Cuban's blog entry - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

mary · 10-31-2004, 02:28 PM

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Its Mavs time [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Its time to go to work. Dallas Mavericks style. Once again the “pundits” and sportswriters are dismissing the Mavs for any number of reasons. Once again, we are going to use it as motivation to prove them wrong. I love what we have with our team. I love the balance and depth we have at all positions. I love the comraderie the guys are showing on the court and off. I love the yin and yang of Avery Johsnon and Nellie working together. I think this could be a very exciting year.

Already in pre season there have been highlights that are memorable. Watching Avery coach in practice and seeing Nellie just smile and watch him. Culminating with AJ coaching against the Spurs. The General without question found his new calling. I sat next to Stack during the game, and as he said “This guy is going to be good”

Watching Jason Terry interact with the fans before, during and after games. We have a lot of guys who go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to making our fans and customers happy, but JT the Jet has raised the bar to a new level. From running through the crowd and high fiving everyone during his introduction to fans, or his rousing pre game speech letting everyone know there is a new Big D in Dallas and its called Defense. His energy is going to be infectious.

The development of DJ Mbenga and Devin Harris have been a joy. The DJ of summer league vs now is night and day. The kid has an amazing story, and is incredibly smart to go along with his athleticism. He has improved every game and practice. With his blackbelt in judo. If i ever run out on the court again, im taking him with me.

Devin Harris as the number 5 pick is expected to be good, but his demeanor, his passion and his ability are a great combination. Devin was Nellie’s pick. Watching film, Nellie pushed us all in Devin’s direction and he was right on. A little tidbit on DH. When we got the #5 pick, we sent up our team psychologist to NY to meet with as many of the kids we thought had a chance to be available at #5. We couldnt talk to everyone we wanted to, but of the kids Don did speak to, without knowing what our scouts and Nellie thought about their playing ability, Don immediately started going on and on about Devin. Tough (he delayed getting a spleen operation in High School so he could qualify for a scholarship for college), smart, a good listener, leadership qualities, a quick learner, he went on and on. All of which contribute to the success Devin has had so far in the preseason. Its going to be fun watching DH grow as a player and person this year.

The new vets coming in also have been fun to be around. Alan Henderson is healthy again, and is bringing Bobby Knight basketball, great fundamentals to the team. Hendu wont outrun , outjump or outshoot anyone, but he knows where to be and when on the court, and he practices so hard he makes the rest of the team better.

Since Stack has been hurt, I have had a chance to spend more time talking to him. A great guy. Chomping at the bit to get out there. He just wants to win. The 6th man role is unusual for him, but its ever more unusual for him not to have the pressure of carrying an entire team. I think he is recognizing and enjoying both. He has pushed himself to get back to practice ahead of schedule and looked amazing in practice yesterday.

Damp is a character. He has a sly sense of humor. Wont say much, then out of no where, bam, some witty comment that will have guys cracking up. If you want to keep score, watch how many times he can get me with a towel when he comes out of a game. Minute I turn my head. Pop ! On the court, he is getting more and more comfortable with his role. He knows he doesnt have to score on set plays for us to win. That Dirk , Fin , Josh , whoever, will find him with the ball when teams rotate. All he has to do is catch and dunk. The real suprise from Damp, and I think one of the biggest benefits we will see from him, is the way he seals opposing centers creating layup lanes for him , or for a driving fin, devin ,stack or JT. Thats something we have never had since Ive been here and probably ever. A couple of those per game and Damp will have an impact that wont showup in the stats. Tuesday is when it gets real.

I wont say what i really think about the genius that started the season on election day since its probably the same person that started the season on halloween in previous years. Its only a presidential election 1x every 4 years. We start on that day.. Genius. Lets see, which are going to get more highlights and press coverage Nov 3rd. The kickoff of the nba season or the election. The NBA has a great idea to feature “Premiere Week” and we start it on Election Night. Brilliant Its had an impact on us.

