Mock Draft: Mavs Fanatic First Round 1.0

by Damian Jackson on June 6, 2013 in Mavs 09 comments

The NBA Draft is three weeks away and player workouts have prospects shifting positions on a daily basis. It’s time that we break out our first edition of the Mock Draft and share our thoughts on who we think will go where based on team need, workout impressions and daily reports.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Nerlens Noel, C Kentucky | Ht: 6’11″ Wt: 206

Noel has long been slotted as the top pick in this year’s draft and that hasn’t changed. Expect the Cavs to select the slender defensive center who’s aiming for a December return to the court.

2. Orlando Magic – Ben McLemore, SG Kansas | Ht: 6’5″ Wt: 188

McLemore has a pure jump shot and great size at SG for the NBA. Along with his shooting, Ben is an incredible athlete and many say he’s likely to be an All-Star level player for years. The Magic need that scoring infusion and McLemore can be that guy.

3. Washington Wizards – Otto Porter, SF Georgetown | Ht: 6’9″ Wt: 198

Otto Porter wins the Naismith College Player of the Year award if not for Trey Burke’s very impressive run in the tournament. Porter has an all-around game with intangibles that make him as NBA-ready an anyone in this class. Wizards keep Otto in DC.

4. Charlotte Bobcats – Alex Len, C Maryland | Ht: 7’1″ Wt: 255

Alex Len provides the Bobcats a center they need. With Byron Mullens likely gone it leaves Brendan Haywood. Bismack Biyombo could move to PF while Len offers Charlotte a solid defensive anchor in the middle who isn’t offensively challenged.

5. Phoenix Suns – Victor Oladipo, SG Indiana | Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 213

The Suns need stability. Victor Oladipo helps in that regard, he’s a relentless worker and plays hard on both ends of the floor. Oladipo would infuse energy into the U.S. Airways crowd, a step in the right direction with a new GM and head coach.

6. New Orleans Pelicans – Shabazz Muhammad, SF UCLA | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 222

ShaMu this high?! The popular pick is Trey Burke, but they do have the 6-foot-6 Greivis Vasquez running point who averaged 9.0 assists in 78 games last season. The Pelicans have a more pressing need at SF and Shabazz could be the right guy.

7. Sacramento Kings – Anthony Bennett, PF UNLV | Ht: 6’8″ Wt: 240

Kings need a PG more, but it’d be tough to pass on Bennett if he were to drop here. SI.com says Bennett may have the most star potential in the draft, but is he a tweener? Sneaky skilled for a PF-type, AB would compliment Boogie Cousins well.

8. Detroit Pistons – Trey Burke, PG Michigan | Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 187

It’s no secret the Pistons want a PG. Michael Carter-Williams could be the choice, but with   Wolverine and College Player of the Year Burke available they may go that route. Burke’s heart and competitiveness would be welcomed in Detroit.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves – C.J. McCollum, PG/SG Lehigh | Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 197

McCollum makes perfect sense for the Wolves. A combo guard with advanced scoring ability and versatility. The foot injury no longer an issue, McCollum would step in next to Ricky Rubio and relieve some of Kevin Love’s scoring responsibilities.

10. Portland Trail Blazers – Steven Adams, C Pittsburgh | Ht: 6’11″ Wt: 235

Portland hit a homerun (Damian Lillard) and a ground out (Meyers Leonard) in last year’s lottery. Steven Adams represents a true NBA center with his physical tools, rebounding and defense. Tons of upside and an solid fit next to LaMarcus Aldridge.

11. Philadelphia 76ers – Cody Zeller, PF/C Indiana | Ht: 7’0″ Wt: 230

Some have the Blazers snagging Zeller, but he’ll be more of a PF in the NBA. Either way the Sixers will be satisfied to see Zeller fall to them. Cody showed impressive athleticism at the combine and he’d be able to play the 4/5 in Philly.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Mason Plumlee, C Duke | Ht: 7’0″ Wt: 238

OKC could go in several directions with this pick, but smart money says they address the center position. Kendrick Perkins has been disappointing. Plumlee gives the Thunder an explosive big who rebounds very well and finishes with authority above the rim.

13. Dallas Mavericks – Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 185

The Mavs have their eye set on Carter-Williams. If he makes it to 13, they draft him. His size is special for the position and he owns the best court vision and PG instincts in this class. MCW would be nice addition if Dallas whiffs on Chris Paul.

14. Utah Jazz – Dennis Schröder, PG Germany | Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 165

Utah has strong interest in Schröder to replace free agent Mo Williams. The 19-year-old PG has a lot of Rajon Rondo in his repertoire. Reports say he received a promise from the Boston Celtics, but he may not make it that far.

15. Milwaukee Bucks – Jamaal Franklin, SG San Diego State | Ht: 6’5″ Wt: 191

The Bucks face a lot of uncertainties in their backcourt. If Brandon Jennings stays, Milwaukee could use help on the wing. Franklin fits the bill as an above average rebounder, elite athlete and plays aggressive on offense and defense.

16. Boston Celtics – Gorgui Dieng, C Louisville | Ht: 6’11″ Wt: 230

With Schröder likely gone, the Celtics could switch gears and find a center. Dieng owns NBA center size and is skilled defensively. There are other options, but many scouts are high on Dieng ability to contribute immediately.

17. Atlanta Hawks – Dario Saric, SF Croatia | Ht: 6’10″ Wt: 223

Saric is believed to be the draft’s top international prospect and could go as high as No. 6 to the Pelicans. Naturally this would be quite to steal for the Hawks who will be carefully utilizing their cap space this summer. Saric to withdraw from the draft?

