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Introduction

We're about a week away from opening night and I have neglected the Dallas Mavericks since the beginning of the summer.

The last time I was really paying attention was around draft time. The Mavericks picked up Nick Fazekas, Renaldas Seibutis, and traded some dude for Reyshawn Terry. They brought Devean George back and signed Eddie Jones for some defensive help.

Then this whole Kobe Bryant trade stuff blew up and drew my attention once again to my favorite basketball team. So, let's look at the Mavericks roster position by position.

Point Guards

Devin Harris: The time has come to make Harris the full time starter at point. He's quick, aggressive, and can score in bunches. The question is how good of a distributor he is. If he can slash to the middle and then kick it out to his outside shooters then he'll elevate himself into the top-tier of point guards. His strength is speed and if he learns to pass on the go then he could be a very good point guard.

Jose Juan Barea: A tough little point guard who is also very fast. During this year's summer league in Las Vegas Barea was averaging 14.4 point per game, 6.2 assists per game, and 3.0 rebounds per game. He was elected to the summer league All-Star team and had a .531 field goal percentage and a .429 percentage from beyond the arc.

That's fairly meaningless since it was in summer league but Barea show legit talent. He'll never be a starter but he could be a great back up and his style mimics Harris' enough to keep the team moving. He's also a great shooter and on a team like the Mavericks he could be dangerous.

Jason Terry: I'll put Jason Terry here but he's really more of a 2-guard at this point. The Mavs may use him at point every once and a while but he's primarily in there to shoot the ball. Terry is a solid offensive weapon and isn't too much of a liability on defense. He's capable of hitting the big shot and can come through in the clutch. He'd been an excellent change of pace point guard but he should be beside Devin Harris on the court not sitting in front of him on the depth chart.

Shooting Guards

Eddie Jones: Signed in the off season, Jones will take over as the defensive guard (a role filled last year by Greg Buckner and the year before by Adrian Griffin the year before). However, unlike his predecessors Jones is a legitimate offensive threat. He's not going to be dancing with the ball and streaking to the basket. But he can shoot ball (especially from behind the three-point line) and that is a major upgrade over the position. He won't be starting, sitting behind Terry, but he'll see significant time and if he keeps up his tenacious defense he'll be a real asset for this Mavericks team.

Trenton Hassell: The Mavericks basically traded like for like when they sent Greg Buckner to Minnesota for Hassell. Hassell is a little bit better than Buckner offensively but otherwise isn't really that different of a player. Finally, he's a little bit younger and over all was an upgrade over Buckner. But he's still buried behind Terry and Jones and I don't know how many minutes the Mavericks intend to give him.

Maurice Ager: This is the guy the Mavs drafted a couple years ago and someone I think will be a steal, not quite Josh Howard like but still a steal. Ager is a flat out scorer. He's a tough kid who could develop his defense under a coach like Avery Johnson. I would like to see him getting more minutes but with the trades and the necessary switch of Terry to shooting guard I don't see it happening. Ager's got to start seeing real playing time soon or else the Mavs risk missing out on a great young talent.

Renaldas Seibutis: The Mavericks last pick in the draft. Supposedly, since I've never seen him play, he's a great shooter and an intense defender. That's nice, but he's not a good enough athlete to compete at the NBA level right now. Besides that's he's buried so far on the depth chart he wouldn't even dress for games. This kid's staying in Europe pending his development.

Small Forwards

Josh Howard: Howard is an up-and-coming superstar. He will be an All-Star this season and for many season to come. He's got a great looking shot and is versatile enough to cut to the basket or make some room for himself on the outside. He's defense is lacking but getting better and his long arms are proving difficult for opposing offenses to handle.

Howard is a great option as a small forward and could easily fill in at shooting guard. Howard is obviously the starter and most talented player here and there is not question what he brings to the table. In fact, I really hope he asserts himself this season and takes over this team.

Devean George: George was brought in last year and brought back this year for two reasons. One, he has championship experience. Two, he is a good defender and a smart player. Other than that his time has come and gone. He's still an asset off the bench but I really didn't think he filled a big role for the Mavs last year and I'm not sure he will this year.

Jerry Stackhouse: Stackhouse is easily the third best player on this team. However, he's great off the bench. He adds a tenacity when he comes on the court and can still score from anywhere. He's a great back up for Howard and the two can share court time with either filling the 2 or 3 spots. He's the Mavs sixth man and is critical to any title hopes.

Reyshawn Terry: This kid could develop into a solid NBA small forward. He is athletic and talented on both sides of the ball. Given time and careful coaching he could for a great one-two punch at this position with Howard. This is basically Stackhouse's replacement as he prepares to retire. However, with the loaded roster I think the Mavs will struggle to keep him and ultimately may decide they can net a similar player later.

Power Forwards

Dirk Nowitzki: Given everything, still the most talented player on this team. The only defense against Dirk is to get in his head and let him stop himself. He doubts his talents far too easily and Don Nelson knew it, attacking him and showing no fear against his inside-outside threat. If Nowitzki had attacked right back I firmly believe the Mavs would've won the series but he allowed himself to be intimidated.

He's the cornerstone of this team and will remain so. He's gone from a strictly perimeter big man to an inside-outside power forward with decent defense. He's shown an ability to improve on everything he's worked on and if he gains proper confidence he could finally assert himself as one of the best power forwards in the game. The only player stopping Dirk is Dirk and if he gets out of his own way there are bright days ahead.

Brandon Bass: For several years now the Mavericks have been searching for someone to back up Nowitzki. For now, they're going with the young Brandon Bass. And Bass has really come on. He's scoring in bunches and getting rebounds like a mad man. If he keeps this up he could secure himself a long-term deal and represent a real change of pace. I'd like to see the Mavericks forgo signing a veteran big man and let this kid have a chance to backup Dirk.

Nick Fazekas: Fazekas has an amazing touch. He can score from any where and has a lot of heart. However, he doesn't have the strength to be an NBA power forward and won't be seeing much time this season. His defense and athleticism aren't where they should be and he'll have to develop those quickly. But the Mavericks believe in him, like they once did in a kid named Nowtizki, and believe he'll develop into a solid player. He'll get some time this season but he wasn't drafted to make an immediate impact.

Centers

Erick Dampier: What a waste of money. He's a decent center yes. He'll get some blocks and disrupt the offense. He'll pull down some rebounds if he has to. But don't expect too much out of Dampier. Though he'll flash brilliance he's not what the Mavericks thought they were getting. He needs to start producing offensively or else he could easily see the occasional start dip to none. When he's contract is over the Mavericks should let him walk.

DeSagana Diop: A solid and surprising player. Again, not much of an offensive threat but he has great heart. His size and athleticism allow him to be a major contributor on defense. However, he'll need to pickup his offensive production if he doesn't want the Mavericks to look for another center to start in a few seasons. This year, however, he is easily the best center and should start from the beginning of the season.

