Mavs Game Night: Mavericks at Lakers in Late Night Showdown

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

The Dallas Mavericks are in Los Angeles to face the Lakers, the start of a four-game road trip. It’s a battle of two teams involved in a playoff-chasing triangle along with the Utah Jazz.

Utah leads the trio and currently owns the Western Conference’s 8th and final playoff spot. This will be the fourth and final season meeting between the Mavs and Lakers, the Mavs looking to even the series 2-2.

Dirk Nowitzki’s go ahead three led the Mavs to a Saturday afternoon victory. Nowitzki put on a shooting exhibit going 14-for-17 with 35 points. Brandan Wright had a big game with 17 points and 13 boards.

The Mavs survived a fourth quarter Nate Robinson explosion (25 points; 7-for-7 3PT) and 50 combined points from Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng.

Later that evening the Lakers edged the Sacramento Kings 103-98 on the road. Kobe Bryant moved up to 4th on the all-time scoring list, passing Wilt Chamberlain. Dwight Howard led the Lakers with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Already without Metta World Peace (knee) Steve Nash exited the Kings game and would not return. Nash (hamstring/hip) is OUT for tonight’s game.

Pau Gasol has averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in five games since his return from plantar fasciitis.

This game decides the fate of the Mavericks. That’s my take. A loss would set the Mavs at a major disadvantage to both the Lakers and Jazz – forced to win outright over both. The Jazz already own the tiebreaker over Dallas and a loss to LA tonight would give it to the Lakers.

Dallas’ level of play has improved dramatically of late and much has to do with Dirk’s dominance.

Mavs will once again need Dirk to be special.

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Playoff Picture Update:

MAVERICKS - 10th seed in West; 2 GB of the Utah Jazz (8th) and 1.5 GB of Los Angeles Lakers (9th) for final playoff spot.

 

 

 

 

LAKERS - 9th seed in West; 0.5 GB of the Utah Jazz (8th) and 1.5 games ahead of 10th seeded Dallas Mavericks.

 

 

 

 

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Mavericks at Lakers tip at 9:30 p.m. CT and airs on TNT.

Let’s Go Mavs!

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Mavs Game Night: Trying To Buck The Trend

by Damian Jackson on February 26, 2013 in Mavs 09 comments

Happy Birthday to the Mavs’ amazing television play-by-play master, Mark Followill! All of us at Mavs Fanatic would like to thank you for being one of the best in sports.

Sunday concluded with the Mavs 103-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It left a sickening feeling in the stomachs of many Mavs fans despite the game itself being wildly entertaining. With genuine playoff atmosphere in the building, the AAC was the loudest it’s been all season.

Now the Mavs need to once again grind and return to the win column when they host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. The Bucks return to action after a tough 1-point home loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Newly acquired shooting guard J.J. Redick made his debut, scoring 16 points with seven assists in 35 minutes.

Dallas will have two other guards to slow down in Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. The knock on both is their shot selection and therefore low shooting percentages. Defense needs to force Jennings and Ellis into uncomfortable spots on the floor. Ellis doesn’t excel beyond the arc nor does he do well on pull-up midrange jumpers at the top of the key.

Prior to the trade deadline and trickling rumors afterwards have the Mavs and Bucks point guard Jennings connected by mutual interest. The Bucks listed Jennings as basically untouchable via trade, which the Mavs confirmed they expected. Reports say the 23-year guard would like to land in Dallas through free agency this summer. As a restricted FA, the Bucks ultimately control the outcome and we’ll delve more into this topic in the future.

The Mavericks saw Dirk Nowitzki break out for his most dominant performance this season with a 30-point and 13-rebound effort on Sunday. Dirk is feeling great and he’s recently stated after his current deal expires, he’s ready and willing to sign on for a few more with the Mavs. Thank the Lord!

