After two seasons of trying and failing to impress the New Orleans Hornets, Brandon Bass understood that he wasn't going to convince his former team in one game.

So he focused on doing what the Mavericks wanted, rather than worrying about all those games he sat with the Hornets.

"I don't want to put added pressure on myself to go out and show coach [Byron] Scott that he should have played me," Bass said before recording 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in a 103-97 Mavericks win Sunday.

Afterward, Bass admitted that the game was different.

"I was nervous in the beginning," he said. "As I got going, I felt better. That was my first NBA team, I spent two years with them, and I feel like family with them."

He was clearly more comfortable bulling his way to the basket, like he did on a fourth-quarter dunk over Hilton Armstrong, than trying to make things happen on the perimeter.

In two Hornets seasons, Bass played 50 games, averaging 2.2 points in averaging 8.6 minutes playing time.

"I felt like I was ready to play," Bass said. "All players would be frustrated when they don't play the first couple years."

Bass showed enough potential in summer league play with the Mavericks to merit a free-agent signing. He's raised his game in the preseason, averaging 19 points and 8.3 rebounds in his last three games.

The scoring numbers are less important to coach Avery Johnson than other qualities the 6-8, 240-pound Bass brings.

"He's gotten some rebounds that nobody on our team can get," Johnson said. "That's pretty refreshing."

Actually, what Johnson wants from Bass, 22, is the same thing Scott said he wanted.

"That was his biggest problem, he wanted to be a scorer," Scott said. "He couldn't understand why he couldn't get on the floor because he wanted to score the ball instead of defense and rebounding. After a couple years, guys start to mature and understand they have to do what the coaches want to get playing time."

Bass may get more playing time than originally expected, with Johnson saying he could see minutes as an undersized center.

ERIC KAYNE / DMN

New Orleans' Hilton Armstrong (right) challenges the shot of the Mavericks' Brandon Bass.

Erick Dampier (shoulder) is not expected to be available when the season begins.

D.J. Mbenga, still recovering from last season's knee surgery, might make his preseason debut Tuesday against Chicago. But Johnson said he was not comfortable with Mbenga starting the season. That leaves DeSagana Diop and uncertainty on the depth chart.

Bass has been learning tricks of the trade from mentor Darvin Ham, the former Texas Tech star who is trying to make the team.

"He's the old animal," Bass said. "I'm the new animal."

Talking Kobe: Teams, including the Mavericks, that want to inquire about Kobe Bryant's availability and price tag have a perfect opportunity later this week at the NBA's Board of Governors meeting in New York. Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss is expected to attend, as is Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Briefly: The Mavericks jumped to a 14-0 lead. ... The second unit struggled in the second quarter but was able to produce a win in the fourth quarter. ... That summer shooting practice may be paying off. Devin Harris drilled consecutive 3-pointers in the first quarter. ... Jason Terry sat out Sunday, still nursing a sore knee.