Official offseason 2013-2014 thread

[MavsFTR]

Is it good for the Dwight race? Maybe he'll think, "Hey, Kobe is out of the way. It's my team now."

[sefant77]

Look at that roster next season. They wont make the playoffs...

No one takes Nash, it need a stupid GM to improve in a Gasol trade, they have ZERO draft picks over years. Just Mettas expiring contract.They arent even under the cap if they would amnesty Kobe.

If i have to bet money i say he ends up in Houston or Dallas with his buddies after the teams switched Marion/pick or Asik.

[twelli]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Pretty spicy article from Tim MacMahon on Cuban and how hard he plans to work this summer:

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/...-quick-rebuild

Fans are quick to critizise Cuban when the Mavs lose, but if you look at other teams around the league (except for the Spurs, Lakers, and maybe Celtics), which team has been more consistently successful (not in terms of number of titles, but making the playoffs, winning percentage, etc.) than the Mavs in the last decade or so?

We have been better than:

Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets
New Orleans Hornets
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

And that's all thanks to Cuban, Donnie, and Dirk.

I am pretty confident that we'll have more fun watching the next seaon's Mavs. Cuban is a winner. Maybe a cocky one, but overall a winner.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by sefant77

The other big plan could be trying to dump Marion with the lottery pick to a team under the cap and then offer Dwight/Josh Smith/Morrow to team up in Dallas (not sure how are the rules for S&T with teams under the cap - if they could trade Marion/pick for a resigned Josh to Atlanta.

I could see Howard teaming up with his buddy and Dirk (the perfect fit beside Josh and Dwight) to play for a ring instead of being Kobes waterboy and b*tch in LA. Kobe talking again about playing five years and LA is Kobe land. Kobe wins games and when the Lakers lose its everybody elses fault.

But im pretty sure that Morey has exactly the same idea with Dwight/Josh/Morrow.

Mavs could have dumped Marion at the deadline without giving a lottery pick and they wouldn't. No way in hell are they giving a lottery pick to dump him.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by twelli

Fans are quick to critizise Cuban when the Mavs lose, but if you look at other teams around the league (except for the Spurs, Lakers, and maybe Celtics), which team has been more consistently successful (not in terms of number of titles, but making the playoffs, winning percentage, etc.) than the Mavs in the last decade or so?

We have been better than:

Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets
New Orleans Hornets
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

And that's all thanks to Cuban, Donnie, and Dirk.

I am pretty confident that we'll have more fun watching the next seaon's Mavs. Cuban is a winner. Maybe a cocky one, but overall a winner.

Dirk. And you can thank Don Nelson for that. They never truly put a championship level team around Dirk until 2011 and then the genius of Cuban was to blow it all up.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by oilfieldtrash

Dirk. And you can thank Don Nelson for that. They never truly put a championship level team around Dirk until 2011 and then the genius of Cuban was to blow it all up.

So the 2006 team, which was up 2-0 against the Heat before the referees stepped in, wasn't "a championship level team"? LOL. You're hilarious man.

[spreedom]

Seriously, I know some people are pissed about not re-signing Chandler, and in hindsight I wish we would have too, but he alone wouldn't make our current roster a championship contender, and guys like Kidd and Terry have looked awful for most of this season... I'd rather be in a position where we have tons of cap space than being strapped to the guys who won it all (plus two years). Yeah, we had a down year, but I don't think any of the teams we've ever had could have endured losing Dirk for 26 games (plus the extra 20 or so games it took him to get all of the way back).

People who are crucifying Cuban for not putting a winner on the floor this year, claiming that he stopped caring about winning, and saying that he only cares about the money, are acting like petulant brats. Enough is enough. Cuban, Donnie and company have absolutely nothing to prove to you guys. I'm a MFFL, through good times and bad. That's a lot more than I can say for some others here.

[Bayliss]

I'm a MFFL, through good times and bad. That's a lot more than I can say for some others here.

Well, for some of us it is looking like it is reverting back to the Donald Hodge/Doug Smith/Mike Izzilino days unfortunately. And the funny thing? Those games were easier one the eyes than this season has been. Those seasons you knew you had a draft pick again, and were going to get a decent player. There was youth to have some hope for.

This year? Besides Dirk you cannot say for certainty that any player is back. Crowder/Cunningham have guaranteed contracts but they are one of the few assets for a trade.

[spreedom]

I can't believe anyone who has followed this team since Cuban took over would really believe that he's going to be anything like the older owners.

[Bayliss]

I can't believe anyone who has followed this team since Cuban took over would really believe that he's going to be anything like the older owners.

**cues Circle of Life montage**

[Melonhead]

Since the Kobe injury, I don't think there is anyway that LA lets Howard get away from them.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Since the Kobe injury, I don't think there is anyway that LA lets Howard get away from them.

You mean, they're going to call on the Dark Powers?

No, seriously, what do you mean? Cause that post makes no sense. It's 100% up to Howard whether he stays or goes.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Since the Kobe injury, I don't think there is anyway that LA lets Howard get away from them.