Nowitzki received help from Vince Carter and Elton Brand off the bench as the duo combined for 29 points. Outside those three, the Mavs were quiet. O.J. Mayo struggled throughout; He, Darren Collison and Mike James together shot 28% (8-for-29) from the field.

Anthony Morrow, the Mavs lone trade acquisition at the deadline made his debut Sunday – a shade less than four seconds. Chris Kaman returned from a concussion that sidelined him for 10 games. He scored 4 points with 4 boards in 8 minutes.

Once again the Mavericks would be best suited starting off the game well. The Bucks have lost three straight and sit entrenched in the dreaded eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Mavs and Bucks tip at 7:30 p.m. CT and airs on FSSW/FSWI.

Let’s Go MAVS!

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The TC Report – My Experience With Laker Nation

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

MavsFanatic had the pleasure of following a 25 year old Lakers’ fan on Saturday.  The goal was to catch a glimpse of the die hard fandom that is “Laker Gang”.  To get first hand look at this phenomenon from his perspective, we spent the day with a Laker fan here in the DFW area.  Here’s what unfolded:

Through extensive research, I found a Laker fan here in Dallas that I could meet with for my research.  We exchanged information via Facebook and the appointment was set.  I arrived at Laker fan’s home at about 5:00pm on the Saturday of game day.  Laker fan lived in an apartment in Garland, just off I-30.

MavsFanatic:  “Thank you so much for letting us spend the day with you.  We appreciate it.”

Laker Fan: “No problem man.”

MavsFanatic: “So, how long have you lived in Texas?  When did you move here from Los Angeles?

Laker Fan: “I was born in Texas, bro.  Lived in Mesquite and just moved to Garland one year ago.”  (These are Dallas metro cities, for those reading outside of DFW)

MavsFanatic:  (with a dumbfounded look on my face)  “Oh really?” So why the Lakers?”

Laker Fan:  “I’ve been a fan all my life, bro.  Just love the purple and gold.  17 championships baby.”

MavsFanatic:  “oh yea?  How many of those championships were from the days in Minneapolis?”  (I asked as if I didn’t know, but I knew the whole time.  I was testing him early.  My assumption of him was coming to fruition.  This could be a stage 5 bandwagoner.)

Laker Fan:  “Huh?  Minneapolis?  What are you talking about man?  You crazy, haha.  You need some coffee or something bro?  You still asleep?” (He said jokingly)

MavsFanatic:  “haha, no.”  (I said playfully as to let him believe that I was indeed, the crazy one)

“Hey listen, we should probably get going.  Got to get to the AAC to beat the pre game traffic”

Laker Fan:  “Aight, let me go get my jersey.”

(At this point, Laker fan comes out wearing his white Kobe “24” jersey and a yellow hat.  On the front of this hat, was a Yankees “NY” logo.)

MavsFanatic:  “of course!”  (I said out loud, accidentally)

Laker Fan:  “of course what?  You talking to me?”

MavsFanatic:  “No man.  My bad.  I was just thinking of something else.  Let’s roll”

(We got into my car and started the trip to the AAC.  Some other small talk ensued.)

MavsFanatic:  “So who’s your NFL team?  You have a favorite?”

Laker fan: “Dallas Cowboys all the way.  I live and die with the star.”

MavsFanatic: “oh….okay.  That makes sense” (I said as I turned my head away and rolled my eyes as to not have Laker fan see my reaction)

Laker Fan:  “Yeah man, Tony Romo needs to go bro.  That fool always throwing picks.”

MavsFanatic:  “I disagree but let’s change the subject.”  (I said as my patience was already running thin.  The bandwagon-ness of this guy was wearing on me.)

“So what do you think about this years Mavs team?”

Laker Fan:  “I don’t know bro.  Mark Cubans blew up the team after they got lucky in 2011.  Haha.”

MavsFanatic:  “Got lucky huh?  I recall that we swept you that year”

Laker fan:  “And what happened last year?  Haha.  We got 17 championships bro!”