Didier Ilunga-Mbenga: A promising young talent who was injured last season. He's not a huge guy but is still fairly big. He's also terribly athletic and could be a special player if developed correctly. This year he'll still be sitting on the bench most of the time but will come in for relief every now and again. He'll see an increase in his minutes come playoff time as Johnson tries to avoid foul trouble for his two primary centers.

Conclusion

Overall this is obviously a very talented team. The question is, do all the pieces fit together? I think the real core of this team is Nowitzki, Howard, and Harris. Jason Terry is a solid scorer and a great two-guard. Outside of that Stackhouse, Jones, and George can contribute off the bench in various ways. Their centers are still huge question mark and I'm not sure where guys like Hassell and Ager will fit in.

Well, Donnie Nelson has done a great job of assembling talent and now it's up to Johnson to make it all fit together. The team has gotten much tougher over the past several seasons and if they can continue to do that without sacrificing their offensive aggressiveness they'll be tough to beat. I think the Mavericks are certainly capable of winning it all as they have a great mix of stars and role players. The real question is will Dirk Nowitzki get out of his own way or will he let himself be intimidated again and collapse one more time?

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Introduction

I'll give you a moment to recover from the brilliance of my title...

Ok, moving on, Kobe Bryant wants out of LA. Early this summer he was screaming about being traded on national radio. Then he'd go on local LA radio and say he wanted to be a Laker for life. Apparently, Kobe hasn't upgraded to the digital age when pretty much anybody can get news from a wold away instantaneously.

Of course, the LA faithful bought everything he was saying. Growing up in Philly as a life long Laker fan? That sounds a little fishy to me but I digress. Kobe Bryant is only concerned with winning the championship and advancing his own career. Therefore, Bryant would love to go anywhere that he feels would give him a better chance to win the title and advance his own career.

So, using the technology of the ESPN trade machine I will try to put together some trades that would benefit everybody. Now, the likelihood of Kobe getting traded are about as good as an environmental activists' of winning the Nobel Peace Prize but it's always fun to speculate. 

Kobe to New York

Obviously, the Knicks have to top the list. For no other reason than that only New York is bigger than LA. New York could absorb Kobe Bryant and welcome him as a new star. My comrade Dudski talked about this in his blog and I concur.

The Knicks certainly have the pieces to make a big trade and I think going to the Knicks would satisfy Kobe's ego. Being able to resurrect Spike Lee's team would provide Kobe with some motivation and the opportunity to play for Isiah Thomas would make Kobe drool.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant to New York Knicks for Malik Rose, Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford and 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: Get a tough power forward in Malike Rose, a great shooter in Richardson, and an upgrade at point with Crawford. The three of them could help in Phil's Triangle and are certainly upgrades over the current cast (excluding Kobe, of course). Crawford, Richardson, Rose, Odom, and Walton could make for a high-flying offense but they still have a huge hole in the middle. They would need to go get a center but this lineup is still better than what they'll have (again excluding Kobe) and two picks in '08 would give them a head start.

Knicks: Having Marbury and Bryant on the same team could be problematic. However, it wouldn't take long for Bryant to assert himself and I truly believe Starbury would defer some of his shooting to Bryant (this isn't Steve Francis we're talking about here). The Knicks would also be off to a good start at rebuilding here and could make a serious play in the East.

Kobe to Chicago

This is one of the most popular scenarios. But the specifics are hard to hammer out. Who would the Bulls be willing to part with? That largely depends on what direction the Bulls as an organization want to go. They have a five year deal with Kirk Hinrich and seem to have committed to him as  their point guard. But the rest of the team is really up for grabs so it's the Bulls choice to make.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant to the Chicago Bulls for Chris Duhon, Ben Gordon, Ben Wallace, and 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: Get a decent point guard who still has promise in Duhon, a developing superstar in Ben Gordon, and the show stopper in Ben Wallace. The first round pick is again, a necessity, and this trade would give the Lakers some options.

Wallace would finally provide a presence at the Center spot and both Duhon and Gordon will be free agents after next season. That would give the Lakers to opportunity to resign them or gain some salary cap space. Their youth is also a big plus and they could be paired with who ever the Lakers pick up to rebuild.

Bulls: Obviously getting Kobe would dramatically improve this team. Hinrich is a creative passer and Kobe is excellent moving without the ball. Those two could mesh beautifully and be a dynamic duo for the Bulls. Again, the middle is exposed without Wallace but this team would be a serious threat in the East.

Kobe to Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks are a very opportunistic team. Mark Cuban is obviously not afraid to spend but he would never execute this trade. Regardless, it's a trade that's possible and makes a degree of sense. But neither the Lakers nor Mavs would willingly make the other better.

This trade I think would also require a little more from the Lakers end to compensate the Mavericks and make the salaries work. Again, the first round pick is a given but if I was the Lakers I would also demand the rising star Josh Howard before I would even consider a trade with Dallas.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kober Bryant and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Dallas Mavericks for Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: The Lakers would obviously get two great pieces for their offense. Dirk Nowitski creates serious match up problems and paired with Obom could cause fits for opposing big men on the offensive side. Also, Josh Howard is getting nothing but better and adds a threat on both sides of the court. He's a guard-forward and a solid player. Again, two first round picks would give them some flexibility to build around their Nowitzki-Odom-Howard core.

Mavericks: The Mavs would lose two big pieces of their team but would gain arguably the best player in the league. Bryant would add some offense and some defense and Radmanovic can be counted on as the outside scoring big man. However, he is no Nowitzki and would definitely be a bench player. If Bryant could play like we know he can then this could be a serious upgrade over their current roster.

Now to get a little less conventional.

Kobe to Phoenix

I was thinking about Kobe Bryan in a Suns uniform and I think I like it. He would be a great fit for that offense and would add a dynamic option for them on both sides of the court. If the Suns could get somebody who could slow down opposing offenses then Kobe would easily put them over the top.

Shawn Marion is obviously the key part of any trade between Phoenix and LA but the Suns would have to do quite a bit to sweeten the deal.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, a 2008 First Round Pick and a 2009 Second Round Pick

Lakers: Marion for Bryant is not a good trade. However, Bell would add some toughness to the Lakers and could add some potency to their defense. They're not going to score more points with this trade unless they sign a decent point guard. However, getting two picks would give them some serious flexibility and Marion's athleticism would add a new dimension to the Lakers offense. Plus, Bell and Marion would work very well with the players already on the team and the Lakers could actually be a decent team.

Suns: Championship. Hands down. Nash+Stoudemire+Bryant+Diaw=Unstoppable. Plus, Hill off the bench will do great things. I didn't include the fifth man because he would be irrelevant. This trade would land the Suns the championship now and give them an easy chance to repeat next season. The Suns would give up some very big picks over the next couple years but their window is closing and they need to do something to win now.

