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Boy my Mavs are active this offseason...love George...hopefully dude will come in and produce off the bench. Rumor has it a Damp for Kenyon Martin trade is in the works.
George to Mavs
Johnson: No problems with contract
09:02 PM CDT on Monday, July 24, 2006
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
If there was any doubt about the Mavericks' unified front, it was squashed on Monday.
Avery Johnson made it clear that he and Mark Cuban are on excellent terms and if there was any angst about Johnson's contract in the heat of the moment after the NBA Finals, those days are past.
Both parties said the Maverick ocean is as smooth as can be heading into what figures to be a quiet month. Johnson, who leaves today for an extended trip to Africa, and Cuban met for more than an hour Monday and touched on numerous subjects. Johnson's salary wasn't high on the list, apparently, because it has either already been addressed or will be soon, Johnson said during an interview that was heavy on the positive vibes. It's clear he is happy with what has transpired since the NBA Finals.
"If I was in a situation contractually that needed to be addressed, wouldn't you think Mark would address it because of how close our relationship is?" Johnson said. "We need to give him more credit. It's been reported that he didn't address my contract? How do you know that? Let's give Mark more credit than that.
"In my situation, if you had the type of contract I had and it needed to be addressed ... as creative as he is, why, after what happened in the last situation, would he want to ever have any tension? Even if I was wrong about something, hypothetically, why would he want to have any tension with a coach that is as loyal as they come? So give him some credit. That's my point."
Cuban has called the issue a non-issue and said via e-mail on Monday: "Avery, Donnie (Nelson) and I are partners. That's the best way I can put it." He's said on many occasions that he will always put Johnson, his staff, and the players in the best possible position for success.
Johnson added that if his original contract – which is worth close to $12 million for four years and $2.5 million for the coming season – has been restructured, people may never know about it.
"Right now, I have a contract," Johnson said. "And if there is a time that Mark wants to revisit it, we will. But it's really nobody else's (business). Mark's not going to put me in a position where I can't do the best job. He's just not going to do it. He's too smart for that.
"But everything we do around here, we do it on our own timing. And whatever we're doing, we're headed in the right direction."
In his first full season as a head coach, Johnson led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. That success ensured that his original contract would be guaranteed for four seasons.
Johnson's predecessor, Don Nelson, had a difficult relationship with Cuban at the end of his coaching tenure. When Nelson led the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals in 2003, his contract was expiring. It took protracted negotiations for him to get a three-year extension.
There is no such frostiness between Johnson and Cuban.
"Instead of criticizing him, let's give him some credit, because he's smarter than what you think," Johnson said of Cuban. "Mark is not going to do anything that is going to be a detriment to our players or our coaches or our fans. So give him credit.
"All is good in Mavs-land."
George on the way: The Mavericks are working on details of a contract that will lock up former Los Angeles Laker Devean George.
The 6-8, free-agent forward was a vital part of the Lakers' championship teams with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. That experience is what has the Mavericks excited about the possibility of landing him with a veteran's minimum contract, about $1.2 million, guaranteed.
The Mavericks on Monday finalized the trade that brings backup point guard Anthony Johnson to the team for Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall. Even if Powell and Marshall are waived by the Pacers, they will not be returning to Dallas, apparently.
The Mavericks, according to Johnson, believe that a veteran with NBA Finals experience will better serve them at this point than young projects. George would fit that billing.
Briefly: The Mavericks' coaching staff may have at least one more addition coming. While Del Harris, Joe Prunty and Larry Riley appear to be set to return as Johnson's assistants, the role of Rolando Blackman has not been determined. Sam Vincent, who coached the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Developmental League last season, is believed to be on the short list of possible replacements. Blackman would remain with the team in another capacity ... The Mavs Foundation has teamed up with Glidden, Office Expo and DeVry University to create the Dallas Mavericks Reading & Learning Center at Buckner Vickery Wellness Center in North Dallas. The renovated facility was provided computers and infrastructure by the Mavs. This is the fifth Mavs' Reading & Learning Center opened in the Metroplex.
E-mail [email protected]
Last edited by sribb43; 07-24-2006 at 09:27 PM.
Boy my Mavs are active this offseason...love George...hopefully dude will come in and produce off the bench. Rumor has it a Damp for Kenyon Martin trade is in the works.
Much rather have George playing than an unreliable and less proven Rawle Marshall. If there are injuries George can come in and start a few games if needed
For the minimum, he's a decent pickup. I doubt the Mavs will have to rely on him for much.
How many players do the Mavs have signed now?
I think it makes 14 now:
PG: Harris / Johnson
SG: Terry / Buckner / Stackhouse / Ager
SF: Howard / George
PF: Nowiztki / Croshere
C: Diop / Dampier / mBenga / Podkolzin
where did you hear this?
I believe the answer is a MILLION lol. I hope the Mavs are done for now...will be interesting to see how the new pieces fit in. Anthony Johnson, Devon George and Croshere are upgrades from DA, Daniels, and KVH I think.
All over the place...Dampier/KVH (sign and trade) for Kmart has been offered. Not sure if I like this. Damp gets a bad wrap...dude clogs up the middle and rebounds well. Just wish he could catch the ball and maybe finish around the rim now and then....
oh ok, its part of that trade idea
will be interesting to see how it develops. Sounds like basically ugly contract swapping
Johnson, who leaves today for an extended trip to Africa
I'm RICH !!!!
dallas there is only one ball
I think some one(harris) and others are going to want minutes
does howard's contract run out next year?
if so he will want touches...
I hope that does NOT work out.
Cuban is wanting contract extensions for he and Dirk both. This offseason, the top 3 priorities listed were re-sign Terry and contract extensions for Josh and Dirk. That shouldn't be a problem but there isn't a big rush. Also, George is a role player so he won't play into guys wanting big minutes. Martin might but who knows how true that rumor really is so we can worry about that when it actually happens. Harris will get his minutes. 3 PGs and Johnson is the 3rd. Terry and Harris will get the majority of those minutes. No problem there. Howard will get plenty of touches as he will continue to improve. No problem there. So far, good off-season for the Mavs.
No major overhaul, core group still intact and some (hopefully) upgrades, although slight, from KVH, Griff and Daniels.
Last edited by LB7; 07-24-2006 at 11:08 PM.
dude gets a bad rap because he makes star money and can't beat out diop for a starting position. that trade would be hilarious, and give a huge portion of the mavs offensive rebounding away.
Yeah but who needs offensive rebounding when teams can't stop you from scoring
Dampier is only as good as his backup.
That said I can't believe the Mavs would take on another max contract playoff bust just when they had gotten rid of one.
Great deal for Denver.
im not so sure that kenyon martin doesnt have some good ball left in him.
what you just said makes no sense. if both guys are "max contract playoff busts" how is one team making out great while the other is stupid?
i guess you are just blinded by your hatred for the team that eliminated your guys from the playoffs, yes yes?
It's actually I'm Rich B-otch.
Try reading this slowly:
Keith Van Horn is a playoff bust who was making the max.
Kenyon Martin is a playoff bust who is making the max.
I guess you don't understand because you are an idiot, yes yes!
thats what worries me
Id worried he may FINALLY get healthy and put it all together. I dont want the possibility of that happening on a team in the west and especially not the Western Conference Champs
i dont want Dampier at all. Nuggets should hold onto K and wait for Isiah to flip out early next season and trade an exp contract for K
Man the Mavs are active this off-season. George is a good aquisition for the minimum, and while he'll probably play a small role, its good to have someone like that ready to step in if needed. He'll add to an already solid bench.
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