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Max Power · 04-24-2004, 05:43 PM

The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko and David Moore answer your questions about the team and league each Thursday in this column exclusively for DallasNews.com.

Series shows Dirk is a serious threat
01:25 AM CDT on Thursday, April 22, 2004

The way Dirk Nowitzki has played early in the playoffs, you wonder just how good this guy can be.

From what he’s shown, it could be Kevin Garnett good. Or maybe even Tim Duncan good.

He’s hitting his jump shots, rebounding like a demon and even blocking shots. It’s enough to make you ask if perhaps the big German just needs a gentle push in the right direction to be all he really can be — maybe from himself, maybe from outside forces.

At 7 feet, Nowitzki shoots like no other big man in the league. He also rebounds well at the defensive end. And he is showing against the Kings that he can play defense when the stakes are highest. He has stayed in front of the Kings, and when they have penetrated, he has rejected shots or at least used his fouls wisely.

After a regular season in which he saw his scoring and rebounding drop slightly, there were doubts that Nowitzki was going to continue growing into one of the top five players in the league.

But these first playoff gams have proven that Nowitzki still deserves the designation as the player around whom the Mavericks’ success (or failure) is going to be built for the next five seasons.

The next step is for Nowitzki and his coaching staff to make sure he does whatever it takes to ensure his development continues by adding more defense and better passing options in the coming seasons.

Then, the Mavericks will have their version of Kevin Garnett.

– Eddie Sefko

MAVERICKS/NBA Q&A
Q: How much do you think the lineup will be changed next year? I’m a huge Michael Finley fan, but even he wouldn’t be untouchable. What do you think about sacrificing some scorers for defensive players?

Devon Brewster

SEFKO: I think it’s a great idea. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t consult me, and getting prime big men in return for role players is difficult, if not impossible. There will be some obvious changes to the roster. Antoine Walker will be on the trading block the minute the Mavericks’ season ends. Travis Best and Scott Williams will be free agents and likely will move on.

Steve Nash will opt out of his contract and be a free agent. The Mavericks can sign him for any amount, but that negotiation could become sticky.

Depending on the outcome of the playoffs, there are no guarantees about what the roster will look like next season. The Big Three even could be at risk.

•••

Q: All the Mavericks really need is a rebounder in the middle. Not a superstar, but a Roy Tarpley without the drugs. Could we move Shawn Bradley and Antoine Walker and Tony Delk for anybody?

Marty Glass

SEFKO: Of those three, only Antoine Walker has serious value, and that’s mainly because his contract expires after next season and his team is going to inherit a $14-million salary slot. The Mavericks are likely to trade Walker in the off-season. It’s not a guarantee. But they certainly will field all inquires with an open mind. But to get an impact center, they also are going to have to take back some riffraff. And probably at a high-priced salary for several years. And by the way, a Roy Tarpley without the drugs would be a superstar.

•••

Q: Does Mark Cuban wash the MFFL (Mavs Fan For Life) shirt he always wears or does he just wear it everyday since he’s changing diapers with a new baby?

David Bedford

SEFKO: We don’t know Mark Cuban’s personal laundering habits, but we do know that he has a closet full of Maverick gear and no suits that we’re aware of. It’s highly unlikely he wears the same shirt in consecutive games.

•••

Q: What is going on with Tony Delk? Will he be part of the future in Dallas?

David Bedford

SEFKO: Difficult to tell. If he’s healthy, he’s a good offensive threat. But he’s a small shooting guard, and the Mavericks are well-equipped at that position with the two rookies (Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard) and Michael Finley. Delk does not have a prohibitive salary ($3.15 million next season). He could easily be packaged as part of a trade to lure a big man.

•••

Q: What’s going on with the second-round draft pick for the Mavericks from last season, Mladen Sekularic? I never hear anything about him.

Brandon, Frisco, Texas

SEFKO: They no longer possess his rights. They took him as a project hoping that he would develop into an NBA player. It didn’t work. He’s destined for a career in Europe, it appears.

•••

Q: How is the expansion draft going to work?

SEFKO: Charlotte will get help from many NBA teams in the expansion draft. Each team can protect eight players. The Bobcats can choose a maximum of one player off of every team’s unprotected roster. Free agents will not be eligible. The Bobcats must take at least 14 players in the expansion draft and can take as many as 29, although it is not likely they will go much beyond the 14-player minimum.

•••

Q: I wish I could share your optimism about re-signing Marquis Danaiels. But I don’t see why a team like Denver with lots of cap room wouldn’t swoop in and take him. Please tell me your optimism is based on something substantial.

Mario

SEFKO: It’s based on the fact that the Mavericks can go up to about $5 million to keep Daniels. That’s the mid-level exception for next season. And they can sign him for up to six years. That would be a healthy contract by anybody’s standards. And if you’ve watched in the last few years, mega-contracts are only going to mega-players, not undrafted rookies, no matter how good they turn out to be.

Could Utah offer a maximum contract? Yes. But any team that does that is banking on Daniels being a superstar. As good as he’s looked, that’s bold thinking. The biggest problem with re-signing him is going to be that it eats up the mid-level exception that the Mavericks had hoped to use on a big man, perhaps Greg Ostertag or the like.