Agree unfortunately. They will pull out the red carpet and promise the world. And now they truly have to build around Howard now.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

You mean, they're going to call on the Dark Powers?

No, seriously, what do you mean? Cause that post makes no sense. It's 100% up to Howard whether he stays or goes.

16 year old kid. Mom says here honey here's the keys for the minivan or here's the keys to dads Corvette. Also in the Corvette glovebox is an extra 20 million dollars. Either one is completely yours. Now that Kobe is gone Dwight is the man.

[Bayliss]

Attempting to make those upgrades will be on Cuban's mind "24 hours a day, literally" this summer, he said. He added that he'd be on his computer almost every waking hour, studying NBA analytics and searching through every possible permutation of potential deals.

Cuban has committed to be the point man for the Mavs' free-agency recruiting pitches, unlike last summer, when he filmed the reality show "Shark Tank" while Carlisle, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and front office consultant Michael Finley traveled to New York to meet with Deron Williams.

Pretty telling quote about himself. The major problem is that even if you want to trade all you have is a rotten banana and a tuna fish sandwich.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by oilfieldtrash

16 year old kid. Mom says here honey here's the keys for the minivan or here's the keys to dads Corvette. Also in the Corvette glovebox is an extra 20 million dollars. Either one is completely yours. Now that Kobe is gone Dwight is the man.

I'm not ruling out anything when it comes to what might be going on in Howard's head. But LA was always going to do everything they could think of to convince him to stay. Their sales pitch for the short term will necessarily have changed somewhat if Kobe's injury is confirmed, but the effort and power behind that pitch was already going to be maxed out.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

Pretty telling quote about himself. The major problem is that even if you want to trade all you have is a rotten banana and a tuna fish sandwich.

Mavs are in a great position this offseason. Can't think of a bad contract on the team next year. Dirk tbh is probably the worst for his production at this point for the money. Dirk gets a pass though from me and he can still throw out the vintage Dirk performance.

[Bayliss]

Mavs are in a great position this offseason. Can't think of a bad contract on the team next year. Dirk tbh is probably the worst for his production at this point for the money. Dirk gets a pass though from me and he can still throw out the vintage Dirk performance.

When you only have about a third signed for next year it is kind of hard not to have a bad contract. Then again it is also makes it hard to woo free agents because no one wants to play with no prospects and it is even harder to make trades because you have nothing to trade for somebody. Marc Stein talked about it the other day:

NBA analyst Marc Stein joined Fitzsimmons & Durrett on 103.3 KESN-FM this week to discuss the Mavs. Here are some highlights: On what the Mavs plan to do this offseason: “They’re going to go for Dwight (Howard). They’re going to go for Chris Paul. The overwhelming likelihood is they’re going to strike out on both counts so what trade can they make to put next to Dirk (Nowitzki) to carry that team burden with him. It’s obviously not there right now. There is no question it’s difficult. What they have to offer right now is cap space and I suppose the prospect of future picks. That’s really it. They don’t have a heck of a lot of young assets and that’s what gets teams excited. That’s how Houston was able to get James Harden. They had a bunch of young assets that OKC said we have to jump on this now before this stuff is off the table. The Mavs aren’t in that position.” Dallas Morning News

On if the Mavs will make a run at Andrew Bynum: “I’d make that one because he’s so good when healthy. If it’s a short-term deal, if it’s a two-year deal, I’d be tempted. Obviously, he has to have a full examination. But when he’s healthy, and again this guy has missed a whole season so I understand your hesitation, but he’s a monster. There just aren’t that many players like that, and that’s why the 76ers did it. I think you still gamble on Bynum because he’s that much of a difference maker if you can keep him on the court.” Dallas Morning News

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Pretty spicy article from Tim MacMahon on Cuban and how hard he plans to work this summer:

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/...-quick-rebuild

Well the Shark Tank thing was certainly a PR mistake. It does make one wonder though how much Cuban really wanted to blow his cap space on Williams.

As I've said, Cuban's analytical research needs to focus on players that fit Carlisle's style of coaching more than anything. I'd be OK with a non-superstar team if that team responded positively to such a "be ready" approach.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

Actually thought that was pretty editorially mild by MacMahon's standards.

The it's-on-me-and-Donnie bit at the end stuck out a little relative to the it's-on-me tone of most of the earlier quotes.

Yeah I just meant the quotes he got from Cuban were interesting. I didn't think it was MacMahon's most editorially potent stuff, or anything.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by MavsFTR

Is it good for the Dwight race? Maybe he'll think, "Hey, Kobe is out of the way. It's my team now."

This is pretty much how I see it. I think the Kobe injury makes Dwight more likely to stay in LA, because he'll feel like he can establish himself as top dawg while Kobe is away.

[markus1234]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

he'll feel like he can establish himself as top dawg...

can he ?

Should be interesting. IMO Dwight will get exposed.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by markus1234

can he ?

Should be interesting. IMO Dwight will get exposed.

He showed in Orlando that he can be The Man. I have little doubt that a healthy Dwight can carry a team deep into the playoffs.

