Offseason Grades: Southwest Division

[djohn2oo8]

I thought that I would post this article to give everyone a laugh, once you see the grades New Orleans and Dallas got, you will know what I mean

Offseason Grades: The Southwest


By: Bill Ingram ([email protected])
(http://spurstalk.com/forums/#)

(http://spurstalk.com/forums/#)




San Antonio Spurs
Added/Retained: Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Marcus Haislip
Lost: Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas
Review: The San Antonio Spurs

(http://spurstalk.com/forums/#)appeared to be a team on the verge of rebuilding at the end of the 2008-09 season. The ongoing injury issues with Manu Ginobili all but sabotaged the season, as the Spurs weren't able to consistently replace his offense or his overall impact on the team. They were still tough and competitive without him, but they weren't able to win even a first round playoff series in which they had home court advantage. With the national media obsessed with talk of how "old" the Spurs were, pundits across the league said the Spurs' era of dominance was over.
The Spurs themselves have other ideas.
One of the most lopsided trades in recent history saw the Spurs acquire Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks for what basically amounted to scraps, and with Jefferson in place the Spurs can expect to be right back at the top of the NBA's Western Conference regardless of how effective Manu Ginobili might be. Jefferson is a lethal scoring option (.397% from NBA three last season), and gives the Spurs an entire new dimension to explore on the offensive end. The subsequent additions of Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff added toughness to their front line, and in drafting DeJaun Blair they landed an instant double-double threat.
Don't jump the gun and start talking about the Spurs having the best record in the Western Conference, no matter how likely that may seem in August. Head coach Gregg Popovich is always more concerned about making sure his older players are rested than he is about winning the conference or even the division. Add to that the fact that the Spurs play in one of the toughest divisions, and the Lakers
are still likely to have the best record in the West. Once the playoffs start, however, all bets are off.
Grade: A

New Orleans Hornets
Added/Retained: Emeka Okafor, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton, Ike Diogu,
Lost: Tyson Chandler, Rasual Butler

Review: The New Orleans Hornets haven't had a flashy summer, but they have been quietly efficient. The Emeka Okafor/Tyson Chandler trade may not have been sexy, but it gave the Hornets a more consistent presence in the paint (he hasn't missed a single game over the last two seasons). It will also be interesting to see how good he might be under the influence of Chris Paul. Tyson Chandler was ready to wash out of the NBA before he landed in New Orleans, where Chris Paul made him one of the better second-tier centers in the league. Will CP3 make Okafor an All-Star? If he does, the Hornets could find themselves right back in contention for the West's best record in 2009-10. It will also be interesting to see if Ike Diogu can finally find his NBA game playing alongside Paul.
The draft was very good to the Hornets, who got Darren Collison in the first round and then acquired Marcus Thornton from the second round. Collison and Thornton were easily the best back court in summer league play, and while that doesn't necessarily translate directly into regular season play, the Hornets are very high on their young backcourt tandem.
Two seasons ago the Hornets were among the West's elite, but their journey towards postseason glory was derailed last season due to ongoing significant injuries. If they can get healthy, the additions and tweaks they've made this summer should get them back in that discussion.
Grade: B-

Dallas Mavericks
Added/Retained: Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tim Thomas, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai, Quinton Ross, Rodrigue Beaubois, Greg Buckner
Lost: Jerry Stackhouse, Antoine Wright, Devean George

Review: Major changes don't often equate to better on-court performance, and once again the Dallas Mavericks will test that theory. The addition of Shawn Marion could be a significant one, though as of this writing the Mavericks have two starting small forwards and no starting shooting guard. Still, they got Marion for next to nothing. Stackhouse has probably played his last game, Devean George was never effective for the Mavs, and Antoine Wright is a contributor, but not a star by any stretch of the imagination.
Re-signing Jason Kidd was inevitable, and it means the clock is now officially ticking on the Dirk Nowitzki era of Mavericks basketball. The future is no longer the focus, and winning as many games as can possibly be won today is the theme. Kidd still has plenty of basketball left in his tank (or better, at his price), and the onus is now on the Mavs' front office to make sure they have the right team around him.
The rest of the summer has been less than impressive for the Mavs, with names like Tim Thomas, Kris Humphries and Quinton Ross now in the mix. Rodrigue Beaubois had his moments in summer league, but he's likely a year or two away from cracking the lineup consistently. There's no urgency there, as Jason Terry and JJ Barea will get all of the point guard minutes off the bench as well as some of the two guard minutes.
The big question now is whether or not the Mavs can compete with the likes of the Spurs, Blazers, Lakers, Hornets and Nuggets for Western Conference supremacy. They're certainly a playoff team, but is a second round exit good enough for this team? As things stand today, it's unlikely Dallas finds themselves in the conference finals. There's still some work to be done. . .and don't believe for a moment that Mark Cuban doesn't know that. Dallas isn't finished dealing.
Grade: C+

Houston Rockets
Added/Retained: Jermaine Taylor, Chase Budinger, Trevor Ariza, David Andersen
Lost: Ron Artest, Von [Yao Ming (injury)

Review: The Houston Rockets are, in many ways, between a rock and a hard place. On paper their roster is championship-caliber, but injuries will almost certainly force them to fall well short of that goal. Yao Ming's foot injury will force him to miss the entire season and Tracy McGrady's various injuries make his status ambiguous at best. It's more than likely that the Rockets will play most of the 2009-10 season without either of their superstars.
The good news for Houston fans is that the Rockets' second unit is good enough to hold their own most nights. Luis Scola, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, and Carl Landry are as good as or better than any team's supporting cast. David Andersen is still a big question mark, but he was considered by many to be one of the best big men playing overseas. Think of him as a poor man's Mehmet Okur.


The Rockets didn't own a first round pick, but they managed to make some noise in the draft, nonetheless, via trades. They acquired Chase Budinger and Jermaine Taylor, both of whom are expected to have an impact on the team this season. Budinger was fabulous in summer league play, and while Taylor was hampered by a hamstring injury, the Rockets are confident he'll find his groove and make an impact in training camp and preseason. That could translate into a role in the rotation when the season starts.
At the end of the day, this is a year of opportunity for members of the Houston Rockets. Trevor Ariza didn't blossom until he had Kobe Bryant to play off of, but if he wants to emerge as a force in the NBA, he will get a chance to do that this season. Luis Scola is no stranger to being "The Man," as he often has to play that role for Argentina's national team. He's someone who can handle a lot more responsibility than he's been asked to do with the Rockets to date. Carl Landry will also have a chance to emerge as the player the Rockets believe he can become, potentially playing big minutes as the Rockets look to fill Yao Ming's void. Finally, David Andersen can quickly endear himself to fans in Houston if he can contribute in a meaningful way.
It's hard to really grade the Rockets' offseason. There's nothing they could have done to overcome Yao's injury, and given the scraps they were offered for McGrady's ending deal, it didn't make sense to move him, either. At the very least the Rockets should be in the thick of the playoff chase this season, and when McGrady's contract comes off the books they can use that cap space to sign their next big star. As for this summer, Rockets GM Daryl Morey keeps hinting at another trade or signing, so it appears their roster is not yet finalized.
If Houston had signed Marcin Gortat it would have put them in the A-B range. If they had retained Ron Artest, who proved he can lead the team in the absence of McGrady and Yao, we're still in the A-B range. However, to this point of the summer, the Rockets haven't really been able to accomplish much.
Grade: C