18. Atlanta Hawks - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Georgia | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 204

The Hawks’ only guards with guaranteed deals are Lou Williams (ACL) and John Jenkins. There’s buzz about Caldwell-Pope and this seems like a good fit for both parties. Hometown kid stays around and Hawks get a legit all-around player.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Sergey Karasev, SG/SF Russia | Ht: 6’7″ Wt: 197

According to reports, sounds like Karasev’s already received a promise and word out there says this is the floor for Karasev. The Cavs really like him. He provides Cleveland a player with immense shooting ability and the size to play either wing position.

20. Chicago Bulls – Kelly Olynyk, PF/C Gonzaga | Ht: 7’0″ Wt: 238

A slide of sorts for Olynyk, but he could still crack the lottery. If the Bulls consider amnesty with Carlos Boozer, the Gonzaga product provides Chicago an ample replacement (along w/ Taj Gibson) whose skill set fit an NBA four.

21. Utah Jazz – Rudy Gobert, C France | Ht: 7’2″ Wt: 238

The Jazz could double dip in international waters by going Gobert after Schroder. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are set to leave, so Utah could be enticed to take Gobert as a development behind ripe big men Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors.

22. Brooklyn Nets – Tony Mitchell, PF North Texas | Ht: 6’9″ Wt: 237

Mitchell is scheduled to work out for city rival NY Knicks tomorrow, but the Nets have interest as well. Brooklyn could use a PG unless they trust TyShawn Taylor as Deron Williams’ backup. Mitchell’s stock is on the rise nonetheless.

23. Indiana Pacers – Shane Larkin, PG Miami | Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 171

This would be too sweet for the Pacers. Point guard is an area of need and Larkin falling in their lap is a miracle. Chances of it happening are slim though as he could go as high as 14th or 15th to the Jazz or Bucks.

24. New York Knicks - Jeff Withey, C Kansas | Ht: 7’0″ Wt: 222

Roy Hibbert’s size was too much for Tyson Chandler and the Knicks. Marcus Camby doesn’t play anymore, Kenyon Martin was too small. Withey plugs in as the immediate backup with great basketball knowledge, physical tools and shot-blocking.

25. Los Angeles Clippers – Allen Crabbe, SG California | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 198

Crabbe is a talented player with a terrific stroke. The Clippers believe Chris Paul isn’t going anywhere and it’s always wise to surround a PG with shooters. Crabbe works well off screens and in transition, perfect wing type for a Paul-run offense.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves – Ricky Ledo, SG Providence | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 197

Ledo appears to be the mystery and possible best sleeper of the draft. Someone mentioned he had a Kevin Durant-like shot and it’s not far off. He looks like a top-notch scorer and special wing this late in the first round. Minny can use ‘em!

27. Denver Nuggets – Glen Rice Jr., SF Rio Grande Valley (NBDL) | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 211

Glen Rice Jr. looks to go from the D-League to the NBA by way of draft. The Nuggets who recently severed ties with George Karl will probably lose SG Andre Iguodala to free agency and seek his replacement. Denver will like that Rice Jr. is ready NOW.

28. San Antonio Spurs – Lucas Nogueira, C Brazil | Ht: 6’11″ Wt: 215

With already one Brazlian center on the roster in Tiago Splitter, the Spurs may entertain the idea of selecting Nogueira and stash him away for a year or two. This gives Lucas time to advance his skills and the Spurs to prep a role for him down the road.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Tim Hardaway Jr., SG Michigan | Ht: 6’6″ Wt: 200

The Thunder addressed a vital need in the lottery, but could seek a cheaper SG option here rather than retain free agent Kevin Martin. OKC still has Jeremy Lamb as well and could have two younger, more affordable guard competition in camp.

30. Phoenix Suns - Giannis Adetokunbo, SF/PF Greece | Ht: 6’9″ Wt: 196

Adetokunbo this late would be amazing for the Suns, who want to ignite new enthusiasm to it’s fan base. He brings different elements to the game than any Suns forward. Channing Frye remains a health concern and there’s zero faith in Michael Beasley.

Damian Jackson is a partner at Mavs Fanatic. Follow Damian on Twitter @thedfactor and like our site’s page on Facebook.

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Mavs Game Night: Deron in Dallas with His Brooklyn Nets

by Damian Jackson on March 20, 2013 in Mavs 09 comments

As spring nears its way it means the summer will follow soon after. A summer ago the Dallas Mavericks played some baseball and unfortunately they struck out when it was their turn to bat.

The Mavericks opted for cap room in 2011 rather than bringing back an aging group which won the franchise’s lone championship. Most notably Tyson Chandler was seen as the gem we simply let walk away.

One can view the turn out either way they want, but I lean toward understanding the financial side of the business. I never doubt Mark Cuban’s will to win and right now it’s obviously been rough this past year and change, BUT Cuban is one smart man.

The goal which no longer is a secret of any kind was to fetch a superstar player such as Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and/or Deron Williams. Paul and Howard never actually became free agents, although there was reports that said the two had briefly discussed teaming with the Mavericks.

Two strikes.

Free agent and Dallas native Deron Williams did hit the open market, but eventually opted to stick with the Nets and their transition from New Jersey to Brooklyn.

Strike three.

This all brings us to tonight and Williams’ first visit back to the arena he said was his favorite to play in. The American Airlines Center will be rocking with rowdy, loud and proud faithful. Dallas’ fan base desperately wanted one of the NBA’s elite point guards to return home and join forces with the great Dirk Nowitzki. So I do expect Deron to hear the boo-birds reign throughout the evening.

It’s not all a downer though with how things transpired even though it may feel that way. The Mavs front office will get another at-bat and put the ball in play. It’s about being opportunistic as our owner loves to say and he’s situated us in relatively favorable position to remain flexible and become advantageous when presented with the right opportunity.

