By Steve Hunt
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
January 9, 2011
For much of the first five years of his NBA career, Brandon Bass has been regarded as more of a role player and rightfully so. The ex-LSU star and second-round pick of the Hornets in 2005 has carved out a nice niche for himself as a guy who does solid work on the glass, who can also play nice defense and score when called upon.
But until this year, the thing is he hasn't really gotten much of an opportunity to be a starter in the Association. That all changed 15 games ago when Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy inserted the ex-Maverick into his starting five and Bass has been a solid contributor, starting 14 of the last 15 and is averaging 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and almost an assist a night.
"This year, I got the opportunity to contribute every night. I'm basically taking the same approach, to come out and defend, rebound, run the floor, bring a lot of energy and score when I get the chance. That's how I look at it," the Orlando forward said during a recent trip to Dallas.
"I don't sit back and evaluate everything that I'm not doing. I'm taking it one day at a time and using every day to improve in every aspect of the game and as a person too."
Dallas fans remember Bass well because of the workmanlike contributions he made to the
Mavericks during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. This is his second year with the Magic and even though it's been a bit since he last called Big D home, any time he gets to come back, it's always special.
"This place is like home for me when I come here. This is the place where I kind of got my career jump started," he said. "So this place really means a lot to me. I'm always glad to be back here in Dallas."
And he still has a couple of friends that play for current Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle.
"Me and Dirk text back and forth but Jet and I talk too. Dirk and I shoot texts from time to time to stay in touch," Bass said.
When the Magic were in to face Dallas on Saturday, a game they won by 10 and one where Bass had 11 points, five boards and was 5-of-7 from the field, he admits it was a bit weird because his close friend and former NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki wasn't on the floor for his former team.
"Yeah, it's different to not see him out there," Bass said. "But I know if he was able to, he'd be out there. It's got to be something that's really bothering him. Hopefully he'll be out there in a couple of games."
That win over the Mavs, which came after they trailed at the break before mounting a furious second-half comeback to prevail by double digits, gives the Magic nine straight wins, a nice mark for any team in the Association.
"We're just trying to take it one game at a time and every night, come out and take care of business," Bass said. "Every day is an opportunity for us to mesh closer together and I think that's what we're taking advantage of."
The recent acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu from Toronto and Gilbert Arenas has energized the roster. Along with perennial all-star Dwight Howard, Arenas gives the Magic another truly larger than life personality. For a laid-back and unassuming guy like Brandon, having big personalities like Dwight and Gil in the room is fine with him.
"Dwight is the complete opposite and we've got a new guy who is a complete opposite, Gilbert Arenas. It's fun," Bass said. "I think it would be dull if we had the same type of people because I'm boring. I need the opposite around me. It's cool."