Memphis Grizzlies
Added/Retained: Zach Randolph, Hasheem Thabeet, Sam Young, Steven Hunter, DeMarre Carroll
Lost: Darius Miles, Quinton Ross, Hakim Warrick, Greg Buckner

Review: The Memphis (http://spurstalk.com/forums/#)suffered through a miserable 2008-09, but the saving grace after such a season is that you land a high draft pick. With the number two pick in the Draft, the Grizzlies went looking for help in the front court, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. Their solution was to take UCONN's Hasheem Thabeet, hoping that he would be a game-changer for them on the defensive end of the floor. It was already clear he wouldn't have much of an impact on the offensive end.
The early returns aren't good. Thabeet was less than impressive in summer league play, averaging 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game. He missed a number of wide open dunks en route to that 8.2 ppg average and shot just 46% from the field. He also averaged five fouls per contest in just 25 minutes per game. If this is the Grizzlies' solution to the defensive end, they better have a Plan B.
Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll, on the other hand, look like solid additions. Young averaged 13.6 points per game while shooting 52% from the field in summer league play. Carroll, meanwhile, brings a very Shane Battier-like presence to the team, with his intangibles at least as important as his stats. He averaged 12.2 points (58% FG) and 4.8 rebounds in summer league and impressed Grizzlies brass with his heart and his hustle.
The Zach Randolph trade may sound flashy, and while Z-Bo will average 20 and 10, he's never helped a team win basketball games. He gets his offense at the expense of the gameplan and he plays absolutely no defense. There's a reason he gets traded every other season.
The Grizzlies play in one of the toughest divisions in the NBA, they used the second overall pick in the NBA Draft on a project (at best), and their big trade of the summer was to acquire a guy who won't help them win. Are they better than the team that won 24 games last season? Perhaps. Are they anywhere closer to the playoffs? Not by a long shot.
Grade: D
The Southwest Division may have a weak spot, but what was already one of the toughest divisions in the NBA has gotten even tougher. The San Antonio Spurs, if healthy, should dominate the division and even challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference title. The Mavericks and Hornets have improved, and the Rockets will be tough despite their injuries. The Grizzlies remain a lost cause, but life in the Southwest Division is going to be as tough as its ever been.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13591

[Muser]

How the fuck do Houston get a C? They lost Artest and Yao (Injury) and their biggest signing was Ariza.

Also lol @ NO getting a higher grade than Dallas.

[exstatic]

I would have given NO a B+...right up until they salary dumped Rasual Butler. I think the B- grade is fair. Dallas signed a bunch of 30 somethings, none a star. How is that not average, which is what a C grade means?

[MavDynasty]

No surprises here. Bill Ingram hates the Mavs.

[monosylab1k]

I would have given NO a B+...right up until they salary dumped Rasual Butler. I think the B- grade is fair. Dallas signed a bunch of 30 somethings, none a star. How is that not average, which is what a C grade means?

spoken like a true Spurs homer.

[Goran Dragic]

I would have given NO a B+...right up until they salary dumped Rasual Butler. I think the B- grade is fair. Dallas signed a bunch of 30 somethings, none a star. How is that not average, which is what a C grade means?


Oh right, cause they Spurs never go out and sign 30 somethings.

[redzero]

I would have given NO a B+...right up until they salary dumped Rasual Butler. I think the B- grade is fair. Dallas signed a bunch of 30 somethings, none a star. How is that not average, which is what a C grade means?

Talk about overrating Rasual Butler. He had two big shots out of 82 games, and now he's some irreplaceable commodity.

[Sdayi135]

So NO gets a higher grade than Dallas by trading for a bust? Interesting

[redzero]

So NO gets a higher grade than Dallas by trading for a bust? Interesting

Emeka Okafor is a bust? lolwut?

82 games of Emeka Okafor > 45 games of Tyson Chandler

The math is simple.

[venitian navigator]

about Dallas, he did't consider the Gooden acquisition...that could well put dallas ahead of NO.
I personally think that in the Dallas system, expecially with Kidd, Gooden could have a very good season (I'm evidently talking about offensive production).

[spursfan1000]

Why did the grizzlies get a D?

[The Franchise]

So NO gets a higher grade than Dallas by trading for a bust? Interesting

In no way is Okafor a bust, but NO grade being higher than Dallas is a little retarded.

[exstatic]

Talk about overrating Rasual Butler. He had two big shots out of 82 games, and now he's some irreplaceable commodity.

He had a damn good year, and how many double digit scoring wings who can play defense do you have down there, anyway? I know he's not Kobe, but your front office FUCKING GAVE HIM AWAY, and that deserves a grade ding.

[exstatic]

Oh right, cause they Spurs never go out and sign 30 somethings.

...and we usually get C grades or lower in these straw polls or ratings or whatever they are.

Were you trying to make my point, because you succeeded wildly.

[Shastafarian]

How did the Spurs get an A, and the Mavs get a C? Marion is just as good as Dick, and his numbers prove it.He rebounds better but Jefferson is clearly superior on the offensive end

Marion is also the best rebounding small forward in the league, and has been for years, and that will help the Mavs greatly.Why would they need more rebounding with the second best center in the NBA on their team?

Haislip, and Blair will be non-factors due to being rookies and not getting any minutes. Spurs FO has already said Blair will get minutes. You dumb.

The addition of Thomas and Ross will provide much more fire power than Haislip and Blair.LOL Thomas as in Tim Thomas? Really?

Dyess is slightly better than Gooden,McDyess actually plays defense

and Ratliff will be 50/50 coming into the season. His entire career has been filled with injuries, and he's OLD!Good thing he's so far down the bench then isn't it?


Overall, I think both teams got an A- because they improved on what was already good teams, but to say the Spurs will contend against the Lakers and totally dismissing the Mavs is just stupid.Not really. The Mavs signed a 36 year old PG to a 3 year deal worth $8.3 million a year. Hilarious. They got a 31 year old SF who thinks he should be a number one option and has pretty much pissed off every fan in each city he's played in. Oh and they got Tim Fucking Thomas. hahahahahahahaha

[Findog]

How did the Spurs get an A, and the Mavs get a C? Marion is just as good as Dick, and his numbers prove it. Marion is also the best rebounding small forward in the league, and has been for years, and that will help the Mavs greatly. Haislip, and Blair will be non-factors due to being rookies and not getting any minutes. The addition of Thomas and Ross will provide much more fire power than Haislip and Blair. Dyess is slightly better than Gooden, and Ratliff will be 50/50 coming into the season. His entire career has been filled with injuries, and he's OLD!

Overall, I think both teams got an A- because they improved on what was already good teams, but to say the Spurs will contend against the Lakers and totally dismissing the Mavs is just stupid.

One thing I like is that the Mavs have added size. Thomas is 6'10 and can stretch the floor with his shooting. Gooden is a bit undersized to play C, but he can score on the low blocks and is a big. Thomas and Josh are now starting at the wing positions. You can never go wrong with size.

[redzero]

He had a damn good year, and how many double digit scoring wings who can play defense do you have down there, anyway? I know he's not Kobe, but your front office FUCKING GAVE HIM AWAY, and that deserves a grade ding.

That's the best he's going to get. We did fine without him for most of the year two seasons ago.