As for this matter at hand, the Nets are in Dallas looking to avenge the loss on the first of March. In this game which I covered in my first ever trip to the Barclay’s Center, the Mavs managed to secure a 98-90 victory. Nowitzki and Vince Carter scored 20 apiece; O.J. Mayo added 17 points. Williams led the Nets with 24 points.

The Mavericks are 6-3 since the meeting in Brooklyn, most recently defeating the Atlanta Hawks 127-113 Monday evening. That win actually assisted the Nets themselves as they continue to fend off the Hawks for the fourth and final seed with home court advantage in the Eastern Conference.

[March Madness Bracket Challenge] Remember to fill out your Mavs Fanatic bracket for a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card!

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Playoff Picture Update:

MAVERICKS - 10th seed in West; 3 GB of the Los Angeles Lakers for final playoff spot.

NETS - 4th seed in East; 1 GB of New York Knicks for Atlantic Division and 3rd seed.

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Nets at Mavs tip at 7:00 p.m. CT and airs on ESPN.

Let’s Go Mavs!

Source: Rotoworld.com, ESPN & ESPN Dallas

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Mavericks in Brooklyn: My All-Access Media Experience

by Damian Jackson on March 2, 2013 in Mavs 09 comments

This wasn’t the usual Friday for me. I woke up in the morning with the realization that’d I’d fulfill a long awaited desire of mine and cover the Dallas Mavericks as an all-access media member.

More than a few emotions ran through my body as the days turned to hours and hours to minutes. My undeniable excitement was slightly subdued by the nerves and anxiousness I was unable to dodge. This didn’t prevent me from sharing the upcoming opportunity with friends and family who have long known my goals and passion for sports journalism.

And with that I’m thankful for Ryan Wilson, founder of the Mavs Fanatic, for allowing me to be a partner going forward and opening doors to valuable experiences that will aid the website in turning baby steps into full-grown man strides.

Brooklyn was the destination and by all means I was ready to make the drive on my own, but my amazing wife surprised me with a limousine through Today’s Limo. A buddy of mine works there as a manager and the two put it all together in what turned out to be a wonderful birthday gift.

I was off and on my way five hours before the start of the game. All was smooth cruising until we hit New Jersey and all the Metro commuter traffic in what is relatively normal rush hour on a Friday evening. You know it’s a jam when the GPS says 45 minutes for only seven miles. Thanks to some breaks and my driver Nick, we made it right on time and my moment had arrived.

No lines. No long waits. Press and media entrance, check. The feeling was foreign, but I tried and probably failed at an attempt to make it appear I knew what I was doing. Security checked my bag, body scanned and directed me to the box office. After a short delay, I received my single game media pass affiliated with MavsFanatic.com and Dallas Mavericks.

Next I’d be escorted downstairs toward the visitors locker room where I’d meet Mavs PR Director Sarah Melton. After introducing myself, she told me to gather around with the rest of the media members awaiting Rick Carlisle’s pregame presser.

Surrounded by the likes of Dwain Price, Earl K. Sneed and other prominent names in Dallas media Coach went on to take questions about the matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.

Certain things stood out to me immediately, Carlisle has huge feet, DPrice is way taller than I expected and Mark Followill has the voice of champions.

“We’re going to have to do a better job at finishing games,” said Carlisle. “We’re going to have to defend without fouling, been a big problem for us. And really it comes down to just thin margins for error all year for us at the expense of some tough losses.”

 

Asked about leaning on veteran players during this difficult time and overall challenging season:

“A lot, we depend on those guys to do it on the floor, to keep things upbeat in the locker room, keep the younger guys going. Dirk, Shawn, Vince and Elton…these guys have been through it all, seen it all. Their wisdom is important to us.”

On what the challenge is for the coach dealing with a loss in Memphis after having a 25-point lead:

“Just keep emphasizing the importance of playing 48 minutes and not 20. We played a 20-minute game the other night. I have to remind the guys what got us the lead and continue to reinforce the positive things.”

Carlisle wrapped up and went back into the locker room for final preparation before the game. I went on to introduce myself to both Dwain and EKS, Mr. inVESTed himself.

I headed over to the media room where numerous members were gathered to chat, eat or simply jot up reports in the print room. My stomach urged me to grab some grub from the enticing buffet. Also taking advantage of the flank steak and salmon-headed food choices were Mavs broadcast member Derek Harper and his former Knicks teammate Greg Anthony.

It now came time to locate my seating on press row. Once again the Barclays Center security was extremely helpful in guiding exactly where I needed to go. Though not court-level seating, the vantage point was suffice for easy coverage.

Spent the night seated between two guys, Larry Fleisher of Metro newspaper and Adam of SLAM Magazine. I was interested in the coverage each did for their respective work, while being able to discuss my take on the Dallas Mavericks.

The game itself was one to enjoy. Never more than a seven point lead for the Mavs, it was a tight one at halftime. In polar opposite fashion from the Memphis game, the Mavs came alive in the third and took a 14-point lead into the final quarter.

A Mike James triple made the score 83-63 and provided the Mavs the largest lead of the game. All seemed to be in good standing, but we’ve grown accustomed to Dallas’ struggles to close games. The Nets closed the margin to five on a C.J. Watson bucket with 1:05 remaining, but never got any closer.

The Mavs win 98-90 and improved to 26-32. Six wins away from a clean shave. I had to explain to SLAM that they were ‘get to .500 beards’ and not ‘get to playoff beards’.

