Posted by Kirk Henderson on June 3, 2013 under News | 
12,091 assists and 1,391 games later, former Maverick Jason Kidd has announced his retirement according to the Public Relations twitter feed of the New York Knicks.
His retirement ends a 19 year playing career spanning stints with the Mavericks, Suns, Nets, and Knicks. Drafted by the Mavericks second over all in the 1994 draft out of the University of California, Kidd’s career spanned two generations of NBA players. Kidd appeared on 10 all star games, five All-NBA first teams, nine All-NBA defense teams, had three final appearances, and won two gold medals to go along with his 2011 Championship ring.
After a three year stint in Dallas to start his career, Kidd rejoined Dallas during the 2008 season. Kidd was key to the 2011 title team, orchestrating the offense and hitting just enough outside shots to keep opposing defenses honest. When his contract ended the summer of 2012, Kidd had a handshake deal in place with owner Mark Cuban before changing his mind and opting to sign a three year deal with the New York Knicks. Prior to his move to the Knicks, there had been some talk of his joining the Dallas front office after his retirement.
Kidd’s retirement does come as a bit of a surprise, considering he had long vocalized his desire to play 20 full years in the NBA. However, he failed to score a single point in his final 10 games with the Knicks. His effectiveness declined rapidly as the season progressed.
Kidd retires 2nd all time in assists, 3rd in three point field goals, second in steals and is a first ballot Hall of Fame candidate. We here at the Two Man Game are sorry to see him go, but thank him for his contributions to Maverick basketball history.
Posted by Kirk Henderson on under Commentary |
It’s been a slow and frustrating descent for the Mavericks and their fans since climbing the championship ladder in 2011. The quality of team play dropped as fan favorites left for different opportunities, while new faces mostly failed to live up to expectations. To recall how the Mavericks got to this point, it’s illuminating to look back to an email sent from Mark Cuban to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas on December 8th, 2011:
“The reality is that in the new system, cap room will have far more value than it had in the past…
The rules are different now, and while it makes it tougher this year because of the affection we have for many of the guys that are leaving, if we want the Mavs to be able to compete for championships in future years as well, it’s a hard decision, but I believe the right decision.”
Cuban has been consistent with his desire to construct a winning team within the constraints of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. During a May 28th radio interview with ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM Cuban said, “If we don’t get the big name, we want to start building that base of a team that can start having some continuity of playing together.” Despite Dirk Nowitzki being on the final year of his contract, it’s been generally understood that the Mavericks are trying to build a team around or with Dirk, while also building a team capable of being successful after Dirk retires.
But there’s been an elephant in the room that has not been acknowledged: What if those goals are mutually exclusive?
Mark Cuban has been very careful in what he’s said to the media over the last few years, mentioning how important cap flexibility is in the long term while also giving attention to Dirk’s dissatisfaction with the last two seasons. If Cuban and Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson are able to land either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard, then this point is moot. But what if they don’t?
The remainder of the talent in the 2013 free agent pool either doesn’t fit with Dallas’ plan, like Josh Smith, or represent risky gambles, like Brandon Jennings or Andrew Bynum. Signing one or more of the second tier free agents might benefit Dallas in the short term by making the team more competitive. However, it’s hard to imagine any 2013-2014 Maverick squad without Paul or Howard being a “championship” or “top-seeded team,” which Cuban insists is possible.
Any influx of talent might make Nowitzki happy as he heads into his final years in a Mavericks uniform, but at what point is doing something for Dirk detrimental to Dallas long term? He turns 35 on June 19th. Dirk’s offensive game remains amazing, but he’s also expressed a desire for someone to share the load. Do any of the non-superstar free agents really strike the Dallas front office as the kind of players they can build around after Nowitzki retires?
