Ryan Nembhard Is Happy To Be A Dallas Maverick

Ryan Nembhard Is Happy To Be A Dallas Maverick

We are joined right now live on set here in Westgate. Ryan Nimhar and Mavericks Guard joining us here on the DLS Mavs podcast. Ryan, good to see you. Thank you so much for taking the time with us. How are you? I’m good, man. I’m good. Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it. Well, thank you for taking the time to join us here on the show today. Coming off your debut last night along with your team getting an 8785 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. I’ll just start off with this. Obviously coming into this team, having the opportunity to join this Mavericks organization, what has been the last couple of weeks like been for you coming off of the draft, being signed by this team, and now having a chance to have gotten on the floor. What’s the last few weeks been like for you? Yeah, it’s been it’s been real exciting, you know, exciting times. Um, getting to play for an organization with so much history. Um, and and just getting here, meeting all the guys, meeting all the coaches, and and uh starting to practice with the guys. So, it’s been fun. Um, and looking forward to these these next couple games. Yeah, dude. Uh, when you were an undrafted free agent, you know, there are people who say that it’s almost a better situation to be in, and you can kind of look around the league and you can say, “I fit here. I I don’t fit here.” Was how much was that the situation? How much did did you kind of pencil in, focus in on Dallas being a preferred spot and and and why? Yeah, absolutely. You know, later in the draft, it’s usually a lot of two-ways. Um, so at that point, uh, me and my agents just felt like it was best to go to the team that wanted me the most and team where we felt like I could actually have an opportunity. Um, so, so for sure Dallas was a spot for that. They, they showed their interest in me. Um, and as well, they got the personnel for. They got a lot of guys that have been in the game for a long time, understand the game, as well as just plays guys that guys that I want to play with. So, I think there’s a perfect fit. Yeah. And guys you want to be coached by, I’m sure, too. I mean, J over there. Absolutely. So, as the draft is unfolding, how okay are you with that? That I might not be selected, but I know that Dallas is going to do everything they can to get me. Like, what is that like to watch that? Cuz a lot of Mavs fans honestly were hoping that the Mavs were going to trade get a second round pick so they could draft you. Just what is that like to go through it from your seat? Yeah, you know, at first I thought, yeah, like like you said, there might have traded in to get me earlier, but once I figured I was probably going to go later in the draft and not to a team that I really wanted to go to, I was all for that going undrafted and going to the team that wanted me. So, um, although that you want to get drafted and you want to see your name called, I think it’s better just to be in a situation that’s good for you and a situation where you actually have an opportunity to contribute and impact winning. So, I heard a story yesterday, Jay Triano, who is new to the Maverick’s coaching staff, former coach of Canada’s Olympic team, former Canada national team player. What’s the relationship with him and and your family, and now you’ll be you’ll be being coached by Jay as well? Absolutely. Yeah, me and Jay have have talked a little bit uh these last couple days and um him and my dad have a great relationship. He coached my brother on a couple of these Team Canada teams and he really showed my brother a lot of love. So, this was actually my first time meeting Jay, but uh it’s always nice to to know some familiar faces and have a fellow Canadian on the staff that could help you out and um show you some love. What kind of player was your dad? He was like a undersized postman. So, he was in the 63 hard screens being a a tough guy getting getting all the scrappy plays for sure. For those who aren’t necessarily familiar with your game, and they should be because you a nearly 10 assists in your final year at Gonzaga, how would you describe yourself as a player and what your game represents every time you step on the floor? Yeah, I think I’m just a player who has great feel for the game, a good IQ for the game, and just understands how to play with um other great players, you know. Um I don’t really come into games predetermining what I’m going to do, score, pass. I just let the game flow and let the game come to me. So, I’m all about winning. That’s what I want to do. I feel like I’ve done that at pretty much every level I’ve been in. That’s that’s what I want to continue doing at this level. A lot of people know your brother. What’s the biggest difference, you know, on the court between you and him? Yeah, I don’t know. We’re very similar. Honestly, we have a lot of similarities. Um, play the game pretty similar, but uh I think I’m a little quicker, a little faster. Uh, he’s a little bigger, obviously, has a little more size, but uh I think I have that on him for sure. I’m sure you’re watching the whole finals run, right? For sure. Absolutely. What What type of watcher are you? Are you like critiquing him on the you’re like you should have done this, you should have done that. Even if you’re just talking to the