Bass never had shot with Hornets

Brandon Bass promises to treat tonight against his old mates as just any other game. No hard feelings, he says. But you can tell there’s a little extra there.

Why wouldn’t there be?

Bass spent the first two years of his career with New Orleans, though you would hardly know it. Even if you watched the Hornets regularly.

Asked why he didn’t get off the bench there, Bass replied: “I really don’t know why. I might have to ask Coach Scott.”

Any conversations with Byron Scott tonight likely won’t go there, but Bass can’t help but wonder why he never got a chance.

“I felt like I was ready to play,” he said. “All players would be frustrated when they don’t play the first couple years.”

The Mavs, somehow, did see enough here and there to be intrigued by the sculpted 6-8, 240-pound power forward. Bass was offered a spot on the summer league team and his strong showing there led to a two-year deal as Dirk Nowitzki’s backup.

He’s looked solid this preseason, averaging 11.8 points (third on the team) and 7.5 rebounds (second). Avery Johnson doesn’t hand out praise easily, especially with young players, so it’s understandable when he points out that Bass needs to be “more of a competitor on the defensive end.”

There’s also a feeling that Bass is only scratching the surface of his potential.

“He’s gotten some rebounds that nobody on our team can get,” Johnson said. “That’s refreshing.”