MavsFanatic:  “Yea, you mentioned that.  You remember those championship runs before 2000?  How older were you, negative 10 years old?  You probably started rooting for them in 2002.  And 5 of the other titles were when the Lakers were in Minneapolis.  You counting those too I guess?

Lakers Fan:  “What the hell is all this Minneapolis talk?  You crazy man.”

MavsFanatic:  (my tone became more hostile at this point as I was losing my professionalism) “The Lakers moved to LA from Minneapolis in 1960!!  Hence the name “Lakers”.  You seen many lakes in LA?”

Laker Fan:  “No.  I’ve never been to LA”

MavsFanatic:  “Oh really?”  (I said sarcastically).  “You’ve never been to LA?  Didn’t see that coming.”

(The car ride became more awkwardly quiet at this point.  As Laker fan could sense my intolerability.  We listened to sports talk radio as we got closer to the arena.  Some Texas Ranger talk was just starting when Laker fan spoke up.)

Laker Fan:  “Man, Rangers some Buffalo Bills choke artists, you a Ranger fan?”

Mavsfanatic:  (I closed my eyes for about 2 seconds out of disgust.)  “Yes, of course I am.  I was born here, that’s my team.”

Laker Fan:  “Man, they’ve sucked for years and now everybody is a Ranger fan around here?  My Yankees got 27 championships.”

MavsFanatic:  “Again, you’ve been alive for 4 of them.  And can you name any Yankees other than Jeter or A Rod?”

Laker Fan:  “Uhhh.  Uhhhhhh.”

MavsFanatic:  (I made a buzzer sound with my mouth) “Times up!”

Laker Fan:  “Man you trippin.”

(We pull up to the parking lot at the AAC.  At this point Laker Fan tries to offer to pay for parking.  But he was taken back by surprise when he learned that the parking attendants didn’t take a debit card.  So I paid the parking.)

Laker Fan:  “Whew. My Lakers about to do work son!”

(As soon as we walked into the arena, Laker fan spotted other Laker fans like him.  They started high fiving and talking about the past rings.  They started predicting the amount of points that Kobe would score that night as one predication was more ridiculous as the next)

Laker Fan: “Kobe bout to drop 45.”  (Realistic, I’ll give him that)

Laker Fan 2:  “ *expletive, Kobe about to drop 60 on the Mavs tonight, they soft!”

 

During this conversation, I’m just listening and praying that we just don’t get blown out.  That would be the worst thing that could happen.  I then walked off to find my seat and that was the last I saw of Laker fan that night.  We went our separate ways.  I felt almost 10% dumber from spending the last two and a half hours with Laker fan so I did a Sudoku at halftime to exercise my brain.

To my horror, The Lakers went on to blow out the Mavericks on Saturday night, 115-89.  I’m pretty sure that Laker fan was responsible for the “Lets Go Lakers” chant that echoed through the American Airlines Center.  So to show my appreciation, I let him experience the Dart Rail back to the nearest stop to his Garland apartment.

MFFL

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Mavericks Add Troy Murphy, Waive Eddy Curry

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

In need of some MORE HELP for the Mavs’ front court, they have reached a verbal agreement with free agent forward Troy Murphy. They have waived Center Eddy Curry, which allows the Mavericks to bring aboard Murphy.

Murphy averaged 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 59 games last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I can’t really say anything, but I’ll say we are looking for a stretch forward to help us in Dirk’s absence and even after Dirk comes back,” owner Mark Cuban said.

Though it seemed likely that DoJo, aka Dominique Jones would be the one likely to be waived, it was Curry’s lack of help on the defensive end that may have led to his removal. He averaged 4.5 points and 2 rebounds in 2 games with the Mavericks.

Troy Murphy, now in his 12th season has averaged 10.9 points and 7.9 rebounds over his career. He can also stretch defenses out, because of his ability to shoot the 3 ball. In his career, he has shot 39% from beyond the arc.

We will have more on this story as we find out more details.

