Russell: Clay holds veteran training camps to help teammates break the gap before the season

Russell revealed in the "The Backyard" podcast that Clay held a "veteran training camp" for his Mavericks teammates during the offseason, and this gathering will help break the barriers before the arduous journey of the NBA season begins.

"Veter training camp - some of the best veterans on the team back then, bringing all the players, a few coaches and a few training staff together, usually in their backyard," Russell said. “Clay received us at his house—I don’t know if I would reveal his position—but he was in California.”

“He asked us to go there, we trained in several training venues, we played basketball all day, we played basketball, and we played golf for a while…and organized a few good dinners,” he explained. “He just brought everyone together, it was kind of like preparing for the upcoming storm.”

"We knew this season would be like a roller coaster," Russell said. "We know injuries will happen. We know we're going to lose tough games. We're going to win some tough games, too. Some people will miss the free throw that wins the game. That's going to happen in a season.

"But when you have that trust and that friendship from the beginning, all the gaps are broken," he continued. "You don't have to wait until preseason or media day to think you know these guys. You must establish this relationship and friendship as soon as possible. So, I'm very excited, man. ”

Russell also recalled his brief early experience with the Warriors: “I had an intersection with Clay when I was in Golden State. He was recovering from injuries at the time, so I didn't really see him. He's like Batman-he only appears when the bat light appears. So I didn't really have much intersection with him. But now around him, seeing his energy, and how infectious it is for a team that might be lacking in vitality or lacking anything—he fills that gap. It's really great to be with someone like this. ”

The Mavericks will hold a media day event on September 30 and start the regular season opening game on October 23.