Time to make my way back to the locker room where Carlisle would meet us once again for his post game presser. Before he emerged, Dirk was concluding a TV interview and walked by with a compliment, “Nice shoes Dwain!” he said passing Dwain Price and his fancy pair.

Carlisle on the win:

“They’re all big. So in dropping the last three, we needed one. We put together a solid game and we were solid enough to beat one of the better teams in the East.”

Mike James ability to stabilize the offense in the second half:

“I really liked Mike’s game tonight, real solid floor game…didn’t shoot it great, but he hit two big threes. He’s a gamer, he goes out there, he’s not afraid.”

The locker room opened up and it was time for some player interviews.

First Mav I approached was Anthony Morrow, who was inactive for the game and has only played four minutes for the Mavs since his arrival.

Wanted to introduce myself to Morrow in person after the phone interview we had done. Talked briefly about his adjustment since it’s been slightly over a week since the deadline trade. Morrow was in positive spirits regardless and said he’s really enjoying Dallas. I told him it’s simply a matter of time and I’m looking forward to him playing and contributing for the team.

Congratulated Mike James in the hallway on his good game and impact triples during the all important third quarter run.

Shawn Marion’s take on the victory:

“They (Nets) had some big plays. They didn’t hit many jumpers, all getting to the basket and getting and-1s. They doing that, that’s a lose-lose situation for us, you know. However, we were able to prevail, withstand it and win the game.”

Dirk on winning despite making it close down the stretch:

“I think we made it more interesting than we wanted to again. They hit some threes, I think C.J. Watson made two or three, DWill had a couple drives…and-1s, Brook got to the basket, we couldn’t get stops. Next thing you know it was almost a ballgame. Our lead was big enough and I think we played well most of the game.”

Dirk stated the things the Mavs do to build the leads need to be done consistently. In his words play like your down all the time.

The significance of the next 2 games against Houston:

“Well it’s been a frustrating year overall, losing a lot of close games we feel we should have had. We have to go into these with a free mindset, kinda forget what happened so far and let it all rip.”

“I mean Houston’s a great team and (James) Harden’s having a phenomenal year. They’re a tough team, we have our hands full, but we’re gonna push the pace as well. We’ve had some really fun games in Houston over the years, so we’ll just go in let it all rip, play as a team…should be fun.”

Approach to the final 24 games:

You have to take it one game at a time, you can’t look big picture if you gotta go 20-4, that’s not how you want to look at it. The next game is a big, that’s how you want to prepare and approach as a team.”

I saw every Mav player in the locker room outside of Kaman, Collison and Wright. It’s quite redundant to mention how tall these guys are, but Bernard “Sarge” James was massive. Caught myself twice in awe when he walked by. Still need to get a phone interview set up with him soon.

Finally exited the Mavs locker room and headed out the way I entered. There awaited my limo and it was time to bid farewell to the Barclays Center, which indeed was a beautiful arena.

My experience as a media member for the Mavs Fanatic and Dallas Mavericks was over and one I will never forget. This was a progressive step into the right direction for me and our website. Thank you to Sarah Melton and all of those involved from the Dallas Mavericks organization for the unbelievable opportunity!

Look forward to doing it again!

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Mavs Game Night: Dallas Mavericks (4-1) @ NY Knicks (3-0)

by Ryan Wilson on November 9, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

It’s been a week of reunions for the Dallas Mavericks. They already welcomed home former top assistants Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts. Tonight they visit the Big Apple and will see two integral players to the championship run two seasons ago.

Tyson Chandler and Jason Kidd now wear the blue and orange for the New York Knicks. Chandler is in his second year with the Knicks and has changed the defensive culture almost single-handedly. His efforts did not go unrecognized as he took home the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Kidd’s exit from Dallas in the offseason came as a surprise. The original plan was to lure Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams home and employ Kidd as his backup. When Kidd bolted back to the New York area (Kidd played for the New Jersey Nets from 2001-2008) it caught Mavs’ star Dirk Nowitzki off-guard and didn’t sit well with owner Mark Cuban.

“I was more than upset,” Cuban said. “I thought he was coming. I was pissed…

“J. Kidd is a big boy; he can do whatever he wants. But you don’t change your mind like that. That was … yeah. I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point, but as of now, I wouldn’t put J. Kidd’s number in the rafters.”

It was somewhat frustrating as a Mavs fan simply because we didn’t have another natural point guard on the roster. Personally, I wasn’t too hurt by the news. I love J-Kidd for all he did as a Maverick, but paying him $9 million for three more years until he’s 42-years-old would have been a poor investment.

We know how it all played out. Mavs went a different direction and quickly turned a signed-and-traded Ian Mahinmi into Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. Mavs now have their starting point guard, a 25-year-old with speed, scoring ability and a high basketball IQ.

Kidd and his undefeated Knicks will be up against a vastly new-look Mavs squad. The Mavs will once again be without key players when Dirk and Marion sit out. Roddy B will be a game-time decision with a bum ankle.

A key for the Mavs in this game with be keeping Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony in check. Well, at least try to without top wing defender Marion to handle those duties. One would expect Rick Carlisle to go with both Dahntay Jones and Jae Crowder.

When the Mavs let their best impact center in franchise history, Tyson Chandler, walk to ‘keep the powder dry” it left fans dumbfounded and infuriated. Chris Kaman temporarily has eased those concerns and helps some move on. Kaman is by far Dallas’ best offensive center EVER. It’s only been a handful of games, but it’s that obvious.

Kaman looks natural out there on the offensive end. He can shoot, he can post and he can create problems for opposing big men. He will certainly make Chandler work tonight.

O.J. Mayo and Collison will need to push the tempo and create opportunities for one another as well as the rest of their teammates. Mayo is averaging 28 points per contest in November, but is finding other ways to impact the game.

