out that every single one of these dancers trained in ballet…” one commenter wryly snarked.
Chalamet was in Dallas for the FIFA World Cup, watching the France vs. Spain game. He wore a France jacket to the event, eliciting cheers and boos at Dallas Stadium in equal measure according to People. So Mr. Knicks met the cheerleaders for America’s football team at a fútbol match? Is there a single sport this guy isn’t stumping for? We eagerly await learning Timmy’s favorites in hockey, lacrosse, and individualized synchronized swimming (it’s real, look it up).
-
West Virginia2 minutes agoWest Virginia to conduct comprehensive review of all bridges as state targets repairs
-
Wyoming8 minutes agoNWSR issues Flood Watch advisory for portions of Central, Northwest Wyoming
-
Crypto14 minutes agoDeFi’s Newest Threat: How Malicious Liquidity Pools Are Trick-Quoting Ethereum and Polygon Users
-
Finance20 minutes agoGold Purchases Accelerate as Dollar Confidence Wanes
-
Fitness26 minutes agoStrength training over decades linked to longer life – Harvard Health
-
Movie Reviews38 minutes agoMovie Review: “The Odyssey” by Nolan
-
World50 minutes ago
US strikes bridges and collapses a tower at a key port as its Iran campaign expands
-
Lifestyle2 hours agoAn eco-journalist takes on a Big Tech in this modern twist on the heist novel
