CHICAGO – With 7:03 remaining in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks forward P.J.
Washington showed just how much he has Daniel Gafford’s back.
At that time, Gafford drove to the basket and was physically knocked to the ground by Jalen Duren. Washington stepped in to defend Gafford, Duren pushed Washington, Washington pushed back, officials, coaches and staff members from both teams rushed in.
In the aftermath, Washington received a technical foul, and Duren was issued a foul and a pair of technical fouls and was ejected from the game. Washington acknowledged that he likes being in the role of an enforcer.
“Whenever one of our brothers fall, I’m always going to be there to help him and pick him up no matter who it is,” Washington said. “I’m not going to let anybody push him or just do anything to cheapen him in my eyes.”
Coming to Gafford’s defense, Washington, said, had nothing to do with the fact that both joined the Mavs on Feb. 8 in separate trades. Washington was traded to the Mavs from the Charlotte Hornets, while Gafford was traded to the Mavs from the Washington Wizards.
“I’ve been playing against Daniel for a long time,” Washington said. “I’ve played against him growing up, but this is our first time actually being on the same time.
“Just kind of being familiar with him growing up, and then just being with him here is kind of like being a brother, I guess. It’s just fun being able to be on this team as well.”
Mavs coach Jason Kidd wasn’t surprised Washington came to Gafford’s defense.
“He’s our tough guy,” Kidd said, referring to Washington. “We need that. I think when you have someone new, they’re always trying to prove their worth and they’re trying to show their importance.
“That’s a small thing of protecting the teammate and protecting the other newcomer in Gafford, who was down on the floor. But I thought it was the right thing to do. Protecting each other (is important), and I thought P.J. did a great job with that.”
As with any trade, there are adjustments that have to be made once the player suits up with his new team. So, what’s the biggest adjustment for Washington thus far?
“Trying to find a way to play alongside Luka (Dončić) and Kyrie (Irving) and everybody here,” he said. “It’s obviously new for me, so just getting a rhythm out there and just trying to fill my game out as well.
“I’m happy to be here. Just for me, it’s one day at a time and I’m just trying to learn as much as possible along the way.”
That adjustment for Washington also includes rounding up tickets for family members and friends. Washington played part of his prep career at Frisco Lone Star High School, and still has family and friends in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
“Everybody’s been hitting me every day asking for tickets to all the home games,” he said. “Outside of that, it’s been good.”
While Washington suggested he may need to hire a secretary to sort out the demands for tickets at Mavs’ home games, he’s overly excited about the prospects of making his debut in the NBA playoffs. Chosen in the first round – 12th overall – of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Hornets, Washington has never participated in the NBA playoffs.
With the Mavs, he now has that chance.
“For me it was just huge coming home and just being on a team that has playoff aspirations,” Washington said. 
“I’m excited to be here. I just can’t wait to be in the postseason play.”
Washington also is thrilled about the Mavs being able to improve their lot in life on the defensive end of the floor.
“I think our biggest concern is the defensive end,” he said. “Just making sure everything is right on that end.
“Once that takes care of itself, we don’t really have anything to worry about offensively.”
DONCIC IS WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mavs point guard Luka Dončić won NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the spectacular job he performed last week, the NBA announced on Monday..
In leading the Mavs to a 2-1 record last week, Dončić averaged 37.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 10.7 rebounds and .3 steals while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the three-point line.
“I think he had a great week,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “The team has had a great week. Understanding, we’ve had our struggles, but it just shows the character of the team.
“It shows Luka as a leader, being able to play at the highest level that he’s playing that. And so, he’s had a great month in February, and now he’s won
Player of the Week.”
This is the third time this season and the 12th time In his career that Dončić has won Player of the Week accolades.
BRIEFLY: Washington said fixing issues on the defensive end of the court for the Mavs is simple. “The biggest thing is just talk,” he said. “I feel like if we just talk, everything will fill itself out and everything will be a lot easier from that standpoint. If we talk, there’s nothing we can really mess up on and everybody will have each other’s back.”. . . Mavs coach Jason Kidd said Washington and Gafford are settling in nicely since the two trades that brought them to Dallas. “The energy, everybody’s excited,” Kidd said. “It’s something new. When you talk about Gafford and P.J., those guys are playing at a high level, trying to get their feet settled. What helps a little bit when he talked about P.J. being from Frisco being back home, he has built-in support. But I think we look at on the floor, those guys, the value of being able to have a third scorer. You look at Gafford, he has the ability to score, but not to miss a shot. When you look at who sets the table for him. Luka (Doncic) has done that, (Kyrie Irving) has done that. And Gafford has responded in a positive way. You can see that they’re starting to settle in and we’re starting to play as a team.”
X: @DwainPrice
Share and comment