Dusty May outlined his approach to coaching the Dallas Mavericks, working with Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, and building a new team identity during his first NBA media day as head coach on Friday.
May, who led Michigan to the 2026 national championship before taking over in Dallas, emphasized authenticity when discussing how he plans to coach Irving, a veteran with extensive NBA experience.
“I think everyone wants to be a part of a team and pull their own weight,” May said. “And I think me being my authentic self is the best way to get buy in from any player.”
May acknowledged Irving’s experience and said he would focus on adding value rather than trying to impose his authority on the eight-time All-Star.
“Kyrie has seen and done as much as just about anyone in the association,” May said. “And so, I would expect that I’m only going to coach him when I’m able to add value instead of just trying to say things and do things because I anticipate he’ll be able to see directly through that.”
May described the relationship as something that will develop naturally.
“It’s just like any relationship, you build it organically. You help people get better and you pour into them and hopefully you have the right answers at the right time and you’re able to put together the pieces of the puzzle,” he said.
The Mavericks are also entering the season with significant expectations surrounding Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games as a rookie while winning Rookie of the Year.
May was impressed by what Flagg accomplished at 19 and the circumstances he faced during his first NBA season.
“I’m amazed when you look at how productive he is as a 19-year-old in this league with the weight that was put on him last year as far as seeing different defenses, being a focal point,” May said.
May believes Flagg’s intelligence, work ethic and approach to being a teammate can help accelerate his development.
“He’s very intelligent. He’s a great teammate,” May said. “And all those things typically lead towards a rapid ascension and to being one of the best players.”
However, May stressed that Flagg’s development will also depend on the players around him.
“Right now it really is dependent upon his teammates and all of those around him,” May said. “I think all of our success is more dependent on who’s to the left and who’s to the right than we probably realize it at the time.”
May also explained the style he wants Dallas to develop. With a roster featuring considerable size, length and young players, he sees opportunities to play quickly and control the glass.
“Obviously this team, we have size, we have length, we have youth, we have good energy, and so that naturally lends itself to playing in transition,” May said.
He added that rebounding will be another major emphasis.
“Really putting an emphasis on rebounding the ball on both ends,” May said. “The offensive side of it, you’re going to get more opportunities to score and then defensively it starts your break to play in transition.”
May stopped short of defining a fixed rotation, saying the Mavericks are still experimenting with combinations and determining which players complement one another.
“We’re still figuring that out,” he said. “There’s a lot more nuance to the NBA than college game.”
Rather than focusing on individual positional battles, May wants Dallas to find combinations capable of handling different types of games.
“It’s more of finding guys that complement each other versus this guy versus that guy,” May said. “We want to be equipped to win any style. Fast game, slow game, a game where it’s just mucked up. Whatever it is, we need to be equipped to win that game.”
May ultimately described his long-term objective in straightforward terms.
“I know that we’re going to work like crazy to chase a championship and hang a banner in our building,” he said.
And when asked about the keys to winning an NBA championship, May emphasized collective performance rather than individual talent.
“The keys to winning are the same at every level. High school, college, NBA,” May said. “It’s getting a group to play to punch above their weight, to play better than they actually are as individuals together as a group.”
“You win in the margins and you do it with great people,” May added.
