Veteran forward P.J. Washington is ready for the Mavericks to "give life back to the city"

The Mavericks' season starts on Wednesday, but forward P.J. Washington has been locked in since summer training camp. 

Washington, who is one of the Mavericks' most valuable players, spent the offseason working on both his 3-point shot and his health. Now, Washington is ready to work on "the simple things" this season. 

With only a couple days before the Mavs play their season opener at Houston, Washington appeared on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) to talk about his preseason process, what he's learned from first year NBA coach Dusty May and how the Mavs plan to "give life back to the city" of Dallas.

Below are some highlights of the conversation, edited lightly for clarity.

Do you have your own mental process as you get closer to the season? 

"For me, it's just trying to lock in as soon as summer training camp starts. I don't really kind of wait for the season. I just want to hurry up and soak in as much information I need to soak in during training camp. So when season comes, it's kind of just natural at that point. So right now, it kind of feels like the season already started. Just trying to get back into the rhythm and just figuring everybody out."

Can you possibly give us a tidbit or two that you've learned throughout training camp or preseason? 

"It's a bunch. For me, offensively, it's just different rotations, different spots to be in and different ways to help guys out on on that end. Defensively, just to be a dog on each and every possession, just work harder than your opponent and just to talk. For me, it's just simple things this year, and just being really good in those and it will lead to bigger things."

When you talk about the defense, obviously you are one of these players, but how much do you like the defensive versatility that this team has?

"Oh yeah, it's insane. We have a lot of guys that are very versatile on that end that can guard multiple positions, so I think it's going to be really good for us. Our biggest thing is to be able to communicate on that end, and once that comes together, I think we'll click on all cylinders and we can be a very elite defense."

How how easy is it to change up if a certain brand of communication, like let's say in a game, is not really working for you? Is that difficult to change on the fly? Is that something that happens in a timeout at the end of the quarter? Like, how does that go if it's just not going your way that day? 

"I think it's just about the trust. I think we all trust each other on our team. We trust the work we put into it, and it's just about trusting. Like at the end of the day, shots aren't going to fall each and every game. But something we can do every game is give effort, and that starts on defense. So if we do that each and every game, I feel like we have a chance to win, and that just comes with trusting our teammates, trusting each other, being able to have each other's back and I feel like we we are excelling in that early."

You see some some teams that if the shots aren't falling they can't do anything, and defensively that's a big factor. Offensively, if shots aren't falling, this team looks like it has a bit of diversity that can do a variety of offensive things. 

"Yeah, for sure, we have a lot of versatile guys on that end as well. A lot of guys can bring the ball up. A lot of guys can create for others. A lot of guys can even knock down shots. So for us it's just being able to put everybody in the right positions each and every time, and just staying patient, not trying to force shots, find the best shot each possession, and just play from there. We feel like we have two of the best playmakers in the game in Cooper and Kyrie. So once those guys draw the defense, it's easier for us other guys to play off those two."

You ever have a point like where you're kind of watching Cooper, watching Kyrie, and you're just observing, and you're like, 'Oh crap! I'm also on this court right now. Time to dunk.'?

"Yeah, all the time. It's hard not to. So when you're watching them, it's like watching an artist paint, but at the same time, you gotta realize you're out there to help them instead of just watch them. So you gotta lock back in for sure."

How cool was it to see Kyrie back out there, even if it was just a preseason game?

"It was great. I mean, I know for him, just the mental hurdles he's been through, the long period of time he's been out. So just to see a smile back on his face and him back in his element that just meant the world for our team, and we're obviously super excited to have him back as our leader."

I don't know how much you get the opportunity to lock in on football, but how much extra pressure do you feel to help Dallas win now that our Cowboys are just really having a tough time? 

"I've been paying attention. I've not been too excited seeing the results, but I think it's a good chance for us to give life back to the city. Obviously, we want to see the Cowboys win, and they will. So for us, it's just taking one step at a time and just making sure we handle each and every thing we're supposed to handle on a daily basis, and building championship habits each and every day. It starts at day one and it just moves on from there. So just trying to be consistent each and every day, and making sure we get our work in, making sure we take care of our body and making sure we're in the right mental space to come out and prepare and win each and every night."

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This article originally published at Veteran forward P.J. Washington is ready for the Mavericks to "give life back to the city".