Official 2011-2012 Dallas Mavericks Thread (31-26) Vol: Take a Hike Odom

[venom lyrix]

last but not least



Basketball is back, and we sit atop the mountain for the first time ever. 

With most of the team coming back, we have one major priority in this short span of time before the season starts...

* RE-SIGN Tyson Chandler!!! I don't care how much $ it'll take he is the corner stone of the team, has the heart on defense to make this team a winner, we say how many years we had no defensive presence and lost, he has to be resigned.

- JJ Barea, DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, Brian Cardinal, Caron Butler are all FA's. I think we gotta bring back Barea, I never thought I'd say that years ago, but he was solid last year off the bench. Stevenson would be another player  I want back to come off the bench. 

- Butler is gone, Chicago and others are courting him.

- Anyone out there right now you guys want to fill some holes?

New Additions - Rudy Fernandez (there was a BS report that he wasn't going to play with the Mavs this year but thats not true Story - http://espn.go.com/blog/d...pected-in-camp-and-happy

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[font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]- Obviously a big key is to get Roddy healthy this year, and he still isn't 100% as of last reports.
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[font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Shortened season, if we get Tyson back I like our chances to get far in the playoffs again.[/font]

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[font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Let's have a great season Mavs!!![/font]

Schedule




[table][tr][td]Upcoming Games[/td][/tr][tr][td]December[/td][td]Opponent[/td][td]Time[/td][td]Local TV[/td][td]Nat TV[/td][td]Radio[/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 18[/td][td] vs Oklahoma City Preseason   [/td][td] 6:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 20[/td][td] @ Oklahoma City Preseason [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 25[/td][td] vs Miami    [/td][td] 1:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 26[/td][td] vs Denver    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 29[/td][td] @ Oklahoma City  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 30[/td][td] vs Toronto    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td]January[/td][td]Opponent[/td][td]Time[/td][td]Local TV[/td][td]Nat TV[/td][td]Radio[/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 01[/td][td] @ Minnesota  [/td][td] 6:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 02[/td][td] vs Oklahoma City    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 04[/td][td] vs Phoenix    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 05[/td][td] @ San Antonio  [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 07[/td][td] vs New Orleans    [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 10[/td][td] @ Detroit  [/td][td] 6:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 11[/td][td] @ Boston  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 13[/td][td] vs Milwaukee    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 14[/td][td] vs Sacramento    [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 16[/td][td] @ LA Lakers  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 18[/td][td] @ LA Clippers  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 19[/td][td] @ Utah  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 21[/td][td] @ New Orleans  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 23[/td][td] vs Phoenix    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 25[/td][td] vs Minnesota    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 27[/td][td] vs Utah    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 29[/td][td] vs San Antonio    [/td][td] 5:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 30[/td][td] @ Phoenix  [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td]February[/td][td]Opponent[/td][td]Time[/td][td]Local TV[/td][td]Nat TV[/td][td]Radio[/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 01[/td][td] vs Oklahoma City    [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 03[/td][td] vs Indiana    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 04[/td][td] @ Cleveland  [/td][td] 6:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 08[/td][td] @ Denver  [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 10[/td][td] @ Minnesota  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 11[/td][td] vs Portland    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 13[/td][td] vs LA Clippers    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 15[/td][td] vs Denver    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 17[/td][td] @ Philadelphia  [/td][td] 6:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 19[/td][td] @ New York  [/td][td] 12:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 20[/td][td] vs Boston    [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 22[/td][td] vs LA Lakers    [/td][td] 8:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 28[/td][td] vs New Jersey    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 29[/td][td] @ Memphis  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td]March[/td][td]Opponent[/td][td]Time[/td][td]Local TV[/td][td]Nat TV[/td][td]Radio[/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 02[/td][td] @ New Orleans  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 03[/td][td] vs Utah    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 05[/td][td] @ Oklahoma City  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 06[/td][td] vs New York    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 08[/td][td] @ Phoenix  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 09[/td][td] @ Sacramento  [/td][td] 9:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 10[/td][td] @ Golden State  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 13[/td][td] vs Washington    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 15[/td][td] vs Charlotte    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 17[/td][td] vs San Antonio    [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 19[/td][td] @ Denver  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 21[/td][td] vs LA Lakers    [/td][td] 8:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 23[/td][td] @ San Antonio  [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 24[/td][td] @ Houston  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 27[/td][td] vs Houston    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 29[/td][td] @ Miami  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 30[/td][td] @ Orlando  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td]April[/td][td]Opponent[/td][td]Time[/td][td]Local TV[/td][td]Nat TV[/td][td]Radio[/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 02[/td][td] vs LA Clippers    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 04[/td][td] vs Memphis    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 06[/td][td] vs Portland    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 07[/td][td] @ Memphis  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Tue 10[/td][td] vs Sacramento    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 12[/td][td] @ Golden State  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 13[/td][td] @ Portland  [/td][td] 9:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sun 15[/td][td] @ LA Lakers  [/td][td] 2:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Mon 16[/td][td] @ Utah  [/td][td] 8:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Wed 18[/td][td] vs Houston    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Fri 20[/td][td] vs Golden State    [/td][td] 7:30pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Sat 21[/td][td] @ Chicago  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] 

