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Murphy3 · 01-11-2004, 10:46 PM

Inside Dish: Mavs' recent moves draw criticism

By Sean Deveney - SportingNews.com

Midway through the season, one of the biggest disappointments has been the Mavericks. Team chemistry is an issue, but not just in the locker room. Word is the players feel somewhat betrayed by the organization's constant roster changes. Especially disheartening was the trade of PG Nick Van Exel to the Warriors for SF Antawn Jamison, and not just because Van Exel is gone. Players were disappointed that PG Avery Johnson was included in the deal after the team spent much of last year grooming Johnson as a future coach. "The team does all these things for the players, like the plane and the stuff in locker room and the facilities," a league source says, "but they'd rather see a little loyalty. When they traded Avery, guys were thinking, ‘They traded him, they could trade me, too.' " …

Van Exel had quite a week as the Warriors concluded a winless five-game road trip. He complained about something new after each loss. Van Exel is understandably frustrated, but his complaints that he does not know his role and that he never has been told by coach Eric Musselman he is the go-to guy ring hollow. The Warriors brought him in because of his ability in the clutch and to replace their go-to guy from last season, PG Gilbert Arenas. Van Exel should not need confirmation from the coach to know he should be taking over games in the fourth quarter. Rumors have surfaced that the Warriors will trade Van Exel, but such talk is premature. …

The trade for PG Stephon Marbury will be on the Isiah Thomas ledger, but actually, former Knicks president Scott Layden had been trying to pry Marbury from the Suns for weeks. The difference is Layden would not take on SG Penny Hardaway's contract. After Isiah Thomas took over, the Suns also tried to get PF Kurt Thomas, but having already moved PF Clarence Weatherspoon, the Knicks would have been too short on forwards. …

Marbury got off to an awful start in New York as the Knicks lost their first two games after the trade by a total of 43 points. Some wonder whether Marbury will fit into the Knicks' system. He has a reputation as a good pick-and-roll point guard, and the Knicks are one of the most pick-and-roll dependent teams in the league (though that might change if/when Don Chaney is fired). But Marbury often "jumps" the pick, meaning he starts his drive before the pick is set, leaving his big man vulnerable to a moving pick foul. …

Raptors C Chris Bosh suffered a knee injury last week when he came down awkwardly after fighting for a loose ball. The injury is not serious, and it might be a blessing for Bosh, who is wearing down under the strain of the NBA schedule and, more important, NBA defenses. "The book on Chris is to bang him," says Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill. "You can tell, teams are telling their guys that." …

Give Pacers C Scot Pollard some credit-he's taking the blame for his poor play this season. Pollard was supposed to replace C Brad Miller, but his limited offense has buried him behind C Jeff Foster, F Al Harrington and PF Austin Croshere in the Pacers' rotation. Foster's game is much closer to that of Miller, especially when it comes to midrange shooting, though Foster is more athletic than his predecessor and not quite the passer.

Updated on Sunday, Jan 11, 20

01-11-2004, 10:46 PM	#1
Murphy3 Guru Join Date: May 2001 Location: sport Posts: 39,431	Inside Dish: Mavs' recent moves draw criticism Inside Dish: Mavs' recent moves draw criticism By Sean Deveney - SportingNews.com Midway through the season, one of the biggest disappointments has been the Mavericks. Team chemistry is an issue, but not just in the locker room. Word is the players feel somewhat betrayed by the organization's constant roster changes. Especially disheartening was the trade of PG Nick Van Exel to the Warriors for SF Antawn Jamison, and not just because Van Exel is gone. Players were disappointed that PG Avery Johnson was included in the deal after the team spent much of last year grooming Johnson as a future coach. "The team does all these things for the players, like the plane and the stuff in locker room and the facilities," a league source says, "but they'd rather see a little loyalty. When they traded Avery, guys were thinking, ‘They traded him, they could trade me, too.' " … Van Exel had quite a week as the Warriors concluded a winless five-game road trip. He complained about something new after each loss. Van Exel is understandably frustrated, but his complaints that he does not know his role and that he never has been told by coach Eric Musselman he is the go-to guy ring hollow. The Warriors brought him in because of his ability in the clutch and to replace their go-to guy from last season, PG Gilbert Arenas. Van Exel should not need confirmation from the coach to know he should be taking over games in the fourth quarter. Rumors have surfaced that the Warriors will trade Van Exel, but such talk is premature. … The trade for PG Stephon Marbury will be on the Isiah Thomas ledger, but actually, former Knicks president Scott Layden had been trying to pry Marbury from the Suns for weeks. The difference is Layden would not take on SG Penny Hardaway's contract. After Isiah Thomas took over, the Suns also tried to get PF Kurt Thomas, but having already moved PF Clarence Weatherspoon, the Knicks would have been too short on forwards. … Marbury got off to an awful start in New York as the Knicks lost their first two games after the trade by a total of 43 points. Some wonder whether Marbury will fit into the Knicks' system. He has a reputation as a good pick-and-roll point guard, and the Knicks are one of the most pick-and-roll dependent teams in the league (though that might change if/when Don Chaney is fired). But Marbury often "jumps" the pick, meaning he starts his drive before the pick is set, leaving his big man vulnerable to a moving pick foul. … Raptors C Chris Bosh suffered a knee injury last week when he came down awkwardly after fighting for a loose ball. The injury is not serious, and it might be a blessing for Bosh, who is wearing down under the strain of the NBA schedule and, more important, NBA defenses. "The book on Chris is to bang him," says Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill. "You can tell, teams are telling their guys that." … Give Pacers C Scot Pollard some credit-he's taking the blame for his poor play this season. Pollard was supposed to replace C Brad Miller, but his limited offense has buried him behind C Jeff Foster, F Al Harrington and PF Austin Croshere in the Pacers' rotation. Foster's game is much closer to that of Miller, especially when it comes to midrange shooting, though Foster is more athletic than his predecessor and not quite the passer. Updated on Sunday, Jan 11, 20