Kobe to Washington

The Wizards are a team that are on the cusp of glory in the East. If they made a move for Bryant they would significantly increase their chances and get far better on the defensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, the Lakers would get two great components for the Triangle.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Washington Wizards for Antwane Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, and a 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: The Lakers would get two great scoring options and two great pieces for the Triangle. Gilbert Arenas is classified as a point guard and would be a huge upgrade over what the Lakers have. Pairing him with Fisher (similar to how the Mavs pair Terry and Harris) could be great. Meanwhile, Jamison has a good inside-outside game and this team could run the floor with the best of them. While they wouldn't improve on defense they would be dynamic on offense and could use that pick to get a true Center. Plus Arenas and Jamison both have short contracts and that would free up a ton of cap room for the Lakers if they chose not to resign them.

Wizards: This would significantly improve the Wizards, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It would give them the best scorer in the league and an extra option in Radmanovic. The Wizards still have Stevenson and Haywood and this would be a good foundation on which to build. In a couple seasons the Wizards could be real contenders.

Kobe to Houston

Here's another team that I could really see Kobe going to. Again, this trade is  far less likely than the already very unlikely trades mentioned above. However, I think a trade between the two could benefit both sides. I said a long time ago the Lakers should've traded Kobe to Orlando for McGrady and I'm thinking maybe they can still do it. McGrady is still a great shooting guard and with the right team can do some great things.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Houston Rockets for Tracy McGrady, Bonzi Wells, Mike James, and 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: Mike James provides and instant upgrade at point guard. Again, he could be paired with Derek Fisher and provide a good option at the two spot. McGrady is one of the best guard-forwards in the league and is behind maybe only Kobe in skill. Things haven't panned out with Yao so maybe a change of scenery will revive him. Bonzi Wells only has a season left on his contract and could free up some cap space. In the meantime, he has flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball and would add some toughness to the Lakers.

Rockets: The Rockets would get a breath of fresh air. Kobe's worked with a high-caliber center before and maybe he can help Yao get back to what he was promised to be. He can certainly score and play defense and again, a change in scenery could help revive him. Radmanovic would again be a third scoring option and I think could be a bigger threat with defenses keying on Ming and Bryant.

Kobe to New Jersey

Bryant really wanted to play with Jason Kidd. What player wouldn't? Besides Nash he is the most creative point guard in the league and wants to get his scores the ball. Vince Carter is untradable (not because he's better than Kobe, because he has a Trade Restriction) so they'd have to give up Richard Jefferson. They'd also have to give up some promising players and again that first round pick. However, a team with Carter-Kidd-Bryant would be unstoppable in the East and maybe even unstoppable against the west.

Los Angeles Lakers trade Kobe Bryant to the New Jersey Nets for Richard  Jefferson, Sean Williams, Nenad Krstic, Bostjan Nachbar, and a 2008 First Round Pick

Lakers: The Lakers would get Richard Jefferson to keep their scoring up and a promising young point guard to help lead the team. Krstic has been a surprise and could be a real asset to the Triangle. Nachbar also shows some promise but would open up a couple million in cap space if the Lakers decided not to resign him after next season. 

New Jersey Nets: This would set up an epic match up between the Nets and Celtics in the playoffs. Which big three would succeed? I don't know. The Celtics would have a hard time stopping Kobe and Carter plus the Nets have something the Celts don't: a true point guard. I think the Nets would come out on top and challenge for the championship. Again, the Nets window is closing and they need to do something to win now.

Conclusion

None of these trades will happen. However, it's always fun to speculate. My favorite trade is with the Suns because I believe that would spell championship. However, I would also like the Nets trade simply because it would be fun to watch them obliterate the East. All in all, Kobe will simply walk away in 2009 and the Lakers will struggle to rebuild. Buss should try to get something for him now but they will never get equal value for him.

So these are some random scenarios. Let me know what you think but I'm really interested to see if there are any other interesting trades you would have in mind (be creative!). Peace.

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Introduction

Since the epic collapse of the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of this past season's playoffs, I like so many fans have been thinking about how they should restructure themselves to prevent a repeat. Turns out the Mavericks were targeting Gerald Wallace and I think that would've been a great fit, however, his price tag was far too high and the Bobcats had no reason to trade him.

Now, the Mavericks are sifting through the left overs of a fairly weak Free Agent class to see if they can get some value out of it. After already resigning both Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George, the Mavericks don't have much room left on the roster.

NBA teams can have a maximum of 15 players on their roster (with some leeway around that for various reasons) and the Mavericks have enough young guys to pretty much fill that up.

In fact, the Mavericks don't have enough room to keep their two biggest prospects from last year (Jose Juan Barea and Pops Mensh-Bonsu) and sign all three of their draft picks (Nick Fazekas, Reyshawn Terry, and Renaldas Seibutis).

Current Team Makeup

• SG: Maurice Ager, Greg Buckner, Jason Terry*, (Renaldas Seibutis)
• PG: Devin Harris, Jose Juan Barea
• SF: Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, (Reyshawn Terry)
• PF: Dirk Nowitzki, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, (Nick Fazekas)
• C: Erick Dampier, DeSagana Diop, DJ Mbenga

*Jason Terry is a converted shooting guard who I think will be more of a 2 this year, () indicates an unsigned draft pick.

Stevie Franchise

One of the biggest rumors out there is surrounding Steve Francis. He is a scoring point guard who the Mavericks are apparently considering signing. He's been injury plagued and had some trouble meshing with his two last teams (Orlando and New York).

Jason Terry is kind of a poor man's Steve Francis. A player capable of distributing the ball but who personally seeks to score himself. However, Terry doesn't have the emotional issues the "Franchise" seems to have. Instead he plays the role that is required of him and I think he'll be much more comfortable with Harris running the point.

If the Mavericks signed Francis then they'd have to get rid of somebody to give him a spot. The most likely to move is Greg Buckner (who apparently several teams have inquired about) but that still leaves Francis and Terry competing for playing time.

If Terry was willing to step back and let Francis step up then this could work. Harris and Terry do not have the ego of "America's Beckham" Steph "Starbury" so Francis may be better able to gel with them. Plus, Francis was at his best when he was clearly not the Franchise player. Having Francis, Terry, and Harris could give the Mavericks quite a group of guards (at least, offensively).

Mickael Pietrus and Eddie Jones

There are also rumors these two could be coming to Dallas. Similar players on basically opposite ends of their careers. Pietrus played a role in snuffing out the Mavs title hopes this past season and the Mavericks like his attitude.

He is a tenacious, young defender and is willing to fill the role the team asks of him. However, he is looking for the full mid-level exception or maybe a little more and I'm not sure the Mavericks are willing to give him that.

Meanwhile, Eddie Jones has a more developed game but that's what comes with an additional decade of experience. Jones is still a steady defender and has kept himself in good shape. He's also an aggressive defender and would command a smaller salary than the younger (and improving) Pietrus.

I don't know why the Mavs would use their mid-level exception on multiple players. Assuming they want to keep Fazekas and (Reyshawn) Terry on the team then they're only going to have maybe one spot to hand out so maybe they should just use the whole thing on Pietrus.

James Posey and P.J. Brown

Two other names out there are James Posey and P.J. Brown.