For more MAVS coverage, check us out at www.mavsfanatic.com.
Go Mavs!

 

 

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Mavericks Spoil New Look Lakers Debut

by Ryan Wilson on October 31, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Steve Nash. Dwight Howard. Pau Gasol. Kobe “Bean” Bryant.

Darren Collison. Shawn Marion. O.J. Mayo. Elton Brand.

That’s how last night looked on paper.

Things didn’t play out that way when the final whistle blew. The Dallas Mavericks put forward a gritty effort, as they dominated the Lakers for the last 3 quarters, and went on to beat Los Angeles 99-91.

“I told you we’re a scrappy little team,” Marion said. “It’s going to be like that all year.”

The Mavericks entered last nights game without Chris Kaman, and Dirk Nowitzki. The Lakers had everyone. Nobody gave Dallas the time of day. Even some of our Dallas Mavericks writers have waived the white flag.

“Your Dallas Mavericks, among the NBA’s best franchises since owner Mark Cuban bought them, are headed to the lottery for the first time in forever.” – Jean Jacques Taylor (ESPN Dallas)

The problem with all these naysayers is that you can’t judge a team that has 9 new players on it before they even hit the court for their first game of the year. I will also be quick to add that you can’t judge a team based off one performance. This is important to reiterate to all of MavsNation. It was a huge win. Did we catch the Lakers at their best? Probably not.

“It’s growing pains, and it’s a struggle,” Nash said. “We’re out of sync, and we’re going to probably have some more moments in games like that.”

The key to last night’s win, and a sight for sore eyes was the play of Darren Collison. How nice it is to see a point guard with speed, and one that can offer some scoring as well. Everytime the Mavs got possession of the ball, they were looking to push. These guys are FAST. Ricky Bobby Fast. Collison outplayed the future HOF Steve Nash putting up 17 points to go along with 4 assists.  The veteran and much older Lakers looked a bit slow as the younger and faster Mavericks had their way in the 2nd half. The bench of the Mavericks outscored the Lakers bench 37-17. Vince Carter and Roddy B poured in 11 points, while Jae “The Beast” Crowder was impressive early and finished with 8 points.

If you took away anything from this game it’s this. Rick Carlisle gets everything he can from each and every player on the roster. The Mavericks are also very deep. On paper, you overlook it. However, they have the ability to wear you down.

“We got a locker room full of guys who can play, man. And we know that.” – O.J. Mayo

The Mavericks will now head to Salt Lake City to play their 2nd game in as many nights. Taking a back to back to start the season is far more than everyone expected.

Maybe these new look Mavs can stay the course while the German prepares to return. Once again, it’s important to not underestimate Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks.

 

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Pre-Game Press: Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers

by Ryan Wilson on October 30, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

Eddy Curry will start at center for our Dallas Mavericks in the 2012-2013 season opener against the newly-bolstered Los Angeles Lakers. Not one person saw that news coming this time last week. Not even Curry himself knew he’d go from Spurs camp to waiver wire to Mavs’ starting center in a matter of days.

“I talked to them (Mavs) this summer, so I knew there was some interest there,” Curry said in an interview with DallasBasketball.com.

Shawn Marion represents the only starter from last season. He will be joined by the aforementioned Curry and rookie Jae Crowder in the front court.California natives Darren Collison and O.J. Mayo formulate the much younger and quicker backcourt for the Mavs.

The German duo of 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (knee) and center Chris Kaman (calf) were thought to be the opening night starters, but remain sidelined as the regular season gets underway. While Nowitzki stayed in Dallas to rehab, Kaman traveled with the team on its two-game road trip in Los Angeles Tuesday and Utah on Wednesday night. He’s not expected to play.

The Lakers open the year with a new starting center of their own. His name is Dwight Howard. Howard finally switched teams after the extensive, overly-documented “Dwightmare” concluded with the newly-managed Orlando Magic trading its franchise center in a 4-team blockbuster.

