NBA
Published June 16, 2024 at 11:04 pm ET
BOSTON – While the Mavericks’ Game 4 dominance understandably focused on Luka Doncic, there was an unsung hero, Dereck Lively II, who owned the paint and remains important to any chance of Dallas pulling off a miracle.
And Lively has her own unsung hero, Mavericks top assistant Sean Sweeney.
“I wouldn’t be here without Sweene,” said Lively, an all-freshman pick, using her coach’s nickname. “Our training dates back to three days after I was selected. I couldn’t get a left hook. So just knowing from where I started to where I am now, I wouldn’t be here without Sweene. Pushing me, encouraging me, watching assisted film and understanding how to read the game. He will always be that little demon on your shoulder telling you to try harder. He is an amazing person to have your back.”
Within the Mavericks, Sweeney is known as a tireless worker and coordinator of a defense that ranked No. 7 the season after his arrival in 2021, up from No. 21 the year before.
Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney works with Dereck Lively II before an NBA Finals game. Jerome Miron-KeynoteUSA Sports
In the league, he is considered one of the best assistants and, at 40 years old as of this month, is on a trajectory as a head coach.
Jason Kidd understands what’s coming.
“He’ll be a head coach soon,” Kidd told The Post.
Sweeney’s NBA career began as a video coordinator with the Nets, where he joined Kidd during the 2013-14 campaign.
They’ve been together for most of the last decade, and Kidd recruited Sweeney for his stints in Milwaukee and now Dallas.
“It’s a great partnership,” Kidd said.
In the process, Sweeney, who previously interviewed with the Hornets and Jazz for their head coaching jobs, amassed quite a list of contacts.
While in Brooklyn, he notably earned the respect of Kevin Garnett, who colorfully told his teammates during a film session to shut up and listen to the young man because “he knows what he’s talking about,” according to the Dallas Morning News.
In Milwaukee, he personally trained Giannis Antetokounmpo during the summers, traveling with the MVP to Greece, Andorra and Croatia, among other places.
Sean Sweeney began his coaching career as a video assistant with the Nets. Jerome Miron-KeynoteUSA Sports
Last week in Boston, Sweeney was seen meeting Bill Belichick in the hallways.
And this summer at the Olympics, Sweeney will join the staff of Luka Doncic’s Slovenian team after talks with Doncic’s father, Sasa, among others involved with the federation.
“He makes all the schemes. He does the scouting for the defense. … He talks to us,” Doncic said. “From the day he got here, he’s been a great addition to this team.”
In terms of player development, Sweeney’s latest triumph is Lively, who was taken 12th overall and became the steal of the Draft.
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics in game four of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-KeynoteUSA Sports
Lively, a towering 7-foot-1, may have found something to exploit against Boston, which had no answer for its dominance of the paint in Game 4.
The 20-year-old was a force with 12 rebounds, including seven offensive ones, in just 22 minutes.
The Mavericks outscored Boston by 20 points with him on the court.
The Celtics could counterattack with Kristaps Porzingis, but the Latvian’s status remains an unknown for Game 5 due to a leg injury.
So when the Mavericks outrebounded the Celtics in Game 4, 52-31, it opened a potential avenue for Sweeney’s Mavericks to pull off an unthinkable comeback.
And even if that doesn’t happen, the consensus is that they have one of the best assistants in the league.
“He’s a great X’s and O’s guy. And he’s on top of everything he does,” Dallas forward Josh Green said. “Defensively, he’s all over us. He is a very intelligent coach and good with adjustments. He’s a game nerd and that’s awesome to be around because as a young guy coming into this league, he always leaned toward me trying hard. And he saw it every time he came back to the gym late at night. And seeing it every night was impressive and very encouraging.”
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