Brown is an elder statesman but showed last season that he's perfectly capable of manning the paint. He's discussing retirement but could be lured back for a season or two. The Mavs would give him a good chance at a title but I question where he would play. The center position is clogged on this team and the Mavs have two young forwards I don't think they should give up on.

As for Posey, he could bring some toughness to the Mavs but I don't think he'd be a good signing. I don't think he's better than Howard, Stackhouse, George, or Terry. He would have a hard time getting any playing time at all and I think he's another vet the Mavs don't need. I'd much rather have an infusion of youth instead of piling on of more vets.

Conclusion

I'm not sure the Mavericks are actually going to sign any body. By bringing George back they showed they have faith in his recovery from injury and a return to where he once was. They really like Mensah-Bonsu's development and he's looking good in Summer League.

Meanwhile, Jose Juan Barea is also preforming well and I believe Ager was a steal for the Mavs last season. I'd also like to see them give Nick Fazekas and Reyshawn Terry a chance to develop.

That being said the only rumor that I'm really attracted to at this point is Mickael Pietrus because I'd like to see how he develops. Plus, he would add much needed toughness to the defense and compliment the games of Nowitzki and Howard. But signing him would require the Mavs to dump somebody and I think Buckner is the odd man out. Also, I believe the Mavs are going to leave draft pick Renaldas Seibutis in Europe for a season or two so he's not going to take up space on the roster.

Projected Makeup (with Pietrus signing or sign and trade)

• SG: Mickael Pietrus, Jason Terry, Maurice Ager
• PG: Devin Harris, Jose Juan Barea
• SF: Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, Reyshawn Terry
• PF: Dirk Nowitzki, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Nick Fazekas
• C: DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier, DJ Mbenga

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Introduction

Well, in a lot of ways I think the draft killed my suggestion of sending Jason Terry to Memphis for Mike Miller. The Memphis Grizzlies took point guard Mike Conley Jr. and eliminated the need I felt they had.

Latest reports are that the Mavericks are going after Charlotte Bobcats free agent Gerald Wallace. He is likely going to command a salary on the plus side of $10 million so the only hope the Mavs have is in a sign-and-trade. Brevin Knight's release makes that possible, sending Terry to Charlotte but I'm not sure what else they would have to give up.

There are also rumors that the Mavericks are pursuing KG. Well, not rumors so much as confirmed interest. I know the Mavericks aren't going to part with MVP Dirk Nowitzki for the services of Kevin Garnett. The only players on the Mavericks which would interest the Timberwolves (I believe) are Devin Harris and Josh Howard. Personally, for all the hope a pairing of Garnett and Nowitzki would provide it is not worth parting with the promise of Josh Howard.

However, I believe there are ways the Mavericks can vastly improve themselves without costing themselves too much. They're seriously over the cap but with the exceptions and a trade or two they can really help themselves. They don't need to much more talent to win so their moves don't have to be overly dramatic.

Backing Up Nowitzki

This seems to be a yearly adventure for the Dallas Mavericks. A couple season ago it was Keith Van Horn. Then this past season it was Austin Croshere. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, both players demonstrated why they were so easily traded from their teams.

Again this year the Mavericks are looking for a solution. They're discussing terms with the agent of PJ Brown and are apparently hoping to offer him a contract when (if) he decides not to retire.

At first I was a bit apprehensive about this idea. The guy is on the verge of retirement and, while he is still useful, he can hardly contribute offensively anymore. He will certainly add some toughness to the middle for the Mavs but I would really like them to find a more permanent solution.

But after reading reports I'm a little more comforted. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, while very raw offensively, has a lot of defensive skills. He has a leaping ability that reminds me of Amare Stoudemire. If the Mavs pick him up after this season he could go on to add some real toughness for them and I'm sure Dallas can develop his offensive game.

Meanwhile, they drafted Nick Fazekas who is basically the opposite of Mensah-Bonsu. He has an excellent offensive game and in many ways resembles the man he was drafted to backup. The question is if Fazekas can get stronger to bump with the other big boys in down low. He has a pretty good post game and knows how to get position so developing some strength could make him very effective.

With all that in mind, PJ Brown may be a good pick up for a couple seasons while these two develop. With that said, I would still love to see Mikki Moore come to Dallas but many teams are interested in him and will offer him much more then Big D.

Grant Hill

Another rumor is that Grant Hill may be on his way to Dallas. I don't know how I feel about that. Hill is still a good player and is the kind of guard-forward hybrid the Mavericks love. However, I feel there are better options for the Mavericks and for Hill.

A Knight or a Fish?

Well, there are now two veteran point guards on the open market (well, semi-open). First, the Bobcats cut backup Brevin Knight who averaged about 9 points and 7 assists per game. Then, Utah point guard (and probably the best Lakers point guard in a decade) Derek Fisher left the Utah Jazz to sign with a team in a major market. He did so because only the bigger cities have the treatment centers most capable of aiding his daughter.

I feel like both guards are options for the Mavericks (if they choose to part with Jason Terry). Brevin Knight is really more of a passer than a scorer so the Mavericks would need to make up for Terry's shooting presence but he would be a great option.

Meanwhile, Dallas has some of the best doctors in the country and is one of the leading cities for Cancer research. I'm not sure they have the exact center Fisher is looking for but I know they have some of the best Children's hospitals (and children's cancer centers) in the country. Derek Fisher has a lot of heart and would also be a great addition to the Mavericks.

Dump Dampier, Pick up a Miller

I still really like the idea of getting Mike Miller and although they shored up their point guard need they still need a center. While Stromile Swift is sometimes adequate the Grizz would still rather have a true center to place next to Pau Gasol.

That's where Erick Dampier comes in. Say what you will about Dampier he is still a better center than anything the Grizz can muster. On occasion, he even displays the talent the Mavericks paid for. I don't think he'd be enough to pry Mike Miller away, although the numbers work, so that's why I propose the Mavericks package next year's first round pick for him.

I believe the versatility and scoring power Miller would bring to the Mavericks is worth anything they're going to get with a late pick next season. Plus, the Mavericks aren't in a desperate need to get younger. Dirk is only 29, Howard is 27, Harris is 23, and Diop is 24. They can afford to add the 26 year old Miller to the mix. Finally, it would divorce the Mavs from Erick Dampier and put that sad chapter in the Mavericks rear view.

Conclusion

I think these moves could address the Mavericks problems without costing them more than they're willing to give.

First, Brevin Knight wouldn't be looking for a ludicrous salary (saying he would've played for less to stay in Charlotte). Second, a trade for Mike Miller would get them a huge scoring option without eating up the mid-level exception. Finally, it would give the Mavericks plenty of options for the rest of free agency.

Here is wrap up of what I'd like to see happen:

PG: Devin Harris, Brevin Knight, JJ Barea

SG: Mike Miller*, Greg Buckner*, Maurice Ager

SF: Josh Howard*, Jerry Stackhouse*, Nick Fazekas

PF: Dirk Nowitzki, PJ Brown, Pops Mensah-Bonsu

C: DeSagana Diop, DJ Mbenga, PJ Brown 

Trades: Jason Terry to somewhere for somebody (another post), Erick Dampier to Memphis.