As Kobe Bryant, who’s questionable for tonight’s opener (foot), enters his 17^th season he will have one of his best supporting casts in recent years. In very Laker-like fashion they somehow acquired Howard without losing the versatile 7-foot Pau Gasol. Bryant’s new backcourt pal is two-time league MVP Steve Nash. Metta World Peace completes the star-studded lineup.

“From our perspective, there’s no rush,” Nash said. “If he’s ready to go (Tuesday), great. But if he’s not, he’s not. I think we’ve got a lot of ballgames to play this year and there’s no point in causing something to linger at this stage of the season.”

It stills remains to be seen how the new Lakers pieces fit together on the floor as games and titles are not won on paper, but on the court.

The Mavericks will need a strong, balanced effort across the board tonight without Nowitzki. Who will step up as the go-to guy? Many expect it to be Mayo, who in his first two NBA seasons averaged 38 minutes and 18 points per contest. He should come close to matching those minutes and the scoring ought to follow.

Defense, rebounding and the transition game may be the Mavs’ best bet to a successful evening. Coach Rick Carlisle needs to utilize his team’s lack of size and younger legs to push the ball and create easy scoring opportunities before the Lakers’ defense can situate itself in the half-court.

The Mavs are eager to discover where they sit with eight new players and early tests do not come much better than a true Western Conference power such as the Los Angeles Lakers.

Game action tips approximately at 9:40 p.m. CT and airs nationally on TNT.

 

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End To The Madness

by Ryan Wilson on August 10, 2012 in Mavs 09 comments

 

It’s not hard to picture Dwight Howard in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

For the better part of the past two years, Lakers fans have superimposed a Lakers jersey on every imaginable image of Howard. Type Howard’s name into Google, and you’d think he has played the majority of his career in Los Angeles.

It’s not hard to picture Howard living in Los Angeles and enjoying life in Hollywood.

For the better part of this summer, Howard has been spotted around Los Angeles by the paparazzi as much as a Kardashian. He’s on the Dodger Stadium video board during the seventh-inning stretch, going for a walk outside his hotel in Beverly Hills and waiting in line with kids for ice cream at Sprinkles. He has been in the city more than any Laker this offseason.

And after Thursday’s news that Howard will be traded to the Lakers as early as Friday, it’s not hard to picture him winning his first championship in Los Angeles.

Yes, that’s right, Miami, there is a new challenger to your throne, and this team has a “Big Four” to trump your “Big Three.”

There will be no pep rallies filled with smoke and pyrotechnics when the deal officially goes down. Los Angeles usually saves such bells and whistles for championships, but such a celebration in June is certainly what the Lakers have in mind now with Howard and Steve Nash.

And there will be no proclamations of winning “not six, not seven, not eight” titles, but you have to believe that is what Kobe Bryant is thinking now as he sits next to LeBron James in London and counts his number of championship rings.

The window was supposed to be closed — or at least closing — on the Lakers’ pursuit of a championship after this past season, and the new collective bargaining agreement was supposed to have locked that window shut for the foreseeable future.

This offseason, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss took a sledgehammer to that window, and now it’s wide open. In the process, they might have also made the Lakers the favorites to win the NBA title yet again.

After the disappointment of “basketball reasons” robbing them of Chris Paul, the Lakers somehow got Nash for a package of draft picks and the trade exception they received from the Lamar Odom deal with Dallas. Then they finally found the right mix of teams and players to get Howard from Orlando for Andrew Bynum and a protected draft pick.

If you’re keeping track at home, that means the Lakers essentially got Howard and Nash for Bynum, Odom and draft picks, and were able to keep Pau Gasol in the process.

The Lakers have had their fair share of favorable trades in their history, but this combination might top them all.

As great as the star power of Howard and Nash is, keeping Gasol as well as Metta World Peace when all is said and done is what makes the Lakers the team to beat going into next season.