[/td][td] [/td][/tr][tr][td] Thu 26[/td][td] @ Atlanta  [/td][td] 7:00pm[/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][td] [/td][/tr][/table]

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Champions +%$#$!

 

[venom lyrix]

J.J Barea says Dallas is Still his First Option




Free-agent point guard J.J. Barea said he believes he will be following Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler out of Dallas.

"It's not looking good here in Dallas, I don't think," Barea said Tuesday night. "I'm disappointed. I wasn't expecting this. Hopefully, it gets better."

The defending champion Dallas Mavericks appear to be sticking to a plan that will get the franchise below the salary cap next summer for the first time in the Mark Cuban era. The goal is to create enough cap space to aggressively pursue one of the top three potential free agents, All-Star point guards Deron Williams and Chris Paul, and three-time defending defensive player of the year, center Dwight Howard.

[h4]More on the Mavericks[/h4]

News, notes and analysis of the Mavericks from ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan, Tim MacMahon and our team. Blog

The casualties appear to be the Mavs' four free agents that played key roles in winning the franchise's first championship, including Chandler, the galvanizing defensive force, Butler, Barea and possibly also hard-edged shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson.

Barea stressed that returning to Dallas, the team that signed him five years ago as an undrafted rookie out of Northeastern, remains his priority. But, he said, talks with the Mavs and agent Dan Fegan lead him to believe that the Mavs are not prepared to offer close to what he can reap elsewhere.

"It's disappointing they're not going to do what needs to be done to bring back the team," Barea said. "I want to be come back. I think the fans want me to come back. But, I don't know."

Teams and players were allowed to begin face-to-face meetings on Monday, and players can sign contracts starting Friday. Barea said he hopes to know where he is playing soon.

"I have options," he said.

A source close to the situation said the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and theSacramento Kings still have interest, with several other teams jumping up.

Barea, who has increased his scoring average and assists in each of the last three seasons while emerging as a 20-minute-a-game player, said he believes that Chandler, the Mavs' fiery, 7-foot-1 center, will sign with another team.

Butler, the 6-foot-7 veteran forward, who underwent major knee surgery in early January and missed the remainder of the season, visited the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday after having met with the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Butler was also expected to visit the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, with the New Jersey Nets and possibly the Detroit Pistons also on his itinerary this week. Butler is seeking a multiyear deal, while the Mavs are interested in a one-year contract.

Stevenson, the defensive-minded shooting guard who knocked down big 3-point shots throughout the postseason, and especially against the Heat in the NBA Finals, is discussing options with a "number of teams," according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

Barea averaged 8.9 points and 3.9 assists in the 21 postseason games. His quickness and ability to get to the rim flustered the Lakers in the second-round sweep and he started at the shooting guard for the final three games of the NBA Finals.

In the regular season, Barea averaged career highs in scoring (9.5), assists (3.9) and minutes (20.5). He bounced back from an awful first two months shooting, ranking among the league's worst in 3-point percentage, to finish at 34.9 percent after a sizzling second half.