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Introduction

So after being put in my place after my last blog, I've been forced to consider more realistic possibilities about how to improve my favorite basketball team. I've also relaxed a little bit, this team isn't exactly in desperate need.

However, there does need to be a bit of a shake up. Despite all the Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Andrei Kirilenko trade rumors I don't think any of them will happen. The Mavericks are not going to part with Dirk Nowitzki and I think getting rid of Josh Howard would be a huge mistake. That being said, I do think Jason Terry is on his way out of town (if for no other reason than to just placate the fan base) and so that's where I'll begin.

It's Miller Time

The first option I've been looking at is a straight up trade of Jason Terry for Mike Miller. I feel this move would improve both teams and give them more versatility heading into the draft and free agency. I could also see the Mavs throwing in one of their three second round draft picks but only if the Grizzlies resist the straight up trade.

Terry would give the Grizzlies the scoring point-guard they want. They need someone who can distribute the ball and take some of the scoring load off of Gasol. Terry can do both and give them the option of a big man to compliment Gasol with the number 4 pick.

Miller would be an asset to the Mavericks and add even more versatility to the team. Josh Howard and Mike Miller would make an effective two-guard/small-forward combo and teams would be confused as how to guard both of them at once. Meanwhile, they couldn't afford to double Dirk as much since Miller can hit the shot from basically anywhere on the floor.

A starting lineup of Harris, Howard, Miller, Nowitzki, and Diop could be quite potent and give opposing teams a lot of sleepless nights trying to determine how to defend them. Doubling Dirk opens up room for Howard and Miller to create their own shots. Collapse on Harris as he slashes, open up the outside for Miller or Nowitzki.

Of course this trade would leave the point position vulnerable. Devin Harris is unproven but this is the year for him to prove himself. Behind him is Juan Jose Barea who has done some great things in the lesser leagues and could one day be a solid point-guard. However, with such youth and inexperience you need a wily veteran to hold down the fort.

Earl Boykins

I considered Gary Payton but, quite frankly, I think Boykins has more to offer. He doesn't have the ego problems that comes with being "the Glove" and also has some of that hunger that winning a championship can drive away.

Boykins is the second shortest player in NBA history but plays with enough heart to over come that. He is a floor general and can calm down the excited youngsters around him. While his size is a bit of a liability defensively, he has quick hands and sneaks easily into passing lanes.

I think Boykins can add some leadership and some desire to this team. I think he's a solid backup point and a great mentor for the other Mavs. He's also probably one of the most affordable points out there and would still allow the Mavs to sign another role player.

Backing Up Dirk

That leaves my final area of concern at backing up Dirk Nowitzki. The backup Power Forward has been a spot the Mavs have been reluctant to invest in. First, they traded for Keith Van Horn (more for his expiring contract) and then for Austin Croshere (ditto). It may be time to sign some one to a longer term deal (more like 3-5 years).

Someone like Mikki Moore would be a good fit behind Dirk. A scorer who can hold his own enough to give Dirk a nice breather. The Mavs could (and should) also draft a big man to sit behind Dirk.

There has been some talk about getting Glen "Big Baby" Davis but I've seen him going as high as late in round one. The Mavs should get the best available big man to develop behind Dirk and a veteran backup.

Draft

I've seen some suggesting that the Mavs take a shooting guard but I think that would be a mistake. Unless something happens that they can't pass up, the Mavericks should be set at shooting guard. Howard can play that position and I think they may have gotten a steal in Maurice Ager.

The Mavericks primary position of concern should be Power Forward. They have youth at virtually every other position and just need some stability behind Dirk. The MVP isn't getting any younger and as age increases so do injuries.

After that they should look at the point. While Harris and Barea are promising, they are both very unproven and the Mavs will be more likely to get it right if they have more points on their team.

Conclusion

The Mavericks aren't going to do too much moving and shaking. The team isn't that far removed from a title run and I blowing up the team isn't going to put them over the top. The West is highly competitive and the Mavericks have to be sure whatever they do doesn't actually make them worse.

That being said, I think they need to do something to shake the stink from last season. While they had an amazing regular season their post season was beyond embarrassing. They say experience is the best teacher, and if that's true then the future is bright for the Mavs. Johnson, in particular, learned a hard lesson and will show more faith in his starters next season, meanwhile, hopefully the Mavs' players will let their collapse motivate them next season.

No, the names above aren't big, and no, there isn't very much movement for the Mavs but this is certainly more realistic than some of the things being put out there (including by me).

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Introduction

 The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Immediately, Mavericks fans and Dallas area columnists hit the panic button. In fact, some of them hit the eject button for Dirk Nowitzki.

 

 Suggestions ranged from swapping Nowitzki for Garnett to moving the big German for the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant. Some just wanted him gone. The fact that during the regular season he played at an unbelievable level was irrelevant in the face of the Mavericks’ epic playoff collapse.

 

 I would know. I was one of those people. But then, I came to my senses. The Mavericks are a good team, a great team. They are only one season removed from a Finals appearance, they had the best regular season in the NBA, they have one of the deepest benches (and an owner with some of the deepest pockets) in the league, and they have star entering his prime. As one columnist suggested, the Mavericks should take a page from the Spurs and just keep doing what they’re doing. Coherence in sports is under rated.

 

 With that said, there is still plenty of work to be done. As the old adage says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” If you consider the Mavs only stopped their yearly roster turn-over a couple years ago they’re still early in the building process. The Mavericks certainly need to make a bigger splash then they did last season (trading for Austin Croshere, signing Devean George, and signing defensive guard Greg Buckner), but they don’t need to blow up their roster in the way they used to (essentially, rotating in new people around Finley, Nowitzki, and Nash).

 

Gerald Wallace

 

 Personally, my number one free agent target is Gerald Wallace. While I was initially caught up in trying to sign the three most popular free agents this year (Chauncy Billups, Vince Carter, and Rashard Lewis) I’ve become more realistic as the summer has worn on.

 

 Wallace is a gifted athlete and terribly under rated because he played for the Bobcats. Offensively, he is one of the best dunkers in the league and is capable of scoring from most places on the floor. He has the ability to move without the ball and get in position to score while also being able to hit an outside side if he’s left open.

 

 Defensively, he’s one of the better shot blockers in the league. He loves to get up in the air and will challenge any one. He also plays tenacious defense and would be a big addition to the Mavericks.

 

 He would fit in perfectly with their balanced style of play and could help them play a more up-tempo game. A combination of Wallace, Howard, and Harris would be dynamic and could add some real spark and get some fast points. He would also allow Howard to play the two-guard spot and take some of the scoring burden off of Nowitzki, Howard, and Terry.

 

Chris Webber

 

 Last season some people said the Mavs should use their open roster spot on Chris Webber. I wasn’t so certain, but after last season I wish they had. Webber is still a good player. He can still get it done in the paint and added that little extra the Pistons were looking for. He could do the same thing for the Mavs.