•••

Q: Why is Tim Duncan allowed to drag his pivot foot all over the court and nothing is ever called? It’s bad enough that a foul is called if anybody breathes on him.

Tracy, Jacksonville, Texas

SEFKO: Are you Mark Cuban’s cousin? This is the same rant that Cuban has had during the Sacramento series. Referees told each team before the playoffs started that the switching of pivot feet and making moves with either foot before putting the ball on the court would be watched closely in the postseason. Clearly, that hasn’t been the case with Duncan or Chris Webber. That’s the value of having a star player. Dirk Nowitzki has hit his share of elbows and wrists in slapping at shooters and has gotten away with it. That’s the way of the playoffs. But I agree with you that Duncan does that often and rarely gets called for it. It’s like fighting city hall.

•••

Q: I’m a Pistons fan and in response to one of your reader’s idea about trading Dirk Nowitzki to Detroit for Ben Wallace and Darko Milicic … Hah, hah, hah! In your dreams. I think everybody underestimates Wallace’s value and Milicic’s potential.

Ryan Gilbert

SEFKO: Not everybody. Wallace is an impact defender and San Antonio, Indiana and the Pistons are proof that those sorts of players can be as valuable as impact offensive players. But as much as you stick up for Milicic, you have to admit that the Pistons would look a lot more appealing if they had used the No. 2 pick on Carmelo Anthony last June. The NBA lives in the now. The future is uncertain for everybody. If Milicic develops in three or four years, the Pistons may have a totally different team by then.

•••

Q: Here’s a thought for you to ponder: Trade Dirk for Yao Ming and a player to be determined. Then bring in Pat Riley to coach. Just a dream thought.

J. Cisco

SEFKO: You’re right, it’s a dream. Potential superstar centers are like genies in a bottle. You treasure them, and do everything you can to keep them — unless you are Orlando. Then you watch them walk away.

•••

Q: Antoine Walker should be traded in some manner to bring in a center like Brendan Haywood (Washington) or Samuel Dalembert (Philadelphia). And an attempt to sign Greg Ostertag with the mid-level exception should be made.

Bob Parker.

SEFKO: To re-sign Marquis Daniels, however, getting that marquee big man might not be possible. They have to keep the kids to build this team for the future. If you can keep the Big Three together, keep Daniels and Josh Howard and Antawn Jamison, you should be able to fill the rest of the gaps in the roster with some grunt workers, of which there weren’t enough this season.

