If the Mavs need Harris this badly, they aren't a contender

[big3bigD]

Jesus...Juwan Howard. What a mistake. As bad as Mbenga was, I'd have prefer to have him in there for his sheer size and willingness to foul out in 3 minutes. Instead, we get to watch Juwan Howard trot out there and put up the "3 trillion" on the stat sheet.

you would rather see MBenga have to come in during the playoffs than Howard?
personally, I would hope that neither one ever sees court time, but I would much prefer Howard's IQ out there on the court to MBenga's athleticism.

[stretch]

you would rather see MBenga have to come in during the playoffs than Howard?
personally, I would hope that neither one ever sees court time, but I would much prefer Howard's IQ out there on the court to MBenga's athleticism.

Howard will never be able to use his IQ because he is too busy trying to run up court just to catch up with everyone, only to be out of position on both ends of the court.

I really thought Howard would contribute more on the floor. I'm very disappointed in that aspect with him. But he seems like a good guy to have in the lockerroom, which is why I don't mind him being on the team.

Second of all, if you are planning on playing Mbenga much at all in the playoffs, then you have a serious issue at the C position.

[mavsfan1000]

Harris, Dampier, George, & picks for Kidd works. They get a promising PG, expiring contract, and a true center. We get a player with some balls.

That's a horrible trade. 3 starters for one used to be great player who can't shoot.

[monosylab1k]

As long as George approves the trade, we could even do Stack/Diop/George/Howard/draft picks for Miller/Cardinal. It works under the cap, we can keep Jones as insurance, and they get nothing but expiring contracts with the exception of Stack.

That would leave us with a lineup of -

Dampier
Nowitzki
Howard
Miller
Harris

Terry
Bass
Jones
Hassell
Cardinal
etc.

Considering we only go 7 deep come playoff time, that works okay for me. We'd need to find a backup C as insurance tho.

And IIRC, Miller did run point for a while in Orlando, so we could even move him to point and let Terry play 2-guard when Harris is on the bench.

[monosylab1k]

That's a horrible trade. 3 starters for one used to be great player who can't shoot.

I didn't realize we were relying on Devean George as a starter come playoff time. Dampier is barely a starter, and Harris has had half a good season. You're an idiot if you think Harris is untouchable.

[big3bigD]

Howard will never be able to use his IQ because he is too busy trying to run up court just to catch up with everyone, only to be out of position on both ends of the court.

I really thought Howard would contribute more on the floor. I'm very disappointed in that aspect with him. But he seems like a good guy to have in the lockerroom, which is why I don't mind him being on the team.

Second of all, if you are planning on playing Mbenga much at all in the playoffs, then you have a serious issue at the C position.

exactly. i would rater not see either one, but of the two, i think that Howard is more valuable in a playoff game. putting MBenga on the floor is an automatic 2-4 trips to the line for the other team. obviously, these players would only see court time if there is an injury of foul trouble, but injury and foul trouble happen to the Mavs with great frequency.

[Shank]

Want a bright spot?

Records since January 1:
Dallas 14-6
Boston 13-6
San Antonio 12-9
Detroit 13-6
Phoenix 14-6
Lakers 15-6
Denver 13-7

Utah 16-3
Houston 16-4

[big3bigD]

I didn't realize we were relying on Devean George as a starter come playoff time. Dampier is barely a starter, and Harris has had half a good season. You're an idiot if you think Harris is untouchable.

Harris isn't untouchable, but pretty damn close. it would be difficult to find a more talented available young point guard once Cassell or Kidd is done in a couple of years.

Getting rid of Damp would be a mistake. he may not be worth his contract, but he is still a valuable piece. Trade Damp and the 5 becomes an issue again.

[stretch]

Harris isn't untouchable, but pretty damn close. it would be difficult to find a more talented available young point guard once Cassell or Kidd is done in a couple of years.

Getting rid of Damp would be a mistake. he may not be worth his contract, but he is still a valuable piece. Trade Damp and the 5 becomes an issue again.

I agree that it would be better to try to keep those two guys. I'd much rather part with Terry or Stackhouse.

[ratm1221]

Want a bright spot?

