Even millionaires sing the blues. After the 2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks, winners of 55 games, were eliminated from the playoffs by their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, Mark Cuban felt a need to go back to his gold-encrusted, drawing board… and probably mix himself a stiff drink while doing so.
An apologetic and obviously dejected Cuban could only sit Thursday night (and throw a water cooler or two) as he watched his Mavericks fall short of winning a championship once again.
It might not be entirely fair to call this year’s Mavericks underachievers but big things were expected. They now find themselves watching as Kobe, LeBron and a handful of other NBA superstars compete for a title, while their own star’s future hangs in the balance. Greats like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone and Dominique Wilkins all ended their careers without a coveted ring. With every passing season, it looks more and more like Dirk Nowitzki might follow in their footsteps.
This summer, Nowitzki can opt out of the final year of his contract. He’s the Mavericks all-time leader in points and rebounds. He is the face of the franchise. He has a combination of talent and size the league has not seen before. He’s a former MVP and still a top ten, if not top five, player in the league. That being said, he’s once again watching the rest of the playoffs from his living room, if he can bear to watch at all.
Mavericks fans should be accustomed to this by now, their shining moment coming in the Finals only a few years ago when they led two games to nothing over the Miami Heat. Then Dwyane Wade came to life and the rest is history.
So where do we assess blame? Cuban? Nowitzki? The coaching staff? Pointing fingers in retrospect is always easy but it’s fair to ask why this team continues to come up short in the playoffs. The lack of an effective, offensive post threat seems to be the common denominator in all of Dallas’ meltdowns. Brendan Haywood’s and Erick Dampier’s combined 1-3 from the floor in an elimination game is a prime example. Despite his seven-foot frame, Dirk is primarily a perimeter player and Dallas is primarily a perimeter team.
For a brief moment in Thursday’s Game Six, all seemed right in Dallas. The Mavericks, record-wise the second best team in the Western Conference, were down by as many as 22, only to come back and take the lead. Spurs fans will tell you they weren’t nervous but they’d be lying. The last thing they wanted was to return to Dallas for a seventh game.
That never happened. The Spurs held on and now advance to play Phoenix, who by the way feature a two-time MVP point guard who used to receive paychecks from none other than Mark Cuban.
This, of course, is yesterday’s news, but one can only wonder what would have happened had the Mavericks held onto Steve Nash the years he went ape-shit, leading the league in assists and never shooting under 50% from the floor.
To suggest Steve Nash is better than Jason Kidd, the Mavs’ current point guard, makes for interesting debate. Nash has two MVP awards, Kidd has none. Kidd has two NBA Finals appearances, Nash has none. But for the Mavs, Nash may have been the better fit. He’s the consistent scorer the Mavs so desperately need.
Holding on to Nash isn’t the only ‘what if” Cuban is probably asking himself. What if Dirk hadn’t landed his fourth foul in the first half of Game Six? What if there wasn’t the pressure to trade Josh Howard, who at one point seemed to be the Mavs’ missing link? What if Jason Kidd were able to shoot better than 30% from the floor when it mattered most? And of course, what if they had a center who could score double-digits or at least take more than ten shots a game, something Dampier hasn’t done since coming to Dallas in 2004?
What team doesn’t need at least a serviceable center, someone who demands the ball and can take pressure off the rest of the offense, aka Dirk? This year the Lakers, Jazz, Magic, Cavs, Hawks, Suns, Celtics are all still in the playoffs and all have big men that can score when called upon. Even Jordan’s Bulls won six championships with a rotation of centers that were far more productive than anything the Mavs have had during their run. Haywood and Dampier were noticeable if only for their ineffectiveness.
Winning in the NBA isn’t easy. That’s why only a handful of coaches and superstars (Kobe, Duncan, Phil, Pop) boast the bulk of the rings while others (Karl, Sloan, Dirk, LeBron) remain on the outside looking in. Heck, it took a miracle, and some crafty negotiating by Danny Ainge, to allow Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to earn just ONE championship.
