DMN: Mavericks' Ross is the picture of a solid role player
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:58 amhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/093009dnspomavslede.3def80d.html
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
UNIVERSITY PARK – Look around the gym the Mavericks are using, and you see one player's face plastered on the wall.
It's not Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Kidd or Jason Terry.
It's Quinton Ross.
The Crum Basketball Center at SMU is home for the Mavericks this week and while it wasn't built when Ross was playing for the Mustangs, Tuesday still was very much the homecoming for the 6-6 guard who was an under-the-radar off-season signee.
Ross suppresses a giggle when asked if the Crum Center is the "the house that Q built?" But there's nothing funny about the way he plays defense, which is why he has a chance to be a solid rotation player this season for the Mavericks.
"We love him because he knows who he is as a player," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a terrific role player, an excellent defensive player and an opportunistic offensive player because he finds openings and makes open shots.
"We felt it was an important signing for us, not only because he's a good player, but because he's a home-grown product. Anytime you can integrate a guy like that who is well thought of and whose picture is on the wall here at SMU, it's great for your franchise."
Ross, 28, grew up and still has a home in DeSoto.
That was part of the allure of signing with the Mavericks as a free agent this summer. The sixth-year pro knew he was coming into a competitive situation. And he also knew he was coming to a team with the potential for lots of playoff success.
"It's great competition," Ross said. "This is one of the deepest teams in the league. You got all-stars and Hall of Famers, so it's going to be tough [to earn playing time].
"But this is definitely right for me. This organization is trying to win a title, and I'm happy to be part of it. It's unreal. This is where I grew up."
The Mavericks were drawn to Ross because of his defensive ability, particularly the only time he was in the playoffs – with the Clippers in 2006. They beat Denver in five games in the first round.
"Not to put too much pressure on him, but one of the things he did really well in the playoffs was a really great job against Carmelo (Anthony)," owner Mark Cuban said. "Some of our stats showed he was one of the top two defenders against Carmelo. Now Carmelo has improved a lot since then, so we'll see. But that was part of the decision-making process."
Ross knows he's not going to be a primary offensive option with the Mavericks.
"I made my niche in the league playing defense," he said. "Last year, I shot the 3-ball OK. And I'm trying to improve that. So hopefully, if I can bring that to the table, I can get some playing time."
Starting this stage of his career on the SMU campus makes it even better, though Ross admits it is hard to feel too much of a connection to the shiny new practice facility.
"Hopefully, the Mustangs can win some games," Ross said. "This is a beautiful practice facility – unbelievable. But I didn't get to play in it."
Until Tuesday.
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
UNIVERSITY PARK – Look around the gym the Mavericks are using, and you see one player's face plastered on the wall.
It's not Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Kidd or Jason Terry.
It's Quinton Ross.
The Crum Basketball Center at SMU is home for the Mavericks this week and while it wasn't built when Ross was playing for the Mustangs, Tuesday still was very much the homecoming for the 6-6 guard who was an under-the-radar off-season signee.
Ross suppresses a giggle when asked if the Crum Center is the "the house that Q built?" But there's nothing funny about the way he plays defense, which is why he has a chance to be a solid rotation player this season for the Mavericks.
"We love him because he knows who he is as a player," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a terrific role player, an excellent defensive player and an opportunistic offensive player because he finds openings and makes open shots.
"We felt it was an important signing for us, not only because he's a good player, but because he's a home-grown product. Anytime you can integrate a guy like that who is well thought of and whose picture is on the wall here at SMU, it's great for your franchise."
Ross, 28, grew up and still has a home in DeSoto.
That was part of the allure of signing with the Mavericks as a free agent this summer. The sixth-year pro knew he was coming into a competitive situation. And he also knew he was coming to a team with the potential for lots of playoff success.
"It's great competition," Ross said. "This is one of the deepest teams in the league. You got all-stars and Hall of Famers, so it's going to be tough [to earn playing time].
"But this is definitely right for me. This organization is trying to win a title, and I'm happy to be part of it. It's unreal. This is where I grew up."
The Mavericks were drawn to Ross because of his defensive ability, particularly the only time he was in the playoffs – with the Clippers in 2006. They beat Denver in five games in the first round.
"Not to put too much pressure on him, but one of the things he did really well in the playoffs was a really great job against Carmelo (Anthony)," owner Mark Cuban said. "Some of our stats showed he was one of the top two defenders against Carmelo. Now Carmelo has improved a lot since then, so we'll see. But that was part of the decision-making process."
Ross knows he's not going to be a primary offensive option with the Mavericks.
"I made my niche in the league playing defense," he said. "Last year, I shot the 3-ball OK. And I'm trying to improve that. So hopefully, if I can bring that to the table, I can get some playing time."
Starting this stage of his career on the SMU campus makes it even better, though Ross admits it is hard to feel too much of a connection to the shiny new practice facility.
"Hopefully, the Mustangs can win some games," Ross said. "This is a beautiful practice facility – unbelievable. But I didn't get to play in it."
Until Tuesday.