Barea served a critical role that allowed coach Rick Carlisle to limit Jason Kidd's playing time by nearly three minutes from the season before when Kidd, 38, entered the playoffs exhausted and was ineffective in a first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

The plan this season was to continue to decrease Kidd's regular-season minutes and that will become especially important during the compressed, 66-game schedule that includes 20 back-to-backs and one back-to-back-to-back.

Barea maintains that he hopes talks with Dallas take a U-turn and that a return is possible. But, he reiterated, he has serious doubts.

"It's still my first option," Barea said. "We'll see what happens."

 

[venom lyrix]

[h1]Jason Terry hopes for extension before Mavs’ opener[/h1]
By Dwain Price / McClatchy Newspapers
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - Added 1 day ago

ALLAS — With the regular season approaching, the Dallas Mavericks have six free agents they must make important decisions on in the coming weeks.

They also might have to make a decision on guard Jason Terry.

Terry is in the final year of his contract and wants to sign an extension before the season starts Christmas Day against the Miami Heat.

The 13-year veteran hopes he and the Mavericks are on the same page in regards to that extension.

"I don’t think it’s been talked about officially, but they know where I’m at with it," Terry said Monday. "I’ve never been in my entire career a restricted free agent and now it’s time to be a staple of this organization.

"Being here as long as I have, I think I’ve earned it. And we’ll see what happens."

As the second-highest paid Mavericks player behind Dirk Nowitzki, Terry was slated to earn $11,437,500 this season.

But the 16 games every team loses because of the lockout will cost the 6-foot-2 shooting guard $2.231 million.

The Mavericks are forbidden, under NBA rules, from discussing players and their contracts until the lockout officially ends sometime this week.

But Terry, who joined the Mavericks in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks prior to the 2004-05 season after Dallas failed to re-sign free agent Steve Nash, believes an extension would be the crown jewel of his career.

"It would mean a lot to me," Terry said. "It’ll tell me how much they feel about me and the work I’ve put in on and off the court here in this community and for the organization."

Terry became the first point guard to lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals when he averaged 17.1 points and 3.8 assists and shot 47 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from 3-point range during the 2005-06 season.

He also played a major role last season when he averaged 15.8 points in the regular season, and 17.5 points and shot 47.8 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from 3-point range during the 21-game playoff run that ended with the Mavericks winning their first world title.

The Mavericks have only retired the jerseys of Brad Davis and Rolando Blackman in their 31-year history. Terry has dreams of seeing his jersey hanging in the American Airlines [AMR] Center rafters.

"I look at Brad Davis every day he comes in the gym, and Rolando Blackman," Terry said. "Those two guys I emulated and watched while growing up.

"You watch NBA-TV, you see them. They’re what it means to be a Maverick, and I took some of those same characteristics

 

[cool hand Luka]

Just want to see Roddy B healthy. Brings a great option on the bench, different dimension to the team if he's healthy.

 

[moneylicious]

Will you guys have the ring ceremony opening night?

 

[trelvis tha thrilla]

Worried about this season. Looks like Butler, Barea, and Chandler are on their way out. Seeing some people want the Mavs to look at Richard Jefferson...Just not real comfortable if the Mavs have to rely on Roddy B, Haywood, Corey Brewer, etc...as key pieces.

Its just so dangerous to risk a season to try and make a move for D. Will or someone like that next season. Who knows what will happen between now and then. On the flip side, I dont want the Mavs to overpay for a guy like Barea.

Originally Posted by MoNeyLiCiouS

Will you guys have the ring ceremony opening night?

Will raise the banner. Ring ceremony will be later in the season.

 

[moneylicious]

Originally Posted by Trelvis Tha Thrilla

Worried about this season. Looks like Butler, Barea, and Chandler are on their way out. Seeing some people want the Mavs to look at Richard Jefferson...Just not real comfortable if the Mavs have to rely on Roddy B, Haywood, Corey Brewer, etc...as key pieces.

Its just so dangerous to risk a season to try and make a move for D. Will or someone like that next season. Who knows what will happen between now and then. On the flip side, I dont want the Mavs to overpay for a guy like Barea.