Records since January 1:
Dallas 14-6
Boston 13-6
San Antonio 12-9
Detroit 13-6
Phoenix 14-6
Lakers 15-6
Denver 13-7

Utah 16-3
Houston 16-4

Sweet.

[monosylab1k]

Hey I'd love to part with just Terry or Stack too. But you gotta give up something to get something in return.

The best I could see without losing Harris is my proposed Mike Miller trade.

If we want anything better than Mike Miller, sorry but Harris probably has to go. Again, we're seriously going to put Harris in the league of "untouchable" or even pretty close to that after half a good season????????????

[monosylab1k]

Want a bright spot?

Records since January 1:
Dallas 14-6
Boston 13-6
San Antonio 12-9
Detroit 13-6
Phoenix 14-6
Lakers 15-6
Denver 13-7

Utah 16-3
Houston 16-4

That's actually a pleasant surprise to see, but at the same time you could have posted updates like these all last season and Dallas would have been on top. It didn't matter come playoff time.

I just don't think this team is capable of playoff success anymore as it's currently constructed.

[mavsfan1000]

I didn't realize we were relying on Devean George as a starter come playoff time. Dampier is barely a starter, and Harris has had half a good season. You're an idiot if you think Harris is untouchable.

So quick to dismiss Harris yet once he gets injured, this team falls to . That is proof enough on how valuable Harris on this team is. Terry can't run the point like Harris and Terry can't play defense. It looks like you don't understand how valuable role players are to a team. Without them, our defense would be just like it used to be. Devean George and Dampier are probably our best defenders.

[big3bigD]

I agree that it would be better to try to keep those two guys. I'd much rather part with Terry or Stackhouse.

right. Terry, Stack, George, Jones, Hassell, Howard or KVH's contract should be shopped around.
Might have to throw in Bass on something, but i would prefer to see the Mavs keep him as well.
I hope the Mavs are looking at Miller, Cassell, or re-visiting the Magette deal, other than those, I would not want to see a move made.
How do you fell about Artest, Stretch? any place for him on the Mavericks?

[stretch]

Hey I'd love to part with just Terry or Stack too. But you gotta give up something to get something in return.

The best I could see without losing Harris is my proposed Mike Miller trade.

If we want anything better than Mike Miller, sorry but Harris probably has to go. Again, we're seriously going to put Harris in the league of "untouchable" or even pretty close to that after half a good season????????????

I never said he's untouchable or anything like that, but he is a rare talent, and if he develops, he can easily be a top PG in the league, and bring an ability to drive and score that not many players in the NBA has.

And we really don't need to make that huge of a move. Miller or Maggette should both be achievable without moving Harris.

[stretch]

right. Terry, Stack, George, Jones, Hassell, Howard or KVH's contract should be shopped around.
Might have to throw in Bass on something, but i would prefer to see the Mavs keep him as well.
I hope the Mavs are looking at Miller, Cassell, or re-visiting the Magette deal, other than those, I would not want to see a move made.
How do you fell about Artest, Stretch? any place for him on the Mavericks?

He would be nice to have, but I don't think he gives the Mavs what they need.

[monosylab1k]

So quick to dismiss Harris yet once he gets injured, this team falls to . That is proof enough on how valuable Harris on this team is. Terry can't run the point like Harris and Terry can't play defense. It looks like you don't understand how valuable role players are to a team. Without them, our defense would be just like it used to be. Devean George and Dampier are probably our best defenders.

I'm glad all it takes is half of one good season to convince someone as weak-minded as you.

Where was that great Devin Harris defense on Baron Davis last year? Where was that great Devean George defense on Stephen Jackson or Jason Richardson last year? Where was Dampier at all? Oh yeah he was "hurt". Great.

Looks like you don't understand the concept of playoff basketball - you ride your best players to the le, and your role players chip in when they need to. You don't rely on your role players to step up just as much as your go-to guys, otherwise you end up with Dallas-GS.

We need someone that can step in there with Dirk & Howard. Not someone who sits in with the ranks of George & Dampier. I think Devin Harris is somewhere in between those two areas, and that means he can be moved if the right trade comes along.

[mavsfan1000]

I'm glad all it takes is half of one good season to convince someone as weak-minded as you.