[Rodriguez]

You must be out of your rabit ass mind. Blair will go out there and shut Thomas down. Are you dumb?
Blair can only shut down craps which don't include Tim Thomas or Gooden, but he will definitely look like a monster when running into a flock of real scrubs like Mbenga, Josh Powell, etc... The 3 man rotation of Pau-Bynum-Odom seems pretty enough for Lakers to use in the paint, but an injury is pretty well enough to break this rotation and force PJ to put in some scrubs as replacements, like Mbenga, Powell.

[Rodriguez]

One thing I like is that the Mavs have added size. Thomas is 6'10 and can stretch the floor with his shooting. Gooden is a bit undersized to play C, but he can score on the low blocks and is a big. Thomas and Josh are now starting at the wing positions. You can never go wrong with size.
Size has never been something concerning on our team, at least for the time I can remember our size looks pretty well with Dirk, Damp in paint, Josh at wing, JET and Kidd on back court. Only when we play 3 PGs on court does our squad look undersized, but that seldom happened in the past. Plus I think our starting 5 for next season will still be Damp/Dirk/Josh/Kidd and the new recruited Marion, unless some injury comes about I don't see any minute for TT to play as a starting role.

Gooden is a decent defender, but his performances on the other end of floor have never been praised in his previous career and have slumped alot due to age. Presumably gooden will get traded before the deadline for a good center that should at least be better than Damp, and you all know how highly I consider our beloved Ericka.

[Texas_Ranger]

Blair can only shut down craps which don't include Tim Thomas or Gooden, but he will definitely look like a monster when running into a flock of real scrubs like Mbenga, Josh Powell, etc... The 3 man rotation of Pau-Bynum-Odom seems pretty enough for Lakers to use in the paint, but an injury is pretty well enough to break this rotation and force PJ to put in some scrubs as replacements, like Mbenga, Powell.

I would include Thomas.

[Findog]

The Mavs definitely added size because Terry was the primary SG last year. Now that's Josh, with JET still playing the 6th man role. We basically swapped out Antoine Wright's minutes for Shawn Marion. That's an upgrade in size and talent.

[Rodriguez]

The Mavs definitely added size because Terry was the primary SG last year. Now that's Josh, with JET still playing the 6th man role. We basically swapped out Antoine Wright's minutes for Shawn Marion. That's an upgrade in size and talent.
Swapping Antonie for Marion is the only thing positive Donnie has done thus far, our big men rotation still looks pretty weak despite the acquisition of TT and Gooden. On the other hand, Quentin Ruse is a nice sign, not only for the prize but the impacts he is expected to have on our team in the upcoming season. With Josh playing as the starting SG and Marion sharing some minutes at PF, then there should be another one to take some minutes at the SF. Rose is a solid defender and can adapt to our offense system pretty well. Anywas it was pretty dumb of Donnie to let Brandon Bass walk while failing to get Gortat, even though Gortat isn't well worth the MLE. Damp will still be the starting center next season on the team of boys in blue and his incompetence won't earn him much credit and time on court if he continues to play like the previous seasons, then his minutes at C will still be limited to 24 or some. When Damp is off the court, our team will have to play small ball no matter if our old legs are still fit for this style. The Marion trade is definitely a nice move but it's far from enough to make up for our flaws, which mainly come from the 5th spot.

[exstatic]

Stop being a cock sucker for just a second. Dick Jefferson's best is no where near what Marion has to offer. The rest of your post is not worthy of me replying. Marion will do for the Mavs what Odom does for the Lakers.

Dude. I always thought you were just ACTING dumb. Here's the 411. Marion has 3 NBA skills. He can rebound, although that was inflated like his scoring in Phoenix's system. More shots = more available rebounds. He can run a lane on the break. He can (or at least used to be able to) shoot the three pointer. THAT'S IT. He's nowhere NEAR the calibur of talent of a Lamar Odom. Shawn Marion couldn't create anything for himself or anyone else, not even a bowel movement if you spotted him a box of prunes.

The good news for Dallas? He's finally not overpaid.

The bad news for Dallas? He hasn't cracked 70 games played in the last two seasons after being an 80 game (on average) warrior for 7 seasons.

[dude1394]

A spurs fan talking about injuries?? Weird...

Marion imo, is going to be a perfect addition to the mavs. They've added a guy who doesn't need the ball at all to make an impact to a team that has a lot of guys who can get their own shots off. (Dirk, josh, jet). If they had brought in a guy who needed the ball that would have meant less shots/touches for those guys.

Marion is a guy who will get his points on breaks, putbacks, mid-range stuff and movement. IMO he's about as perfect as we could do without getting a stud center. Even a stud center would be problemmatic imo, since he would require tosses down low...he'd have to be a REALLY GOOD CENTER to give the ball to him versus dirk for example.

We've added secondary scoring, another running mate for jkiddo (one that unlike jet will take it to the defense versus pulling up for a 3) and a very solid defensive guy. Antoine Wright was okay, but he was a below the rim type of defender and not really very athletic, shawn is.

One issue I'm having is who is the ending 5 on the team? Jet, Josh, Jkiddo, Shawn and Dirk?? Or does Gooden finish and either jet/josh sit.

The other one is whether Josh can play the two effectively. I think he can and if he can sit jet down at the end of games...watch out imo, but I think that will be interesting to see what happens.

[djohn2oo8]

Mavs are a much more credible threat to the Lakers than New Orleans, which I don't understand why they got a B

[Culburn369]

"Once the playoffs start, however, all bets are off."

tee, hee.

[Findog]

Dude. I always thought you were just ACTING dumb. Here's the 411. Marion has 3 NBA skills. He can rebound, although that was inflated like his scoring in Phoenix's system. More shots = more available rebounds. He can run a lane on the break. He can (or at least used to be able to) shoot the three pointer. THAT'S IT. He's nowhere NEAR the calibur of talent of a Lamar Odom. Shawn Marion couldn't create anything for himself or anyone else, not even a bowel movement if you spotted him a box of prunes.E]

Shawn Marion can't defend multiple positions????

[Findog]

A spurs fan talking about injuries?? Weird...

Marion imo, is going to be a perfect addition to the mavs. They've added a guy who doesn't need the ball at all to make an impact to a team that has a lot of guys who can get their own shots off. (Dirk, josh, jet). If they had brought in a guy who needed the ball that would have meant less shots/touches for those guys.

They swapped out Antoine Wright's minutes for Shawn Marion's. I fail to see how that is not an improvement.




One issue I'm having is who is the ending 5 on the team? Jet, Josh, Jkiddo, Shawn and Dirk?? Or does Gooden finish and either jet/josh sit.

The other one is whether Josh can play the two effectively. I think he can and if he can sit jet down at the end of games...watch out imo, but I think that will be interesting to see what happens.

I'm guessing the starters are as follows:

C - Damp
PF - Dirk
SF - Marion
SG - Josh
PG - Kidd

Depending on matchups, I guess they go small at the end of games with this lineup:

C - Dirk
PF - Marion
SF - Josh
SG - Jet
PG - Kidd

If Dampier has to be on the floor in crunch time to guard another team's big, like Howard, Duncan, Gasol, whomever, then I would imagine it's musical chairs between Jet, Josh and Marion as to who sits and who is on the floor at the end of the game. Will most likely depend on the matchups, who's hot, etc...

[monosylab1k]

I don't like the small lineup at the end, and I don't like Josh in at the end of games.

I'd go

Gooden
Dirk
Marion
JET
Kidd

Defensively we're going to be exposed no matter what, but this at least gives us great rebounding.

