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Kaman showed a variety of offensive skills in Europe. He posted up and powered to the basket, and he drifted out and sank the midrange jump shot. He got to the free throw line, too. Kaman also has taken a liking to Dirk Nowitzki, whom he invited on Kaman’s next hunting trip. Kaman is a devoted outdoorsman who enjoys shooting big things. “He said he’s going to go, but I think he was very reluctant at first,’’ Kaman said of Nowitzki’s initiation into the outdoor life. “I don’t think he wanted to take my invitation, but he said if that’s what makes me happy, he’ll do it. So I’m going to keep him true to his word.’’ Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman 

Centers Chris Kaman and Brandan Wright both got on the Dallas Mavericks' team plane to Germany today after going through some light workout drills at American Airlines Center. Kaman sprained his lower back during last Saturday's practice, and Wright strained his left quadricep muscle in Sunday's practice. Both players hope to play in either Saturday's preseason game in Berlin or Tuesday's preseason game in Barcelona, Spain. "He did a few things today, but he’s not back yet,'' coach Rick Carlisle said of Wright. "He went through some five-on-oh things kind of at two-thirds speed, but he's doing better. "I just hope that we can keep building on his situation.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Brandan Wright went down with a quad injury on the second day of practice Sunday, one day after Chris Kaman sprained his lower back. Neither injury, according to coach Rick Carlisle, is believed to be serious. "Brandon Wright got a little quad strain today, but it's not considered serious,'' Carlisle said. "We'll evaluate him and he'll be day-to-day.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman, Brandan Wright 

John Reid: Former Hornets center Chris Kaman sprained his lower back during the Mavericks' opening camp practice this morning. Injury not serious. Twitter @JohnReidTP

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman -- all but penciled in as the opening-day starter at center for the Dallas Mavericks -- sprained his lower back during the team's first practice this morning at American Airlines Center. Team officials said the injury limited Kaman's participation the rest of the practice, but doesn't appear to be too serious. Kaman, in fact, is expected back at this afternoon's practice, although in limited duty. "Kaman went out with a sprained lower back, but not considered serious,'' coach Rick Carlisle said. "We'll see how he's doing for tonight and tomorrow and go from there.'' Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

The Elton Brand-Chris Kaman pairing isn’t the only Mavericks newcomer duo with L.A. roots that’s reuniting. Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo played for college rivals UCLA and USC, respectively, but they’ve shared a backcourt in a bunch of summer pickup games. They believe that informal experience will be a factor in forming instant chemistry now that they’re the Mavs’ starting guards. “It’s going to help make it a lot easier,” Mayo said. “Competing against Darren, I understand he’s a great player and a heck of a competitor. When we play in the summertime at UCLA, we’re actually on the same team a lot of time just because we’re familiar with each other and feel like that can give us an edge in pickup games.” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, OJ Mayo, Elton Brand, Darren Collison, Chris Kaman 

And then there's the character that is new Mavs center Chris Kaman, a former teammate on Dirk's German national team even though the red-blooded American -- who has tweeted pictures of his guns, his Texas-sized pickup and a new pair of cowboy boots -- was born in blue-collar Wyoming, Mich. "Chris has definitely hit me up for all my hunting contacts," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said last week. "He wants to bag a white-tail deer and go hog hunting. So, I'm working on that." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Donnie Nelson, Chris Kaman 

“We’ve never had a low-post presence like Chris Kaman since I’ve been here, certainly; a guy that we can throw the ball into and you don’t have to throw the ball to Dirk every other possession,” Nelson explained. “You know, our backcourt is young and it’s athletic. I think we’ll be able to get after folks defensively a little bit more. So, I’m really looking forward to it. … Obviously, you take a guy like Elton Brand, with his kind of integrity and presence, and he can go inside, he can go outside; he gives our frontline some versatility. You know, O.J. Mayo, here’s a guy that can play a little bit of 2, a little 1. So, I think we’re more athletic. I think defensively we’ve got the propensity and the bodies to be a little bit better. We’re not veteran, so we’re gonna have to attack in a different way, but I think we’re a little bit more youthful and athletic and dynamic, and I think that’s a good thing. NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Elton Brand, Donnie Nelson, Chris Kaman 