As if this off-season weren’t going to be interesting enough with the impending free agencies of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudamire and Chris Bosh, we can potentially add Dirk to that list. Once Cuban has recovered from the disappointment, he’ll take another long look at his roster, most assuredly consult Nowitzki and determine what needs to be done to get over the hump. Mavs fans are hoping they can do so because it hasn’t happened yet.
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Chris
Please the Mavericks are underachievers ! What other adjective would you use to describe them without using some form of profanity ?
The Mavericks have now become the poster child of the way not to assemble a team in the NBA !
They are my bi_ches ! And that’s just the way I like it !
Mark Cuban walks on water ? No he doesn’t but he does wreak of dog’s fecal matter !
Alan Parkins
So says the Spurs fan.
Bad first round match-up for Dallas, Al.
Do you think the Thunder could have beat them?
Chris
Are you talkin’ thunder as in the team or the weather phenomenon ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!! cause from where I sit a varsity basketball team could’ve whupped on the Mavs’ a_s ! They’re not that tough. Who’s your daddy ……Mavs’ fans ?
Alan Parkins
What’s worse, Al, is that http://sportschump.net is getting a lot of hits from comments I left on the Dallas Observer.
Don’t kick a Mavs fan when he’s down.
The real unfortunate thing about all this is that things are lining up real nicely for a Lakers return to the Finals.
Think the Spurs can muster up enough juice to get past the purple and gold?
Here’s what I don’t understand, Al…. and Mavs fans that make it down this far.
You have Erick Dampier and you traded for Brendan Haywood. They’re not the WORST centers in the world. Heck, Dampier took his Mississippi State team to the Final Four.
But they’re not TAKING shots.
Here are their lines for the series.
Game One
Dampier: 0-for-3
Haywood: 4-for-5
(Kidd took 12 shots that game)
Game Two
Dampier: 0-for-1
Haywood: 1-for-3
(Nowitzki shot 24 shots that game)
Game Three
Dampier: 0-for-1
Haywood: 2-for-2
(Nowitzki took 23 shots that game)
Game Four
Dampier: 0-for-2
Haywood: 3-for-6
(Jason Kidd took 10 shots that game)
Game Five
Dampier did not play
Haywood: 1-for-3
(Marion, Nowitzki and Butler took 50 of the team’s 84 shot attempts.
Don’t tell me that Dampier or Haywood can’t score. Heck, how would they know if they don’t even attempt a shot??
Had the Mavs held on to Nash, Mavs “fans” would be ripping Cuban for that. There’s something wrong with the NBA when it’s highest-scoring, most entertaining teams (Suns, Mavs) get beat down. It’s as bad as watching all of that clutching and grabbing that the NHL used to allow.
Philip… I think you can be entertaining and still play defense.
Year after year, the NBA proves that the more well-rounded and better defensive teams are the ones hoisting the O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season.
Mavs fans can take solace in the fact that at least they have an owner who gives a damn and spends money to build a winner. At this point, we’re just all wondering whether that money is really well spent.
I actually think the Mavs got caught in a bad matchup, but then again if they played the way they did, they probably would’ve lost to a bunch of teams. The Mavs are just one of those teams that doesn’t seem to progress in the postseason… They’ve been there plenty of times, but get knocked out in the first round 4 of 5 times. I think the Mavs problem was they changed too many “big” parts at the deadline. Butler was a good pickup, but at the same time I felt like he was a black hole with the ball. When he had it the team stopped moving, and just waited for him to shoot. I don’t remember that happening with Howard. I like your breakdown of the shot charts for the centers.
But here’s the thing, Chap.
The road through the Finals in the West goes through Los Angeles, who have their fair share of big men in Odom, Gasol and Bynum. And it’s not like the Spurs are a flash in the pan. They’ve essentially been the same team for years and Dallas hasn’t had an answer.
Cleveland adjusted to Orlando by bringing Shaq on. While the Mavs landed Haywood, they didn’t really use him. They have nothing but perimeter scorers and ultimately, that led to their demise.
I think this team needs to land a consistent scorer in the post. And once they get tht guy, they need to feed him. It’d make life so much easier for Dirk.
Think about it, man.
In 120 minutes played in the San Antonio series for Erick Dampier, he didn’t have a single field goal.
