Posted by David Hopkins on January 8, 2013 under Commentary | 
“For all your vaunted strength, you are but a fading shadow of my cosmic all!” – Galactus, Devourer of Worlds
Last summer, Jason Kidd turned down the Mavs’ generous offer of three years and $9 million. Instead, he took the Knicks’ offer of three years and $9 million. On one level, the defection was a slap in the face to the organization that drafted him, the one that brought him back when some thought he was “too old” to be an elite player, and the one where he won his championship. On another level, Kidd’s frustration is understandable. He was disappointed with a front office that “blew up” the championship team (which I don’t think was entirely within their control, but whatever), and he wanted the opportunity to come off the bench for a highly talented point guard. The Mavs couldn’t get Kidd’s golf buddy Deron Williams, and Dallas just felt a little less like home.
While many were surprised to see Kidd leave, those keeping a close watch on precious cap space may have thought $9 million seemed a little too generous for a player who averaged 6.2 points and 5.5 assists in the previous season and would turn 40 this year. Clearly, it was an offer to cement Kidd’s legacy as a Maverick, possibly transitioning him to an assistant coaching position. But for a second time in Mavs’ history, Jason Kidd left Dallas on bad terms.
In hindsight, I wonder if $9 million was too low of an offer. The Knicks are in second place in the Eastern Conference. The Mavs are tied with Sacramento for the third worst record in the West. The disparity between the two teams cannot only be attributed to Jason Kidd, but his presence and veteran leadership cannot be ignored either. A semblance of continuity from 2011 might be worth something.
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Posted by David Hopkins on January 1, 2013 under Commentary |
“Now let the charade end!” – Galactus, Devourer of Worlds
When I first inquired to Rob Mahoney about joining the Two Man Game team, I made a single request. I asked Rob if I could write about Derek Harper at least once a year. In my opinion, Harper hasn’t received the recognition he deserves. It’s the start of a new year, a good time to look back on the Ye Olde Mavericks. As a gift to myself, I’m taking this day to write about no. 12, and I’m leading the charge to get his number retired.
Here’s a secret. You are far more likely to get Mark Cuban to respond to your emails if you’re a season ticket holder. Start the email with an account number (I had a ten-game package, nothing too fancy). Almost a year ago, I wrote to Cuban:
Before Dirk Nowitzki retires and a whole new generation is considered for retired numbers, I believe Derek Harper is one essential member of the early Mavs who deserves the honor. Yes, there is Aguirre and Donaldson, Perkins and Tarpley, but only Derek Harper hits all the reasonable criteria for retired numbers — (1) greatness as a player, (2) long term commitment to the team, (3) long term impact on the franchise. I’m not the type of fan who believes retired numbers should be given out liberally. Once you have Davis, Blackman, and Harper, I think the pre-Nowitzki Mavs have been appropriately represented. Are there any plans to retire #12 before we get to #41?
I then went on to complain about the red t-shirts (see my last column) and tried to defend Lamar Odom. It was still early in the season. Mark Cuban responded:
brilliant minds think alike.
we agree across the board [smiley face]
stay tuned and thank you for your support of our Mavs !!
m
No privacy footnote included. Here you go, a year-old The Two Man Game exclusive with Mark Cuban.
You have to give Cuban credit. His response was affirming. He answered my questions, and yet he was still vague and noncommittal. If he agrees that those red t-shirts are cursing the team, why launch them into the crowd? If you agree that Derek Harper’s number should be retired, why not retire it? I have a few theories on his “we agree across the board” statement. It could mean:
- Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Get off my back.
- Be patient. The t-shirts will be gone once we run out of t-shirts, and we have a lot. We’ll retire Derek Harper’s number the day before Nowitzki’s.
- I think almost every Mav should have their number retired… but it ain’t gonna happen.
- I didn’t have time to give you a more honest answer.
So, why Derek Harper? A player who never played in an All-Star game, a player who wasn’t even the Mavs’ top draft pick in 1983, and a player who is often remembered for his terrible rookie error in the 1984 playoffs when he dribbled out the clock sending the game against the Lakers into overtime. If this is all you see, you’re missing one of the most important players to shape the culture and legacy of the ‘80s Mavs, one of the most dedicated and proud Mavericks (during a time when being a Maverick wasn’t always a point of pride), and yes, the greatest point guard for this franchise. Let me explain.
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on December 30, 2012 under Previews |
The Dallas Mavericks (12-18) are looking to get back on the winning track as they take on the San Antonio Spurs (23-8). The Mavericks are currently on a five-game losing streak. There have only been two occasions in the Mark Cuban era where Dallas has lost at least six games. They lost six games from Feb 29, 2000 through Mar. 9, 2000 in his inaugural season, and from Jan. 6, 2011 thru Jan. 17, 2011 in the year the team won their first NBA championship.
The Mavericks only need to look back at the last game against the Spurs for motivation for this game.
Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Spurs.
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on November 23, 2012 under Commentary |
The Dallas Mavericks are trying to stay in a situation where Dirk Nowitzki has something worth playing for when he comes back from his injury. Falling below .500 is something the Mavericks are trying to avoid like the plague. There have been two chances to fall below that mark and they have survived to tell the tale. A 114-111 victory over the New York Knicks on 11/21 allowed them to avoid that sinking feeling. “During the walk-through, we really focused and understood that we were back at .500 and didn’t want to go under the water,” Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo said. “We focused up and got the win.”