We sold out our pre season home games, but we still have plenty of seats left for the home opener and also for the first couple games of the year. To help balance the brilliance of NBA marketing starting us off on election day, we created a special 3 pack of tickets. $25 dollar tickets (regularly 30 or 39 dollars) for 3 the first 3 games, for $75 dollars. Get em before they are gone ! And on the Mavs entertainment front, we have all kinds of goodies planned for in game entertainment. We are proud that we get voted the best gameday presentation in the league, and we plan on raising the bar again this year. lets see what they fine me for this year !

One last note. One of my proudest moments as owner of the Mavs came at our last exhibition game with the Kings. At the prompting of Michael Finley, during the National Anthem, all of our players and staff stood with their hand over their heart. The fans saw this and did the same. With all the diversity of backgrounds and opinions, everyone used the moment as a sign of respect. It was great to be part of

HexNBA · 10-31-2004, 02:34 PM

Let's go! Can't wait for the Kings game. Also, interesting to see the part about Nellie pushing for Devin Harris.

mary · 10-31-2004, 02:36 PM

I guess Cubes is unhappy that the "sell-out" streak is in danger of being broken Tuesday.

Rhylan · 10-31-2004, 03:20 PM

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Originally posted by: maryOne last note. One of my proudest moments as owner of the Mavs came at our last exhibition game with the Kings. At the prompting of Michael Finley, during the National Anthem, all of our players and staff stood with their hand over their heart. The fans saw this and did the same. With all the diversity of backgrounds and opinions, everyone used the moment as a sign of respect. It was great to be part of.

It's about time somebody said something to the players about this. Usually it's just Bradley standing there, and everyone else dancing around like they have to go pee. A point should be made around the league. What began years ago as starters moving their legs, trying to keep warm, has become some sort of 12-man interpretive dance.

mary · 10-31-2004, 03:23 PM

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Originally posted by: Rhylan

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Originally posted by: maryOne last note. One of my proudest moments as owner of the Mavs came at our last exhibition game with the Kings. At the prompting of Michael Finley, during the National Anthem, all of our players and staff stood with their hand over their heart. The fans saw this and did the same. With all the diversity of backgrounds and opinions, everyone used the moment as a sign of respect. It was great to be part of.

It's about time somebody said something to the players about this. Usually it's just Bradley standing there, and everyone else dancing around like they have to go pee. A point should be made around the league. What began years ago as starters moving their legs, trying to keep warm, has become some sort of 12-man interpretive dance.

It was very good to see...and perhaps it would have been even nicer if the Kings had participated as well. I think most if not all of them held their hands behind their backs. Dirk still danced around...but he did have his hand over his heart. I don't know if its kind of weird for him to make the gesture since he isn't American - I don't think it should be, it doesn't make him any less German. I don't know how many of the other international players do this. I don't know how many American players do either, but its certainly very few.

fin4life · 10-31-2004, 03:40 PM

Does anyone remember when Muhammed Abdul-rauf wouldnt acknowledge the national anthem and he would sing his own national anthem?

Bookit · 10-31-2004, 04:08 PM

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Originally posted by: fin4life
Does anyone remember when Muhammed Abdul-rauf wouldnt acknowledge the national anthem and he would sing his own national anthem?

Yeah, wasn't his real name Chris Jackson?

Max Power · 10-31-2004, 07:29 PM

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Devin was Nellie’s pick

Apparently the old man still keeps his hand in.

basketball jonessss · 11-01-2004, 07:24 PM

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Originally posted by: fin4life
Does anyone remember when Muhammed Abdul-rauf wouldnt acknowledge the national anthem and he would sing his own national anthem?

Abdul-rauf huh, You sure that's correct. I though it was I'll do a dube on the roof

sike · 11-01-2004, 07:59 PM

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Devin was Nellie’s pick.

this explains quite a bit....Nellie wants to play his guys...hold on to whatever power he still has in this team, he obviously believes in the kid...and from we've seen and heard...it was well founded.

fin4life · 11-01-2004, 08:03 PM

I dont think that starting Harris is a contol thing. I think that Harris and Cuban have decided that he gives them the bet chance to win. Nellie doenst have the luxary of playing the guys he wants in front of people that are better.... he needs to win or he will be out on his ass.

sike · 11-01-2004, 08:15 PM

Nelson will do what is best for Nelson...and that includes playing his guys.