If you thought the combination of an enigmatic and inconsistent Bynum and Gasol was hard to beat, try handling a frontcourt of Howard and Gasol with World Peace freed up to focus on being a defensive pest.

And if you thought the Lakers were a potential contender with Derek Fisher or Ramon Sessions at point guard, try stopping them with Nash running the floor and directing the fast break better than anyone in Los Angeles has since Magic Johnson was running “Showtime.”

The Lakers improved at the two positions where Miami is weakest. The Heat listed Joel Anthony as their starting center during the Finals but leaned heavily on Chris Bosh. It was a successful patchwork job that ultimately worked out for them but would be a matchup disaster against the Lakers’ frontcourt.

Miami also rode the hot hand of the much-maligned Mario Chalmers at point guard during the Finals and bypassed getting a more experienced veteran at the position this offseason. The Heat’s basic philosophy is to surround James, Dwyane Wade and Bosh with as many shooters as possible. It’s a solid game plan against most teams that are not rolling out a starting lineup of Nash, Bryant, World Peace, Gasol and Howard.

And for those of you in Oklahoma City, the Lakers are not looking past Kevin Durant and the Thunder. Oklahoma City’s five-game dismantling of the Lakers in the playoffs this season on the heels of their being swept out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks last year was the wake-up call this team needed to realize it could not continue and contend maintaining the status quo.

When Oklahoma City eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs in May, Bryant smiled when he was asked about the Lakers’ future. Despite a second straight ouster in the second round and adjusting to a new locker room without two of his closest confidants in Odom and Fisher, Bryant wasn’t ready to quietly ride off into the sunset.

“I’m not fading into the shadows,” Bryant said. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re not going anywhere. It’s not like one of those things where the Bulls beat the Pistons and the Pistons disappear forever. I’m not going for that.

“I’m not the most patient of people, and the organization is not extremely patient, either. We want to win and win now. I’m sure we’ll figure it out. We always have, and I’m sure we will again.”

It was an optimistic outlook that came to fruition Thursday, but not even Bryant could have imagined the Lakers would end up with both Howard and Nash while finding a way to keep Gasol. The Lakers have not only figured it out, they have catapulted themselves back atop the NBA.

It might have seemed unimaginable a couple of months ago, but it’s not hard to picture now when you look at the talent on this team.

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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.

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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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Nash To Lakers…Huh?

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

In an unforeseen twist that could thrust the Los Angeles Lakers straight back into title contention, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash has successfully negotiated a sign-and-trade deal from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers that will team him up with Kobe Bryant.

Sources told ESPN.com that Nash, with the New York Knicks also pressing hard to complete a similar sign-and-trade deal, was swayed to join the Lakers after a determined push from Bryant and because the move keeps him in the title hunt and allows him to stay in close proximity to his three children in Phoenix.

Nash will receive a three-year deal in excess of $25 million, sources said, because the Suns ultimately agreed to sign-and-trade him to the Lakers, who can absorb Nash via the trade exception they created by dealing Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December.

In return, the Suns get four draft picks — first rounders in 2013 and 2015 and second rounders in 2013 and 2014.

Nash’s agent, Bill Duffy, said the deal was finalized about 6 p.m., PDT

“After talking with (owner) Robert (Sarver) and (president of basketball operations) Lon (Babby) we’ve agreed that it’s time for both of us to move in new directions,” Nash told ESPN.com. “I approached them and asked if they would be willing to do a sign-and-trade deal with L.A. because it is very important to me to stay near my children and family.

“They were very apprehensive and didn’t want to do it. Fortunately for me, they reconsidered. They saw that they were able to get assets for their team that will make them better, assets they would not have otherwise had and it made sense for them to do a deal that helps their team get better.”

The deal can’t be officially completed until July 11, when a leaguewide moratorium on new business is lifted.

A source familiar with the Lakers’ thinking told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Dave McMenamin the team intends to keep its core of Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum together next season now that Nash will be in the fold.

