The contents of the Amway Center visitorsā locker room donāt vary much. Scattered clothing, towels and the occasional Louis Vuitton bag seem like permanent fixtures; the faces all change even as the items in the background remain a constant.
But Dallas Mavericks rookie Justin Anderson stands out in this regard. Tucked in the corner behind him is a shiny, pink suitcase, adorned with Disney princesses that beam brightly in stark contrast to the other items in the locker. Was that something he picked for a reason?
āOh, you noticed that, did you?ā Anderson responds, casting his eyes downward for the first time during the interview. Yes, the Little Mermaid does seem somewhat out of place in a sweat-filled room full of adult men.
āNo, I didnāt pick it. Deron [Williams] did. Right when we started out the regular season and we took a road trip. I had a really nice bag and he was like, āThatās okay but I need to get you something a little different.ā I already suspected where he was going with that and he went online right away and, sure enough, I soon had that waiting for me when I got back home.ā
The first year of life in the NBA can be a difficult transition. Constant travel, struggling for consistent playing time and, yes, the incongruous pink suitcase, are all parts of the rookie adjustment. But Anderson ā equal parts über-athlete and tireless worker ā is definitely up to the task.
āJustin is just a special kid.ā
Those are the words ofĀ Stu Vetter, one of the winningest high-school coaches in history, and a man that coached Anderson and a āhost of otherā NBA players, including Dennis Scott, Greivis Vazquez, Terrence Ross and Kevin Durant.
Justin played for Vetter for four years at Montrose Christian High School in Rockville, Maryland, just miles outside of the nationās capital. But it was a pairing that nearly didnāt happen, if not for Andersonās father reaching out to Montroseās head coach by phone.
āHis dad called me, out of the blue,ā admits Vetter,āand says I have a son thatās 6-4 and really athletic. Normally, when I get those calls, a guy will be about 5-7 and can barely touch the net. But Justinās dad, his description of Justin was legitimate. He was that type right from the beginning. He was one of those rare athletesā¦ā
Despite that uncommon athletic talent, Anderson wasnāt immediately a star at Montrose. This was a storied program that had moved on from Durantās departure but was still very much a powerhouse.
āWe had a lot of good players, so Justin had to just wait his turn,ā says Vetter. There was no doubt about Andersonās ability ā he was definitely being groomed to be the āface of the programā according to his former coach ā but it wasnāt a foregone conclusion. āHeās not one of those spoiled guys thatās been catered to his entire high school career. He had to earn it ā go step-by-step ā to become a starter, and then a go-to player. It wasnāt given to him, not like some coddled superstars.ā
It was an education for Anderson and all of his teammates, one that included lessons both on and off-the-court. All of Vetterās players had to wear coats and ties, learn interview techniques and how to present themselves. To do the simple things, like āshake hands and look someone in the eye.ā The lessons stuck with Anderson, who Vetter describes as āvery bright, very genuine,ā and a player āyou can have a real conversation with.ā
He would leave Montrose a bigger (now at 6ā6ā³), better, and more well-rounded player, choosing to continue his career at the University of Virginia. Again, the pattern repeated itself. āHis first year at UVA, he wasnāt a starter right away,ā explains Vetter. āHe worked his way into the starting lineup and was coached very well there by Tony Bennett and eventually became an outstanding defensive player.ā
Anderson made the most of his opportunity as a starter, earning All-ACC and All-American honors during his junior year. After three seasons as a Cavalier, he decided to forgo his finalĀ year of eligibility and enter the 2015 NBA Draft.
He was selected No. 21 overall by Dallas, a team that exists in a dual state of perpetually rebuilding and challenging for a postseason berth. The roster turnover is frequent but so is the teamās success. They remain a playoff contender, even while incorporating several new players that find a way to contribute.
Anderson is not one of those players.
Unlike many of the draftās earliest picks, however, Anderson was not expected to be a major factor for Dallas. His selection was one for the future, with potential yet to be fulfilled. Heās learning the ropes slowly, splitting time between the Mavericks and their D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. The athletic highlights are there, spliced together with more common rookie struggles in 38 appearances with the Mavs, where he averages just 2.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 8.1 minutes per game.