On the flip side, if Dallas elects to sign a roster full of project players and single-year contracts again, they’re essentially wasting a third straight year of Dirk’s career. For many Mavericks fans, Nowitzki is the alpha and omega when it comes to Dallas as a franchise, and putting together a competitive team while he finishes out his Hall of Fame tenure is an utmost priority. After all, when Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavs at a discount in the summer of 2010, he did so with the understanding that the front office would do its best to surround him with high-caliber players. The lockout and ensuing CBA changed the landscape drastically, and in the process limited Dallas’ team-building options. Yet another lost year for Dirk would be tough to swallow for all involved, even if such a course proves to be best for the Mavs’ greater efforts to construct a contender.
Nowitzki has long been a good soldier for the organization, despite playing with the least talented teammates of any superstar from his generation. While he’s on the record saying he’s willing to take a hefty pay cut when he re-signs after next season, another wasted season could change his internal calculus. Loyal though he might be, Nowitzki’s re-signing in that scenario would first require that he endure another year on the “mediocrity treadmill” without losing faith or interest in the Mavs’ rebuilding efforts. Dallas has been a step above bad for two seasons, held together mainly by Dirk’s brilliance. As he ages, he can’t be expected to carry a .500 team in a Western conference that only seems to get better each season. Nowitzki has seen the peak, and to trudge through the lowlands with a middling team through his slow decline would seem a painfully unfulfilling turn.
As the Mavs attempt to thread the needle in building a team for the future that will simultaneously make the most of Nowitzki’s twilight years, the front office is flirting with disaster. Despite all assurances to the contrary, Dallas’ plan seems to be to land Paul/Howard or bust. The Mavs are reportedly shopping this year’s pick for salary cap space, as has become something of a trend; Dallas traded away younger assets like Corey Brewer and Jordan Hamilton only to make cap space in the past, and the bid to have max-level cap room has left the Mavericks’ cupboard alarmingly bare. If Dallas strikes out with Paul and Howard, it’s quite possible the 2013-2014 Mavericks will be a bad team with a murky future. Despite trying to place themselves in the best possible situation for this off season, the Mavericks are left at the mercy of the decision-making of others.
It’s an uncomfortable situation with meager chance for positive resolution. Yet this is the lot of a team rebuilding around an aging star owed $22.7 million in single-year salary, left only to rely on the long-shot landing of Paul or Howard. For now, acquiring either superstar remains a vague possibility for a franchise in need of hope. Yet come July, the overwhelming likelihood is that both Paul and Howard will sign elsewhere, leaving Dallas to face difficult questions with few — if any — encouraging answers.
Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 31, 2013 under Commentary |
ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported late Thursday evening that Chris Paul is ‘angry’ for being cast as the villain in the firing of Vinny Del Negro as coach.
How much of an impact this will have on Paul’s decision to re-sign with the Clippers as a free agent is not clear, but the source conceded that Paul’s anger could lead him to look elsewhere.
“He’s angry right now and his anger is directed toward the Clippers organization,” the source said. “Chris is a man of principle and if he feels like you’ve gone against his principles, it will affect how he feels about you. He’s very agitated that his name has been put out there as the reason for Vinny’s firing. He had nothing to do with it.”
- ESPN
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 30, 2013 under Commentary |
In a summer of great importance, Dallas has already made one positive move. It likely won’t be a move that has a major influence on their free agency path this summer, but it is still a move that should greatly impact the finished roster. It was announced in early May that former Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Kaleb Canales will joins the Mavs an assistant coach, replacing Jim O’Brien on Rick Carlisle’s staff.
Canales has ties to the area as he a Laredo, Texas native. Canales earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Arlington and a master’s degree in sports leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
In March of 2012, Canales became the first Hispanic head coach in the NBA when he replaced Nate McMillan. Now known as energetic and motivational coach, Canales began as a video intern under Maurice Cheeks in 2004 before spending three years as the team’s video coordinator. Before the 2008-09 season, he was promoted by general manager Kevin Pritchard to assistant coach.
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Posted by Kirk Henderson on May 29, 2013 under Rumors |
ESPN’s Chad Ford reports that the Mavericks are interested in the mercurial Kings big man.
Sources say that the Charlotte Bobcats and Dallas Mavericks also will have interest in Cousins if Sacramento’s new management decides to cut ties with Cousins.