They’re paying him TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS!!!
Chris
chappy once had the temerity to suggest that Dampier was a good post up player. I hear however the USPS weren’t in need of his services ?
Alan Parkins
Al… he might be looking them up soon. I’ll let you know if I ever see him delivering my mail. I’m not sure when his contract is up but I don’t see them keeping him and it’s not like anyone would want him.
He has the size. I just don’t know if he has the desire to be a scorer in the league. Posting up is really not all that difficult.
If I’m Dirk, the team captain, I have Dampier post me up in practice all season long to give that guy some confidence.
How does Dampier go the entire series only taking 8 shots?!? You’d think he’d get that many field goal attempts just picking up some rebounds.
Oh wait, he doesn’t do that either.
chappy
Is that meant to be logical thinking on your part ? The Mavs were caught in a bad matchup ? Hell that’s like saying I won’t go out in the sun because I’ll get sun burnt. What the hell sort of thinking is that ? Teams are meant to adapt and evolve and not lay down like a dying dog !
Here’s a bad matchup chappy Halle Berry and Clay Aiken ! But somehow you’ll be able to find something positive out of that ?
Alan Parkins
Chris
The only thing the Mavs’ are liable to deliver for the foreseeable future is the bull_hit that comes out of Cuban’s mouth. It’s not always on time but somehow it manages to get delivered ?
Is Carlisle the softest coach in the NBA or what ? The only thing that guy could intimidate would be his own damn shadow !
Alan Parkins
It Wasn’t That Energizing To Begin With ………. !
Alan Parkins
Chris
Both Dampier and Haywood did take shots . Vitamin b shots that is . LOL,LOL, LOL !!! It wouldn’t surprise me if GM Donnie Nelson is on his way out as well as Rick Carlisle ! I mean what talent has either developed or nurtured since they’ve been there ?
Alan Parkins
Chris
I can tell you this my pooch Buster will definitely start barking if it’s either Dampier or Haywood delivering my mail . He has distinctive hear things out of the ordinary which both Dampier and Haywood are . Two African Americans close to 6’10” plus but who possess about as much athleticism as a drag queen , namely Ru Paul. I man c’mon their contributions to the Mavs has been marginally less than Palin brought to the table in support of McCain during the Presidential elections . Could it have gotten any worse for either ?
Alan Parkins
I agree with you, Al.
It was a bad match-up but they were going to have to face them eventually. That’s no excuse.
Well, Al, Jim Carrey will be playing Carlisle in “NBA: The Movie.”
I still contend that Dampier and Haywood are serviceable centers. If I were their coach, I’d draw plays up for them early and often, make them score in the post, give them some confidence, teach them how to pass out of a double-team and watch things open up for Kidd, Dirk, Marion and Butler.
But hey, what do I know?
Al… I’m not sure where the Mavs need to start but if Mr. Cuban wants to bring me on as a consultant, I’d gladly help him out.
I hear he knows how to party.
And Al…
I’m pretty sure Buster would successfully defend your house… as well as the post against Haywood and Dampier.
It’s not like they’re taking any shots.
Chris
I’m trying to get Buster to understand you don’t defecate in the house . However if he sees a Mavs’ fan then it’s OK to defecate on ’em !
Cuban will be reprising the role of Leonides when they do a remake of ‘300’. However this time around the Spartans will be played by members of the Mavericks who’ll bend over backwards to take their punishment.
Here’s looking at you Dallas fans read ’em and weep ! LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
Alan Parkins
Al… sometimes I worry about you, man.
Take ‘300’ out of the DVD. Celtics-Cavs are on and you should be breaking down game film of the Suns.
I still believe Damp has a post game, it just never showed up. I watched him during some of his better years at GS, so maybe that’s where I saw him play halfway decent, because he was playing for a big contract. The problem with him was, which guy would show up. The aggressive one or the guy who doesn’t give a f***. Anyways, Go Suns!
I think you guys are both missing my point.
Three field goals is not enough for ANY starting center to take.
I understand how Carlisle wants Dirk, Caron and Marion to take the bulk of the shots. But there has to be at least one game where their center of choice, either Haywood or Dampier, takes a good amount of shots in one game. Preferably multiple games.