 Additionally, he wouldn’t be a starter. He would come off the bench to back up Dirk and that would help keep him healthy. He can still score and defend the post and he would be a great addition (as a bench player) to any team.

 

Desmond Mason

 

 There were rumors of his coming to the Mavericks a couple seasons ago. That never happened but I would welcome it now. If the Mavs decide to keep Josh Howard as their small forward (I think he’s really a tall two-guard but I digress) then they need to sign another scorer for that two-spot.

 

 Mason has been a bit erratic over the last few years. However, he has shown enough flashes that, with talent, he can still deliver points. I think he would be best as a “tandem guard” (meaning a “starter” and “backup” in the same position who split the job about evenly) and the Mavericks could do that with Jason Terry.

 Mason would give the Mavericks another scorer without sacrificing too much on the defensive end. Mason is another player who has the ability to suddenly get hot and could help the Mavericks when the other starters are slumping.

 

DeShawn Stevenson

 

 Another route would be to go get Stevenson. While he was over-shadowed by the ridiculously nicknamed “Agent Zero,” Gilber Arenas, he is a solid guard. He can score a decent clip and plays some good defense. He would be an excellent option off the bench and add a punch to the Mavs.

 

 He’ll probably command less money than Mason and would be a good option even if the Mavericks shift Howard back to the other guard spot. Depending on how big of a contract he would command, and if the Mavericks could move Buckner, he might be worth signing regardless of the other moves.

 

Steve Blake

 

 Emerged with the Nuggets this year. I wouldn’t sign him to the starting job for the Mavs but he would be an excellent backup. If Dallas is truly looking to move Jason Terry, and even if they aren’t, they need another good point guard on the team.

 Now is the time to hand over the reigns of this team to Devin Harris and see what he can do. The Mavericks need a solid backup for Harris and Blake would provide a nice young option. He’s a scoring threat who looks to pass first and that would do wonders for this Mavericks team. It would also give them far more options with “Jet” and make many Mavs fans feel much more comfortable about the point guard situation.

 

Other Options

 

 Mikki Moore, Jumaine Jones, Kurt Thomas, Malik Allen, and P.J. Brown I think would all be good prospects to back up Nowitzki.

 

 There are also player like Grant Hill and Jason Kapono who would add depth to the Mavericks but I think they need something a bit more substantial.

 

 I think the Mavericks priorities are: getting another scoring threat, getting a post-scorer, backing up Dirk Nowitzki (maybe doing both in one swipe), getting a good back up point, and getting rid of Erick Dampier’s bloated contract, and maybe moving Jason Terry and/or Greg Buckner.

 

Hopeful Lineup

 

Point Guard – Devin Harris, Steve Blake, (Draft Pick)

Shooting Guard – Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Maurice Ager

Small Forward – Gerald Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Power Forward – Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Webber, (Draft Pick)

Center – DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier, DJ Mbenga

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Introduction
In my own going attempts to fix what ails the Mavs I have devised a third and perhaps better option for the Mavs. And it amazes me why it didn't come to me first. Of all the considered options it gives them probably the best hope for not only next season but also the future. Shaq would be a nice post addition but he's a one year fix. He should become the "Roger Clemens" of the NBA. Sign mega-one year deals to help teams struggling in the post but otherwise competitive. I doubt he'll do that but if I was the Deisel that's what I would try to do (in between catching criminals, of course).

NBA Live 2005
I believe that's the correct year. To be honest, it's been so long since I played it I don't remember and I don't have it on hand to check. I state this only to give context to my further comments.

I also used to do those trades that would work according to the computer generated financials and force through because I was omniscient. The first thing I would always do (no lie) was trade for Baron Davis out of New Orleans. I would trade Jason Terry and probably one of my centers for him. I did so because I liked the idea of a point guard who dunked (it was NBA Live, I was going to win no matter who I had on my team).

But that's not where I'm going with this. Davis has no reason to want to leave Oakland and the Warriors have no reason to want to trade him. Since I was thinking back I find it interesting that I did this a couple years ago.

Moving on, the second thing I would always do was to trade for a new center. Actually, he wasn't technically a center according to the game but he functioned just fine as one. And now that I look him up on NBA.com he is listed as a center. His name is Pau Gasol.

Pau Gasol
Last season there was a huge amount of talk about shipping Pau Gasol out of Memphis, he even requested a trade. The most talked about destination was Chicago with other cursory mentions but ultimately nothing came of it. The Grizzlies season ended so abysmally I didn't even consider one of my favorite players to fix the Mavericks.

While the rumors of Gasol being shipped elsewhere and team simply starting over have died down considerably, included statements from various team officials that he simply will not be dealt, the organization isn't exactly grounded. Majority owner Michael Heisley wants out as quickly as possible. If somebody can get the money together and give him the $330+ million he's looking for then he's out the door (Team Report).

Jerry West is gonek, having sold off his house, and the team is confused as to their direction. They're going to pick high in the draft and maybe select someone they can build the team around. All this makes me question their actual committment to Pau Gasol. He's unhappy, the organization's unhappy, the fans are unhappy (with Gasol especially).

So, Mark Cuban should make the deal. I used ESPN's trade machine and came up with a deal involving one of the three untouchables from the Mavs (Harris, Howard, Nowitzki) and Dampier. It would send Harris and Damp to Memphis for Gasol. While that may work on paper, or computer screen in this case, I highly doubt the Grizzlies would ever go for this deal.

They'd definitely need sweeteners so I added in Dallas' first round pick last season and it still worked (Harrs, Dampier, Auger for Gasol). That would add some youth and quickness to the Grizz but I still don't think they would go for that. Personally, I think they'd have to move Harris, Dampier, and a couple draft picks to get him.

I don't know what the Mavs would have to do but I feel very strongly they should do it. In reality, there are only two untouchables on the Mavs: Howard and Nowitzki. The rest of the team is expendable. I don't think they would part with Howard (since they just signed him long term and because he has a "poison pill" clause in his contract). This would be a beautiful thing and the Mavs should do what it takes to make it work.

Two Towers
The Mavericks would have two talented, young, European players underneath the basket. It would give them a scoring presence in the post they desperately need and I have never seen a big man handle the ball like Pau this side of Kevin Garnett.

Pau is also a fairly strong defensive force and can get off the floor to reject just about any shot. His twenty plus points in the paint combined with Nowitzki and Howard would be near lethal. If they got Pau I'm not so sure they couldn't do with Terry at point, but it's something I'd definitely be willing to try!

Depth Chart


Position
Starter
#2
#3


Point Guard
Jason Terry
To Be Addressed
Jose Barea


Shooting Guard
Greg Buckner
Maurice Ager
TBA


Small Forward
Josh Howard
Jerry Stackhouse
Pops Mensah-Bonsu


Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki
Austin Croshere
TBA


Center
Pau Gasol
DeSagana Diop
DJ Mbenga


Who should the Mavs Pursue? Vote NOW!