This game should have plenty of storylines and excitement.

New York’s local broadcast network ‘MSG’ has had two Knicks promo posters pulled for possible inappropriate meanings (Check them out below). Both were clever and hilarious in my opinion. One other TV ad though for tonight’s game said, “Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler will show Dallas how basketball’s played in New York.” No problem, the Mavs will see how they play.

In the end we just want to also show them our new brand of Mavericks ball and hope it’s better than theirs. Another result to place in the standing’s left column. Go Mavs!

Actions tips at 6:30 p.m. CT and airs on Fox Sports Southwest and MSG.

Knicks Ad #1 “Kidd and Dimes” | Knicks Ad #2 “Real Men Fly”

Follow me @thedfactor on Twitter

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NBA Releases Schedule: 5 Games To Circle

by Ryan Wilson on July 26, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Perhaps not since the 2003-04 season when Mark Cuban brought in Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker have the Dallas Mavericks been a bigger mystery than they are entering the 2012-13 season.

With the roster now appearing to be finalized – barring any trades before the start of training camp in late September — the re-tooled Mavs now know who and when they’ll play as the NBA released the full 82-game regular-season schedule Thursday.

There’s no Christmas Day game and no Martin Luther King Jr. day game. Dirk Nowitzki and his new pals won’t be on national television at the rate that they were a season ago as defending champs. Still, the Mavs will have eight games on TNT — including the opener at the Lakers — seven on ESPN, seven on NBATV, one on ABC and two on ESPN Radio.

None of it means this won’t be one of the more intriguing seasons of Cuban’s ownership. At the moment, just about anything — from being lottery bound to a top-four finish in the Western Conference — seems possible.

We take a look at five games to circle, and why not start with the opener?

No. 1: Mavs at Los Angeles Lakers, Oct. 30
Not only will it be the first real game for a Mavs club that features five new key players around Nowitzki, but it will also be Steve Nash‘s debut with the Lakers. And for that matter, since we’ve already mentioned Jamison, he’ll also be wearing the purple and gold for the first time. The big question as of July 26 is if Andrew Bynum will still be calling the Staples Center home or if Dwight Howard be manning the rim and playing alongside Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Nash?

No. 2: New York Knicks at Mavs, Nov. 21
Coach Rick Carlisle predicted that Jason Kidd would receive a standing ovation when he returns to the American Airlines Center. We won’t have to wait long to find out if he’s right — and he probably is. Two-fifths of the Mavs’ championship starting lineup will suit up for the Knicks as Tyson Chandler makes his second trip back to Dallas since the title. Kidd’s last-minute departure to the Big Apple was stunning, but in retrospect it’s allowed the Mavs to add a bit more shake-n-bake to their backcourt with Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo.

No. 3: Mavs at Boston Celtics, Dec. 12
A trip to the Garden is always special, but now that Jason Terry will be writing ctc on his green and white sneakers, it’s extra special. And don’t think that Terry, who played eight seasons with the Mavs, won’t want to drill about 15 buckets from downtown and send his former team out of town with a loss. Terry never wanted to leave Dallas, but he knew he was no longer in their plans. He’ll try to fill the very large shoes of Ray Allen, who took his talents to South Beach. Terry won’t make his Dallas return until March 22.

No. 4: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Mavs, Jan. 18
It’ll take a few months for the Western Conference champs to make it Dallas, which isn’t a bad thing since the Mavs will need some time to break in the new rotation. Although Dallas is a drastically different team than the past two seasons, consecutive playoff series have elevated the Thunder to the top of the Mavs’ rival list, or at least just notch below the Spurs. This game will show the Mavs how far they’ve come or how far they still have to go.

No. 5: Mavs at Brooklyn Nets, March 1
Who knows if the Nets will have Dwight Howard by this first meeting of the two teams, but this game is all about Deron Williams, who spurned his hometown Mavs to re-sign with the Nets as they move to Brooklyn. In the grand scheme of things, this game will mean little, but the free-agent process was emotional for Williams and the two teams, and that could make this the most intense Mavs-Nets game of all-time. Less than three weeks later, Williams will make his return to Dallas. He won’t be staying.

Jeff Caplan

ESPNDallas.com

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Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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Cuban Has Mavs Set Up For Future Run

by Ryan Wilson on July 26, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Hours before the Dallas Mavericks‘ title defense fizzled in a first-round sweep, a first in Mark Cuban’s dozen seasons, the outspoken and out-of-the-box owner of the dismantled champions chastised sports writers, demanding the know-it-alls digest the new collective bargaining agreement before questioning his suddenly scaled-back spending approach to team building.

For the many fans who didn’t find the enthralling document on the best-sellers shelf at their local bookstore, a perception surfaced that the new fang-bearing CBA, with its harsher luxury tax penalties, scared the billionaire Cuban from re-signing Tyson Chandler this past December and into becoming cheap.

What other explanation could there be for an $88 million payroll — in the top three in the league and $18 million over the luxury tax line — during the championship season and a payroll today that stands to top out at about $61 million, $9 million below the tax line?

In actuality, Cuban doesn’t fear the larger luxury tax hammer the CBA starts swinging in 2013-14 nearly as much as the roster handcuffs it will slap on luxury tax offenders.

This is not about being cheap versus spending extravagantly, as Cuban unabashedly had done throughout his ownership and as the Brooklyn Nets did this summer in an attempt to put a competitive team around prized free agent Deron Williams, who spurned the Mavs and sent them scrambling for contingency plans. This is about differing interpretations as to how to best build a team under the new rules.

The Nets and Mavs have emerged as a fascinating case study in opposing approaches to the new CBA that will play out over the next three to five years.