This might appear to some as proof that Anderson wasnāt ready for the NBA; donāt count Vetter among that group. āHeās the type of the player that will continue to work because he loves to play the game. He will get better as the season moves on, as he gets more experience,ā says Vetter in a voice heavy with determination. āAnd he will learn. He will work in the offseason and be a better basketball player next year than he was this one.ā
Setting aside an individualās abilities or determination, there is the cold reality that success could be at least partially (if not largely) determined by a playerās fit with their respective team. For all of Dallasā winning ways over the past decade, the argument could be made they donāt draft particularly well.
Several of their most recent selections never panned out or were traded away. Even draftees they didnāt pick (like Jae Crowder, acquired from Cleveland in a draft-day trade in 2012) didnāt really accomplish much until they were sent to thrive elsewhere. Much of the teamās success can be attributed to the presence of Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle, the two constants which the Mavericks seem to perpetually build around.
But Anderson certainly doesnāt believe he would be a better fit elsewhere. āThe Mavs have been terrific for me,ā he said before a recent game against the Orlando Magic. When asked about his transition from college to the NBA, Anderson responded quickly: āItās been a seamless one, I would say, and definitely a unique experience. Itās like your dream has finally come true and once itās right there in front of you, you see there are a lot of similarities, a lot of parallels, from what Iāve learned before.ā
Anderson admits there have been āa couple of tough momentsā but understands he still has some work to do to compete in the NBA.
The veteran depth in Dallas might be a negative for other rookies but, given his experience at Montrose Christian and Virginia, itās something that Anderson truly appreciates. āI hear a lot of stories around the NBA from other rookies, basically talking about how their vets donāt talk to them as much and stuff like that,ā said Anderson. āIām just very fortunate to have a group of guys that care about me. They look out for me. Theyāre just a terrific group of vets. Itās been a phenomenal experience.ā
And what of the annual playoff push? Is that an obstacle to his development? āWell, I think it helps because the NBA is really all about winning,ā responds Anderson. āRight now, Iām just trying to learn what it takes to be a winner, what it takes to be in the playoffs. Not many second-year players in the NBA can tell what it takesā¦Iām already speaking on grounds that a lot of people never get to experience.ā
Winning as a team is Andersonās biggest priority and he has never put his own needs above that crucial goal. But his individual development is still a major focus, and heās applied that long-established work ethic to help him reach his potential.
āIt takes a long time,ā admits Anderson. āItās a process. A marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes, I have to tell myself to calm down because itās only my first year but I want to have so much success so fast ā and I donāt mean for myself or to put myself on a pedestal ā but just doing the little things and big things to help a team win.ā
He sees himself as a future ā3-and-Dā star, acknowledging similarities between himself and players likeĀ San Antonioās Kawhi Leonard and Chicagoās Jimmy Butler. āNot to compare myself to them,ā Anderson sheepishly admits, ābut I like the way a lot of players approach the game, understanding the mindset of wanting to guard the best players or bring energy defensively while also knocking down shots offensively.ā
Bringing energy is an oft-repeated mantra from Anderson and itās something that was clearly expected from him when Dallas chose him in the draft. But thereās a need to temper that ā to harness it more effectively ā and heās working closely with his coaches and teammates to be a better player.
āIn this league, you have to find your niche, and kind of build from there,ā explains Anderson. Heās made three-point shooting one of his priorities but acknowledges his low percentage (27.1 percent on 48 attempts) doesnāt reflect that. The main goal is maintaining intensity and developing versatility.
āIāve embraced that,ā he adds decisively.
He also looks to Nowitzki as a mentor. While their styles are hardly comparable, the future Hall-of-Famerās approach is certainly one worth emulating. āThereās always a lot to learn,ā explained Anderson. āOnce you stop learning in the NBAā¦I mean, I donāt know if you ever do stop learning. You look at a guy like Dirk, heās still learning things.ā
Itās clear that Andersonās NBA journey has just begun, with the combination of elite athleticism, tireless dedication and a keen understanding to help guide his way. He sees the obstacles before him as challenges similar to ones heās overcome before. The quest and his eventual destination ā stardom ā are clear. Heāll get there someday, appreciating each step along the way.
Bright, pink suitcase and all.