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Introduction
Well, I continue to think about what the Mavericks can do so that next season will not end like this season. The Warriors exploited the Mavericks weakness, which, ironically, is also one of their strengths: versatility. Many of the Mavericks players are combo or hybrid-types. Not a pure point guard, nor a pure shooting guard, nor a pure small forward. While that's all well and good, you need some guys who you know exactly what they are.

Three Keepers
There are three players on the Mavericks who I feel they absolutely must not let go. The first is, of course, Dirk Nowitzki. Say what you will about him he is a great player and provides serious matchup problems. If he develops a mean streak and gets angry next season then the rest of the league should take notice.

Second, Josh Howard. Howard is a tough, determined player. He attacks the basket with vigor and can also shoot a nice jumper. Howard is a young player destined to be an All-Star.

Finally, there is young Devin Harris. While I don't think he should be handed the starting job I think he's an excellent "change of pace" point guard. That's a term I've never heard used but I think is a very effective tool. Harris flies up and down the court and is an excellent defender. He could (and has been) be used to ignite the offense coming off the bench.

Two Basic Needs
Personally, I feel the Mavericks have two needs above all else. The first is strong post presence. I don't mean necessarily on defense. There Diop and Dampier do ok. But they need somebody who can score from the post. They need someone who intimidates opponents and wills himself to the basket. In short: they need Shaq.

I know, I know. He's old and getting older. He's not as durable as he used to be, he saves himself for the playoffs, etc. And I'm not saying trade the roster for him. I'm simply saying, if they can get their hands on him they absolutely should (provided it doesn't risk those three untouchables above).

That's why I propose the Mavericks trade Jason Terry and Erick Dampier to Miami for Shaq. It may take a little more than that from the Mavs, maybe a draft pick or cash but I think they can do it. The Heat are looking to unload Shaq's hefty contract and infuse the team with a little youth. Terry and Dampier would do that and also provide some bait for another package for future trades.

The other glaring need is that of a pure point guard. They need somebody who likes to distribute the ball but can also create for himself. In short they need: Stave Nash.

Unfortunately, that ship sailed in 2004 (I just wanted to give you a chuckle). They need to find somebody who likes playing the point and can truly direct a half-court offense. Terry did well but he's never been a pure point guard.

I said they should go after Chauncy Billups but two things would have to happen to make that a possiblity. First, he would have to opt out of his contract by exercising his player option. I've seen nothing to indicate his intention to do so. Plus, the price would have to be right and I'm not sure that the payroll is prepared for what a Free Agent Billups may command.

So, they should go hard after Free Agent Maurice Wiliams (Milwaukee Bucks). If you compare them statistically he's not that far below Chauncy. Plus, he's young and improving. With his help the Mavericks would have a true point guard (who can also score his fair share) and that would make all the difference in the world.

Interesting Prospect
There's a name out there, not very big, but a name out there I'd like to see on the Mavericks depth chart. That name is Luke Walton. He's not the most stunning of players but I think he's getting better. He's got talent (probably genetic) and is a good passing forward. I think he's also got a good work ethic and that's important in the pros. While his signing wouldn't be dazzling I think it would give them a good forward to compliment what they already have. Either he or Stackhouse could come off the bench, hopefully Stackhouse since I believe he would give them a good spark.

Depth Chart
I think those two signings (plus resigning Croshere and Stackhouse) would absorb most of the Mavs payroll so I think this would be it. But those would be major boosts to the Mavericks roster. The Mavericks would have solid starters at (what I consider) their two weakest positions of point guard and center. While having solid, young backups. At center not only do the Mavericks have DaSagana Diop but they have the young and atheletic DJ Mbenga as well.

PG: Maurice Williams, Devin Harris, Jose Barea
SG: Josh Howard, Greg Buckner, Maurice Ager
SF: Luke Walton, Jerry Stackhouse, Pops Mensah-Bonsu
PF: Dirk Nowitzki, Austin Croshere
C: Shaquille O'Neal, DeSagana Diop, DJ Mbenga

Strengthen Democracy: Vote now!

So I was looking at random NBA videos and some got into reminiscening about the old Nash and Nowitzki days. Back then the Mavericks played zero defense but were still one of the best teams in the league. Their arch rivals were the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. If one team didn't knock them off, the other would.

While the roster seemed to completely change from one season to another there were three players who were constants: Steve Nash, Michael Finely, and Dirk Nowitzki. Now, Nash and Nowitzki are close friends and were views as the crucial pieces to the Mavericks puzzle.

In 2004, the Phoenix Suns offered Nash a ridiculous amount of money (plus a long term contract for an aging player) and he would've been an #### to not take it. But he really wanted to stay in Dallas with his best friend, Dirk Nowitzki. Mark Cuban thought the Suns were nuts and refused, capping maybe the biggest blunder of the past 10 years.

Now, we've all heard how Dirk and Steve are still the best of friends and while they enjoy playing together, both have benefitted from the split. But is that really how they feel? Deep down in their heart of hearts are they really happy with the way things are?

Dirk?
:(

And what about you, Steve?
:(

So we see. While things appear ok on the surface, these two are simply heart broken!

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MVP
So what we all expected is about to happen. Dirk Nowitzki will be named the NBA Regular Season MVP. Naturally, there is an uproar about this. NBA fans in droves are upset that a 7-foot German who choked in the playoffs is taking home the award.

####.

I don't believe for a second that's why they are upset. Most who are upset simply hate Dirk. Hate him. They think he's over rated for whatever reason, always have and always will. Dirk Nowtizki could score 110 points, grab 35 rebounds, and tally 15 assists and they would still hate him. They would still find ways to claim he was not deserving of praise.

Anger
I don't really know what the origin of this anger is. I suppose it stems from the fact that Dirk Nowitzki is not a prototypical NBA player. He bends the norms. Early in his career he was a tall guy who hovered around the perimetter and shot long jumpers. This was cause for concern for many NBA teams but not the Dallas Mavericks.

Then he developed more of a post game is now more often found closer to the rim. However, when flustered he reverts back to where he feels more comfotable, on the outside. He does not fit the mold of what an NBA player of his size should be doing and fans hate him for that. He has been declared "soft" because it a popular belief that anyone over a certain height should occupy a set are of space near the basket and battle with the other big men.

He is viewed as being over hyped and over rated and fans hate him for this. The ironic thing is, Dirk has never said any or these things about himself. There are few NBA players as humble about their abilities as Dirk, sometimes to a fault.

Humility
Dirk Nowitzki does not talk himself up on all the sports stations. You won't find him marketing the new "41 Assassins" brand of shoe nor will he be releasing mixtapes any time soon. He just isn't that kind of person. When asked if he deserves awards and aclimations he quickly lists players he feels are more deserving or better than him. I have yet to ever here Dirk Nowitzki even suggest he personally is better than any other player.

This same nature has a great negative consequence. In fact, it results in an under confidence in himself. Last season, Dirk confidence was as high as ever. He was attacking the basket and carried the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. But he couldn't keep it up and the Mavs lost 4 in a row to grant Shaq yet another title.

