loveforthegame
07-01-2006, 12:30 PM
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/14948129.htm
Jason Terry agrees to six-year deal with Mavs
By DWAIN PRICE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
DALLAS - True to his word, Jason Terry will return to play for the Mavericks.
Terry and the Mavs agreed on a six-year contract early Saturday morning worth approximately $50 million. The contract will keep Terry in a Mavs’ uniform through the 2011-’12 season, when he’ll be 34 years old at the conclusion of that season.
"First and foremost I thank God for truly blessing me with not only a new contract," a jubilant Terry said. "But with being able to stay with a team that is really headed in the right direction.
"Everybody knows that at the end of the day after our goal is to win a championship, and we came close last year. And I truly believe in my future we’re going to win one and bring it home to Dallas."
The chances of that happening have increased immensely now that the Mavs have an agreement in place with Terry.
While leading the Mavs to within two victories of capturing their first-ever NBA title, Terry averaged 17.1 points during the regular season. His value then soared in the playoffs when he averaged 19.7 points against the then-defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, and added another 22 points per game in the Finals against the Miami Heat.
Players aren’t eligible to officially sign their free agent contract until July 12. Terry said his press conference may be delayed, because he’s slated to be vacationing in the Bahamas with his family at that time, and isn’t scheduled to return to Dallas until July 17.
Still, to know that his future has been secured take a heavy burden off Terry.
"My main thing with the contract was to be able to secure my family and to have longevity," Terry said. "I’m 28, and this contract will take me up to when I’m 34 and close to 35, and what more can you can ask.
"I’m in the prime of my career and getting a long-term deal now was the No. 1 priority."
With Terry back in the fold, the next step for the Mavs is to secure extensions for Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. Both players are currently eligible for those extensions, and Mavs management has said that’s a foregone conclusion that it’ll happen before the season starts.
Terry believes he, Nowitzki and Howard are the centerpieces that rival the Spurs’ trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
"We’ve got three young stars _ two in their prime," Terry said. "Josh has not even reached his full potential yet, but he’s well on his way.
"Now we can really grow and really reach our full potential together, and I think that’s very important."
Because the Terry deal was consummated on the first day free agents could begin negotiations, the seven-year veteran said it spoke volumes about the Mavs’ commitment to continuing with their winning ways.
"It means a lot to me with the commitment that they showed to me and just the support they’ve shown me all year-long," Terry said. "I had a situation with a death (to a niece) in my family and with my mother’s health, and they supported me all the way through, and that’s what you look for in an ownership and in a team.
"That’s more important than anything, that you have a family environment. It makes your job a lot easier to go out and to perform."
The Mavs originally nabbed Terry in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks two summers ago. That came on the heels of the Mavs surprisingly losing popular point guard Steve Nash to the rival Phoenix Suns via free agency.
Thus, Terry was behind the eight-ball of sorts, because then-Mavs coach Don Nelson decided to open the season with rookie Devin Harris starting as Nash’s replacement. Terry didn’t crack the starting lineup until the 20th game of the 2004-’05 season.
"You lose Steve Nash and he goes to Phoenix and becomes the MVP (of the NBA for two years running), no one could have foretold that story," Terry said. "For me, personally, I knew it was an opportunity to play on a winning team and to finally get to the playoffs where I could showcase my skill level, individually.
"But I also knew it was a chance for me to become a better player all around."
While his new contract has provided some personal relief, the 6-2 Terry knows the work is just beginning for him and the Mavs.
"The money is great and you definitely appreciate that part of it," he said. "But you want to get that and be on a winning team.
"We play games to win, and you want that ultimate prize, and that’s the NBA championship. I know I’m very grateful for the city of Dallas, and I’m really excited, because the JET can soar to new heights now, because this is truly a blessing."
Jason Terry agrees to six-year deal with Mavs
By DWAIN PRICE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
DALLAS - True to his word, Jason Terry will return to play for the Mavericks.
Terry and the Mavs agreed on a six-year contract early Saturday morning worth approximately $50 million. The contract will keep Terry in a Mavs’ uniform through the 2011-’12 season, when he’ll be 34 years old at the conclusion of that season.
"First and foremost I thank God for truly blessing me with not only a new contract," a jubilant Terry said. "But with being able to stay with a team that is really headed in the right direction.
"Everybody knows that at the end of the day after our goal is to win a championship, and we came close last year. And I truly believe in my future we’re going to win one and bring it home to Dallas."
The chances of that happening have increased immensely now that the Mavs have an agreement in place with Terry.
While leading the Mavs to within two victories of capturing their first-ever NBA title, Terry averaged 17.1 points during the regular season. His value then soared in the playoffs when he averaged 19.7 points against the then-defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, and added another 22 points per game in the Finals against the Miami Heat.
Players aren’t eligible to officially sign their free agent contract until July 12. Terry said his press conference may be delayed, because he’s slated to be vacationing in the Bahamas with his family at that time, and isn’t scheduled to return to Dallas until July 17.
Still, to know that his future has been secured take a heavy burden off Terry.
"My main thing with the contract was to be able to secure my family and to have longevity," Terry said. "I’m 28, and this contract will take me up to when I’m 34 and close to 35, and what more can you can ask.
"I’m in the prime of my career and getting a long-term deal now was the No. 1 priority."
With Terry back in the fold, the next step for the Mavs is to secure extensions for Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. Both players are currently eligible for those extensions, and Mavs management has said that’s a foregone conclusion that it’ll happen before the season starts.
Terry believes he, Nowitzki and Howard are the centerpieces that rival the Spurs’ trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
"We’ve got three young stars _ two in their prime," Terry said. "Josh has not even reached his full potential yet, but he’s well on his way.
"Now we can really grow and really reach our full potential together, and I think that’s very important."
Because the Terry deal was consummated on the first day free agents could begin negotiations, the seven-year veteran said it spoke volumes about the Mavs’ commitment to continuing with their winning ways.
"It means a lot to me with the commitment that they showed to me and just the support they’ve shown me all year-long," Terry said. "I had a situation with a death (to a niece) in my family and with my mother’s health, and they supported me all the way through, and that’s what you look for in an ownership and in a team.
"That’s more important than anything, that you have a family environment. It makes your job a lot easier to go out and to perform."
The Mavs originally nabbed Terry in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks two summers ago. That came on the heels of the Mavs surprisingly losing popular point guard Steve Nash to the rival Phoenix Suns via free agency.
Thus, Terry was behind the eight-ball of sorts, because then-Mavs coach Don Nelson decided to open the season with rookie Devin Harris starting as Nash’s replacement. Terry didn’t crack the starting lineup until the 20th game of the 2004-’05 season.
"You lose Steve Nash and he goes to Phoenix and becomes the MVP (of the NBA for two years running), no one could have foretold that story," Terry said. "For me, personally, I knew it was an opportunity to play on a winning team and to finally get to the playoffs where I could showcase my skill level, individually.
"But I also knew it was a chance for me to become a better player all around."
While his new contract has provided some personal relief, the 6-2 Terry knows the work is just beginning for him and the Mavs.
"The money is great and you definitely appreciate that part of it," he said. "But you want to get that and be on a winning team.
"We play games to win, and you want that ultimate prize, and that’s the NBA championship. I know I’m very grateful for the city of Dallas, and I’m really excited, because the JET can soar to new heights now, because this is truly a blessing."