Hypothetical: Reevaluating the Mavs FA signings

[MavKikiNYC]

Malone says he could have delivered Payton

As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Karl Malone continues to be a hated rival for Mavericks fans.

In pregame introductions Thursday night, the only Laker who was booed more lustily than Malone was Kobe Bryant.

The fans' bitterness will only get worse with Malone's latest revelation in the ongoing saga of how he ended up with the Lakers. Malone said before the game that the Mavericks not only had first shot at him, they also could have parlayed that into Gary Payton.

"No doubt," Malone said. "There's no doubt that package would have happened."

Malone and Payton joined the Lakers as free agents in July. Payton signed for the veteran exception ($4.9 million) and Malone signed for the mid-level exception ($1.5 million). Payton said his decision to join the Lakers was tied to Malone's.

Hypotheteical: At this point in the season, which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire?

[b] Note: Poll question should read: "Which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire?" without restricting it to FA signings.

[Simon2]

If Malone would have come here for the vet min, then only Malone. Payton wouldn't fit in here with Nash. At least that would have kept Malone out of the Lakers.

[uberfan]

To be accurate, you need to change your poll. Only Best in the group you have here was a FA. You should have Best, Daniels, Steffanson.

But putting that aside, ever since the Walker trade and Nellie talking about he finally got the point forward he wanted, I have wondered why Malone wouldn't have been considered a point forward by Nellie.

I liked the GS trade because I thought, finally we have the SF we needed. Ever since the Rashard flirtations I felt we needed a real SF. We got one in Jamison. We got help with the drafting of Howard. Then we went and got another good one in Walker.

And we started Finley at SF last night. Delk is not NVE. Someone please explain to me the rationale of Delk starting at the 2 and Fin at 3 when we have everyone but Dirk relatively healthy.

Someone explain to me why Danny Fortson has to have his "rythym" to lean on Shaq for more than 4 minutes. Was he supposed to dance with him? What does not having his rythym have to do with anything? Yes, Najera is a warrior and showed no fear. But it wouldn't have hurt to give him as little more help on Shaq.

When Dirk comes back put the best 5 on the floor to start the game. Period. Delk and Howard come off the bench when you need some defensive pressure on the perimeter. Bradley off the bench for the middle. Najera off the bench when you just want to drive the other C/PF/SF nuts.

Make Walker play closer to the basket. Bench him if he even gets close to 3 point land for now. I don't care if you call Dirk the Center or Walker the C, it's immaterial what they are called. Play the best 5 and then substitute as needed.

[kg_veteran]

Malone said before the game that the Mavericks not only had first shot at him, they also could have parlayed that into Gary Payton.

Where, oh where, is TwoDeep? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

If this doesn't prove it, I don't know what will.

[Chicago JK]

Wasn't Malone just in San Antonio saying he would of signed with SA if they pursued him? Malone is an attention hog. He was signing with LA, he is just blowing the Mavs and Spurs horns.

[kg_veteran]

JK - Shhhh...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Actually, the quote I read from Malone out of San Antonio was that San Antonio could have had Malone but Pop told him they weren't going to pursue him...or somesuch.

Let's face it. Malone is a Hall-of-Famer, but you're right, JK. At this point he's an attention hog who is just talking out of his ass and trying to make his Western Conference rivals look silly in the press.

[Evilmav2]

I would have rather had Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson, Antoine Walker, and Tony Delk... (bye bye, Steffanson and Daniels)

[Evilmav2]

Maybe Big Karl could have recruited Olowakandi too...

[Nicky31]

The Laker's have a dominating team this season, but their team is not built for the future. The Maverick's have a team more built for a future championship team. I think Malone and Shaq both will be battling injuires this post season, and Kobe will be to busy with his trial.

Let's see how things look in April

Quote from Phil Jackson

[MightyToine]

Olowakandi???????

THAT UNDERACHIEVING BOZO?? No thanks. We are looking for Players who can PLAY and Have something called HEART.





I still can't get over the fact that Walker shot 50% last night, not to mention he had 12 boards as well.... He did take a bunch of 3's and I thought he was 3-12 from the field or something.. Total Shocker if you ask me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

[rakesh.s]

Originally posted by: Nicky31
The Laker's have a dominating team this season, but their team is not built for the future. The Maverick's have a team more built for a future championship team. I think Malone and Shaq both will be battling injuires this post season, and Kobe will be to busy with his trial.

Quote from Phil Jackson

malone is never injured..even if he is, no one knows it..shaq, yes, might be hurt come playoff time..but who cares? shaq at 40% is better than any other center in the league

it is my understanding that kobe's trial will likely be after the nba season(including post-season)..

[Blonde Bomber]

Give me Malone and Payton and I'll show you a championship. To bad it's gonna happen with the Fakers.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: Blonde Bomber
Give me Malone and Payton and I'll show you a championship. To bad it's gonna happen with the Fakers.

Give me Jerry Sloan, Larry Bird, or Pat Riley as coach of the Mavs and I'll show you a championship.