The Solution

[kg_veteran]

WARNING: The following post contains some radical thoughts and some "knee-jerking" about how to fix the team. I realize that I don't have all the answers, and I don't know more about the NBA than Don Nelson. And I don't care, because no one's forcing you to read this.

Here's my knee-jerk, spur of the moment thoughts on improving the team:

1. Trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to the Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.

I know a lot of people don't like CTC, but he's an undeniable talent, and he fits better on this team than any of the guys we'd be trading.

Wallace - Bradley
Nowitzki - Fortson
Walker - Howard
Finley - Howard
Nash - Best

That's a bad ass team, defensively and offensively.

You've got five scorers who are very versatile and can score from anywhere on the court. Three of them can post up well, and most of them can get their own shot.

It's a very good rebounding team.

It has a lot of defensive potential. Think about these lineups:

Bradley
Wallace
Walker
Howard
Best

Bradley
Wallace
Nowitzki
Walker
Nash

Wallace
Nowitzki
Howard
Finley
Nash

I could go on and on, but you would always have a nice mix of offense and defense on the floor, because Bradley, Best, Howard, and Wallace are all good defenders.

2. Establish a set rotation.

Instead of using all 11 guys and acting like he's a kid with a new toy, Nellie should take this team and establish a set rotation.

The starters should be Wallace (or Jamison if he stays), Nowitzki, Walker, Finley and Nash. The guards off the bench should be Best and Howard. The frontcourt reserves should be Bradley and either Najera or Fortson.

Pick 9 guys. 5 starters, 2 frontcourt reserves, and 2 backcourt reserves. And then play them. Consistently.

3. Believe you're as good as anybody in the league. Specifically, the Lakers.

I thought we were over this after the playoffs last year, but then again, I guess we didn't face the Lakers.

The Mavericks have to start believing that they belong among the elite. They have enough talent to compete with and beat anyone -- they simply have to play like they know that.

I don't know if it has to be Dirk, or Nellie, or Fin, or Walker, or Steve, or what, but somebody has to take charge of this situation and say that it's NOT okay to act like underdogs. It's NOT okay to act like we're just happy to be here.

We can continue to stockpile talent in Dallas for as long as we want. Until the organization reaches the point where they expect to beat everybody and don't accept anything less, we're going to end up wondering about what might have been.

[sturm und drang]

kg_veteran wrote:

"1. Trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to the Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.

I know a lot of people don't like CTC, but he's an undeniable talent, and he fits better on this team than any of the guys we'd be trading."

Shouldn't we be referring to Wallace as "THC"?

[kg_veteran]

Yeah, perhaps we should. I'd still trade for him.

[rakesh.s]

i would bring wallace in for sure..that guy could help this team..and he's pretty much like dirk(obviously wallace doesn't play upto his potential, but i think he has skills similar to dirk) except that he can block shots..he shoots the three at a decent %

but right now, looks like everyone thinks getting rid of nellie is the solution..which may be right..time to bring a defensive coach

[kg_veteran]

Firing Nellie doesn't make much sense to me right now, even though he MUST change his mental approach to other elite teams.

The other steps, though, make perfect sense to me.

[COOLJAZZ]

Before the season started. This would seem like a bad idea. I think it had to do with Bonzi Wells being part of that.

After last nite, I think the countdown to "pressing-the-panic-button" has begun. Do it. Hell, there isnt any chemistry now anyways.

KG, i really agree with the set rotation thing. It forces guys to focus on certain elements of their game.

[jacktruth]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
Yeah, perhaps we should. I'd still trade for him.

Unfortunately, your solution is really a twostep solution:

1. Trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to the Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.
2. Replace Nellie.

Because your steps 2-3 are not going to happen with Nellie at the helm.

[Chiwas]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
WARNING: The following post contains some radical thoughts and some "knee-jerking" about how to fix the team. I realize that I don't have all the answers, and I don't know more about the NBA than Don Nelson. And I don't care, because no one's forcing you to read this.

Here's my knee-jerk, spur of the moment thoughts on improving the team:

1. Trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to the Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.

I know a lot of people don't like CTC, but he's an undeniable talent, and he fits better on this team than any of the guys we'd be trading.

Wallace - Bradley
Nowitzki - Fortson
Walker - Howard
Finley - Howard
Nash - Best

That's a bad ass team, defensively and offensively.

You've got five scorers who are very versatile and can score from anywhere on the court. Three of them can post up well, and most of them can get their own shot.

It's a very good rebounding team.

It has a lot of defensive potential. Think about these lineups:

Bradley
Wallace
Walker
Howard
Best

Bradley
Wallace
Nowitzki
Walker
Nash

Wallace
Nowitzki
Howard
Finley
Nash

I could go on and on, but you would always have a nice mix of offense and defense on the floor, because Bradley, Best, Howard, and Wallace are all good defenders.

2. Establish a set rotation.

Instead of using all 11 guys and acting like he's a kid with a new toy, Nellie should take this team and establish a set rotation.

The starters should be Wallace (or Jamison if he stays), Nowitzki, Walker, Finley and Nash. The guards off the bench should be Best and Howard. The frontcourt reserves should be Bradley and either Najera or Fortson.