[Culburn369]

Mavs are a much more credible threat to the Lakers than New Orleans

Hell yes, look how the Mavs got their credible all over the Spurs just a few months ago!

Like you know, WOW!

[Muser]

If Gooden is the C then Dallas are going to get murdered in the paint.

[Shastafarian]

Stop being a cock sucker for just a second. Dick Jefferson's best is no where near what Marion has to offer. The rest of your post is not worthy of me replying. Marion will do for the Mavs what Odom does for the Lakers.You sure do have a fascination with male genitalia. I'm gonna stop replying to you though because you're either baiting (congrats on being one of those people) or you're just a complete idiot. Marion will do for the Mavs what Odom does for the Lakers? Bwahahahahahaha.

[eisfeld]

Mavs Grade being lower than the hornets one is ridiculous. Nobody knows how well the major changes in Dallas turn out, but besides the Spurs they are the team which should have improved the most.

[Culburn369]

I'm gonna stop replying to you though

Luva just hung Shasta's scalp upon his teepee lodgepole.

Good capitulation, Shasta. Ya puny thing, you.

[exstatic]

Shawn Marion can't defend multiple positions????

Well, he's not 25 anymore. Phoenix saw that, and went after Raja Bell a few years back. Marion couldn't check Ginobili or Parker anymore. He's a serviceable to good defender, but he's not elite anymore. Hasn't been for some time.

If you want to add "serviceable defender" as a skill, I'm down with that. Just subtract "three point shooter", a skill that seems to have totally evaporated since he left the Valley of the Sun.

[Shastafarian]

Luva just hung Shasta's scalp upon his teepee lodgepole.

Good capitulation, Shasta. Ya puny thing, you.

It gets me nowhere to reply to people who bait like you two do. If you guys actually wanna talk about basketball lemme know. If you just wanna see how many people you can piss off then I don't really need to reply do I?

[Culburn369]

It gets me nowhere to reply to people who bait like you two do. If you guys actually wanna talk about basketball lemme know. If you just wanna see how many people you can piss off then I don't really need to reply do I?

LOL! It's natural progression, Shasta:

1. Mavs kicked your ass.

2. Lakers lodged #15.

3. Your ass got booty hurt.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

There was a time that Marion's value in this league was worth more than Odom's, which is why he got that inflated contract.


No, Bryan Colangelo is why he got that inflated contract.....same person responsible for Stephon Marbury's contract. BC wrote the book on over paying player.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

With that said, Marion can do what Odom does as a role player, but he'll never be able to lead a 2nd unit like Odom does.

[Muser]

What's the special treat Laka?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Answer this. Has Odom ever reached the level of play that Marion has?


No, but IMO it's not that simple.

Number one, Odom has always dominated Marion in H2H matchups. When they are both giving a 100% effort against one another, Odom clearly has the advantage.

If Odom hustled as much as Marion did during the regular season, he'd be able to put up 20 10 numbers like Marion used to. The difference is Odom coasts through the regular season.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Dick Jefferson does not have the all around game that Marion does.


Agreed.

[sribb43]

None of ingrams articles have credibility. This is the same guy who said matt carroll should get a chance to start at the sg spot bc jho can't play that position. There is no reason why jho can't be as affective at sg especially on the offensive end. Not mentioned Gooden in a offseason grade article is another fail by ingram
Spurs A+
Mavs B+
Hornets C+
Rockets D
Memphis. Irrelevant

[dude1394]

None of ingrams articles have credibility. This is the same guy who said matt carroll should get a chance to start at the sg spot bc jho can't play that position. There is no reason why jho can't be as affective at sg especially on the offensive end. Not mentioned Gooden in a offseason grade article is another fail by ingram
Spurs A+
Mavs B+
Hornets C+
Rockets D
Memphis. Irrelevant

Are you serious?? Matt Carroll??? Every night at the AAC I was just waiting for the dude to make any sort of impact. Nada, nothing, never. He made all of 1!!! 3pointer. Singleton was a better 2 guard than Carroll was.

Wow...

[Shastafarian]

You seem to like me under your skin...:lol

You don't get under my skin. You're more like a mosquito. Sit right on top of the skin and make fun of gay people.

[Basketballgirl25]

I don't know why people think Dallas got better this offseason and will be 2 or 3 in the west. Yeah Marion is a good add for them, but besides him. I don't think they got any good players to help them get better. If they added a player like Vince Carter I'd say they got way better, but with Marion I don't think they got all that much better, since all the players are getting older in age, I don't think they will do good like people say. If they could have kept Brandon Bass I think they would be much better so I think what they got as a grade is good as of now

[Culburn369]

You don't get under my skin. You're more like a mosquito. Sit right on top of the skin and make fun of gay people.

Shast, sweetheart, I see you over there, push button Zebco in hand, bait in the water!

[Rodriguez]

I don't know why people think Dallas got better this offseason and will be 2 or 3 in the west. Yeah Marion is a good add for them, but besides him. I don't think they got any good players to help them get better. If they added a player like Vince Carter I'd say they got way better, but with Marion I don't think they got all that much better, since all the players are getting older in age, I don't think they will do good like people say. If they could have kept Brandon Bass I think they would be much better so I think what they got as a grade is good as of now
repetitiously you have been chanting the Mavs haven't got any significant improvement in this off-season but no valid proof has been heard from your beak to support your viewpoint. It was definitely a remarkable move for Donnie to trade several craps for a proven star in Marion, even though Marion has shrunk a lot through recent years but there's still no doubt Marion is still a star level player, or at least should be an awesome attachment to a team which is already built pretty well. Surely the Mavs still have some flaws to fix, but it's bound to be a cushy job for Donnie to bring in some other decent players to replace the craps as Donnie still has got some preferable exprings at hand, like Buck and Damp. Your words just rambled through a circle chain orbiting a clear fact --- You are an idiot.

[Findog]

I don't know why people think Dallas got better this offseason and will be 2 or 3 in the west. Yeah Marion is a good add for them, but besides him. I don't think they got any good players to help them get better. If they added a player like Vince Carter I'd say they got way better, but with Marion I don't think they got all that much better, since all the players are getting older in age, I don't think they will do good like people say. If they could have kept Brandon Bass I think they would be much better so I think what they got as a grade is good as of now

This troll sucks. Whoever is behind this should be ashamed at the lameness.

[Rodriguez]

This troll sucks. Whoever is behind this should be ashamed at the lameness.
That tart isn't someone's troll IMHO, she is just exactly as stupid as she appears to be with her foolish writings. Anyway it's uneasy for a smart person to pretend retarded, if someone manages to do that then he'll probably win an Oscar for the best performance in a leading role, like Tom Hanks first Oscar for Forrest Gump.

[MavDynasty]

Findog, she posts lame shit at dallas-mavs.com too. She truly is a dumbass.

[Basketballgirl25]

Findog, she posts lame shit at dallas-mavs.com too. She truly is a dumbass.

well I only posted lame shit over there, because of all the people who complain about the refs over on that board, it started to get fun:lol

[Basketballgirl25]

repetitiously you have been chanting the Mavs haven't got any significant improvement in this off-season but no valid proof has been heard from your beak to support your viewpoint. It was definitely a remarkable move for Donnie to trade several craps for a proven star in Marion, even though Marion has shrunk a lot through recent years but there's still no doubt Marion is still a star level player, or at least should be an awesome attachment to a team which is already built pretty well. Surely the Mavs still have some flaws to fix, but it's bound to be a cushy job for Donnie to bring in some other decent players to replace the craps as Donnie still has got some preferable exprings at hand, like Buck and Damp. Your words just rambled through a circle chain orbiting a clear fact --- You are an idiot.