“You know, the one thing that stands out is we don’t have veterans like we did. When you lose a guy like Jason Kidd and JET [Terry] in the backcourt, those are decision-making positions. We’re gonna have to do it in a different way. I think we do have the ability with our new guys to get in the paint and collapse some defenses. We all know what Roddy [Beaubois] and Delonte [West] can do, and to have Collison come in there, those are three young point guards that can get toe-to-toe with folks, pick them up fullcourt and they can get in the paint and make things happen. Jason Kidd and JET, those were two of the great Mavericks that ever put on a uniform in the history of our franchise, so I don’t think those are shoes that are easily filled. But I think these guys are gonna put their stamp on it and do it their own way.” NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Elton Brand, Jason Kidd, Donnie Nelson, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: Mavs GM Donnie Nelson: "Chris (Kaman) is a guy that if you had the free agent board in front of you he was one of the top guys this summer." Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman: Packing up for Dallas, and about to head to the shooting range one last time before I make my journey to TX! #NRA http://twitpic.com/aanzed Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman: Put it this way: I wasn't crazy about Bill Simmons in 2006 and still not crazy about BS in 2012. ‪#Douche‬ Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Media, Chris Kaman, Bill Simmons 

The Mavericks, however, are comfortable with their new center-power forward rotation of Chris Kaman at starting center and Dirk Nowitzki and power forward, Elton Brand backing up both positions and Shawn Marion playing power forward minutes in addition to small forward. Getting Scola not only would be a bonus for next season’s roster, but a valuable asset for potential trades. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Elton Brand, Dirk Nowitzki, Luis Scola, Shawn Marion, Chris Kaman 

One-year contracts are not what most NBA players want. And while the six zeroes at the end of Kaman’s salary make it hard not to like, he admitted Friday evening that he had aspirations for a longer-term deal. But he also knew what reality was. “Obviously, one year isn’t the most perfect situation for me,” Kaman said. “I would have liked more [years], obviously. But that’s not what was on the table. And I know why. And I respect the reason why. Hopefully, I’ll show I’m a valuable piece for this team.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Earl K. Sneed: Just announced: The Mavs have signed free-agent big man Chris Kaman. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman: Officially in Dallas, lots of stuff to take care of today. It's a hot one out here y'all! #Mavs Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Kaman 

How quickly did this come together? Chris Kaman: The last three days I had been going back and forth between Portland and Dallas. The offers were both very close. I just felt a little more comfortable. I really like Dallas as a city. The organization does a great job of taking care of their players. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Was Dirk a factor? Chris Kaman: That's a big part of it. And from the conversations I've had with Mark Cuban over the past year, he's just been really friendly with me and treated me the right way. I respect that. It's important to have an owner that respects his players like that and takes care of his players. Because not all owners do that the way he does. It's a unique situation. And having Dirk there. I know him really well. We've played together two summers in the past. I thought we played well together both times. I know the area really well. It was more comfortable for me. It was a better fit. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman 

Collison and Jones were involved in a sign-and-trade deal Thursday night with Indiana for backup center Ian Mahinmi. Kaman has confirmed his decision to sign with the Mavs, and the deal is expected to become official today. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, Trade, Darren Collison, Ian Mahinmi, Chris Kaman, Dahntay Jones 

"We like all three guys," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "Collison is well thought of as a player and a person, and Kaman has been one of the better low-post players in the league for the last eight years. We feel Dahntay Jones is a premier defender that brings toughness and he shot the 3 well the last two years." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Darren Collison, Chris Kaman, Dahntay Jones, Rick Carlisle