Pick 9 guys. 5 starters, 2 frontcourt reserves, and 2 backcourt reserves. And then play them. Consistently.

3. Believe you're as good as anybody in the league. Specifically, the Lakers.

I thought we were over this after the playoffs last year, but then again, I guess we didn't face the Lakers.

The Mavericks have to start believing that they belong among the elite. They have enough talent to compete with and beat anyone -- they simply have to play like they know that.

I don't know if it has to be Dirk, or Nellie, or Fin, or Walker, or Steve, or what, but somebody has to take charge of this situation and say that it's NOT okay to act like underdogs. It's NOT okay to act like we're just happy to be here.

We can continue to stockpile talent in Dallas for as long as we want. Until the organization reaches the point where they expect to beat everybody and don't accept anything less, we're going to end up wondering about what might have been.

I will give my knee jerking solution, but way shorter:

1 and only: Bring other coach. Easier, cheaper, fresher. The worst that can happen is that the Mavs win the same games. But with many possibilities to beat the loser attitude and win the Championship or at least to fight for it.

[kg_veteran]

Jacktruth, you might be right. I don't know how we can replace him in the middle of the season, but I also realize that Nellie has never done either of those two things since he's been here.

Jerry Sloan seems like the perfect guy for the job, but Utah has him sewed up, and rightfully so.

[LRB]

Here's mine:

1.

Dallas trades: PF Antoine Walker (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 36.4 minutes)
SG Marquis Daniels (4.1 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 6.5 minutes)
Dallas receives: C Greg Ostertag (6.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.0 apg in 30.7 minutes)
C Keon Clark (2.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 13.5 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -11.9 ppg, +2.1 rpg, and -2.7 apg.

Utah trades: C Greg Ostertag (6.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.0 apg in 30.7 minutes)
C Keon Clark (2.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 13.5 minutes)
Utah receives: PF Antoine Walker (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 18 games)
SG Marquis Daniels (4.1 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.8 apg in 11 games)
Change in team outlook: +11.9 ppg, -2.1 rpg, and +2.7 apg.

Mavs add the max cash kicker + 2 future 1st round picks and anything else of value that we can legally trade that isn't a player on our roster.

2. As a condition for the above trade:

Utah trades Jerry Sloan to Dallas in Return for Don Nelson.

Talent wise we take a huge bite. Ostertag will help fill some needs, but the cost is high. Keon is K-Rap IMO. But we get rid of our biggest single problem, Nellie. We have to make the pot real sweet for Utah. We take a crappy relative high dollar player for their payroll. We give them a Rookie with great potential that is cheap and an allstar Player. Both are good Nellie type players. Add in to future #1 draft picks, sure they'll have to wait a while to use them, but they're useful in trades.

Dallas finally gets a coach with an attitude. Someone who can help Dirk make it to the next level. We have a good rotation at center, Bradley/Ostertag/Clark. We give up an allstar, but get a coach that should be able to get more than what we gave up out of the players that we will have. Sloan has never had so talented of a team and that's saying something. Mavs lose the soft label and learn to play D.

Nellie is good at building teams and attacting talent. So it's not that bad of a fit for Utah. They'll just need to get a real coach once the talent is in place.

[madape]

Good idea kg. Jamison and Rasheed are comperable players in terms of talent. Jamison, of course, is a much better locker room guy. That's not to say that 'sheed would pout around about his role here. On the contrary. I think 'sheed would flourish on a team that does not rely on him to be the leader. It is still a consideration, though.

I like Wallace in this team because he has the ability to play the five spot. I know he's not a traditional center, but I like the lineups Nelson could throw out there. The Dirk/Walker/Wallace frontcourt is pretty big, and pretty scary offensively.

I used to not think that the Blazers would deal with the Mavericks, the two teams being conference rivals and all.. But now that it appears they have decided to rebuild, I think it's certainly possible. The Blazers would need to throw a little something extra in the deal to make it a no-brainer though.

[kg_veteran]

If we bring in a new coach, he has to do those things.

[Rhylan]

I do this trade today if I can... but... know what happens? Our two best post players, Wallace and Walker, shoot too many threes on the orders of their illustrious coach.

However, if nothing else, I am here to say that we HAVE to get someone who is at least 6-10, and not white, by the time the playoffs get here. I don't care who. Somebody who has the basketball identity of a Najera or a Fortson, but is actually tall. Tony Massenburg, shit, I don't care. Just get me somebody. Nellie spent 75% of the last three season playing lineups with one completely inept offensive player on the court. I just DON'T GET why when he does that, it has to be Adrian Griffin, or Greg Buckner, or Najera, or ANYBODY under 6'9". He refuses to have any patience whatsoever with any player 6-10 or taller unless he is God. Honestly, other than Dirk, what player over 6-10 has Nellie ever TRULY utilized?

[COOLJAZZ]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
If we bring in a new coach, he has to do those things.

Who's available?

[kg_veteran]

I think 'sheed would flourish on a team that does not rely on him to be the leader.

I agree.

