Monta Ellis excited to be Dirk Nowitzki’s sidekick
By Mike Dyce
The Dallas Mavericks upgraded their backcourt this offseason by signing guard Monta Ellis. The goal of the offseason was to find a star for Dirk Nowitzki to hand the franchise off to, but they’ve whiffed on big fish free agents Deron Williams and Dwight Howard.
The next best thing is a solid second option for scoring, and the Mavericks might have found that.
“I’m actually coming to be Dirk’s sidekick,” new guard Monta Ellis said at the team’s introductory press conference Thursday afternoon, via ESPN Dallas.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Ellis continued. “It’s a new beginning. I’m looking forward to it.”
Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle is excited about the addition of Ellis and thinks his speed will fit in nicely.
“He’s a very good play-maker,” Carlisle said of Ellis. “When you play with a guy like Dirk, there’s going to be more space on the floor, which is going to help Monta. His speed is going to compliment Dirk well and he’s going to compliment the rest of our team.”
Ellis agrees.
“I think the system that coach has is a great one for me,” Ellis said.
“It’s a great organization and a great team that we have,” Ellis added. “I’m very excited and I always dreamed of playing with an organization as good as Dallas, so to be here and play with a Hall of Famer like Dirk makes everything easier and much smoother. Hopefully we can get back to Dallas Mavericks basketball and competing the way we should.”