Where was that great Devin Harris defense on Baron Davis last year? Where was that great Devean George defense on Stephen Jackson or Jason Richardson last year? Where was Dampier at all? Oh yeah he was "hurt". Great.

Looks like you don't understand the concept of playoff basketball - you ride your best players to the le, and your role players chip in when they need to. You don't rely on your role players to step up just as much as your go-to guys, otherwise you end up with Dallas-GS.

We need someone that can step in there with Dirk & Howard. Not someone who sits in with the ranks of George & Dampier. I think Devin Harris is somewhere in between those two areas, and that means he can be moved if the right trade comes along.

Unfortunately our best players are weak on defense except for Harris. Baron Davis is a one of those type of point guards that give Harris problems due to his size. I'm not interested in changing our whole lineup just because of Baron Davis. Harris is best against quicker players like Nash, Parker, Iverson, and etc. Therefore Devean George and Dampier are crucial for this team as they cover up defensive weaknesses from Josh Howard, Terry, and Dirk Nowitzki. Yes I think Howard is a poor defender.

[stretch]

Yes I think Howard is a poor defender.

What makes you draw that conclusion?

[monosylab1k]

What makes you draw that conclusion?

Howard isn't a poor defender, but his defensive ability was severely overrated early on. He's above average but that's about it. However, 4 years ago "above average" meant he was the best defender on the team.

Mark Cuban really was the one who started the "Josh Howard is one of the top defensive players in the league" idea. It's just not true.

[mavsfan1000]

What makes you draw that conclusion?

He can't guard superstars. T-Mac, Kobe, Wade, and etc. exploded against us. Even Stojakovic. He just gets overrated on defense by many but really George and Griffin have covered up his liabilities pretty well the last 2 years. I guess when he is focused he can play good defense but he seems to find scoring a higher priority these days.

[Warlord23]

This is a classic catch-22. The current Mavs team was constructed with the primary objective of countering the Spurs. Devin Harris is the perfect Parker defender.

If you trade Harris, you lose a key piece of the puzzle in countering the Spurs. Harris, however, will get used by physically stronger guards (Baron, Deron, Billups) or by PGs that can play methodical half-court pick-n-roll while having the range to knock down the long ball (Nash, CP3, Deron, Billups). If you get Kidd, he won't get bullied around in the half-court. But then Parker will have a field day in running a one-man fast-break if you put old man Kidd on him.

So it depends on which matchup is more crucial to win a playoff series. Do you think it is more critical to keep Parker in check while playing the Spurs? Or do you think stopping Davis or Deron is more important while playing the GSW/Jazz?

[stretch]

Howard isn't a poor defender, but his defensive ability was severely overrated early on. He's above average but that's about it. However, 4 years ago "above average" meant he was the best defender on the team.

Mark Cuban really was the one who started the "Josh Howard is one of the top defensive players in the league" idea. It's just not true.

I dunno. He has been able to give guys like Kobe troubles plenty of times. I think that his defensive ability is very very good, but his tendency to pick up stupid fouls is what kills him and does not allow him to play all out on D many times and ends up letting guys like Wade and Kobe, who get calls left and right over minimal contact, get more easy buckets.

[monosylab1k]

I dunno. He has been able to give guys like Kobe troubles plenty of times. I think that his defensive ability is very very good, but his tendency to pick up stupid fouls is what kills him and does not allow him to play all out on D many times and ends up letting guys like Wade and Kobe, who get calls left and right over minimal contact, get more easy buckets.

I can agree with that, but also, in order to be a great defender you have to play smart, something Howard knows nothing of.

[1Parker1]

I dunno. He has been able to give guys like Kobe troubles plenty of times. I think that his defensive ability is very very good, but his tendency to pick up stupid fouls is what kills him and does not allow him to play all out on D many times and ends up letting guys like Wade and Kobe, who get calls left and right over minimal contact, get more easy buckets.

Dude, playoffs haven't started yet and you're already ing about potential calls??? Get over it.

I've see Dirk get plenty of those same ticky-tack fouls. Superstars like Wade and Kobe will get foul calls because they are aggresive and know how to take it to the basket...something which if Dirk learned to do more of he'd get more calls.