In addition, the Lakers are no longer trying to retain point guard Ramon Sessions, who opted out of the final year and $4.55 million of his contract to become a free agent, a source told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne.

Sessions was hoping for the security of a longer term contract, but while discussions with the Lakers were positive, they never progressed toward a multiyear deal, the source told Shelburne.

Difficult as it is on some levels for the Suns to help the face of the franchise get to the Lakers — especially after years of playoff battles with them in the Nash era — sources say Sarver finally agreed to the trade after yielding to a plea from Nash to send him to a destination where he could maintain the closest possible ties to his children and still chase the ring that has eluded him for 16 seasons.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the organization and Robert in particular,” Nash told ESPN.com. “I know how hard this was for him and that fact that he was able to help me and my family in this way … it means a lot and says a lot about his character. I will never forget this gesture. Above and beyond.

“The Phoenix Suns are an amazing organization and fans should be excited about their future. I hope the Suns win a championship some day soon for all the amazing fans and wonderful people in the organization.”

The Lakers clinched the deal by surrendering the package of picks, but sources said that the Suns did decide to reward Nash, 38, for all the success he delivered over the past eight seasons.

Sending Nash to the team of his choosing ensures that the sides part on good terms after it became clear in recent days that the Suns left little doubt since free agency began Sunday that they were prepared to move in a different direction instead of trying to match the determined bids for Nash coming from the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Knicks and Lakers.

The Knicks were equally high on Nash’s list in a sign-and-trade scenario — he’s an offseason Manhattan resident — and the Raptors were initially seen as the favorite for Nash’s services after quickly registering a three-year, $36 million offer. The Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks also pursued Nash, Dallas in particular after the Nets won the Deron Williams sweepstakes Tuesday.

Yet, Nash ultimately decided that the chance to team with Bryant, Gasol and Bynum, the three-year deal he had been hoping for, and the ability to keep a West Coast base near his children could not be passed up.

Ironically, though, Nash said just last week in a radio interview with ESPN NewYork 98.7′s Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco that it would be difficult on some levels to join Miami after the Heat just won the championship or sign with the Lakers after all their playoff battles the past eight years.

“The truth is I’m a bit old school,” Nash said in the June 25 interview. “For me, it would be hard to put on a Lakers jersey. That’s just the way it is. You play against them so many times in the playoffs, and I just use them as an example, and I have the utmost respect for them and their organization.

“I kind of have that tendency (to try to beat the best teams), so it is strange, but as a free agent you’re free to go where you want, so I’d have to consider everything regardless of the past or the future.”

It had been anticipated that Phoenix would offer Nash a new two-year deal worth at least $20 million, but the Arizona Republic reported Friday night that the Suns “do not appear willing to meet (Nash’s) wish for a three-year deal.” On draft night last week, Suns officials immediately began fighting the perception that they selected North Carolina point guardKendall Marshall with the 13th pick as the first step in dealing with Nash’s eventual departure.

Nash earned nearly $12 million last season and averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists for a team that, with no 20-point scorer, nearly snagged the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The most difficult aspect of his decision, sources said, was turning down Toronto, which made the biggest financial offer to Nash in hopes of convincing Canada’s best player ever to come north of the border and re-establish the Raptors as a playoff team in addition to serve his new role as general manager of the Canadian men’s national team.

Sources told ESPN.com that Nash will try to convince longtime teammate Grant Hill, one of his closest friends in the game, to join him with the Lakers. ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher reported over the weekend the Lakers were one of four teams (along with Toronto, New York and Phoenix) in the running for Hill after the 39-year-old’s recent trip to Germany to undergo the same platelet-enrichment treatment on his knee that Bryant credited for his rejuvenated knee last season.

Lakers guard Steve Blake, who will back up Nash at the point, was excited about the acquisition.

“I think it’s great!” Blake told ESPNLosAngeles.com via text message on Wednesday. “I look forward to playing with him.”

Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne, ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Dave McMenamin and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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