DALLAS -- Mavs lose. Season finished. Lockers cleaned.
Before we officially traipse into that thrilling paradise of Cowboys minicamps, Rangers games and Barry Bonds, I need to clean out my Mavericks notebook.
Saturday proved to be especially illuminating.
Listening to coach Avery Johnson and his players attempt to sift through the rubble from what happened is not going to be nearly as painful as deciding what has to happen for next season.
A few thoughts:
* Jason Terry is gone, if the Mavs can find a willing partner.
What became painfully obvious against Golden State was, Dallas needs a true point guard. Terry is a lot of things -- a true point guard is not one of them.
Toss in Devin Harris and his development and this becomes complicated. Also painfully obvious.
“We’re going to have to make a hard decision there in terms of, ‘Is he going to be the full-time point guard?’” Avery admitted about Harris. “And then what am I going to do with Jet? So again, I’m willing to look at it. I would love to keep both of those guys on the team ... ”
Doing so is unlikely, especially post-Golden State.
The problem with unloading Jet, of course, is twofold: a) They really like him; and, b) He is one year into a six-year, $57 million deal. So either GM Donnie Nelson needs to work his “I can unload any contract” karma, or this may become very interesting.
* Why was Kevin Willis signed?
* Piling on Dirk Nowitzki has become a full-time, full-contact sport.
Not only has he been skewered locally but nationally, with ESPN’s Bill Simmons calling him “this generation’s Karl Malone, a fantastic NBA forward and future Hall of Famer .... and someone who might be missing that extra something when it matters.”
I don’t buy the comparison. Dirk is the NBA version of Peyton Manning, pre-Super Bowl victory. All he has proven so far is that he has not done it, not that he cannot. The question now is, how does he respond to what happened?
Talking to him Saturday, my guess is, pretty good.
“You know that’s the kind of person I am, to always take stuff very hard on myself,” Nowitzki said. “I don’t need media people to tell me I did bad. I know I didn’t play my best in the playoffs, and that’s disappointing to me the most. I’ll probably take a month off, then be back in the gym in June and work on my game more, become more of a complete player.”
What was most interesting was his response to my question about what it feels like to go from everybody’s MVP to supposedly not being able to play in a span of two weeks.
“I understand the business by now. If you play well and you win, you’re the greatest, and if you lose, you’re the worst player in the league,” he said. “I understand that. I’ve been in the business for nine years now. It’s obviously not the position I want to be in, but it’s nothing I can change now.”
He knows the only place to change the perception is next playoffs, and anybody who knows Dirk knows his summer will be dedicated to figuring out how.
http://www.star-telegram.com/388/story/93803.html
I don’t buy the comparison. Dirk is the NBA version of Peyton Manning, pre-Super Bowl victory. All he has proven so far is that he has not done it, not that he cannot. The question now is, how does he respond to what happened?
I agree with this, and that they need to get rid of Harris and Jet.
Seems like it's going to be either Harris or JET to go, not both.
Another damn knee jerk reaction. Dallas doesn't need to blow up this team. They just caught a bad matchup and peaked at the wrong time. Same thing that happened to the Pistons.
The Mavs would be better off without JET.
I really think the Mavs would be better off without both
seems like they'll have a harder time getting rid of terry.
The problem with unloading Jet, of course, is twofold: a) They really like him; and, b) He is one year into a six-year, $57 million deal. So either GM Donnie Nelson needs to work his “I can unload any contract” karma, or this may become very interesting.
Drop 'em both. Jet is a chucker and Harris cannot play defense. If you have to keep one, keep Harris. He's more of a PG... even though I'm not sure if that's where he should be playing, either.
Well I would prefer it would be Terry... I think Harris could develop into something that might work in the Mavs future but I dont know...
Lewis on the other hand while sexy, he... IS NOT THE FATHER! *blinked into my Maury P. side*... No reason to get him unless he comes and Terry goes.
and if Harris was to be sent somewhere else too, my feelings would not be hurt, but I would take Harris over JET anyday.
I agree about Harris, I see potential
Well I think you're an idiot than. I'd much rather have Harris than Terry. Harris is a great defender and is willing to attack the basket unlike everyone else. Stackhouse is the one to go.
Yea, Harris had potential, but he hasnt seemed to improve in 3 years in the league. He still isnt a good distributor, and he still cant shoot. He gets to the rim well, but isnt a good passer once he gets their. He plays good d, but relys on his flopping way to much to be a really good defender. I just think a prototypical point guard could take this team to a le.
Umm ok, well then I think your a joto. I didnt say that the Mavs wouldnt have to replace the point position, just that Terry and Harris are not the answer. If you could combine them into one player, then yea, but that player already exists, his name is Chauncy Billups
Mavs may have run into a bad matchup, but it's those losses that push teams to make adjustments in the off-season. It's the same reason the Suns got Kurt Thomas and Raja Bell after 2005....they weren't tough enough.l
A key reason the Mavs lost because they didn't have an offensive low-post presence to make the easy bucket. That's something they will remedy this off-season, whether or not they use Terry or Harris to get it done.
You are so incredibly stupid that it boggles the mind how you get the web browser to launch.
The only guys worth keeping for Dallas are Jerry Stackhouse and Devin Harris.
Throw out the so-called "big three" of Dirk, Howard, and Terry.
Tough to say which is better, Harris or Terry. All things considered, I'd go with Harris.
He does play better defense, seems to have a better understanding of how to run an offense, and isn't a horrible shooter. I know he's up for an extension soon as well, but I doubt it will be for as much as Terry currently makes ($10M per season).
The only question is what they get for Terry in return. His stock is extremely low after a letdown this playoffs, and his contract isn't the cheapest.
Gone Too Far Forum....
Dirk isn't in the MVP discussion for no reason...dude has skills.
I would kill to have Howard's defensive tenacity and overall offensive game on the Spurs.
And Terry is a gunner who can make shots from anywhere on the court. I'm less sold on Terry, but he could be a great scorer on a less-than-stellar team.
booo on Harris. He can't even stand on his feet for a full minute during the game. As many "charges" as he tries to take.... they should buy him an ass pad and ship him out.
What's all this talk about the Jet being gone?
He's been on TNT for years now. You guys barely noticed?
Actually, he's improved in each of his 3 years (and it's quite apparent). He's still not far enough along for a 5th pick as he probably should be but he's definitely improved different parts of his game each year.
Ok grammar police.
His shot hasnt gotten much better, his points improved .3 in 4 extra minutes this year, his free throw attempts went down by one a game, his turnovers and fouls both went up (fouls by almost an extra 1 a game). His assists barely went up, and his assist to turnover ratio wasnt very good. Maybe he is progressing, but at this rate, your going to have to wait till he is 30 before he is a good all around point guard.
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