I don't think they got better with Gooden and Tim Thomas(I think that is who they got). With Marion they totally got better, I just don't think they got as good as people think maybe 4th place, but not 2nd and 3rd like people think.
Lakers
Spurs
Nuggets
Mavs or some other team after that of course I don't think it will even matter because I think Celtics got much better then any other team in the league anyway so I don't think Spurs, Nuggets, or Mavs stand a chance anyway. I don't even think Lakers stand much of a chance. But this is all just what I think.

So not a idiot for thinking all this. Everyone does not think the same things:toast

[mavs>spurs2]

well I only posted lame shit over there, because of all the people who complain about the refs over on that board, it started to get fun:lol

did you used to post here as awmyplace?

[Basketballgirl25]

did you used to post here as awmyplace?

no I used to post over on a dallas mavs board:lol

[Rodriguez]

no I used to post over on a dallas mavs board:lol
You even got banned from a board as lame as the dallas-mavs, it's not hard to gauge how stupid you are, is it?

[Rodriguez]

I don't think they got better with Gooden and Tim Thomas(I think that is who they got). With Marion they totally got better, I just don't think they got as good as people think maybe 4th place, but not 2nd and 3rd like people think.
Lakers
Spurs
Nuggets
Mavs or some other team after that of course I don't think it will even matter because I think Celtics got much better then any other team in the league anyway so I don't think Spurs, Nuggets, or Mavs stand a chance anyway. I don't even think Lakers stand much of a chance. But this is all just what I think.

So not a idiot for thinking all this. Everyone does not think the same things:toast
What makes you look idiotic isn't your viewpoints about basketball or your resentment against the Mavs, but the stupid way you organize words. I agree with you that TT and Gooden aren't big upgrades that can significantly escalate our level to make us as favourite as Celtics and Lakers, that's why Donnie still has much work to do. However, even with the current sqaud our boys in blue are already as great as any other team you can think of, and such teams can be counted on one hand: Spurs, Magic, Hawks, Blazers and Nuggets.

[dude1394]

I don't think they got better with Gooden and Tim Thomas(I think that is who they got). With Marion they totally got better, I just don't think they got as good as people think maybe 4th place, but not 2nd and 3rd like people think.
Lakers
Spurs
Nuggets
Mavs or some other team after that of course I don't think it will even matter because I think Celtics got much better then any other team in the league anyway so I don't think Spurs, Nuggets, or Mavs stand a chance anyway. I don't even think Lakers stand much of a chance. But this is all just what I think.

So not a idiot for thinking all this. Everyone does not think the same things:toast

I think the listing is about right. Lakers/spurs/nuggets/mavs/portland???...Eveyrone else is a crap shoot. IMO the top 5 are pretty much a crap shoot also, as is usually the case. I still contend that if you had to pick a player for the mavs to add to their core roster I'm not sure that anyone could be much better than shawn. (don't toss in kobe/lebron/etc...that's dumb).

He just seems to fit in pretty seamlessly to the core group. It would be nice to have a more athletic center than dampier. We'll see if gooden will be an upgrade from Bass at center, I thought bass stunk it up defensively. He was athletic but none too bright. Gooden may also be that way, but he's 3-4 inches taller than bass and rebounds better.

This is going to be one heckacious rebounding team mon freres. Even with gooden out there instead of bass. It will be interesting.

that being said, the ingram article is about as stupid as a sports-"writer" can get. His logic is all over the place and his data is incomplete. Really a poor job.

[dude1394]

well I only posted lame shit over there, because of all the people who complain about the refs over on that board, it started to get fun:lol

Funny hearing any spurs fan making fun of anyone griping about the refs.

[BUMP]

Jefferson was probably tired of the shower-time gang rapes....the same reason people dont stick around too long at Shasta's apartment

[mountainballer]

jesus, Mavs fans need to join a Spurs board to whine a bit for not getting respect in the media and complain about Spurs fans, who don't share their homer opinions. that's funny.

[Culburn369]

Jefferson was probably tired of the shower-time gang rapes....the same reason people dont stick around too long at Shasta's apartment
:rollin

[Shastafarian]

Jefferson was probably tired of the shower-time gang rapes....the same reason people dont stick around too long at Shasta's apartment

Shows how much you know. I don't live in an apartment! And the gang-rapes don't take place in the shower. So there! HAHA don't YOU look like an idiot.

[Culburn369]

Old crabby-ass Shast is up & around.

[Basketballgirl25]

Funny hearing any spurs fan making fun of anyone griping about the refs.

I'm not a Spurs fan really. They are the team I root for after the Nets. I don't complain about refs either. And I know more mav fans who complain then spur fans who complain. Maybe Spur fans do complain, but I just hear and see mav fans complain then I do Spur fans

[Basketballgirl25]

jesus, Mavs fans need to join a Spurs board to whine a bit for not getting respect in the media and complain about Spurs fans, who don't share their homer opinions. that's funny.

it's funny how Mav fans complain about not getting respect in the media. They should all try being Net fans, we get no respect. I like it that way. Since that means Nets prob have more true fans and no bandwagon fans,which I find great

[Basketballgirl25]

I think the listing is about right. Lakers/spurs/nuggets/mavs/portland???...Eveyrone else is a crap shoot. IMO the top 5 are pretty much a crap shoot also, as is usually the case. I still contend that if you had to pick a player for the mavs to add to their core roster I'm not sure that anyone could be much better than shawn. (don't toss in kobe/lebron/etc...that's dumb).

He just seems to fit in pretty seamlessly to the core group. It would be nice to have a more athletic center than dampier. We'll see if gooden will be an upgrade from Bass at center, I thought bass stunk it up defensively. He was athletic but none too bright. Gooden may also be that way, but he's 3-4 inches taller than bass and rebounds better.

This is going to be one heckacious rebounding team mon freres. Even with gooden out there instead of bass. It will be interesting.

that being said, the ingram article is about as stupid as a sports-"writer" can get. His logic is all over the place and his data is incomplete. Really a poor job.

I only think Shawn will help the Mavs. Gooden and Tim Thomas won't be much help I think unless it gets them a center. As of right now people say Mavs will be 2nd or 3rd. I disagree, I think they will be a good team, but are one of those teams that won't do as well as people think they will. And I agree, the article is as stupid as a sports writer can get, but I don't like most sport writers or any writers in papers for that matter, they just write what is interesting and what people would find interesting

[Basketballgirl25]

What makes you look idiotic isn't your viewpoints about basketball or your resentment against the Mavs, but the stupid way you organize words. I agree with you that TT and Gooden aren't big upgrades that can significantly escalate our level to make us as favourite as Celtics and Lakers, that's why Donnie still has much work to do. However, even with the current sqaud our boys in blue are already as great as any other team you can think of, and such teams can be counted on one hand: Spurs, Magic, Hawks, Blazers and Nuggets.

