When the Mavericks begin preseason play Thursday against Minnesota in Abu Dhabi (11 a.m. tipoff, NBA TV and mavs.com), Olivier-Maxence Prosper probably will find himself at some point playing defense against high-scoring Anthony Edwards or somebody of similar capabilities.
Edwards, who was part of the American team in the FIBA World Cup last month, is one of the most gifted offensive players in the NBA.
For O-Max, however, it’s a job he will relish. And he feels like he’s had plenty of good preparation for going against elite offensive players.
After all, he’s been guarding Luka Dončić during some of the training camp scrimmages over the past week.
“It’s a challenge, but I’m up for it,” Prosper said before the Mavericks departed on their 12-day journey to Abu Dhabi and Madrid. “I don’t care who’s in front of me, what your resume is. The game still needs to be played.
“Will they make tough shots on me? Yes, they will. That’s part of the game. But if you can make them take the shots they don’t want to take and make their life hard, then I’m doing my job. I’m going to make his life hard. I’m going to make it tough on him and whatever happens, happens.”
And, of course, going against Luka and Kyrie Irving hasn’t hurt his preparations.
“They make tough shots on me,” O-Max said. “But every practice I’m learning how to guard them better and make them take tougher shots. And take away what they really want. And that’s what’s going to help me guard the other great players on other teams. It’s great to be able to guard those guys so that when it gets to games, it’s easier to guard those other guys.”
At least, that’s the hope.
For rookies, the first weeks and months of a season are complete learn-on-the-fly moments. They make mistakes. They learn. They see what works. They learn. And they hopefully get better incrementally.
Prosper is one of the X-factors for the Mavericks. He won’t be relied on for big minutes as a rookie. But assistant coach Jared Dudley said during the Las Vegas Summer League that he expected O-Max to be a rotation player later in the season.
His defensive skills and hustle are what he hangs his hat on.
And the Marquette product is bringing the right attitude into the preseason. He’s humble. But he’s taking no guff from anybody, either.
When asked about his personal goals for his rookie season, O-Max said: “One of the biggest ones is to continuously grow throughout the season – every game, every single practice and become a better version of myself. And to be a contributor on this team and have a winning impact on this team. Whatever that is, it is. But I want to have a significant impact on this team and help this team win.
“I will leave everything on the floor every single night. I’ll battle for loose balls.”
Think Jae Crowder-esque.
And Prosper has one advantage that should serve him quite well in the NBA – a crazy-long wingspan of 7-1, even though his height is only listed at 6-8.
“It’s very practical in this sport,” Prosper said of his long reach. “Just being able to contest shots better, get steals, deflections, being able to finish over the top better. Having a wingspan like mine definitely helps in this sport.”
So does having a good support crew. And Prosper has been in good company since he was taken by the Mavericks 12 picks after Dereck Lively II. The two big men have become fast friends and live in the same apartment complex near American Airlines Center.
Prosper said the rookies spend “a really good amount of time. We got drafted at the same time. Everything we’ve been doing since then, we’ve been doing together. Me and Dereck have created a really good relationship with each other. We lean on each other in everything we do and having somebody there that you can ask for help is so great. He’s like my brother now.”
One of 20 who are on the Mavericks’ roster as the preseason begins its four-game trek toward the regular-season opener on Oct. 25 at San Antonio.
One of those brothers is Dwight Powell, the other Canadian on the roster. Powell was part of the Canadian team that featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and beat the Americans for the bronze medal.
“I’m happy for them,” Prosper said. “Winning the bronze – Canada hasn’t won anything in a (long time). Just seeing Dwight do his thing out there and the Canadian team, the future of this team is very, very bright.
“They’re already really good. And with guys like me coming up and a bunch of young guys in the league that are Canadian as well, we’re going to be nice for many years to come. But it was great to see them win the bronze over there.”
In that regard, Prosper could be auditioning for the 2024 Paris Olympics with how he plays in his rookie season.
But for now, the focus is simply on learning the ropes.
“It’s been awesome learning from guys like Kyrie, Luka, Grant (Williams),” he said. “I’ve been asking so many questions. They’ve told me: try to find your window and stay confident. Have confidence in your shot, in your game and know that you’re here for a reason.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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