As the Dallas Mavericks play on the biggest stage in the NBA Finals, University of Toledo assistant basketball coach Brett Rau feels a special affinity for the team he worked for five years ago.
During the 2018-19 season, Rau served as a player development intern with the team. In his role, he both worked on the court to assist during drills and analyzed film to measure player development. Although only four players remain from the roster and the team has brought in a new coaching staff, Rau explains why he still roots for the team.
“It was a testament to [the fact] that I was around really good people that really tried to help us young basketball coaches out,” Rau said. “That feeling really stuck, and so that’s kind of why I’m still a fan regardless of them doing well or not. I think I’ll always have an idea of what’s going on in the Dallas Mavericks organization.”
Despite the turnover that has taken place, several key figures remain from Rau’s time with the team, including team governor Mark Cuban, player development coach God Shammgod, and superstar Luka Doncic. Rau pointed to Cuban’s active participation with the team, including shooting around before games, spending time with players and coaches, and sitting courtside like a fan rather than in a suite distant from the court as valuable additions to the team’s culture, as well as Shammgod’s leadership and knowledge as tone-setting for the rest of the staff.
Terry Sullivan, who was the director of basketball administration at the time and now serves as the director of player personnel, explained that Rau’s respect for the organization is mutual.
“Obviously he knew how to play, but he also knew how to serve the role of making other guys better,” Sullivan said. “He really excelled, had a great season with us, and left us with a lot of fans in the organization. It’s been great to see his success.”
Rau’s time with the Mavs came at a critical juncture for the franchise, as it was franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki’s final season in the league and Doncic’s rookie year. Although the team finished near the bottom of the standings that season, Doncic showed glimpses of the player he has since developed into. After winning Rookie of the Year that season, Doncic has earned first team All-NBA honors each of the past five years and currently leads the playoffs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, among other categories.
Although Rau recognized Doncic’s talent at the time, he did not anticipate this degree of dominance.
“I feel like for anybody to say they saw this level would maybe be a little fabrication to their story,” Rau said. “What stood out to me was really like his uncanny ability just to make plays happen regardless of what was going on. Maybe it was a broken down play or late-game or late shot-clock at practice. … He’s super crafty and you can see that and he sees the game at a different level and a different pace than everybody else. That was the biggest thing that stood out to me: his ability to process and understand the game at such a high level for a rookie.”
Following his time in Dallas, Rau joined the Akron Zips for two years as a graduate assistant before coming to the University of Toledo as the director of player development this past season. Those who worked with him in Dallas believe that the skills he showed in that role have translated to his time with the Rockets.
Mike Procopio, Director of Player Development for the Mavericks from 2013 to 2019, highlighted Rau’s communication as a necessary skill for a college coach. “Brett is a great coach, an up-and-coming, hard-working, inquisitive coach that just has a mind for the game,” Procopio said. “He’s got a good way with players, being able to communicate, and trying to maximize their talent on the floor. As far as the development piece, which is really important in the college game, I think it’s important to have someone like that on staff.”
With the Mavs on the brink of a title and seemingly poised for years of future success, Toledo will hope for similar results with Rau on board. Although the Rockets have finished atop the MAC for the past four years, they have been unable to translate that success into the postseason, with just one championship game appearance in that time.
As Game 1 tips off on Thursday night, Rau will be rooting for the Mavericks from his couch. However, he said, “If it gets to Game 6 or Game 7, maybe I’ll have a little watch party or go to a bar.”
First Published June 7, 2024, 8:26 p.m.