Originally Posted by MoNeyLiCiouS

Will you guys have the ring ceremony opening night?

Will raise the banner. Ring ceremony will be later in the season.

I am disapoint

 

[venom lyrix]

Ring ceremony later in the season?!??!

Why not do it on opening night vs Miami, seems like it's perfect. It literally couldn't have worked out better.

When are they going to do it? VS who?

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Originally Posted by venom lyrix

Ring ceremony later in the season?!??!

Why not do it on opening night vs Miami, seems like it's perfect. It literally couldn't have worked out better.

When are they going to do it? VS who?

Cuban didn't have time to the rings made fast enough.

 

[kiddwill58]

we better see some good news come friday i swear

 

[playoff12]

Checking in. I'm going to be very disappointed if we lose both Chandler and Barea, especially Chandler.

I'm definitely going to miss scoring all day with Butler in 2K, too.

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Originally Posted by kiddwill58

we better see some good news come friday i swear

If we break up a championship team to chase pipe dreams I'll be pissed.

 

[sooperhooper]

wait, they're not doing the ring ceremony on christmas day?! That is literally the perfect time to do it, and on top of that, they're playing the heat

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Only my team man, finally win a championship then not even give the team a chance to defend it together.

Damn shame.

 

[venom lyrix]

Looks like we are losing Chandler today, sources say he may sign with the Knicks this afternoon.

 

[venom lyrix]

What are Mavs thinking? Mark Cuban explains

December, 8, 2011
DEC 8
11:35
PM CT
EmailPrintComments
129
By Tim MacMahon

I emailed Mark Cuban with one question: What am I missing?

It took a while to get to the question. The email started with my take on his Mavericks’ recent moves, or lack thereof: It appears that their logic is that the team’s long-term outlook is better if they attempt to reload next summer instead of bringing a championship team back intact to defend its title. The likely low odds of landing a superstar, given the landscape in the league and contract rules, makes this difficult to understand.

Then again, I didn’t think trading for Tyson Chandler last summer was a last-piece-in-a-championship-puzzle kind of move … so there’s no doubt Cuban and Donnie Nelson have earned benefit of the doubt. Or at least the opportunity to fully explain their decision-making process.

Still, it seemed that with the harsher luxury tax penalties not kicking in for a couple of years, the Mavs could have kept Chandler and sparkplug guard J.J. Barea and tried to maximize at least the next two seasons. What am I missing?

Here is the explanation straight from the keyboard of the Mavs’ owner on the first night he is free to speak again about the team's roster:
If this were the old CBA rules, we probably would have kept everyone together. But the rules changed.

If we were able to sign everyone to two-year deals, that would have possibly changed things as well, but that wasn’t in the cards either.

What you are missing is that it’s not about the luxury tax. It’s about the ability to improve our team going forward.

The reality is that in the new system, cap room will have far more value than it had in the past. I realize that everyone is all freaked out about how and where free agents and future free agents are going, but it’s not just about getting one guy.

We are not saving cap room in hope of that one super special free agent being there. It’s about being in the position to improve every year and possibly add some significant, younger players next year and in future years.

What I don’t think people understand is that once a team hits the tax level the ability to improve our team is reduced dramatically. In addition, your ability to make trades is reduced. So basically, if we made the move to keep everyone together with five-year deals, the team we have today is going to be the team we have for the next five years. If we were a young team it would be one thing. But we are not a young team.

In the past, it was different. If we had a problem, I could fix any mistake by having Donnie find a trade and just taking on more money. That is how we got Jet, the Matrix, JKidd, Tyson. It was always about taking on more money. That trick doesn’t work any more for teams over the tax. So we have to change our approach. By getting back under the cap, we have a ton of flexibility not only for free agent signings but also trades. If we can get the right guy(s) via free agency, great. if we do it via trade, great. We have that much more flexibility to make moves.

Again, I know this is tough for all of us after winning a championship. But we still believe as much as last year we are in a position to compete for a championship.

The difference is that with this approach, we can be in a position to compete for a championship this year and to reload and continue to compete in future years.