TV. Yeah, sometimes. Sometimes I feel like I do that a little more during the regular season. But uh honestly, I I just enjoyed watching it during the playoffs. It was a lot of fun to watch. Uh a lot of fun to just see him play and I think he did a great job over there and they they had a lot of success. So um I was able to get to game seven which was fun to watch. Obviously not the outcome they wanted, but uh I loved being there. So, so after the after the game last night or after after he hit the three and and wanted I saw you pop on Twitter. I know you’re on it a little bit. You sent the tweet about, you know, that was fun. Actually, that’s not me. That’s not my account. Breaking news. Not your account. Breaking news. That’s not my account. Yeah, that’s not my account. I I never had Twitter, but Okay, maybe I should Maybe I should tap into the Twitter for sure. Okay, since you’re not on Twitter, there is a recurring joke. Yeah. Or not people are noticing you look a little bit like Earl sweatshirt. Yeah, you’ve got that before. I have got it, but I’m not feeling that one, you know. I’ve got it for sure. Are you feeling Earl? At least I rock with Earl. Earl’s a cool guy for sure. Yeah. Yeah. I want to ask you, how has your brother helped you throughout this entire process? Obviously, you watched him going through the finals and how his career’s gone with Indiana so far. How did he help you navigate this process to where you are right now? Yeah, obviously he’s been a big help. You know, obviously someone I could always go to, has a lot of experience. um can give me whatever I need, but he’s honestly let me kind of go through this by myself. He he understands that I understand the game, understand how to hoop, and uh he just he just wants me to go through it myself and if I have any questions, hit him up. He’s always there. You said you went to game seven. How did you like it flipped around where he’s got to sit there and watch you last night? I liked it. I enjoyed it. You know, it’s been a minute since he watched the game, so it was fun to be able to go out there and hoop in front of him and my pops. From a player perspective, obviously you’ve played at the highest level of college you can, but last night had to be different on some levels. Some people would say, “Okay, it doesn’t count.” But it is your intro to the world as an NBA player. So, just what was that like compared to the biggest college game you ever played in? Yeah, it’s different honestly that that especially the crowd, you know, we had the biggest crowd kind of the main event obviously with Coupe and Bronny. Those those two guys drawing a crowd, so it was different. It was fun. Um, obviously a little bit of jitters at first, but that’s it’s a feeling you you can’t really describe. It’s something you dream about when you’re a kid. And um, it was it was a lot of fun. So, I can’t wait to continue hooping out here. What is what has Coupe been like based off your expectations? Coup’s been great, man. Coup’s been great. He’s a super hard worker. He comes in every day looking to work. Um, super unselfish guy, wants to make the right play at all times and and he’s been he’s been great in these couple uh days before we got out here. He’s been he was great yesterday and I think he’s going to continue to be great. So, I think the the sky’s is the limit for him. He’s super young and um I think he’s going to do great great things in this league. I I I think you’re I think you’re spot on. I think one of his best qualities is he’s so unselfish. And that’s why I thought it was interesting after the game. He’s like, “I don’t know if I’ve ever taken this many shots before.” You know, it does seem like, you know, the coaching staff and and everybody is challenging him like, “Dude, you’re the best player on the team. You know, go get your shots up. Go find your find your, you know, spaces and your moments.” Yeah, absolutely. his his time to to expand on his game and they’re putting him in some situations where he might not be as comfortable in. But the more reps he gets, the the better he’s going to be. And um I think he’s such a cerebral and smart guy and understands the game at a high level that he’s going to learn every single day and get better and better as well. It’s just on the defensive end, I think he’s going to be a problem in this league. He guards one through five and he’s so he’s so versatile in that area. What’s what’s the spots that you’re uncomfortable in that you’re trying to get that experience and learn from? I’m trying to continue to be more aggressive as a scorer. You know, um coaches are on me just understanding that my scoring uh being able to score opens up my passing even more. So, uh just being aggressive, getting to my spots and I feel like I’m comfortable. I felt pretty comfortable last night and um uh there’s a lot of space out there compared to college for sure. At 22 years old coming and you spent four years in college, first couple years at Kraton, you go to one of the most successful programs over the last 15 20 years at Gonzaga. What did playing under Mark F, what did that experience help you prepare to come to the league with? And can you kind of dispel some of the rumor? We hear rumors about, you know, being an older player coming out of college, maybe at some point you’ve been able to have that experience, but can you dispel some of that as far as