Photos: Charles “City” Gbadebo
The one talent Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II wishes most for is to be able to sing.
“I can’t sing at all. In the shower maybe a little bit, but soon as I step out, it’s terrible.”
The 7’1 rookie center talked with Texas Metro News (TMN) earlier this week as he prepared to participate in this weekend’s NBA All-Star Festivities.
Lively was also recently selected to compete in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars game at All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis. The competition will take place on Friday, Feb. 16, at Gainbridge Field House, airing live on TNT at 7:30 p.m. CT.
He is the first Maverick to be named to the Rising Stars game since five-time All-Star Luka Dončić was a participant in 2019 and 2020.
Lively, who has been out since the end of January with a nasal fracture, talked with TMN about what fans can expect during his Rising Star debut, his favorite NBA All-Star memories, turning 20 years old, his idea of perfect happiness and more.
TMN: You turned 20 on Monday – what was your birthday wish?
DL: My birthday wish was to be able to take off the little bandage over my nose and I was able to do that, so I had a great time. (he laughs). It was a great birthday being able to be surrounded by a great organization, had my friends and family and people who support me here so it was awesome.
TMN: What are you looking forward to at All-Star?
DL: Being able to take in the new experience. I’ve never been in this position! Just want to go out there and enjoy myself and learn as much as I can.
I hope to get a double or triple lob that would be great to post out there on social media. Me, Chet (Holmgreen from the OKC Thunder) and Walker (Kessler from the Utah Jazz) if we just start running, jumping and making sure we get each other open and go out there and have fun together; we’ve never played together – just go out there and have fun.
TMN: What are your favorite All-Star memories?
DL: I remember watching old videos of Shaq with the phone in his shoe; watching AI, watching Bron, Kobe just being able to recall when I was watching All Star and now I am in the NBA and I am going to that weekend. It’s just a great experience, a great privilege to have.
TMN: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
DL: That’s a great question. That woman right there is the true definition of happiness for me. (He points to his mom as she walks by.) Just being able to know I have my family to support me, being able to provide for her, means the world to me.
TMN: Do you have a Valentine?
DL: Mayyybeeeeeee . Let’s leave it at maybe.
TMN: If you had 24 hours completely free – what would you do?
DL: Go back to Philly. See my family, spend 12 hours there then go to Ohio and spend the rest of the time with my family on my mom’s side.
TMN: Thoughts on new Maverick Daniel Gafford:
DL: Man, I’m so excited for Gafford. Just talking to him from the first day I told him he could easily go out there and get 20 and 10 (20 points, 10 rebounds) and he got 19 and 9. Just knowing he has the energy, he talks, he battles, just being able to have someone like that to go up again in practice everyday, it’s amazing. We will make each other better. We are the team’s legs so we have to make sure we have our heart and head in the game every day.
TMN: One word to describe your rookie season and why that word?
DL: Lively! (laughs) That’s the only way to put it. It’s been ups, downs, great times, bad times, but I wouldn’t change anything that has happened for the world.
TMN: Is your broken nose the craziest injury you’ve had?
DL: I’ve had surgery on my ankle when I was in high school but having a broken nose is definitely the worst injury. You can’t breathe. Your center of gravity is thrown off. You have a stuffed sinus. Very hard to breathe. Gotta sit up at night, sleep sitting up. It’s just so many things you have to go through.
TMN: How are you feeling now?
DL: I’m feeling amazing now I’m working out, Out here having fun. I can even sweat now so I’m good.
Among rookies, Lively, the 12th-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft ranks first in field goal percentage (.739), second in rebounds (7.9 rpg), third in blocks (1.39 bpg), seventh in minutes (26.0 mpg) and is tied for ninth in scoring (9.2 ppg).
Lively opened the season with his first-career double-double (16 pts/10 reb) at San Antonio on Oct. 25. He scored his career high of 20 points (9-9 FG) with a career-high 16 rebounds, seven blocks and one steal vs. Oklahoma City on Dec. 2, becoming the first rookie in NBA history in the shot clock era to record a 20-point, 15-rebound game with a 100% field goal percentage.
He has since matched his career-high 20 points at Phoenix on Christmas Day and vs. Orlando on Jan. 29. He is the second rookie in NBA history to have multiple games of 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 88.9 percent from the field or better (Buck Williams).
The former Duke Blue Devil has posted eight double-doubles this season, 16 games with 10-plus points, 13 games with 10-plus rebounds and 14 games with multiple blocks.
