DALLAS-- DeShawn Stevenson might be nearly two full years removed from playing a vital role for the Dallas Mavericks during their somewhat improbable run to the 2011 NBA title, but the current Atlanta Hawks guard still enjoys returning to Big D and receiving a warm welcome from the Mavericks' faithful.
"When I came here, I wasn't expecting to play. I was a throw-in with the trade. I made something of it and ended up being a starter," Stevenson said. "I started in the playoffs and the Finals. I think people knew that I worked hard. I did the things I needed to do and I think that's why people liked me here. We won a championship here, so anytime I come back it feels good. The city feels good. I'm glad to be back."
To date, he has played in 32 games this year for the Hawks and is averaging 5.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and one assist per game. But to assess this 12-year NBA veteran's value to his new team solely in terms of his numbers tells just half the story.
"When we brought DeShawn on, obviously we brought him on to help us defensively. We know he's capable of making a shot, but he's given us a defensive presence when he's been out on the floor," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said. "As a coach I sure appreciate him from a defensive standpoint because that's one thing that I know he will bring for me every single night out. Whether he shuts somebody down or not, I know he's going to bring that defensive effort."
Stevenson has been bothered by a knee issue of late but even though that injury has slowed him a bit, especially when it comes to shooting from long range, he is enjoying his time with the Hawks, his second different Eastern Conference club since his time as a Maverick.
"It's been good. I think we got off to a great start, lost a lot of games and a lot of people got hurt. But I think we have a talented team," he said.
One big change for him with the move to Atlanta is that with 12 years and counting of time in the League is that he's now the most veteran member of the Hawks' roster, something that has taken some getting used to, especially since he was one of a number of Dallas veterans who had double-digit experience in the NBA during that 2011 title run.
"Yeah, it's different. I was blessed coming here [to the NBA] out of high school. Being the oldest years wise, it's a little bit different. But the NBA's like that. You come in as a young guy and end up leaving as an old guy," Stevenson said. "[I] just lead by example. I don't like talking unless I have to. I just go out there, work hard and do the things I need to do."
Of course, since Dallas was where he got a ring just two years ago, he always savors the trip back to Big D, something he did last season as a member of the Nets, when he received said ring in a pregame ceremony.
And even though he's been in the Association for well over a decade and is clearly more than a bit well acquainted with the league being above all else a business, even he is more than a bit surprised that just four members-Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones, Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki, are all that remain on the Mavericks from that championship season.
"It's crazy to see only four guys left. Still, it's just crazy and all that happened in not even a year," Stevenson said. "I think right after we won that championship, guys started going. It's unfortunate. But it's crazy looking at that team now."
However, he also realizes that not only has the Mavs' roster almost completely turned over in less than two years, but that the staff surrounding Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle has also largely gone their separate ways with Dwayne Casey now the head coach of Toronto and Terry Stotts in his first year at the helm in Portland among others.
"I'm glad for them because they're good coaches. We had a great staff. Winning that championship helped everybody-coaches and players. I'm happy for everybody," Stevenson said.
Like a number of his NBA colleagues, the man wearing No. 92 has had the unique experience of playing for teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. And yes, he has noticed some pretty major differences between the two conferences but his answer might be a bit surprising to some.
"It's a difference. We don't play a lot of West Coast teams this year but I think West teams have a lot of talent. They push the ball and no disrespect but I think the fans [in the West] get into it more [than fans in the East do]," Stevenson said. "It's just a different feel."
