DALLAS– It’s easy to recognize a professional athlete by their style of play. But what non-athletes or fans don’t know is there’s usually a story behind their style and the way they learned  to love their sport.

There’s a backstory and “why” factor for Dallas Mavericks guard Daryl Macon because Mavs coaches have assured Macon of the type of leader he is destined to be, largely because of his past leadership characteristics and relative longevity with the Mavs.

“This is my second year here,” Macon said. “I’ve learned a lot and I think I’ll be able to display it this summer during summer league.”

Macon is averaging 14.3 points as the Mavs are 2-1 in summer league play going into Wednesday’s 2:30 p.m. (Dallas time) game against Croatia.

“It’s been good!” Macon said. “We’re working hard and competing every day.

“We’re trying to create that bond with each other.”

Macon was born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., where his leadership abilities in high school and college began to come to light because of Joe Johnson. An NBA legend, Johnson was Macon’s mentor and role model throughout the guard’s high school and college career.

“I have a lot of basketball role models, but Joe Johnson is my main one,” Macon said. “That’s who everyone looks up to in my hometown!”

Macon emphasized that Johnson has been a great person and a great mentor in his younger career and now in his current days on and off the court.

Wholeheartedly representing Little Rock is something in particular that Macon will always make a priority. He said that in addition to Lil Baby, Polo G and Future, he’s got a lot of Arkansas music on his playlist, “guys in my city because I always want to support them.”

But when asked where he wants to be in the NBA within the next 10 years, Macon said: “Hopefully still with the Mavs. I don’t want to leave.”

Indeed, there’s a future with the Mavs for Macon to be the leader he believes he was destined to be. And his “why” is what made him the dynamic player he is on and off the court.

 

 

Las Vegas, NV – JULY 5: Daryl Macon #3 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during Day 1 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 5, 2019 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

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