Brooklyn, boasting a payroll approaching $82 million next season with five projected starters each earning at least $10 million and a slew of long-term deals, is locked into restrictive luxury tax territory through 2015-16. The newly fiscally self-restrained Mavs, with only Dirk Nowitzki ($20.9 million) scheduled to make more than $8.5 million next season and no one locked up beyond 2013-14, are flush with cap space for the foreseeable future.

“The money is secondary to the team-building strategy,” Cuban said. “Once you get above the tax apron [the $70.307 million luxury tax plus $4 million], there are limitations in player movement that I think have a big impact on how to build a team.”

If the Nets manage to land Dwight Howard in a midseason trade, their high-dollar offseason maneuverings — signing Gerald Wallace to a $40 million contract and trading for Joe Johnson‘s enormous contract, which ultimately enticed Williams to stay — will give Brooklyn a roster it can love long term and a luxury tax bill that Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov will pay as if checking his luggage on a flight home to Moscow.

But if Brooklyn doesn’t acquire Howard and the Nets aren’t contending in two or three years, they will be locked into the current roster, limited to making only minor adjustments. It’s why Cuban ultimately decided that sacrificing a true title defense in favor of trimming the payroll and creating future cap space was a wiser bet than backing the franchise into a corner with an aging, potentially unmovable roster.

Two key CBA restrictions are at the center of Cuban’s 180-degree philosophical change.

In the past, he would pursue trades and take back bloated salary that added to his luxury tax bill. He was happy to pay the phasing-out dollar-for-dollar luxury tax in the name of acquiring the player or players he wanted in order to keep his teams consistently competitive. It’s a strategy Cuban believes is no longer sustainable under the new rules.

It has little to do with the coming luxury tax that grows larger for every $5 million spent over the cap and a one-time crushing hit for taxpayers in any four out of five seasons.

Starting next summer, and more pertinent to Cuban, teams above the tax apron can no longer receive a player in a sign-and-trade. If the rule had been in place this summer, the Lakers would not have been able to deal for Steve Nash. Next summer, the Lakers and Nets will be prohibited from making sign-and-trade proposals for Dwight Howard, if he has yet to be dealt, or any other player. They also won’t have the cap space to sign Howard outright as a free agent.

The Mavs, one of three teams along with the Nets and Lakers on Howard’s original trade list, will weigh heavily in both potential discussions.

“It will be interesting to see what happens next summer,” Cuban said, “when we hear lots of talk about teams not being eligible to receive free agents in sign-and-trades due to being over the tax apron.”

Teams over the luxury tax apron also will not have access to the full midlevel exception of $5 million, instead relegated to the taxpayer exception of $3 million, a significant blow when trying to sign a quality veteran player.

Cuban’s strategy is obviously not without risk, as the all-or-nothing pursuit of Williams proved. The Mavs then lost Jason Terry and Jason Kidd to free agency, and Cuban and company were getting ripped for a grand offseason failure that threatened to plunk them in the lottery.

They responded with a show of resourcefulness in acquiring five interesting players, and all at low cost and with short-term contracts. The moves might not make the Mavs bona fide contenders, but they should be entertaining and make the playoffs. And, unlike the Nets, Knicks and Lakers, they will be flush with cap space to either sign a max-contract free agent next summer or potentially nab one at some point from a team that wants out from under a weighty contract.

That’s the plan, anyway. Of course, Howard might not reach free agency next summer. The same goes for Chris Paul and Andrew Bynum. The Mavs’ strategy won’t change. They’ll remain patient and seek creative trades for players on expiring deals (such as Darren Collison) and players who slip through the cracks (such as O.J. Mayo), and sign them to reasonable, short-term deals.

At some point, the Mavs believe, their ability to absorb contracts with cap space will facilitate a major trade, or being a rare big-market team with cap space will ultimately land a big fish in free agency.

If either occurs, be sure that Cuban won’t be afraid to cross the luxury tax line on a year-to-year basis to build a contender around a superstar with an eye on only the four-in-five chronic taxpayer crackdown.

“I expect to go into the luxury tax in the future,” Cuban said, although declining to specify the obvious scenario in which he would. “I’m not going to lay down my cards in public.”

Jeff Caplan

ESPNDallas.com

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Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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In Cuban We Trust

by Ryan Wilson on July 16, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Mavs Offseason

I’ve been asked or told by many people recently about the reasoning behind letting go of a lot of key players from the Mavericks 2011 championship team.  Popular NBA experts/analysts and even the players themselves can’t seem to grasp the idea behind it.  So it’s time to break it down and hopefully we can all move on with a better understanding.

This Dallas Mavericks offseason can best be summed up in one word; Salvaged.  It quickly went from high hopes, to bust, to decent.  Or was it ever truly a “bust”?  The truth is that the new CBA has presented some necessary changes in the ways teams operate their rosters and only a few teams are being proactive with their approach.  Some teams choose to buy anybody and everybody in hopes of a quick fix and a quick title.  The window of opportunity is very small with this approach. Because in a few years, these teams will suffer.

Here are some of the important penalties of being over the salary Cap:

1. Teams risk not being able to perform sign and trades in order to dump salary.
2. They can’t use their annual cap exceptions of $5 million to sign veteran players.
3. The only way they can improve their roster is a regular dollar for dollar trade or signing guys at the minimum contract.  And we’ve learned from experience in the past few years that players are looking for more years and more money.  So the chances of landing key players at minimum deals are very low percentage.
4. IMPORTANT. Owners of teams over the Cap pay the luxury tax to other teams that are  under the salary cap.  The amount of money to each team is pro rated based on how much under the cap the team is.  (Yet another way for the Mavs to make money)

Example #1 (hypothetical):  if the Knicks would’ve signed Jeremy Lin, they would’ve had to pay a Luxury tax of $43 million in year 3 of the contract.  $43 million!!  Kudos to the Knicks for recognizing this and skipping out on that contract.  It’s the first good move they’ve made in a long time.

