Notes from the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks Media Day

Filed under the 'better late than never' for fans of the NBA, the lockout has ended and the world champion Dallas Mavericks are back to defend their title in a shortened 66-game season. But this is not the same team that had DFW in pure euphoria last summer. Gone are Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, JJ Barea and DeShawn Stevenson. The Mavs welcomed new faces Lamar Odom and Vince Carter to the fold on Tuesday at Mavs Media Day.

The Mavs players arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m. and roamed around the practice court underneath the Old No. 7 Club taking pics at the stations. It was great to see the familiar faces of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion posing with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but the stars of the day were Odom and Carter.

Dallas acquired Odom -- well known to many as the Los Angeles Lakers star who is married to Khloe Kardashian and star of the E! reality show Khloe & Lamar -- this past weekend. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant voiced his displeasure over the trade at seeing a player of Odom's caliber dealt to the team that swept LA out of last year's playoffs.

"Any time you make a sudden switch, it gets a little emotional. But I'm here now. I'm a Maverick. It's time to put the past behind me," Odom said. "It's surreal. It's definitely surreal. It happened, you know, like that!"

There was also a mention that his reality show may have been a distraction to the Lakers. "It's something you've got to take with a grain of salt," he said. "I just wish that, if it was, somebody would've told me a little earlier. If it was, then I would've done something about it." Odom went on to add that he was not sure if he would continue the show but that he planned to discuss it with his teammates, coach Rick Carlisle and owner Mark Cuban.

Eight-time NBA All-Star and former Slam Dunk champion Vince Carter also spoke about why he chose Dallas as his fee agent destination. “The way they play basketball, the way I play, my mentality, what I’m looking to accomplish,’’ Carter said. “You want to go to a team where everybody can jell together."

The regular season begins on Christmas Day at 1:30 p.m. when the Mavs welcome Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat to town to witness the champs raise the banner at American Airlines Center. The Mavs are also hosting Winter Fest 2011 this Friday afternoon beginning at 3:00. The Dallas Mavericks Dancers will be on hand signing their 2012 calendar prior to the Mavs hitting the floor at 6:00.

For further information on the Dallas Mavericks, visit here.

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