Actually I don't think Mavs are as good as Magic or Nuggets. I think they are below them with the team they have now, because Howard and Carter on a team I think works much better then a team with Dirk and Kidd, but we will see. Spurs I can't tell how that will work out(hopefully good though).Mavs are better then Hawks for sure. Blazers aren't as good yet, but I think they could be a suprise team and do well

[Rodriguez]

I'm not a Spurs fan really. They are the team I root for after the Nets. I don't complain about refs either. And I know more mav fans who complain then spur fans who complain. Maybe Spur fans do complain, but I just hear and see mav fans complain then I do Spur fans

You're a Nets fan, so there's no wonder you're a retard and hate the boys in blue so bad. After the Rockets lost that inferior racial center, now the Nets hold the only player of that inferior race in NBA. You're just a harbinger delivering the ominous sign that the Nets fans are going to inherit the infamous fame from the Rockets fans, for being the most idiotic fan base in the league.

[Rodriguez]

it's funny how Mav fans complain about not getting respect in the media. They should all try being Net fans, we get no respect. I like it that way. Since that means Nets prob have more true fans and no bandwagon fans,which I find great
You'd better stick to being a retarded dumbfuck on the Nets bandwagon without exhibiting your pussy all over the nation. If you just want to show us how idiotic you are then you have already reached your purpose. You are an idiot of inferior race, the truth hurts but it's fucking true that no one gives a fuck about your ass and the pussy hole you exposed here on display, as no one want to give a fuck to a bitch of an inferior race, period.

[Rodriguez]

Actually I don't think Mavs are as good as Magic or Nuggets. I think they are below them with the team they have now, because Howard and Carter on a team I think works much better then a team with Dirk and Kidd, but we will see. Spurs I can't tell how that will work out(hopefully good though).Mavs are better then Hawks for sure. Blazers aren't as good yet, but I think they could be a suprise team and do well
Besides Dirk and Kidd, the Mavs have also got many other muthafukin basketball geniuses like JET, Smokey and Shawn Muthafukin Marion. I'm not comparing the Mavs to any other team since no team has piled as much talent as Mavs have, it's just the flaw of one position that holds our level one hair below that of Lakers, Celtics. But it's no quibble the Mavs are as great as Spurs at least, and they'll easily get escalated over the Spurs if Donnie gets smart at some time and makes a good trade to land a decent center like Emeka muthafukin Okafor.

[Basketballgirl25]

You're a Nets fan, so there's no wonder you're a retard and hate the boys in blue so bad. After the Rockets lost that inferior racial center, now the Nets hold the only player of that inferior race in NBA. You're just a harbinger delivering the ominous sign that the Nets fans are going to inherit the infamous fame from the Rockets fans, for being the most idiotic fan base in the league.

I don't think Nets are going to inherit the the infamous fame. At least the Nets' GM is better then Mavs GM. Owner not so much:lol

[Basketballgirl25]

You'd better stick to being a retarded dumbfuck on the Nets bandwagon without exhibiting your pussy all over the nation. If you just want to show us how idiotic you are then you have already reached your purpose. You are an idiot of inferior race, the truth hurts but it's fucking true that no one gives a fuck about your ass and the pussy hole you exposed here on display, as no one want to give a fuck to a bitch of an inferior race, period.

At least I don't root for the MAVS a team that will never win:toast

[Basketballgirl25]

Besides Dirk and Kidd, the Mavs have also got many other muthafukin basketball geniuses like JET, Smokey and Shawn Muthafukin Marion. I'm not comparing the Mavs to any other team since no team has piled as much talent as Mavs have, it's just the flaw of one position that holds our level one hair below that of Lakers, Celtics. But it's no quibble the Mavs are as great as Spurs at least, and they'll easily get escalated over the Spurs if Donnie gets smart at some time and makes a good trade to land a decent center like Emeka muthafukin Okafor.

JET isn't all that great. And Shawn Marion is good, but still don't think they are as near good as Celtics, Cavs, Lakers, or Magic unless they land a decent center like you say, but I don't think there is a center out there that will help them win this year

[Rodriguez]

I don't think Nets are going to inherit the the infamous fame. At least the Nets' GM is better then Mavs GM. Owner not so much:lol
I'm sure Donnie muthafucking Nelson isn't a smart GM but the work he's done recently is pretty passive, at least Donnie isn't as retarded as the Nets GM in terms of the trades they made in recent years. If GM of Nets was not an idiot, then he would have not traded Richard Muthafukin Jefferson for a garbage filler and a shit of inferior race. Jefferson isn't a fucking superstar but he could have at least dragged some picks out of the teams that needed him urgently. Not to mention the potential consequences that may be caused by the arrival of that shit, as we all have seen what's happened in Houston since 2002.

[Rodriguez]

At least I don't root for the MAVS a team that will never win:toast

Congrats to China's basketball team on winning the second place in Asia Basketball Tournament. :toast

[Rodriguez]

JET isn't all that great. And Shawn Marion is good, but still don't think they are as near good as Celtics, Cavs, Lakers, or Magic unless they land a decent center like you say, but I don't think there is a center out there that will help them win this year
Emeka muthafukin Okafor.

[Basketballgirl25]

I'm sure Donnie muthafucking Nelson isn't a smart GM but the work he's done recently is pretty passive, at least Donnie isn't as retarded as the Nets GM in terms of the trades they made in recent years. If GM of Nets was not an idiot, then he would have not traded Richard Muthafukin Jefferson for a garbage filler and a shit of inferior race. Jefferson isn't a fucking superstar but he could have at least dragged some picks out of the teams that needed him urgently. Not to mention the potential consequences that may be caused by the arrival of that shit, as we all have seen what's happened in Houston since 2002.

Rod Thorn isn't a idiot, sorry to say, Who could have traded Marbury for Kidd?(when Kidd was better then he is now). And we did rape the Mavs when we traded Kidd for Harris, you do remember that right? I know a lot of Mav fans didn't seem to like that trade because they thought the Mavs traded so much. Sure we might not have won. But, Mavs haven't won either so they aren't any better.

[Basketballgirl25]

Congrats to China's basketball team on winning the second place in Asia Basketball Tournament. :toast

I don't really care about China's basketball team:lol, If Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Yi, and the other net players improve this year that's all that matters right now. Since we aren't like Mavs having a clock ticking to try to win something. Congrats to Dirk for thinking he might get hurt and rest this summer:toast

[Basketballgirl25]

Emeka muthafukin Okafor.

and how do you know Hornets will want to trade him? Maybe they will say they want to try to win and want to keep him?

[Rodriguez]

Rod Thorn isn't a idiot, sorry to say, Who could have traded Marbury for Kidd?(when Kidd was better then he is now). And we did rape the Mavs when we traded Kidd for Harris, you do remember that right? I know a lot of Mav fans didn't seem to like that trade because they thought the Mavs traded so much. Sure we might not have won. But, Mavs haven't won either so they aren't any better.
The dumb move about Kidd was made in 1990s, over 10 muthafukin years ago. The Mavs fucking traded Kidd along with several fillers to Phoenix for Michael Muthafukin Finley and other fillers, thankfully Donnie redeemed the mistake of his predecessors by taking Kidd back to Dallas without losing too much talent. The 10 pick won't bring the Nets any decent rookie since the Mavs will have a great season in 09-10, and Devin Harris is fucking overrated, besides Harris and pick the Mavs only lost some pieces of shit in the trade for Kidd.