If I were coaching that team, I’d rather live and die with those two taking shots and missing them, than relying solely upon shots from the perimeter.
Chris
That Mavs’ roster was assembled as if it were a jig saw puzzle with missing and ill fittin’ parts. Who the hell in the NBA assembles a team like that nowadays ? That’s unless they’re mentally retarded !
Alan Parkins
Dampier was aggressive ? What when he was puttin’ on his uniform ?
That’s something that he and Manute Bol have in common !
Alan Parkins
Chris
Saints are in some serious trouble !
Alan Parkins
Chris
So how does this all pan out for the Saints and will it hurt the distribution supply chain that’s provided by the Colombian and Mexicali cartels in the Southeast United States ? I mean the DEA has got to now be worried hasn’t it ? It’s also pis_in’ of the guys in Ft Meade and Bartow who like to cook up meth and supply much of the Eastern seaboard.
Now you’ve got the NFL encroaching in on their territory . What’s next ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
Alan Parkins
Al… I will agree with you that the Mavs parts are greater individually than their sum.
Sometimes that’s coaching though, man.
I think what Chap meant to say was that Damp’s agent was the aggressive one when landing his client that contract.
Meanwhile, Dampier plays like he just woke up.
Again, Al, I don’t know what to make of that Payton story. I’ll wait for more details to emerge.
Hopefully none of it’s true. Is it naive to believe that?
Maybe Payton just thought it was Rolaids after eating too much et touffe.
Chris
It’s alleged that Payton and an assistant coach stole medication from the team’s facilities. The fact that it was Vicodin and a medication that requires a prescription for its use makes things all the more worse. Payton Vitt and GM Ricky Loomis are stating that the plaintiff is trying to extort money. Like we haven’t hear that one before ?
If ballplayers can be ‘roid cheats then why can’t their coaches be assumed to be like that as well. I mean La Russa has had his problems with prescription drugs and alcohol. So you’re telling me that an NFL coach can’t have the same problem ?
Ex Bengals’ & Pats’ RB Corey Dillon smacks his wife about but says it was all a misunderstanding . I guess that means …..”loves means never having to say you’re sorry ” ? I wonder how the bruised cheeks and arm of hers is feeling right about now ?
Nothing makes a man look more like a p_$sy than a guy who beats up on a female .
Alan Parkins
Chris
Would you blame the low turnout of 8,000 for a ballgame at the A’s Coliseum on one of the following ?
The fans are disinterested in the team
The facilities at the Coliseum suck
Baseball in Oakland just isn’t worth it anymore
Ownership simply hasn’t a clue.
Moneyball is overrated and has now become redundant
All of the above
Alan Parkins
Chris
If Rick Carlisle can coach it’s just that his forte` isn’t coaching men’s basketball or even in the NBA.
So John Paxon made sure that Del Negro’s a_s was most definitely hit by the door on the way out in Chicago ? I guess there’s no chance of them whatsoever sharing a brewski or Christmas cards over the festive period then ?
Alan Parkins
The Big 3 is no more. Now it’s just the Big 1. Rajon Rondo. He’s the real deal. Imagine how he’ll be next season after he gets a decent perimeter shot. The guy should be putting up 25 pts. and 15 asst. per game. When he has LeBron James guarding him, you know how important he is to the Celtics. Doc called it when he said that Rondo is the key to winning this series against the Cavs.
If this turns out to be true, I’m sure Goodell will bring down the heavy hand.
Drug abuse is not something the league takes lightly. I’m sure Goodell has his peeps on it.
Regarding the A’s, Al, they have a better record than the Red Sox and Fenway is still selling out.
Off the top of my head, I couldn’t name a single player on the A’s. What athletes do they have that you would actually pay to see play?
That’s now two coaches, Skiles and Del Negro, that Pax has gotten rid of.
The Bulls are going to want to make a huge splash in free agency and they’re going to want a big name coach to land one of those big name players.
I’m just not sure Doug Collins is the answer.
Snake…
I think we all agree with you, and Doc, that Rondo is the key to the series. Allen was stroking it last night but both Pierce and KG looked sluggish for a while. They need Rondo’s energy and offensive push to get to the next round. 19 assists is nasty.
