GDT: Season Opener: Mavs@Lakers 10/30/12 09:30 pm CT

[Lestat_1795]

My first game day thread

@

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

10:30 PM ET(09:30 PM CT) - Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
@ TNT

Disappointing playoff outcomes led the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks to retool their rosters in hopes of again rising to the top of the Western Conference.

Each team, though, surrounded its long-standing -- yet ailing -- superstar in different manners.

Kobe Bryant's status is up in the air and Dirk Nowitzki won't play as these new-look squads open their seasons Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

The Lakers were bounced in five games in the second round of last season's playoffs by Oklahoma City, the eventual West champion that swept Dallas out of the postseason the previous round.

Bryant averaged 27.9 points in the regular season for the Lakers (41-25) -- finishing one-tenth of a point behind scoring leader Kevin Durant -- but he was critical of teammate Pau Gasol in the postseason and seemed to have the desire for more help.

General manager Mitch Kupchak made a pair of big offseason acquisitions, getting two-time MVP Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade deal with Phoenix before parting with Andrew Bynum -- among others -- in a blockbuster four-team trade to land Dwight Howard.

With Bryant, Gasol, Nash, Howard and Metta World Peace, the Lakers seemingly have one of the most formidable starting lineups in the NBA supported by a bench that includes acquisitions Chris Duhon and Antawn Jamison.

"Everybody on the starting five has led their own team and been the go-to guy, the best player on a team," World Peace said. "We've all been the man somewhere else, and now we're together. It's unbelievable. They're all rock stars, but everybody has a great attitude. It's a great time, great time for us."

Howard is recovering from offseason back surgery but is expected to play Tuesday, while Bryant's status is unclear after missing the final preseason game with a bruised and strained right foot.

"I know he's hurt and I don't know what exactly that means," coach Mike Brown said. "He's a tough guy and one of the toughest guys I've ever been around."

Bryant also is aware Los Angeles must develop some chemistry before being labeled as a serious contender, evidenced by the club's 0-8 preseason record. No team has ever reached the NBA finals after a winless preseason.

"We're going to be a really good team, but we've got a lot of work in front of us right now," Bryant said. "We're not close to a finished product, and the teams that we want to compete with have all had their main groups together longer.

"We've got to keep improving every day, every week, and learning how to play together."

Dallas may have a more difficult time adjusting with its eight newcomers, especially with Nowitzki missing at least the first 10 games after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The Mavericks (36-30) courted Dallas native Deron Williams in the offseason and may also have inquired about Howard, who reportedly listed the Mavericks as one of his preferred destinations during his saga with Orlando.

Dallas, though, struck out on each and opted to acquire a multitude of players, including Chris Kaman, Elton Brand, O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison, Dahntay Jones and Eddy Curry.

"We had some big fish available and we didn't get them. So you can do either of two things -- blow the whole thing up and start over, or keep signing guys to short contracts to stay a player in the free agent market the following year," Nowitzki said. "For basically saying we still want to be a player next summer, we still put a decent product out there. We're going to compete and see what happens."

The start of the new season likely won't be easy, though, as Dallas also will have to contend with injuries other than Nowitzki's. Kaman is nursing a strained right calf and probably won't play in at least the opener, likely forcing Curry -- who has played 24 games over the last four years -- into a starting role.

The Mavericks waived point guard Delonte West on Monday after he was suspended twice in less than two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team, and Jason Terry also bolted for Boston in free agency.

"This is what we got. That's the way it is," forward Shawn Marion said. "We can't harp on it all day. We'll do what we gotta do."

The Lakers won all four meetings with the Mavericks last season.

ESPN.COM
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400277723

Injury Report
Dallas

Chris Kaman C - Oct 29: Day-To-Day
Brandan Wright PF - Oct 28: Day-To-Day
Delonte West SG - Oct 26: Out

Los Angeles

Jordan Hill C - Oct 29: Day-To-Day
Kobe Bryant SG - Oct 29: Day-To-Day
Dwight Howard C - Oct 26: Day-To-Day

[dirt_dobber]

good start to the GDT Lestat_1795
I hope we see hustle and fortitude from the Mavs.

Mavs 106 - LA 99

[SMC0007]

I wanna see some big nuts tonight from a few guys. Play hard and leave it all out on the floor.

[nowhereman]

Last time we had a season opener against the Lakers, we wore trash bag uniforms. So no matter what, we're a bit ahead.

[dirt_dobber]

Referee Assignments
Scott Foster, Eric Dalen, Gary Zielinski


Scott Foster is the official who received 134 phone calls from disgraced
referee Tim Donaghy between October 2006 and April 2007.
That was the same period during which Donaghy admitted to betting on NBA games.
The report said that Donaghy called Foster more than any other ref and that he didn’t
call any other official more than 13 times.
=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-
NBA referee Eric Dalen asks Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki "Do you want to go?" after ejecting him from a game against the New York Knicks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLgg-QmF6E

[rabbitproof]

Is Crowder gonna start or Brand?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

Is Crowder gonna start or Brand?