How interested is the main question, because Cousins is an adept bridge-burner. However, Dallas owner Mark Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle have full confidence in the culture they’ve created along with roster with a solid, respected veteran presence. Cousins has arguably been the most talented player on a Kings roster filled with youth and as a result he’s been catered too more often than not. It’s not unheard of for a team to give up on a developing player, but with that said, I think Ball Don’t Lie’s Kelly Dwyer nails it.
It’s safe to assume that Cousins is a firm third option, distantly behind the Dallas pursuit of Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. For now, it’s safe to tuck this piece of information away until the draft and/or free agency.
Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on under Commentary |
After making an appearance on KESN-FM over the weekend, Mavs owner Mark Cuban once again took to the airwaves as he appeared on KRLD-FM on Tuesday afternoon. If you missed his initial appearance over the week, you can listen to it here. In his latest radio appearance (which can be heard here), Cuban further explained the team’s two-year plan, more of a behind-the-curtain look at their sales pitch to prospective free agents, what the heck is going to happen to Roddy Beaubois, and how this summer is different than last summer.
There was plenty of gold in Cuban’s comments. When there’s plenty of gold, there is only one way to tackle it.
Here is the quoteboard for Cuban’s appearance on the Ben and Skin show.
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 28, 2013 under Commentary |
A safe way to go through life is avoiding risks. You can’t lose when you don’t take a chance. But you can’t win much either.
That’s a way of life that many people go through as some can’t take losing or the realities of losing. Many fans were heartbroken last summer after going through the drama with Deron Williams only to find out that he was going to stay with the Brooklyn Nets, spurning the Mavs and the opportunity to play with Dirk Nowitzki. A new year of free agency is upon us and the Mavs will once again try to swing for the fences as they pursue Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
Many fans start wincing at the idea of the Mavs trying to pursue these big fish, remembering the feelings they endured through the entire process last year. (First off, you probably should avoid getting on the roller coaster in the first place.)
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 24, 2013 under Commentary |
There have been a lot of positive remarks about the questions and answers series that has started during the offseason. I think people are just thirsty for Mavs information or debate, but we’ll continue running with the series. If you ever have questions you want tossed into future a batch, you can always send them through Twitter or through the comments section.
This batch provides a good mixture of looking back, looking ahead and evaluating who the true gambles are this offseason with free agency. If Dirk and Carlisle were your kids and you had to pick one as your favorite, who would you pick? Wait, parents don’t have to pick a favorite child? Oh, that’s good to know for the future. Anyways, a variation of that topic is brought up.
For now, here are 10 more questions and answers about the Mavs.
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Tags: Andrew Bynum, Anthony Morrow, Brandon Jennings, Dallas Mavericks, Darren Collison, DeMarcus Cousins, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jeff Teague, Monta Ellis, NBA, Nikola Pekovic, Rick Carlisle, Tyreke Evans, Tyson Chandler
Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 23, 2013 under Commentary |
Information is power. Getting seduced by information is dangerous. There is the clichéd saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, there were three photos that popped up last week that are very relevant in the Mavs’ universe. They provide information, two more interesting than the other.
The first one came on Friday morning as owner Mark Cuban reinforced his point to the fans that he is committed to making this past season as an aberration as opposed to the new norm.
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on May 22, 2013 under Commentary |
Math once again had its day. The Mavs and Lady Luck once again couldn’t connect as they held their pre-lottery spot and hold the 13th pick in this upcoming draft. The draft will be held on June 27.
There was one thing about the lottery that remained consistent when it came to the Mavs as they didn’t move up from their projected spot. That has been the case in each of their 12 appearances in the lottery.
The early analysis of this draft suggests that there isn’t a guaranteed difference maker in the lottery. The goal for any team picking outside of the top five will be to find a player who can slide in your current rotation. Once you get past the top 5 players, there’s certainly depth and value available. After a little bit of a down period, it appears the international pool of players might have more intriguing depth this year.
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