Good win last night for the C’s. Let’s see if they can hold serve going back to Beantown.
Chris
There are some damn good players on that A’s team and Billy Beane is one hell of a GM ! That being said I think ‘Moneyball’ has become a thing of the past ! I mean what has it gotten them as of late ? What needs to be done is the club to be sold to someone who’ll run it like a real business and not some Ma & Pa cornershop outfit !
Take your pick ?
# Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
40 Andrew Bailey R-R 6’3″ 245 May 31, 1984
13 Jerry Blevins L-L 6’6″ 180 Sep 6, 1983
51 Dallas Braden L-L 6’1″ 190 Aug 13, 1983
56 Craig Breslow L-L 6’1″ 180 Aug 8, 1980
53 Trevor Cahill R-R 6’4″ 220 Mar 1, 1988
58 Justin Duchscherer R-R 6’3″ 200 Nov 19, 1977
57 Chad Gaudin R-R 5’10” 190 Mar 24, 1983
47 Gio Gonzalez R-L 5’11” 205 Sep 19, 1985
66 Tyson Ross R-R 6’6″ 225 Apr 22, 1987
15 Ben Sheets R-R 6’1″ 220 Jul 18, 1978
48 Michael Wuertz R-R 6’3″ 225 Dec 15, 1978
31 Brad Ziegler R-R 6’4″ 210 Oct 10, 1979
# Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
29 Josh Donaldson R-R 6’0″ 215 Dec 8, 1985
35 Landon Powell S-R 6’3″ 255 Mar 19, 1982
# Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
10 Daric Barton L-R 6’0″ 215 Aug 16, 1985
3 Eric Chavez L-R 6’1″ 215 Dec 7, 1977
50 Jake Fox R-R 6’0″ 220 Jul 20, 1982
5 Kevin Kouzmanoff R-R 6’1″ 210 Jul 25, 1981
1 Eric Patterson L-R 6’0″ 170 Apr 8, 1983
2 Cliff Pennington S-R 5’11” 200 Jun 15, 1984
7 Adam Rosales R-R 6’2″ 195 May 20, 1983
30 Steven Tolleson R-R 5’11” 185 Nov 1, 1983
# Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
11 Rajai Davis R-R 5’10” 195 Oct 19, 1980
18 Gabe Gross L-R 6’3″ 220 Oct 21, 1979
21 Ryan Sweeney L-L 6’4″ 225 Feb 20, 1985
===================
There’s got to be someone there who you’d like to suiting up for the Red Sox ?
Alan Parkins
Chris
So let me get this straight Latrell Sprewell can choke the shiznik out of P J Carlesimo , gets fined and suspended. Bulls’ GM John Paxon threatens during an altercation with coach Vinny Del Negro , threatens him with bodily harm . And the NBA and the Bulls simply stand there and do nothing ? What’s wrong with that picture ?
Were that an African American NBA exec there’d be hell to pay and the likes of Limbaugh would be calling him a street thug ! So it’s no longer ’bout black and white in the NBA but merely ’bout perception as far as most are concerned .
This is what’s so fu__ked up with the sports hierarchy. It’s become about who you know and what you do . Not about right or wrong at all .
I hear the Dolphins’ Jeff Ireland is heading into Liberty City and Overtown this weekend to get laid and score some crack cocaine. He apparently tried to get in touch with Dez Bryant again to see if he could have Bryant’s Mom’s number ?
Dez wasn’t picking up apparently .
Sean Payton wants everyone to know that he doesn’t do Vicodin or Oxycodone but he is insured with GEICO. So simple even a caveman can do it.
Alan Parkins
Chris
Let me know when you make it to Big D . I’ll see if I can get a transfer out there . Big pimpin’ to be had in Big D so I’ve been told .
Alan Parkins
Chris
I’m not saying the Hawks were bad . But Jesus even the Lord God worked for six days to create before he took a rest. I could swear I saw several recliners and a barcalounger on the sidelines by the Hawks’ bench . What’s up with that ?