I nominate Jay Crowda!

[sefant77]

Brand need to start and play all his minutes against the Dwight/Gasol FC.

Crowder+Marion is way too undersized.

[jamaljasonandjimmy]

I predict the mavs win by alot. like 25 points
curry scores 30 points and howard scores 4 points

[SMC0007]

Collison
Mayo
Marion
Brand
Curry

Game MVP: Crowder

[iella]

Solid GDT. Bodes well for the season ahead.

[iella]

Also, MAVERICKS BASKETBAAALLLLLLLL

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

Referee Assignments
Scott Foster, Eric Dalen, Gary Zielinski


Scott Foster is the official who received 134 phone calls from disgraced
referee Tim Donaghy between October 2006 and April 2007.
That was the same period during which Donaghy admitted to betting on NBA games.
The report said that Donaghy called Foster more than any other ref and that he didn’t
call any other official more than 13 times.
=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-
NBA referee Eric Dalen asks Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki "Do you want to go?" after ejecting him from a game against the New York Knicks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLgg-QmF6E

Ref watch!

I'm sure Kobe, Howard, Nash and Gasol will get their regular superstar calls... Mayo, Collison, Wright and Crowder? Not so much.

[markus1234]

I hope Rick plays Mayo and Collison 38min or more. No need to fool around, both are ~10yrs younger than Jet and Kidd. Iverson played almost 44min per game when he was young.

[sefant77]

I hope Dwight hurts his back again during tipoff and is out for the game and Curry drops 20 and we win.

I would laugh my ass off.

[LonghornDub]

I don't expect to win, but I'd love to see some fight. Also would love to see the younger pups unfazed by the bright lights.

[b_o_r]

Apparently Crowder is going to start. That is a very small lineup.

Marion
Crowder
Curry?

vs
Artest
Gasol
Howard

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

Apparently Crowder is going to start. That is a very small lineup.

Marion
Crowder
Curry?

vs
Artest
Gasol
Howard

Where can I see this? As of right now idk why we would want both Marion and Crowder on the floor together to start.

[rabbitproof]

I like Crowder off the bench in relief of Marion at the 3 and picking up spot minutes at the 4 when we go small.

Marion/Crowder playing together for extended minutes really makes us small.

[rabbitproof]

Who could've predicted we would start the following even 5 months ago..

Collison (very unlikely)
Mayo (pretty maybe)
Marion
Crowder (no way)
Curry (no way)

Life is strange.

[41mvp]

I have been waiting very long time for this day.
Today is that day for the first win in this season.

So let's go!
Go Mavs !!!

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

Apparently Crowder is going to start. That is a very small lineup.

Marion
Crowder
Curry?

vs
Artest
Gasol
Howard

I'm not opposed to Crowder starting...Brand providing veteran frontcourt stability off the bench and the Marion/Crowder duo giving the Mavs a speed advantage at forward...but link? I haven't seen any reports and it's unlike Rick to show his hand this early.

[CanadianMavsFan]

This first month is going to be brutally frustrating with Dirk out. That being said I'm looking forward to seeing this team, although it is also a bummer that Kaman is injured today.

A young and hungry team against a Lakers team still starting to adjust under Mike Brown. I actually don't hate the Mavericks in this game. I think they can outplay the Lakers it's just a matter of not getting absolutely pounded on the boards.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I don't expect to win, but I'd love to see some fight. Also would love to see the younger pups unfazed by the bright lights.

This about sums up my thinking.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I nominate Jay Crowda!

Sorry, I didn't read your post. I just read "Mayo" in your pic.

[SMC0007]

Still no link on the starting lineup? I find it hard to believe that Crowder and Marion are both gonna start. Talk about stepping on our own toes out of the gate.

[FromDownTown!]

I am actually looking forward to seeing the team scrap through a few wins without Dirk. It should give them the confidence they/we need to have a good run this year.

I find it hard to believe Uncle Rick will start Crowder, but stranger things have happened.

We sneak out a win against the Lakers tonight...giving Howard something to think about.

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by CanadianMavsFan

This first month is going to be brutally frustrating with Dirk out. That being said I'm looking forward to seeing this team, although it is also a bummer that Kaman is injured today.