Dirk Nowitzki doubted himself, he wasn't as confident as Shaq that he is the standard by which future big men will be measured. And that hurt him. That hurt him bad in this years playoffs. In game 5 Dirk Nowitzki was aggressive. He attacked the basket and fought hard, the Mavericks won the game (even if, just barely).

Then in game 6 he retreated to his old comfort zone and did not dispay the confidence required to carry his team. The Mavericks lost and the rest, as they say, is history.

Paradox
This provides an interesting paradox. On the one hand, when players make a scene and talk about how great they are individually we get upset. We say they are not being team players and that they are arrogant. We say they are cocky and hate them for it.

Conversely when players don't display confidence, even arrogance, on the court we hate them for that too. When a top-tier player does not do this we hate them even more.

This is an interesting paradox. While we hate having players tell us they think they're the best thing sense toilet paper, we want them to think it. That's what the great one's (in terms of ability and popularity do). They don't make a lot of noise about how great they are but when you look in their eyes you know they think they are the greatest.

That's what Dirk has got to learn. He's got to learn to trust in himself and believe in who he is as a player. They asked him to be more agressive and he was, but he's got to do it consistently. He's got to attack the basket with confidence and shoot the the 3 with confidence. He has a unique ability to truly "do it all" and he's got to learn to take advantage of it. He's got to believe that if the rest of his team doesn't step up he doesn't really need them anyway, he just can't say so.

Supporting Cast
Another issue is Dirk's supporting cast. He doesn't really have one. There are no other all stars surrounding him. Josh Howard is on his way but hasn't reached that level yet. The other players are all role players or solid backups, nothing more.

There are no Shawn Marions or Amare Stoudemires on his team. There are no Lamar Odoms or Shaq's down low. The Mavericks simply don't have the players surrounding Dirk to be successful without him. They need him desperately. Without him I don't think they're a playoff team, hell, I don't know if they're even a decent team.

Finally
So, while you may criticize Dirk keep in mind your reasoning. Is it really cause he choked (again) in the playoffs or is it just cause you hate him? If it's cause you hate them then really think about who you hate him? Remember, he didn't crown himself the media did, blame them if you feel he's over rated. Finally, when thinking about MVP take into consideration the parts around him and if you would ever hinge your franchise on any of those players.

I'm not saying Dirk is the one absolutley deserving of the MVP but I deffinitely think he's up there. So when you criticize him do it for the right reasons and seriously ask yourself upon who else do good teams rely so much?

Be sure to vote in my online poll: Who Will Win the Western Conference Finals?!

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Collapse
Maybe it's too early to start thinking about this. Maybe I should instead be focusing on the excitement of the continuing NBA Playoffs. But for some reason I can't. I can't enjoy the playoffs cause in the back of my mind I keep thinking about the epic collapse of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs are my team, and I love Dirk Nowitzki. Say what you will but that guy has a ton of talent. Whether or not he'll break through that invisible barrier and get the Mavericks over the top remains to be seen. He's closer to thirty than twenty and the window may be closing but he still has plenty of time to get a title. Because of this, in order to get it off my chest and out of mind, and in order to be able to fully enjoy the rest of this year's playoffs I have proposed my very early "rebuilding plan" for the Dallas Mavericks.

Chauncy Billups
Point guard play was a huge, huge part of the Warriors domination of the Mavericks. Hybrid guard Jason Terry and yougin' Devin Harris were not able to matchup against Baron Davis. The Mavericks let go Steve Nash a few seasons ago thinking Phoenix was crazy for paying him that much money. Now the Mavs are watching the Suns compete against the hated San Antonio Spurs.

The Mavericks need a sturdy decision maker who is also powerful. Chauncy Billups is the perfect medicine for what ails the Dallas Mavericks. A confident ball handler who knows when to attack the basket and run the break and when to run the half-court. Chauncy Billups would provide the leadership the Mavericks so desperately need and would direct the Mavericks' offense the way a point guard should.

He would distribute while contributing his own points too. He would also provide great defense on the other end of the court, another major issue with the Dallas Mavericks. They need a leader on both ends of the court who plays tough, gritty, but also high-octane basketball.

As far as I am concerned, the Mavericks should pursue Chauny Billups hard and Mark Cuban should ante up to get him.

Vince Carter
Carter is looking to win a title. That's not going to happen in New Jersey. Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter can't carry that team all the way to a title. All three will eventually seek glory elsewhere and this is Carter's chance. He can get to Big D and try his luck there.

What Carter will do most for the Mavericks is provide a spark. He's over rated in many ways but one way he isn't is in fan appeal. He would excite the fans and reinvigorate the veterans. Carter would also bring in some more consistency and star power to surround Dirk Nowitzki.

WHAT IF THE ROCKETS ARE BLOWN UP?
Tracy McGrady
There are rumors that the Rockets may turn over all most their entire roster. While that probably doesn't mean the likes of Yao Ming and T-Mac it's an intriguing possibility. If Tracy McGrady became available why not ship Terry and Dampier along with a draft pick to Houston. Dampier would be a solid backup to Yao Ming and Jason Terry could provide some scoring off the bench.

Tracy would do the same thing that Vince Carter would do, excite people. He's a flashy, solid player who would also add an edge to the Mavericks. Some #### will surely say, "Dirk's a choker, McGrady's a choker and pairing them would be horrible!" That's foolish. With some extra weapons around them Nowitzki and McGrady could be down right deadly (in a way McGrady-Ming never will be).
BUT PROBABLY NOT!

Resign DeSagana Diop, Austin Croshere, and Jerry Stackhouse
DeSagana Diop did a fairly decent job against the running offense of the Warriors. He's also younger and more athletic than Erik Dampier. Sign him, get DJ Mbenga back, and then maybe get another center down the line. I don't know if he's a number one center but with these other moves and the very athletic Mbenga behind him he should be adequate.

Austin Croshere is not the best forward ever. But he's pretty good coming off the bench. In Game 5 he came off the bench and drained three's like they were going out of style. He also played hard nosed basketball against former team mate Baron Daivs and that's an edge the Mavs need. They need to get tougher, a little more in your face. They need to learn to shove their superiority down the throat of their opponents and not stop until it comes out the other end.

Croshere also gives them a legitimate backup for Dirk Nowitzki, that's important. I think Avery Johnson under utilized him last year and was dumbfounded when he didn't put him in early in Game 6. Croshere seemed like one player who actually wanted to win the series and knock heads with the Warriors.

Jerry Stackhouse is a solid sixth man, even seventh. With Stackhouse saying he wants to stay in Dallas, with everything he can still do, and even volutneering to take a step back to "seventh man," it's a no brainer to resign him. Very few players can come off the bench and take over a game and Stackhouse adds that dimension to the Mavs. He'll be important to their future plans.

Trade Terry
I really like Jason Terry. He signed a longterm deal at a discount to remain a Mav. But he is no point guard. The experiment failed. If you're going to run a half-court offense you need to do more than continual "iso's" and "pick-and-rolls." You've got to have someone who can draw the defense to them and pass th