like, hey, I’m a guy that despite playing four years of college, I’m ready for this particular portion of my career here. Yeah, I think uh playing for coach was was a great great thing for me. You know, it’s a very pro environment over there. They treat you like pros. cuz you got autonomy, a lot of autonomy to figure out your schedule and and get your work done and and and be accountable for yourself. So, I think that was great for me and it really expanded my game. And I think honestly these older guards are are are getting to become really successful in the league nowadays. You know, guys that could come in right away and impact the team and in winning ways is is huge. You know, obviously these young guys are good and they have a lot of potential, but I think these guys with experience that understand the game at a high level could always have a spot in this league. You obviously are here as a two-way, but you know the situation. Kyrie Irving, we don’t even know when he’s going to be able to play next season. What are they telling you about your role? Because I know coach kid loves someone who can pass, who can handle, who can run a team. I think you’re going to get an opportunity. What are they telling you about your opportunity for Yeah. playing next season? For sure. They haven’t really told me much, honestly. And I’m not really too worried about that. You know, I’m just coming out here. They gave me an opportunity and I want to make the most of this opportunity. U put my best foot forward and do all the little things that will allow me to eventually be on the roster and and play in games this year with the with the Dallas Mavs. So, um they haven’t told me much and I’m not sure they will, but uh how hard is it to not ask and just say and just let the chips fall where? Obviously, you want to know, you want to kind of have a little bit of a guideline for what’s going on, but at the same time, it’s it’s a business and uh you just got to put your head down and work and continue to work and it’ll come if you if you put the work in. Do you need any advice from us about Dallas? Places to eat, neighborhoods. I need some food spots for sure. Okay. What’s a what’s a cuisine? I like all cuisines, so you could give me anything. I’m I’m with it. Cotato barbecue definitely good. Yeah. Some good text messages. I got to write these down or something. You guys got We’ll send you Yeah, we’ll make sure we get you get you a list. Yeah, we can get you a list for sure. Cool. What did you want to accomplish here at NBA Summer League with this team in your role and how do you want to get better while you’re out here in this experience? Yeah, obviously always want to come out and step on the court. You always want to win. So, want to win first, but uh I want to show show the organization things that I could do. Get under guys, make it tough on guys defensively, be able to hold my ground on some of these bigger guys and and just make it hard, be pesky all all game. uh as well as be able to run the team, get guys involved, and just show show my all-around ability as a player. So, uh yeah, there were a lot of fans who were excited about having you on this team, and once the draft was over, they were like, “We got to get Ryan or we got to get him on this team.” So, to have that kind of love and support already from fans, wanting you to be on this team, what does that mean to you coming to this organization given the expectations, but what’s already on this squad that they wanted you to be here on this team? Yeah. No, it’s a great feeling. You always want people to to show love for you and have that love for you. And especially with a team like this in a city like this that has so many great players on the team, for them to be even showing me a little bit of love is special. So, um I’m happy to be a Mav and um I’m excited for the future. I mean, clearly they love you so much. They made a fake Twitter account. So, we’ll make sure to get the word out. Don’t worry about that. Thanks. Before we let you go, what message would you have to the fans who are going to be watching you play throughout the course of summer league as the rest of the offseason goes on about what you want to only feel from them, but what you expect to bring as part of being with the Mavericks here? Yeah, I’m just excited to, you know, play hard for these guys every single day and um be that hardworking, tough guy that’s just going to get things done and impact winning in in any way possible. So, I’m super happy to be in Dallas, super happy to be a part of this organization and uh hopefully we could keep winning and and keep doing big things out here. Well, this was tremendous to have you live in studio with us here in NBA Summer League, obviously here at Westgate Superbook. We look forward to watching you here throughout the course of the next couple of weeks at NBA Summer League. Uh, stay healthy and we look forward to seeing you out there on the floor, man, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, so much for coming in. We really appreciate it. That is Maverick guard.

Dallas Mavericks two-way rookie guard Ryan Nembhard joined the DLLS Mavs crew live at the Westgate Hotel during Las Vegas Summer League to discuss his experience on draft night agreeing to terms with the Mavs shortly after the second round, his first Summer League game, playing alongside Cooper Flagg, and much more!