After scoring all 11 of Dallas’ points in overtime against the Warriors on Monday (11/19), Mayo led all scorers with nine points in the first quarter against the Knicks on Wednesday. He totaled 20 points in a 17-minute span (he played all 5 minutes of overtime vs. Golden State 11/19 and all 12 minutes of the first quarter vs. the Knicks 11/21). Mayo finished with a game-high 27 points in 36 minutes against the Knicks. He has now scored 18-plus points in each of his last 11 games. He is averaging 24.0 points/game in that spa). Mayo has led Dallas in scoring in 10 of those 11 contests. He recorded his eighth 20-point effort of the season against the Knicks. Mayo had six 20-point outings in 66 games with Memphis last season.
Mayo continues to be the bright spot for the team as they try to stay afloat while Dirk Nowitzki is on the mend. “He played great,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said of Mayo’s performance against the Knicks. “We had a lot of guys play really well but right now he’s our leader, especially at the offensive end. During the course of the whole game, he was either making shots or making plays or helping other guys get shots. He is getting better and better and that’s exciting.”
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on October 29, 2012 under Commentary |
The Rundown is back. Every Monday, The Rundown will chronicle the week that was for the Mavericks, as well as let you know what is coming up for the boys in blue, with a unique spin. Simply put, it is your Monday catch-up on all things with the Dallas Mavericks.
If you thought you saw it all in The Rundown last week, you’ve got another thing coming. The news kept on coming for the Mavericks (most of it being unfavorable). Another chapter in the Delonte West saga was written, and new Mavericks came walking through the doors of the American Airlines Center. As the preseason wrapped up and the regular season is approaching, let’s take a look at the week for the Mavericks.
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Tags: Bernard James, Dahntay Jones, Dallas Mavericks, Darren Collison, Delonte West, Dominique Jones, Eddy Curry, Jae Crowder, Mark Cuban, O.J. Mayo, Rick Carlisle
Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on October 26, 2012 under Previews |
It’s reunion night as Brendan Haywood returns as the Charlotte Bobcats face the Dallas Mavericks play in the preseason finale. Bobcats center Brendan Haywood played in 154 games. started 81, for the Mavericks over the course of two-and-a-half seasons from 2010-12, averaging 5.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. Haywood was a member of the Mavericks’ 2011 NBA championship team. We will see the debut of Eddy Curry for the Mavericks. He should get extended minutes as Elton Brand sits due to be given the night off.
As of 6:15 pm, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Melvin Ely had not arrived at the arena.
Here are notes of interest as the Mavericks face the Bobcats.
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on October 19, 2012 under Commentary |
Depending on how you assess thing, your glass is either half empty or it’s half full. Dirk Nowitzki (the basketball snuggie) has a gimpy knee and that could really dampen the mood for fans or inside the organization, but that isn’t raining on Mark Cuban’s parade. The man who signs the checks has his glass completely full right now when looking at the potential for his new-look Mavericks squad. “I’m excited. I’m fired up about this team,” Cuban said as he was conducting his customary stairmaster interview prior to Wednesday’s preseason game. “It’s energetic, fun and exciting. It’s a new chapter. I’m ready to go.”
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Posted by Bryan Gutierrez on October 17, 2012 under Previews |
The Dallas Mavericks take the court at the American Airlines Center for the second time this week as they host the Phoenix Suns for another round of preseason basketball. This isn’t your older, slightly weirder older brother’s Phoenix Suns squad. Steve Nash and Grant Hill are out of the mix as the team is now led by Goran Dragic, Marcin Gortat and Luis Scola.
Here are some things of note to set the table for the game against the Suns.
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Posted by Rob Mahoney on August 7, 2012 under Commentary |
One of the problems with building in waves — as all NBA teams are forced to do — is that the guidelines for construction can be swept right out from under a team that’s only doing right by logic. What was applicable in June isn’t quite so valid today; it once made perfect sense for Dallas to move down in the draft to select multiple players and pick up a combo guard prospect, but now Jared Cunningham and Jae Crowder are buried in the depth chart, Bernard James is a distant 12th man, and Tyler Zeller (whom Dallas could have selected with their original 17th pick) looks to be one of the more NBA-ready players in this draft class.
The situation has shifted, and yet history has a way of only being recalled in the absolutes afforded to perfect hindsight. Consider this a preemptive strike against that line of thinking, much like the one that was needed when Dallas re-signed Brendan Haywood to a six-year, $55 million deal in the summer of 2010.
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Posted by Rob Mahoney on July 13, 2012 under Commentary, Roster Moves |
Few teams know how to rally in the wake of a plan broken like the Dallas Mavericks; the same system of contingency that netted the Mavericks Tyson Chandler in 2010 has struck again, this time with the expected acquisition of Elton Brand for the unexpected sum of $2.1 million, per Marc Stein of ESPN.com. That’s a quality get at a staggeringly low cost, and the latest in a series of moves that has returned Dallas to, if nothing else, competitive respectability. That’s miracle work considering where this team stood just a few days ago, and a strong endorsement in a front office that’s had a bit of a tough off-season. Losing out on potentially acquiring Deron Williams could still set this franchise back a few years, but the Mavericks front office has proven themselves more than capable of handling the interim with vision, purpose, and the utmost creativity.
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