While Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell rehabs from the torn right Achilles that he suffered back in January, the 28-year-old Mavs big man sat down for a Q&A with Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
In the interview, Powell spoke about his relationship with Mavs owner Mark Cuban and how well the Shark Tank star has done with setting an example for NBA owners during this coronavirus crisis.
“I think the leadership of our organization has done a great job of setting an example and communicating to us the importance of our community, and that’s here in Dallas, that’s nationally and really globally with this game,” Dwight Powell said.
Cuban purchased the Mavs back in 2000 and has since been one of the most eccentric, recognizable and polarizing owners in all of sports. Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban implemented a plan to ensure that arena workers will get “the comfort” they need as the NBA shut down operations.
“And that’s also outside of this kind of situation. That’s something I was taught and shown from Day 1 getting here from Mark [Cuban] and from Coach [Rick] Carlisle and from Dirk, especially, at that time when he was here. They set the stage for that, so it doesn’t surprise any of us at all to see the leadership role that Mark has taken in this situation, the example that he’s set and the guidance he’s given all of us in how we can help as well,” Powell added.
Before the injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, the 6-foot-10 center was averaging 9.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 26.5 minutes a contest as a starter on an up-and-coming Mavs squad.