Theirs Was A Relationship Much Like Any Other …………. Well Unless You Just Happen To High Be Strung And Volatile ……………
Alan Parkins
Yeah, Al.
I’ll take whichever one of them has the most dingers.
Interesting point about comparing the Spree situation to the Pax-Del Negro throw down.
Maybe they’ll have that as the undercard for the Pacquaio-Mayweather fight.
I’m still working on a Magic-Hawks preview, Al.
If I don’t hurry and get it up, the series might be over with.
Chris
The Hawks and Mike Woodson and working on a new game plan ? Marco ? Polo ! ………
Del Negro has come off as being the hero in this spectacle whereas Paxson has embarrassed himself and Bulls’ organization !
And how Stern hasn’t fined or suspended Paxson is beyond me ! Were that an African American senior NBA executive doing that to a white player let alone a coach. Then there’d have been hell to pay and we’d have had Hannity, Limbaugh and O’Reilly declaring that individual to be a downright street thug or hoodlum.
Alan Parkins
Chris
Paxson and Del Negro as part of a big fight undercard . Hell no way ! That’s like a pillow fight ‘tween Elton John and Clay Aiken. Now say it with me …….. ‘hell no way’ !
Hump Day Wednesday Let’s Have Some Fun With A Caption Contest ……………… !
Alan Parkins
Watch for the names Chris Carter and Michael Taylor on the A’s at some point this year. They are two big time sluggers we have in AAA. I’ve seen them play in Sacramento, and they seem legit. Since we have about zero power, these two guys should be called up sooner or later to fill that power void. They are both under 25, and will be starting for the A’s next year at the very least.
Chris
Is having sex with one’s grandmother what guys now purport to mean having fun in the Hoosier state ? I thought that was meant to be incestuous ? I wouldn’t have believed it had I not read it with my own eyes.
72-yr-old to have baby with grandson
LONDON: A 72-year-old granny and her own grandson are set to have a baby, according to reports. Pearl Carter, from Indiana, is reportedly having an incestuous affair with her 26-year-old grandchild Phil Bailey, reports The Sun.
And she’s now using her pension to pay $54,000 to a surrogate mother so they can have a child, say reports in New Idea magazine in New Zealand. Pearl said: “I’m not interested in anyone else’s opinion. I am in love with Phil and he’s in love with me. Soon I’ll be holding my son or daughter in my arms and Phil will be the proud dad.”
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Gives a completely new meaning to the phrase I’ll be tucking grandma for her early afternoon repast ! “Tucking” being the operative word !
As Don King put it so succinctly “….. only in America ” !
So college basketball is second most popular pastime in the state after-all then ? Next to having sex with your grandmother that is ! LOL, LOL,LOL !!! And who knew ?
Alan Parkins
These Things We Hold To Be Self Evident And True ……………..Yah Dah, Yah Dah, Ya Dah !
Alan Parkins
Al… as you’ll read in my latest post, the Atlanta-Orlando match-up has all the makings of a short series.
I’m confident Del Negro will land on his feet.
We’ll see what comes of Pax if he can’t make a splash with both a big name coach and high profile free agent this off-season.
Chap…
I’ll admit to not getting into full baseball mode yet.
A) It’s still NBA playoffs and
B) I live in an AL East town
Don’t lie, Al.
We all know you got that grandma story out of the Dundee Times.
Chris
This happened in the heart of Hoosier country. In Polk the Caucasians here are a tad-bit more intelligent but nonetheless in some cases they bear the same trait.
!
Metamucil is now off grandma’s dietary needs and wants. Now she’s all ’bout the _ick !
Men of certain in that state have questionable tastes and pass-times. College basketball and sex with grandma .
Alan Parkins
No problem on not getting into baseball mode yet. I fall in and out of it until July, and since my team is never in the NBA playoffs, I probably don’t watch the NBA playoffs as closely as I would if they were actually in there! You’re lucky you have a good team to root for!
That’s very true, Chap.
Having a team in it does make the playoffs more enjoyable to watch, although I’m an NBA homer and would watch anyway.
Case in point, with the Florida Gators having a piss-poor team the past three years, March Madness seemed to have lost its luster for me lately.
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