[markus1234]

East was weak and his supporting cast was very underrated. LAL and the western conf. is a different animal. Much more pressure and i am not sure how Dwight can stop Durant, Lebron, Melo and all those ridiculously athletic PG/SG. Also his FT shooting and foul problems will get exposed. Now you have to play him heavy min. and you can't hide him in the 4th.

We'll see...

[BGMaverick9]

The odds still point to him staying. If he were to leave, Houston would seem like the better fit.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Dwight was staying anyway. Kobe being injured doesn't have much bearing on the situation imo. If anything, pitching a healthy Dirk, who fits perfectly with Howard, would be beneficial. Also, Howard really isn't a D'Antoni-type player. These are all good pitches to the inevitably futile attempt to get him.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Dwight was staying anyway. Kobe being injured doesn't have much bearing on the situation imo. If anything, pitching a healthy Dirk, who fits perfectly with Howard, would be beneficial. Also, Howard really isn't a D'Antoni-type player. These are all good pitches to the inevitably futile attempt to get him.

Well, I agree that he was staying anyway, but I disagree that an injury to his most important teammate doesn't have much bearing on the situation.

I think this takes him from an 85% chance to stay to about 95%.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by markus1234

can he ?

Should be interesting. IMO Dwight will get exposed.

Can he carry a team like Dirk, Kobe, Lebron, Durant? Probably not.
Is he worth a max deal? Yes and it's not even debatable. He gets a max offer from any team in the NBA without the GM so much as blinking.

Doesn't have to be a top 5 guy to get a max.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

You mean, they're going to call on the Dark Powers?

No, seriously, what do you mean? Cause that post makes no sense. It's 100% up to Howard whether he stays or goes.

I just think they are going to do everything in their power to convince him to stay. Kobe injury could be leverage i.e. this can be your team once Kobe retires etc etc.

[BGMaverick9]

The Two Man Game will have the entire discussion from Cuban from the Phoenix and Denver games starting tomorrow. It'll go a little more in-depth on the things he covered in the articles mentioned over the weekend.

Just an fyi.

[nowhereman]

It takes some real mental gymnastics to imagine Dwight coming to Dallas - under any scenario.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

It takes some real mental gymnastics to imagine Dwight coming to Dallas - under any scenario.

Yeah I can't even imagine a scenario anymore. We couldn't even land the hometown guy. I don't even know the pitch they'd make that would make one bit of sense for Dwight.

Please leave the beautiful mountains, the ocean, the nice weather year round, Jack Nicholson courtside and come to Dallas where everyone goes to sleep at 8pm and btw nevermind it's 120 degrees outside right now. Oh yeah that last year of max money... we can't offer that.

[Bayliss]

It took a few seconds for owner Mark Cuban to compare the Dallas Mavericks not qualifying for the playoffs to any of his other business ventures. “I guess it’s like a business going out of business, and I haven’t had many of those,” Cuban said. “Not a good feeling.” And not a feeling Cuban wants to experience again. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by Bayliss

It took a few seconds for owner Mark Cuban to compare the Dallas Mavericks not qualifying for the playoffs to any of his other business ventures. “I guess it’s like a business going out of business, and I haven’t had many of those,” Cuban said. “Not a good feeling.” And not a feeling Cuban wants to experience again. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

More like one second, but yeah.

[LonghornDub]

Gee, he sounds just like Donald Sterling.

(Note: The sarcasm in this post is so rampant, it may spill over into other webpages on the Intertrons.)

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Well, what exactly is Cuban supposed to do other than take the blame? He said it is his fault and that he'll work his ass off this summer to put a better product on the floor. Results will do the talking, but I believe him for the time being.

Just enjoy the few games left. There is no way to improve the team as this point so I don't see the point in going off on a guy who has already taken the blame for the crappy season.

[Bayliss]

Well, what exactly is Cuban supposed to do other than take the blame? He said it is his fault and that he'll work his ass off this summer to put a better product on the floor. Results will do the talking, but I believe him for the time being.

Just enjoy the few games left. There is no way to improve the team as this point so I don't see the point in going off on a guy who has already taken the blame for the crappy season.

Pretty much. Let's see if the Bank of Cuban is back in business this summer. He says it will be.

[EricaLubarsky]

Will spending 18/20 mill of cap space really make us a contender?

That leaves us with Marion/Dirk/Dwight/Carter and some rookies and sophomores. I'm not sure that is a team that would win-- not without a floor general or guard that can create.

[Budapest Maverick]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Will spending 18/20 mill of cap space really make us a contender?

That leaves us with Marion/Dirk/Dwight/Carter and some rookies and sophomores. I'm not sure that is a team that would win-- not without a floor general or guard that can create.

Yeah, was thinking about the same thing. Those new rules su*ks donkey balls, big time. We are seriously effed cap-wise with Dirk clocking 20 mill per year.

[Bayliss]

Will spending 18/20 mill of cap space really make us a contender?

I'm not sure. Depends on who you sign. But I do know not spending money will also make you not a contender as well.