By just signing everyone to long-term deals, there is no chance of that happening.

We won last year because we put ourselves in a position to create opportunities that brought us the right players at the right time.

We structured contracts in ways that gave us upside. 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.

 

[Peep Game]

My utter disgust for the Dallas Cowboys will not allow me to root for the Mavericks. Marion, Kidd, and Dirk
are my dudes though

, been supporting them from day one.

 

[SneakerProSr.]

Originally Posted by venom lyrix

What are Mavs thinking? Mark Cuban explains

December, 8, 2011
DEC 8
11:35
PM CT
EmailPrintComments
129
By Tim MacMahon

I emailed Mark Cuban with one question: What am I missing?

It took a while to get to the question. The email started with my take on his Mavericks’ recent moves, or lack thereof: It appears that their logic is that the team’s long-term outlook is better if they attempt to reload next summer instead of bringing a championship team back intact to defend its title. The likely low odds of landing a superstar, given the landscape in the league and contract rules, makes this difficult to understand.

Then again, I didn’t think trading for Tyson Chandler last summer was a last-piece-in-a-championship-puzzle kind of move … so there’s no doubt Cuban and Donnie Nelson have earned benefit of the doubt. Or at least the opportunity to fully explain their decision-making process.

Still, it seemed that with the harsher luxury tax penalties not kicking in for a couple of years, the Mavs could have kept Chandler and sparkplug guard J.J. Barea and tried to maximize at least the next two seasons. What am I missing?

Here is the explanation straight from the keyboard of the Mavs’ owner on the first night he is free to speak again about the team's roster:
If this were the old CBA rules, we probably would have kept everyone together. But the rules changed.

If we were able to sign everyone to two-year deals, that would have possibly changed things as well, but that wasn’t in the cards either.

What you are missing is that it’s not about the luxury tax. It’s about the ability to improve our team going forward.

The reality is that in the new system, cap room will have far more value than it had in the past. I realize that everyone is all freaked out about how and where free agents and future free agents are going, but it’s not just about getting one guy.

We are not saving cap room in hope of that one super special free agent being there. It’s about being in the position to improve every year and possibly add some significant, younger players next year and in future years.

What I don’t think people understand is that once a team hits the tax level the ability to improve our team is reduced dramatically. In addition, your ability to make trades is reduced. So basically, if we made the move to keep everyone together with five-year deals, the team we have today is going to be the team we have for the next five years. If we were a young team it would be one thing. But we are not a young team.

In the past, it was different. If we had a problem, I could fix any mistake by having Donnie find a trade and just taking on more money. That is how we got Jet, the Matrix, JKidd, Tyson. It was always about taking on more money. That trick doesn’t work any more for teams over the tax. So we have to change our approach. By getting back under the cap, we have a ton of flexibility not only for free agent signings but also trades. If we can get the right guy(s) via free agency, great. if we do it via trade, great. We have that much more flexibility to make moves.

Again, I know this is tough for all of us after winning a championship. But we still believe as much as last year we are in a position to compete for a championship.

The difference is that with this approach, we can be in a position to compete for a championship this year and to reload and continue to compete in future years.

By just signing everyone to long-term deals, there is no chance of that happening.

We won last year because we put ourselves in a position to create opportunities that brought us the right players at the right time.

We structured contracts in ways that gave us upside. 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.

I love Cuban, I really do but this is all BS.

 

[do work son]

i just came here to say that i hate you all. yes im salty.

 

 

[venom lyrix]

what do you guys think about Cuban going after Rip Hamilton?

 

[venom lyrix]

Dallas is in hot pursuit of Vince Carter for Veteran Depth

 

[cool hand Luka]

Originally Posted by do work son

i just came here to say that i hate you all. yes im salty.

�

How you gonna do that to the Brads, greatest player of all time for the Mavs... #44 for life

 

[jd214]

Going after Vince Carter?

5-7 years to late.

 

[SneakerProSr.]

I hated getting Tyson last year, I wanted Al Jefferson. I was wrong.


I'm going to give til the first 10 games of the season before I start complaining too much.

We still the champs.