We have (based on standings last season) the weakest schedule in the first weeks so not having Dirk wont be an excuse

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

Referee Assignments
Scott Foster, Eric Dalen, Gary Zielinski


Scott Foster is the official who received 134 phone calls from disgraced
referee Tim Donaghy between October 2006 and April 2007.
That was the same period during which Donaghy admitted to betting on NBA games.
The report said that Donaghy called Foster more than any other ref and that he didn’t
call any other official more than 13 times.
=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-
NBA referee Eric Dalen asks Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki "Do you want to go?" after ejecting him from a game against the New York Knicks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLgg-QmF6E

Interesting. I'm not sure it will matter for game 1 of the season, particularly with the Lakers so overrated. If anything, it may help us if it really is a gambling/game fixing thing. Donaghy didn't hate the Mavs-- he just wanted to make money for others for point shaving and fixing games to sway the odds. I'm pretty sure the consensus at gambling facilities everywhere is that the Mavs will lose.

No Dirk?
No Kaman?
Lakers have the 2005 NBA all-star squad on the roster?
Lakers have pride and want to bounce back from an 0-8 pre-season?

Sounds like a recipe for a perfect storm to me.

But it's going to be great watching these kids fight. I love seeing the fight in guys like Crowder, Carter, and James.

[markus1234]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Sounds like a recipe for a perfect storm to me.

But it's going to be great watching these kids fight.

Sounds like a typical Charlotte Bobcats fan to me. Are we already there ?

[b_o_r]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

Still no link on the starting lineup? I find it hard to believe that Crowder and Marion are both gonna start. Talk about stepping on our own toes out of the gate.

Crowder starting comes from NBA Fantasy tweet

NBA Fantasy ‏@NBAFantasy

Jae Crowder expected to start for Mavs tonight. Project his preseason averages over 30 minutes: 15.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.6 spg, 1.1 bpg

Darren Collison says that after rookie Jae Crowder carried the Mavs for stretches this preseason, it's important to get him going early vs. the Lakers.

It makes sense, since Marion is technically the PF on the team with Brand having to slide over to C for a long stretch. Unless Carlisle wants the 2nd unit to be ?/Carter/Crowder/Wright/Brand(Curry).

The rebounding disparity wouldn't be so bad if the Mavs could shoot at a respectable %. They shot less than 40% in their last 5 preseason games. That has got to change immediately.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by markus1234

Sounds like a typical Charlotte Bobcats fan to me. Are we already there ?

We may be until we get our Hall-of-Famer and our NBA Allstar center back.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Interesting. I'm not sure it will matter for game 1 of the season, particularly with the Lakers so overrated. If anything, it may help us if it really is a gambling/game fixing thing. Donaghy didn't hate the Mavs-- he just wanted to make money for others for point shaving and fixing games to sway the odds. I'm pretty sure the consensus at gambling facilities everywhere is that the Mavs will lose.

No Dirk?
No Kaman?
Lakers have the 2005 NBA all-star squad on the roster?
Lakers have pride and want to bounce back from an 0-8 pre-season?

Sounds like a recipe for a perfect storm to me.

But it's going to be great watching these kids fight. I love seeing the fight in guys like Crowder, Carter, and James.

Yea, Lakers will fight hard tonight to see what a win feels like.

[b_o_r]

Originally Posted by sefant77

We have (based on standings last season) the weakest schedule in the first weeks so not having Dirk wont be an excuse

@Los Angeles
@Utah
Charlotte
Portland
Toronto
@ NY Knicks
@Charlotte
Minnesota
Washington
@ Indiana
@ Cleveland
Golden State
NY Knicks
Los Angeles
@Philadelphia
@Chicago

If this was game of spades, I only see 3 books and 2 maybes.

[oilfieldtrash]

Lakers are not invincible. Remember this is not a 30 year old Nash and Kobe. Nash is a hair away from 40, Kobe has lost two steps, Howard just started playing again like a week ago.

This time we are the young hungry team with speed on our side.

[Aggie E]

I love the Mavs, but they dont have the talent to beat the Lakers without Dirk. Who actually covers D12 or Gasol???

[purplefrog]

Mavs 98 Lakers 95

The four Cs bring shocking victory to Big D.

Crowder 14 pts 7 boards
Collison 21 points 10 assists
Curry 10 points 10 boards
Carter 21 points 5 assists

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by Aggie E

I love the Mavs, but they dont have the talent to beat the Lakers without Dirk. Who actually covers D12 or Gasol???

Johnny Capspace. Financial flexibility will also help off the bench.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by sefant77

We have (based on standings last season) the weakest schedule in the first weeks so not having Dirk wont be an excuse

It's not an excuse, it's an explanation. I don't really see any games on the schedule that look like guaranteed wins without Dirk.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

@Los Angeles
@Utah
Charlotte
Portland
Toronto
@ NY Knicks
@Charlotte
Minnesota
Washington
@ Indiana
@ Cleveland
Golden State
NY Knicks
Los Angeles
@Philadelphia
@Chicago

If this was game of spades, I only see 3 books and 2 maybes.

Your guess is as good as anyones, we have never even seen these guys play together. It's just a wild shot in the dark.

We don't know anything about this team aside from some individual talent along with some scrappiness.