04-24-2004, 05:43 PM	#2
Max Power Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2,640	RE:Inside the Mavs The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko and David Moore answer your questions about the team and league each Thursday in this column exclusively for DallasNews.com. Series shows Dirk is a serious threat 01:25 AM CDT on Thursday, April 22, 2004 The way Dirk Nowitzki has played early in the playoffs, you wonder just how good this guy can be. From what he’s shown, it could be Kevin Garnett good. Or maybe even Tim Duncan good. He’s hitting his jump shots, rebounding like a demon and even blocking shots. It’s enough to make you ask if perhaps the big German just needs a gentle push in the right direction to be all he really can be — maybe from himself, maybe from outside forces. At 7 feet, Nowitzki shoots like no other big man in the league. He also rebounds well at the defensive end. And he is showing against the Kings that he can play defense when the stakes are highest. He has stayed in front of the Kings, and when they have penetrated, he has rejected shots or at least used his fouls wisely. After a regular season in which he saw his scoring and rebounding drop slightly, there were doubts that Nowitzki was going to continue growing into one of the top five players in the league. But these first playoff gams have proven that Nowitzki still deserves the designation as the player around whom the Mavericks’ success (or failure) is going to be built for the next five seasons. The next step is for Nowitzki and his coaching staff to make sure he does whatever it takes to ensure his development continues by adding more defense and better passing options in the coming seasons. Then, the Mavericks will have their version of Kevin Garnett. – Eddie Sefko MAVERICKS/NBA Q&A Q: How much do you think the lineup will be changed next year? I’m a huge Michael Finley fan, but even he wouldn’t be untouchable. What do you think about sacrificing some scorers for defensive players? Devon Brewster SEFKO: I think it’s a great idea. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t consult me, and getting prime big men in return for role players is difficult, if not impossible. There will be some obvious changes to the roster. Antoine Walker will be on the trading block the minute the Mavericks’ season ends. Travis Best and Scott Williams will be free agents and likely will move on. Steve Nash will opt out of his contract and be a free agent. The Mavericks can sign him for any amount, but that negotiation could become sticky. Depending on the outcome of the playoffs, there are no guarantees about what the roster will look like next season. The Big Three even could be at risk. ••• Q: All the Mavericks really need is a rebounder in the middle. Not a superstar, but a Roy Tarpley without the drugs. Could we move Shawn Bradley and Antoine Walker and Tony Delk for anybody? Marty Glass SEFKO: Of those three, only Antoine Walker has serious value, and that’s mainly because his contract expires after next season and his team is going to inherit a $14-million salary slot. The Mavericks are likely to trade Walker in the off-season. It’s not a guarantee. But they certainly will field all inquires with an open mind. But to get an impact center, they also are going to have to take back some riffraff. And probably at a high-priced salary for several years. And by the way, a Roy Tarpley without the drugs would be a superstar. ••• Q: Does Mark Cuban wash the MFFL (Mavs Fan For Life) shirt he always wears or does he just wear it everyday since he’s changing diapers with a new baby? David Bedford SEFKO: We don’t know Mark Cuban’s personal laundering habits, but we do know that he has a closet full of Maverick gear and no suits that we’re aware of. It’s highly unlikely he wears the same shirt in consecutive games. ••• Q: What is going on with Tony Delk? Will he be part of the future in Dallas? David Bedford SEFKO: Difficult to tell. If he’s healthy, he’s a good offensive threat. But he’s a small shooting guard, and the Mavericks are well-equipped at that position with the two rookies (Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard) and Michael Finley. Delk does not have a prohibitive salary ($3.15 million next season). He could easily be packaged as part of a trade to lure a big man. ••• Q: What’s going on with the second-round draft pick for the Mavericks from last season, Mladen Sekularic? I never hear anything about him. Brandon, Frisco, Texas SEFKO: They no longer possess his rights. They took him as a project hoping that he would develop into an NBA player. It didn’t work. He’s destined for a career in Europe, it appears. ••• Q: How is the expansion draft going to work? SEFKO: Charlotte will get help from many NBA teams in the expansion draft. Each team can protect eight players. The Bobcats can choose a maximum of one player off of every team’s unprotected roster. Free agents will not be eligible. The Bobcats must take at least 14 players in the expansion draft and can take as many as 29, although it is not likely they will go much beyond the 14-player minimum. ••• Q: I wish I could share your optimism about re-signing Marquis Danaiels. But I don’t see why a team like Denver with lots of cap room wouldn’t swoop in and take him. Please tell me your optimism is based on something substantial. Mario SEFKO: It’s based on the fact that the Mavericks can go up to about $5 million to keep Daniels. That’s the mid-level exception for next season. And they can sign him for up to six years. That would be a healthy contract by anybody’s standards. And if you’ve watched in the last few years, mega-contracts are only going to mega-players, not undrafted rookies, no matter how good they turn out to be. Could Utah offer a maximum contract? Yes. But any team that does that is banking on Daniels being a superstar. As good as he’s looked, that’s bold thinking. The biggest problem with re-signing him is going to be that it eats up the mid-level exception that the Mavericks had hoped to use on a big man, perhaps Greg Ostertag or the like. ••• Q: Why is Tim Duncan allowed to drag his pivot foot all over the court and nothing is ever called? It’s bad enough that a foul is called if anybody breathes on him. Tracy, Jacksonville, Texas SEFKO: Are you Mark Cuban’s cousin? This is the same rant that Cuban has had during the Sacramento series. Referees told each team before the playoffs started that the switching of pivot feet and making moves with either foot before putting the ball on the court would be watched closely in the postseason. Clearly, that hasn’t been the case with Duncan or Chris Webber. That’s the value of having a star player. Dirk Nowitzki has hit his share of elbows and wrists in slapping at shooters and has gotten away with it. That’s the way of the playoffs. But I agree with you that Duncan does that often and rarely gets called for it. It’s like fighting city hall. ••• Q: I’m a Pistons fan and in response to one of your reader’s idea about trading Dirk Nowitzki to Detroit for Ben Wallace and Darko Milicic … Hah, hah, hah! In your dreams. I think everybody underestimates Wallace’s value and Milicic’s potential. Ryan Gilbert SEFKO: Not everybody. Wallace is an impact defender and San Antonio, Indiana and the Pistons are proof that those sorts of players can be as valuable as impact offensive players. But as much as you stick up for Milicic, you have to admit that the Pistons would look a lot more appealing if they had used the No. 2 pick on Carmelo Anthony last June. The NBA lives in the now. The future is uncertain for everybody. If Milicic develops in three or four years, the Pistons may have a totally different team by then. ••• Q: Here’s a thought for you to ponder: Trade Dirk for Yao Ming and a player to be determined. Then bring in Pat Riley to coach. Just a dream thought. J. Cisco SEFKO: You’re right, it’s a dream. Potential superstar centers are like genies in a bottle. You treasure them, and do everything you can to keep them — unless you are Orlando. Then you watch them walk away. ••• Q: Antoine Walker should be traded in some manner to bring in a center like Brendan Haywood (Washington) or Samuel Dalembert (Philadelphia). And an attempt to sign Greg Ostertag with the mid-level exception should be made. Bob Parker. SEFKO: To re-sign Marquis Daniels, however, getting that marquee big man might not be possible. They have to keep the kids to build this team for the future. If you can keep the Big Three together, keep Daniels and Josh Howard and Antawn Jamison, you should be able to fill the rest of the gaps in the roster with some grunt workers, of which there weren’t enough this season.