Example #2 (factual):  In regards to paying the luxury tax for being over the cap, there’s also a “repeat offender” rate for teams that are over the cap consecutive seasons.  The Brooklyn Nets, using the figures below, will be paying a luxury tax of $56 million in 2013-2014, $88 million in the 2014-2015 season, and $90 million+ in the 2015-2016 season.  Keep in mind that the salary cap each NBA season is $58 million.  It’s just laughable.  Ready to laugh some more?  The team that paid the highest luxury tax last year was the Los Angeles Lakers at a whopping $12 million.  In my best typed Prokorov impression; “Moneez no probl’m for Prokorov. Me and Jay-Z sign good player and win Champ-ship”

The problem that the NBA runs into is that the players are either not informed, or choose to ignore the fact that they’re joining a team that will be inevitably cash strapped.  Which brings up the question of if a player really cares about winning or only cares about the pay check?  I think, unfortunately, that we’re learning that it’s the latter.

Back to the Mavs.  In retrospect, after giving Mark Cuban a ton of criticism (myself included); I’ve come to realize that the business of the game is more important than ever.  Especially over the next 2-3 years while the CBA is leveling out the playing field.  Cuban is loading up the team with a genius mixture of short contracts and quality players.  Kaman, Brand, Jones, and Darren Collison….. All one year deals.  Actually, the only current player on the books in 2013 is our good buddy, Dirk Nowitzki.  (FYI, any rookies that we may sign from here and now will be on the payroll as well.)  Do you realize what this means?  It means that the Mavericks are in the best spot financially to make a killing next summer as well as stay under the cap.  I know, I know, we thought that about this year as well.  But in all honesty, Donnie Nelson did make reference to the “Summer of 2013” in a few interviews over the last year and we chose to not believe it.  But it was true.

But let me make something clear.  This DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE MAVS BUILD A SUPER TEAM or some lame “Big 3” situation.  The idea here, as with any Mark Cuban game plan, is to sustain.  The Mavericks haven’t had a successful decade and a half due to poor management.   Plus, we as Mavs fans have done a lot of complaining about how unfair these super teams are, and it’s the truth.  These owners are stretching their dollars with little disregard for financial repercussions.  Again, these teams have very small windows for success with their current rosters before the luxury tax and the salary cap penalties prove to be too costly.

So the question is; would you rather max out the salary and win a title then be irrelevant for 5-6 years, or would you rather build piece by piece and have a comprehensive plan that keeps you competitive every NBA season?  The second option is what we have right now.  And it’s the reason that we expect success every year and always feel that the Mavs have a shot.

From now on, if anyone that claims to be a NBA fan comes up to you and ridicules Mark Cuban and the Mavs for not signing Tyson Chandler, just make reference to the current state of the New York Knicks.  By signing Tyson Chandler last year to the amount of money that they did, they are now forced to sign Raymond Felton at the point guard position.  They handicapped themselves by not thinking proactively so they’ve missed out on quality point guard and seat filler in Jeremy Lin.  The same would’ve happened to the Mavs.  We would’ve been stuck with Tyson Chandler, Dirk Nowitzki and little money to do much else unless we spent money and put ourselves in trouble with Cap penalties.  This also would’ve resulted in a  high possibility of losing Dirk in the summer of 2014.

In all reality, learning on how to focus on the business aspect of sports is almost like busting the Santa Claus bubble.  We want to believe that a fat man drops down our chimney and delivers awesome toys.  We also want to believe that all players are loyal and will do whatever it takes to please the fans.  But it’s just not true.  Players are going to follow the money and if owners are irresponsible enough to pay players ridiculous amounts, then you can’t blame them.   The CBA will ultimately help the league, that’s the idea.  Players will have to settle for less money in the future due to owners being forced to follow the rules.  This will create more parity for the league and less super teams.  Sorry ESPN.

I’ve come to terms that there’s a method to this Mavs offseason madness and the genius of Mark Cuban is happening right before our eyes.  The Dallas Mavericks are playing their hands just perfectly.  Mavs are getting a running start to the new era of NBA basketball.  Sit back and enjoy the show.

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Kidd: Deron Williams Was Close To Joining Mavs

by Ryan Wilson on July 5, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Jason Kidd had hopes of finishing his career with friend Deron Williams, and on Wednesday, he said the free-agent point guard duo was closer than some might realize to being Dallas-bound.

“Hopefully he comes out and tells his story of how he did it and how he decided, but I thought he was very close to going to Dallas,” Kidd said. “People will be very shocked to hear that or say I’m just saying that, but he really, truly, I think, wanted to play at home. That was one of his ideas, playing at home, but it just didn’t work out this time around.”

Williams, the prized free agent, was said to be torn between re-signing with the Brooklyn-bound Nets, a move he finds exciting, or playing near friends and family for his hometown Mavericks alongside superstar Dirk Nowitzki.

Kidd, who spent much of last week playing golf with Williams in New York, said the point guard ultimately was impressed with the roster upgrades Nets general manager Billy King pulled off this week. King traded for Atlanta Hawks All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson without giving up emerging guard MarShon Brooks, re-signed Gerald Wallace and added promising 6-foot-9 Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic.

Rumors also persisted that the Nets were still involved in trade talks to pry Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic.

