Dirk is forever special
Rick Carlisle: "It's hard to describe what we're seeing in real time. He's making it look sort of easy. The amount of work that's gone into him getting to this point in his career is something that none of us will ever really be able to fathom. It's not an accident. A lot of blood, a lot of sweat, a lot of guts go into a career like this. Kobe Bryant's the same kind of guy. These guys are once-a-generation type players. We're just very fortunate we've even had a chance to watch it for an extended period of time."
Chandler Parsons: "I'm happy to just be a small part of that, to be on the court as he accomplishes that goal, that's a huge honor, and no doubt in my mind that he'll keep going higher and higher up; he's one of the best that ever played the game."
Dirk Nowitzki: "Been fortunate to play, even this season, fortunate to have great teammates who put me in position to keep scoring, even as I'm older, and it's been fun. Still competing at a high level, and hopefully winning a lot more games, last couple years here, really means more to me now than all the points. But it's definitely been a fun ride."
Dirk (on what he said to Kobe post-game): "I told him I was going to catch him." [laughter]
Tyson Chandler: "[Dirk] deserves everything he gets. I hope he continues to climb. Because all the work, the dedication that he's put into this game, is incredible. It's a blessing just to be able to see him get it back and receive it as far as typing his name in history forever."
The Charlie Villanueva Game
Charlie Villanueva: "It's been a humbling experience since day one. From the camp invite, to the non-guaranteed contract, to making the squad, and the hardest battle was to get into the rotation. It took about 20-some games to finally get a chance, but just making the most of it. I respect coach, and the fact that he has confidence in me to call on me definitely makes me happy."
Villanueva (on four blocks): "I guess I'm a rim protector now." [laughter]
Carlisle: "Not unexpected. He's kept himself ready, the guys really respect him in the locker room, he's one of those guys that everybody likes as a person, they respect as a player, they really respect how he's worked through long periods of virtually no play. When you have a major trade and you lose some of your unique weapons, you gotta hope you have some guys sitting out their who are ready to seize their opportunity, and Charlie's doing that right now. And the thing is, we need him to do this every night."
Parsons: "All he needs is minutes. He can really fill it up, he can shoot the ball, probably our best shooter on the roster, just has a real knack for scoring. We need that, he can stretch the floor like Dirk when Dirk comes out, so I've always been a big fan of him, and he's been one of our better players in camp and all season long, just had to get the minutes and now he's taking advantage of it."
Dirk: "I'm proud of him. He stayed ready, never complained one bit, put in extra work before and after, and that's what he does: he's a shooter, he's a scorer, it doesn't really matter how long he sits on the bench, he's got a flame thrower out there, he's always ready to roll."
Rajon Rondo: "Charlie was big for us. I told him I was looking for him."
Rondo getting in rhythm
Carlisle: "He's doing better every game -- getting used to the guys, the guys are getting used to him, we're making adjustments we need to make-so he's doing well. I liked his aggression a lot tonight. I think it's important that he's a threat to score because that's going to open up more things. He did a great job of that tonight."
Parsons: "I think every game he plays with us he's going to get more comfortable, he's a professional, he's been doing this a long time, so the more action he gets, the more he gets to know us, the better off we'll be."
Dirk: "He's starting to run a great show. Starting to understand when he needs to be aggressive, get in the lane, when he needs to shoot...and he still has the great passing gene that you need as a point guard. I think he looks pretty sharp, and we've gotta keep it going and get used to each other more as the competition gets stiffer."
Rondo: Getting a little more comfortable, a lot more aggressive. Coach told me to get into the paint, and when they went zone I was able to do that...I try to take what the defense gives me."
Rondo (on timing with Tyson): "the first couple games I was throwing him bounce passes, and I told him it's only a matter of time, because I haven't played with an athletic big in 5 or 6 years, so just getting back used to throwing the lobs, getting our timing together, and we're getting there."
Tyson (on timing with Rondo): "[Getting that first lob] felt great. We had been going back and forth, trying to connect, trying to get a feel for one another, and we're starting to pick up."
Tyson: "[Rondo] has a high basketball IQ. The things he's been able to pick up, in only a couple days, has been remarkable. He literally has most of the offense down pat already, and he's already out there directing guys, which is a sign of him really owning it and knowing it."
The best of the rest
Carlisle (on Dirk and Monta playing sick): "Dirk's been dealing with this stomach thing for a while, he hasn't talked about it, he seemed to be doing okay tonight...Monta was sweating a little more tonight than normal, you could tell it was tougher for him, but his minutes were 33 and change which is manageable for him."
Parsons (on his shooting night): "Obviously when you add a big-time player in your offense like Rondo it's going to take some time to adjust, but I'm getting good looks and tonight I was able to get to the basket for some easy ones, missed a few open threes, but we won the game and that's all that matters to me...just trying to impact the game as much as I can."