[Rogue]

I don't really care about China's basketball team:lol, If Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Yi, and the other net players improve this year that's all that matters right now. Since we aren't like Mavs having a clock ticking to try to win something. Congrats to Dirk for thinking he might get hurt and rest this summer:toast
Isn't the 7'6 piece of ape shit already hurt and done for his career?

[Rodriguez]

I don't really care about China's basketball team:lol, If Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Yi, and the other net players improve this year that's all that matters right now. Since we aren't like Mavs having a clock ticking to try to win something. Congrats to Dirk for thinking he might get hurt and rest this summer:toast
Devin and Brook Lopez may probably develop into star-caliber guys in 2 years or some, but I don't think an idiot of an inferior race can keep his ass very long in NBA.

[Rodriguez]

and how do you know Hornets will want to trade him? Maybe they will say they want to try to win and want to keep him?
They will have to trade his long contract when their butts are scorched by financial issues, even without muthafukin Okafor, the Mavs will still be fucking stout enough to curb stomped the shit out of their opposing teams in the series in the West, though our trip will exorably get tensified in the finals against the Cavs with Shaq or Celtics with KG and muthafucking Sheed.

[Basketballgirl25]

They will have to trade his long contract when their butts are scorched by financial issues, even without muthafukin Okafor, the Mavs will still be fucking stout enough to curb stomped the shit out of their opposing teams in the series in the West, though our trip will exorably get tensified in the finals against the Cavs with Shaq or Celtics with KG and muthafucking Sheed.

Oh so you mean Dirk will just become better then Kobe and Dallas will make the finals next year, that's funny. Sorry Dirk is the best player on the Mavs and I sure as heck don't see him beating the Celtics in the FINALS, but I guess the Mav fans dream world it can happen

[Basketballgirl25]

Devin and Brook Lopez may probably develop into star-caliber guys in 2 years or some, but I don't think an idiot of an inferior race can keep his ass very long in NBA.

So you don't think Kidd or JET will be in the NBA much longer then I guess right?

[Basketballgirl25]

Isn't the 7'6 piece of ape shit already hurt and done for his career?

that's YAO :lol, great to see that you know the players thought. Yi isn't hurt since he was/is playing for his country unlike Dirk, who I think Mavs are afraid would get hurt if he played:toast

[redzero]

They will have to trade his long contract when their butts are scorched by financial issues, even without muthafukin Okafor, the Mavs will still be fucking stout enough to curb stomped the shit out of their opposing teams in the series in the West, though our trip will exorably get tensified in the finals against the Cavs with Shaq or Celtics with KG and muthafucking Sheed.

Yeah, the Hornets traded Chandler for Okafor just so they could trade Okafor to the Mavericks of all teams. :rolleyes

[Basketballgirl25]

Yeah, the Hornets traded Chandler for Okafor just so they could trade Okafor to the Mavericks of all teams. :rolleyes

yeah, I found it funny he thought that. if hornets were getting Dirk or someone in the starting lineup from the mavs I could see it happen, but other then that I think Hornets would be more likely to trade with some other

[jag]

Wow, this thread turned into garbage...surprise, surprise.



None of ingrams articles have credibility. This is the same guy who said matt carroll should get a chance to start at the sg spot bc jho can't play that position. There is no reason why jho can't be as affective at sg especially on the offensive end. Not mentioned Gooden in a offseason grade article is another fail by ingram
Spurs A+
Mavs B+
Hornets C+
Rockets D
Memphis. Irrelevant

I'd say this is about right as far as grades go. The Spurs needed (1) to add someone who could score and take the pressure off the big three. If the big 3 didn't put up 20 apiece, the Spurs would get manhandled. (2) They needed a competent big man who could play on both ends of the floor. Gooden only provided offense and his rebounding, which was supposed to be a big part of his game, didn't exist. Jefferson and Mcdyess fill those two holes.

The Mavs needed to add athletic ability to compete with teams like Denver, Orlando, and Cleveland. He's only 31, and I still think Marion brings that. The big knock on Marion is that at times he absolutely disappeared on offense against the Spurs when the Suns were forced to play in the HC. But he's got the body and hops to D-up many of the quality 3's in the league. Either way, he's still an upgrade. And if the plan is to outscore everyone, then Gooden is your guy...but he's borderline retarded without the ball in his hands, and he's full-blown handicapped on D.

[Rodriguez]

So you don't think Kidd or JET will be in the NBA much longer then I guess right?
Kidd is half black half white while JET is pure black, so neither of them is an idiot of an inferior race like the so-called Yidiot Janlian on the Nets team.

[Findog]

Let's get this thread back on track after troll fail. Here's a link:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-43-49/The-High-Grade-Sleepers.html

It's easy to forget just how dominant the Dallas Mavericks were when they took the floor against the eighth-seeded Warriors on a Sunday evening in April 2007. This was the last game of the postseason's opening weekend, a perfunctory item of business for the Mavs en route to a conference finals matchup against the Suns or the Spurs.

Dallas was one year removed from an NBA Finals appearance, and had just piled up 67 wins in the regular season. Only five teams in NBA history had recorded more Ws in a single season. Dirk Nowitzki was the presumptive MVP (and would go on to win the award).

The Mavs' epic collapse in that first-round series against the Warriors has been well-documented, and over the next two seasons, Dallas would descend from their perch into the Western Conference's upper-middle class.

What's interesting about that falloff is how many of the elements of that Mavs team remain intact today -- to say nothing of the quality pieces that have been added since. 67 wins isn't ancient history; we're talking two seasons ago.

Dirk Nowitzki, at 31, is the same age as Kobe Bryant. While Nowitzki is unlikely to reproduce his 2006-07 exploits, he remains one of the league's best players. Jason Terry has been a model of consistency for Dallas and had arguably the most efficient season of his career as the Mavs' super sub in 2008-09. Josh Howard is only 29. When healthy, he's still one of the more flexible swingmen in the game and a lockdown defender. In 2006-07, J.J. Barea logged fewer than 200 minutes, but he's become a spark plug for the Mavs' quality second unit ever since.

With Jason Kidd settling nicely into the role of veteran facilitator (and surprisingly efficient shooter), the franchise doubled down on the bet that their solid core could maximize what's left of Dirk Nowitzki's prime. They landed Shawn Marion.

Like Howard, Marion is versatile, freakish, and mercurial. Defensively, he can stay in front of speedy point guards, bother face-up power forwards, chase spot-up shooters, and clean up on the boards. Offensively, Marion's downward trajectory the past season and a half began the moment he left Phoenix. Coincidence -- or evidence that his talents demand the care of a veteran, pass-first point guard?

When you consider those assets, then throw in sensible additions like Drew Gooden and Kris Humphries to bolster Erick Dampier on the block, defensive stopper Quinton Ross, and a pair of intriguing rookies, and the Mavs appear ... stacked.

There is no shortage of nightmarish scenarios by which Dallas' gamble can implode. Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion, Terry, and Dampier are all on the wrong side of 30. Howard is accustomed to missing about 15 games a year, and being less than 100 percent for long stretches. Dallas' best offensive lineup (Kidd-Terry-Howard-Marion-Nowitzki) won't give them much interior defense, and the loss of Brandon Bass makes them a less energetic bunch.

But with Kidd at the point, and a roster of flexible guys who can each serve multiple functions on the floor, Dallas has the potential to develop into a grizzled, selfless squad with the kind of mental edge that just might have been the missing ingredient 28 months ago.