Meanwhile, the Mavs had yet to make a roster move and reports surfaced that sixth manJason Terry was nearing a three-year agreement to join the Boston Celtics.

“Honestly, it came down to the roster,” Kidd said. “Brooklyn made moves that improved the roster dramatically, and he saw things were going that way. That would be my opinion from looking on the outside. He felt that if Dirk goes down he’s sitting with himself.”

It also didn’t hurt the Nets’ cause that they could offer Williams a five-year deal for $98 million while the new collective bargaining agreement limited the Mavs’ offer to four years and about $75 million.

“From my point of view, I would say it’s not about the money,” Kidd said. “He wants to win. He’s been losing. He’s been getting his teeth kicked in the last couple of years.”

The Nets’ roster moves squeezed Kidd, 39, out of the picture there, and has him eyeing a return to Dallas. He said agent Jeff Schwartz, who is also Williams’ agent, had a brief discussion Tuesday with either Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson or owner Mark Cuban, who has been in Los Angeles filming episodes of the television show “Shark Tank” and was not in Manhattan for the Mavs’ Monday afternoon sitdown with Williams.

Kidd is also in talks with the New York Knicks, who were trying to work a sign-and-trade to acquire Steve Nash before the Suns agreed to ship the point guard to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal Wednesday night, as reported by ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. The Knicks also will have to make a decision on restricted free agent Jeremy Lin, who is expected to meet with the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and is also drawing interest from the Mavs.

Prior to the start of the free-agency period, Kidd said he would consider signing a one-year deal with Dallas, but he suggested Wednesday that such a deal was predicated on Williams signing there. Kidd has also said he hopes to play two more years, which would put him in an elite class to play 20 NBA seasons.

“Dallas has everything (Kidd’s contract requests). It’s just a matter if we can get a deal done with Cuban that he feels is right,” Kidd said. “A lot of it was probably referenced with D-Will coming, but he’s not, so it changes somewhat.”

A source close to the situation said the Mavs want to re-sign Kidd and are also actively engaged with Lin.

Williams grew up in the Dallas suburb The Colony idolizing Kidd. The two became friends as teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and have remained close, often playing golf during the offseason.

During the early portion of last season, Kidd began to publicly talk about the notion of him and Williams as a package deal this summer either to Brooklyn or Dallas. Kidd said he even would relinquish his starting job to Williams, and only Williams, for his final seasons.

Last week the duo made it known through Twitter that it was playing golf in the Hamptons, where Kidd recently purchased a new home. The players even poked fun at the massive speculation swirling around Williams’ impending decision with open-ended tweets about where the two might land.

After Williams met with representatives from the Mavs and Nets on Monday, Kidd tweeted to Williams: “how did those meetings go? Do we need a couple more rounds of golf?”

Some wondered if Kidd was advising Williams or recruiting him one way or the other. While Kidd won a championship in Dallas and has said he’d like to return, he also guided the former New Jersey Nets to two NBA Finals and has spoken fondly of the franchise’s move to Brooklyn.

But recruiting Williams to one team over another?

“With Deron, I was just the sounding board,” Kidd said. “We played golf, I’d ask him questions, he’d answer them, and if there’s anything he needed, if he had a question I would try to answer it. That’s how that all went.”

Information from ESPN.com’s Marc Stein was used in this report.

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D-Day Has Arrived

by Ryan Wilson on July 2, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

The Dallas Mavericks will get the first face-to-face sitdown this afternoon with Deron Williams, this summer’s marquee free agent, according to sources familiar with Williams’ plans.

The incumbent Brooklyn Nets are then scheduled to meet with Williams on tonight to recap a pitch they’ve been making to their All-Star guard for weeks.

The Nets can offer Williams a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million. The Mavericks can only counter with a four-year deal in the $75 million range but will try to sell Williams on the appeal of not only playing for his hometown team but teaming with the proven championship combo of star forward Dirk Nowitzki and coach Rick Carlisle.

Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Nowitzki — who has maintained a friendship with Williams over the past few seasons — and Mavs owner Mark Cuban have been making their recruiting pitches to Williams by phone since free agency began Sunday at 12:01 a.m.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant also tried to do his part to help recruit Williams on Sunday night, taking to Twitter to help lure the free agent guard back to his hometown.

 ”@DeronWilliams Dallas fans are waiting on your arrival,” he wrote.

With Nowitzki traveling abroad this week and Cuban in Los Angeles working on his “Shark Tank” television show, sources say that Dallas will be represented in Monday’s sitdown with Williams by president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, coach Rick Carlisle and former Mavericks franchise player Michael Finley, who is making the trip in an unofficial ambassadorial role.

In reality, though, Dallas’ lead recruiter in the quest to sign Williams is Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who has spent the bulk of the week in close proximity to Williams in the Hamptons on a golf vacation.

ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard reported Sunday that Williams remains “torn” by the difficult decision, but the 28-year-old remains on course to choose his destination by Independence Day so he can report to Team USA training camp in Las Vegas on July 5.

The Nets’ meeting with Williams will follow a morning sitdown with free agent point guard Steve Nash, according to sources close to the process.

The Nets have interest in Nash both as a prime replacement for Williams should they lose Williams to Dallas but also as a potential backcourt mate for Williams.

Marc Stein | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

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Senior NBA writer for ESPN.com
Began covering the NBA in 1993-94
Has also covered soccer, tennis and the Olympics

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Dwight Howard Says He Prefers ONE

by Ryan Wilson on July 2, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Adrian Wojnarowski

Author

Adrian Wojnarowski is the NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports. His book “The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball’s Most Improbable Dynasty”; was a New York Times best-seller. He is a 1991 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, where he considers Butler Gymnasium’s rims to be the most giving in the game.

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