Mavs Rookie Dereck Lively II Preaches Hard Work: 'One Percent Better Every Day'

Following being selected with the No. 12 pick, Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II is ready to get to work.

When it comes to drafting a lottery pick the NBA, or any sport, there's always the chance that said player could feel entitled to what's next, whether that's playing time, stardom, etc. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the case for the No. 12 pick and new Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II.

In Monday's introductory press conference, Lively spoke on his journey to being drafted and what lies ahead, including his goals for his rookie season.

"Just being able to go in and be a sponge. I'm not just trying to go in and play my game -- I'm trying to go in and play the NBA’s game," Lively said. "I'm trying to go in and learn as quickly as possible and develop."

Both Lively and OMax Prosper spoke of this kind of mindset in their introductory press conference with a level of maturity and self-awareness that can be hard to find when you're talking about 19 and 20-year old first-round picks.

Coming into a team that drastically disappointed last season and are desperate to get back to not just the playoffs, but contention, it's not promised that a significant role will be in the cards for either rookie, but as Lively said on Monday, his goal is to 'get one percent better each day.'

"I'm not going to go in and be perfect and I know that," Lively said. "I'm just trying to go in and get one percent better each day so I can see how far I can go."

One thing is for sure: the Mavericks drafted themselves two humble young men in Lively and Prosper who are going to earn everything that's given to them.

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