[Rodriguez]

Oh so you mean Dirk will just become better then Kobe and Dallas will make the finals next year, that's funny. Sorry Dirk is the best player on the Mavs and I sure as heck don't see him beating the Celtics in the FINALS, but I guess the Mav fans dream world it can happen

Individually Kobe muthafuking Bryant is better THAN Dirk by a hair, but you can't list more than 2 guys around the earth better than Bryant individually in the game of basketball. Plus, the margin between Dirk and Kobe is unnoticeable when envisioned on their teams. Kobe has carried his team further in the postseason because he's got better supplyments around him, while Dirk has to carry the team himself but he still managed to drag his team to NBA muthafukin finals in 06, and that's not what Kobe could have done. Before stealing Gasol from Memphis the lakers were just a marginal playoff team, though Kobe achieved 81 miracle in that era.

[Rogue]

that's YAO :lol, great to see that you know the players thought. Yi isn't hurt since he was/is playing for his country unlike Dirk, who I think Mavs are afraid would get hurt if he played:toast
Dirk can only be hurt if you clip a blade in your vagina when he fucks you. The 7'6 piece of shit is simply a crap, but still he is a much better player than Dick Yi. Even Yao with one leg is superior to Yi, and you all know how little I think of the 7'6 shit.

[The Franchise]

Individually Kobe muthafuking Bryant is better THAN Dirk by a hair, but you can't list more than 2 guys around the earth better than Bryant individually in the game of basketball. Plus, the margin between Dirk and Kobe is unnoticeable when envisioned on their teams. Kobe has carried his team further in the postseason because he's got better supplyments around him, while Dirk has to carry the team himself but he still managed to drag his team to NBA muthafukin finals in 06, and that's not what Kobe could have done. Before stealing Gasol from Memphis the lakers were just a marginal playoff team, though Kobe achieved 81 miracle in that era.

This post is a whole bunch of retarded.

[dirk4mvp]

This post is a whole bunch of retarded.

So is when you said Scola > Dirk.

[Basketballgirl25]

Dirk can only be hurt if you clip a blade in your vagina when he fucks you. The 7'6 piece of shit is simply a crap, but still he is a much better player than Dick Yi. Even Yao with one leg is superior to Yi, and you all know how little I think of the 7'6 shit.

I never said Yi was better did I? I just said YAO was the one not hurt. Since Yi was playing:toast

[Basketballgirl25]

Kidd is half black half white while JET is pure black, so neither of them is an idiot of an inferior race like the so-called Yidiot Janlian on the Nets team.

So I guess you hate Dirk, since you seem racist about players not Black. And Dirk is White

[The Franchise]

So is when you said Scola > Dirk.

Never said it. It was a typing error. Did I not explain this to you? Hey it's no worse than you saying Josh Howard was better than T-Mac. T-mac was still better than him last year on one leg. :lol

[Basketballgirl25]

Dirk has to carry the team himself but he still managed to drag his team to NBA muthafukin finals in 06

do you like the word muthafukin a lot? you type it in just about everything. So I get that feeling. And isn't it funny Dirk had to carry a team to the playoffs and Kidd had to do it two times. Of course I think Kidd had a much better support cast when he did it, still think it's a better support cast then he has now with the Mavs, so I don't see Kidd winning when he is a Mav, unless he is on the bench

[Basketballgirl25]

The dumb move about Kidd was made in 1990s, over 10 muthafukin years ago. The Mavs fucking traded Kidd along with several fillers to Phoenix for Michael Muthafukin Finley and other fillers, thankfully Donnie redeemed the mistake of his predecessors by taking Kidd back to Dallas without losing too much talent. The 10 pick won't bring the Nets any decent rookie since the Mavs will have a great season in 09-10, and Devin Harris is fucking overrated, besides Harris and pick the Mavs only lost some pieces of shit in the trade for Kidd.

actually the Kidd move I was talking about was in 2001, you are talking about another Kidd move:lol. And how can you be so sure Mavs will have a great season. I'm not saying they won't because I think they will be a good team, but I'm not saying they will have a great season after the last few seasons I've come to notice a lot of times people will think a team will do great and then be worse then people say. So anything can happen and we all really don't know for sure if Mavs will be great. Players can get hurt before the season starts or early in the season. So can't really tell how any team will do till about the middle of the NBA season:toast

[Rodriguez]

This post is a whole bunch of retarded.
You're one of the millions of idiots who have already obliterated the global fame of the entire group of Rockets muthafukin fans. If you muthafukin think I'm fucking retarded, then please give us some clear clues to prove your assumption. Until then you're an idiot, just like any other one in the shitload of those incalculable Rockets fans.

[Rodriguez]

So I guess you hate Dirk, since you seem racist about players not Black. And Dirk is White
White people are only considered "inferior race" by idiots like you, sincerely you know what "inferior race" hints but you just pretend unaware because you're just a muthafukin shit in that ethnicity. The truth hurts your shitty dusty ass but it's still existing out there, and it always exists there even when you shut and fold your asshole while pretending not to see it.

[Rodriguez]

I never said Yi was better did I? I just said YAO was the one not hurt. Since Yi was playing:toast
You are a muthafukin idiot. Even a healthy muthafukin Yi is a crap that has already been pushed off the cliff by Frank, comparably a crippled Yao is even better than the Yidiot with all his limbs healthy.

[Basketballgirl25]

You are a muthafukin idiot. Even a healthy muthafukin Yi is a crap that has already been pushed off the cliff by Frank, comparably a crippled Yao is even better than the Yidiot with all his limbs healthy.

well I guess Dirk needs to be pushed off a cliff as well, because a hurt Lebron James in better then a healthy DIRK:toast

[Basketballgirl25]

White people are only considered "inferior race" by idiots like you, sincerely you know what "inferior race" hints but you just pretend unaware because you're just a muthafukin shit in that ethnicity. The truth hurts your shitty dusty ass but it's still existing out there, and it always exists there even when you shut and fold your asshole while pretending not to see it.

go post over on dallas-mavs.com I'm sure they will all enjoy you:toast

[Rodriguez]

well I guess Dirk needs to be pushed off a cliff as well, because a hurt Lebron James in better then a healthy DIRK:toast
You are a fucking slut with a decayed molded shitty stint pussy that no one even wants to see. Even if I was forced to fuck you I would use my finger instead of my dick to stab into that shitty hole, of course I would be wearing plastic gloves.

[Rodriguez]

go post over on dallas-mavs.com I'm sure they will all enjoy you:toast
I got banned just a couple days ago for talking shit against an idiot, who probably was just you.

[Basketballgirl25]

I got banned just a couple days ago for talking shit against an idiot, who probably was just you.

did you really get banned for that board? It wasn't me I got banned from that board. So if you got banned I find that funny. I'd think they would like you on that board

[Basketballgirl25]

You are a fucking slut with a decayed molded shitty stint pussy that no one even wants to see. Even if I was forced to fuck you I would use my finger instead of my dick to stab into that shitty hole, of course I would be wearing plastic gloves.

I really think you have a problem, you seem you like they word FUCK:lol. Mad about something?

[Cry Havoc]

I'd give the Mavs at the VERY least a B+, probably more like an A-. Spurs get an A or an A+ (how could they have done much more so far?). Mavs would get an A if they signed Gortat or get another big to come in.

[Culburn369]

Spurs get an A or an A+

But an >>>F<<< in Back-to-Back examinations. You failed 3 regular times, + that strike 1.