NBA
24 seconds with Calvin Booth: He's glad to be a Mav again

RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES Calvin Booth, left, averaged 4.3 points in three seasons with the Sonics.

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Mavericks center Calvin Booth was traded by the Sonics for forward Danny Fortson in July.

After signing Booth to a six-year, $34 million contract as a restricted free agent from Dallas in 2001, the Sonics switched gears and were looking for a more aggressive post player. Mavericks coach Don Nelson said the Booth-Fortson trade has been a win-win; the Sonics nabbed a brutish forward in Fortson while the Mavs believe they have a quality backup center in Booth.

Seattle Times: So, how are you liking your return to Dallas? (In 2001, Booth appeared in 10 playoff games with the Mavericks)

Calvin Booth: I like it a lot. Things have been great.

ST: Thursday night was your first game against your old team, does that mean anything to you?

CB: It (was) an important game for me. You never want to lose to an old team. (Booth, who is averaging about two points in about eight minutes with Dallas, played three minutes in the Mavericks' 107-102 loss).

ST: Has anything changed around Dallas?

CB: It's pretty much similar from when I was here last. I like the new (American Airlines Center) arena. It's nice, especially the weight room (that's) in the locker room. And we have (13-inch) TVs (in our lockers).

ST: On the court, the Mavericks don't seem like they've clicked yet. Is the absence of point guard Steve Nash part of the problem?

CB: We definitely haven't played our best ball as of yet. When I played here before, I played with Steve and he brings that energy that's a total difference. He's a positive guy and can really create. I think we do miss him a little.
 
ST: What do you think of the Sonics' start? Can you believe it?

CB: Man, they are playing great. Things are really coming together for them. I'm really happy for them.

Jayda Evans