I like Wallace in this team because he has the ability to play the five spot. I know he's not a traditional center, but I like the lineups Nelson could throw out there. The Dirk/Walker/Wallace frontcourt is pretty big, and pretty scary offensively.

I like him because he can defend and protect the basket better than Jamison. I like him because he's got more offensive versatility than Jamison.

Rasheed can guard a guy like Tim Duncan and occasionally be successful.

A collapsing defense with Rasheed, Shawn, Dirk, and Antoine has a lot of potential.

I used to not think that the Blazers would deal with the Mavericks, the two teams being conference rivals and all.. But now that it appears they have decided to rebuild, I think it's certainly possible. The Blazers would need to throw a little something extra in the deal to make it a no-brainer though.

I think we need to just get the deal done. Take the Blazers before they realize they've been taken.

[Bookit]

GET RID OF THE ZONE!!!! Please get rid of the Zone. I can't take it anymore. All teams have figured out how to beat it. (everybody but the Nets anyway) Last night it was so refreshing to have Josh Howard playing solid man to man defense.

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: Rhylan
I do this trade today if I can... but... know what happens? Our two best post players, Wallace and Walker, shoot too many threes on the orders of their illustrious coach.

However, if nothing else, I am here to say that we HAVE to get someone who is at least 6-10, and not white, by the time the playoffs get here. I don't care who. Somebody who has the basketball identity of a Najera or a Fortson, but is actually tall. Tony Massenburg, shit, I don't care. Just get me somebody. Nellie spent 75% of the last three season playing lineups with one completely inept offensive player on the court. I just DON'T GET why when he does that, it has to be Adrian Griffin, or Greg Buckner, or Najera, or ANYBODY under 6'9". He refuses to have any patience whatsoever with any player 6-10 or taller unless he is God. Honestly, other than Dirk, what player over 6-10 has Nellie ever TRULY utilized?

Rhylan, you're right, but that's the real problem. Nellie won't use them. Hell, I'd trade Eddie for Calvin Friggin' Booth if Nellie would use him. We just need somebody with athleticism and height who can do a little something on the inside to deter opponents from layups.

[MavKikiNYC]

Originally posted by: COOLJAZZ

Who's available?

Totally random thought, but....

What about an anti-Laker amulet coaching staff of Pat Riley, assissted by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper. Have Cartwright become Director of Scouting or something.

"Promote" Capon to Super Executive Team President Emeritus and have him scout prospects out in Hawaii.

Retain Little Whistle as Executive Director of Player Personnel.

Bye-bye, Del.

Bye-bye, Ro.

Bye, Mokeski.

[Dooby]

No interest in that trade. You are trading a SF with a good attitude for a SF with a bad attitude. And not "bad attitude" as in B.A. Barakus a/k/a Mr. T, but bad attitude as in ....well, any Portland Trailblazer.

And make no mistake, Rasheed is not a center. He is only occasionally motivated to play inside or on defense. Do you seriously expect nelson to motivate Rasheed to do either?

We had this discussion before. I was in favor of getting Rasheed once, when the mavs had no small forwards on the roster. Now, we have a glut at that position.

As for KG's other two points, well, what you really want is a new coach 'cause the current one will never deliver those things.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran

Rhylan, you're right, but that's the real problem. Nellie won't use them. Hell, I'd trade Eddie for Calvin Friggin' Booth if Nellie would use him. We just need somebody with athleticism and height who can do a little something on the inside to deter opponents from layups.

What we need 1st is a new coach then. Dumbass Nellie doesn't like to use the talent that he has effectively, especially if it's over 6'10" so trading won't help unless we get a new coach who has the balls to use it.

And Kiki I'd seriously consider getting Riles in here. Can you put together what you think it would take for use to get the Heat to release him?

[kg_veteran]

I'm fine with your suggestion, Kiki, but didn't Riley walk out on his team, too?

[LRB]

KG what are your suggestions for the coaching problem? I'd be very interesting in hearing them.

[The Buddha]

Amazing that so many people want a total restructuring of the Mavs because of a loss to Lakers, and the history of losses to them. I suppose these folks want an Anti-Laker team, but how would that team stack up against other teams? Don't forget the pleasure we all have had watching an incredible Mavs team get better each season and who had the best record in the league last year. Sounds like a bunch of cranky folks with Laker game day hangovers. Keep the big picture in mind, the season, home court advantage, other playoff opponents...The Lakers are a problem for EVERY TEAM, not just the Mavs. If every team that has been steamrolled by them so far this year "knee-jerked" by firing coaches and trading players, the league would be no closer to beating them. Do you think the Spurs are ready to give it up and start over because they have already lost 3 and are in a way worse predicament then the Mavs? NOPE.....

[kg_veteran]

I'd be willing to give Riley a try.

My first choice would be Jerry Sloan, but he's not available.

Other than Riley or Sloan, I don't know that there's anyone qualified enough out there to justify a change.

I kind of like Kiki's suggestion, though.

Bring in a coaching staff full of winners.

[MikeB]

I don't think we have to trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to get Wallace. I like Jamison alot....but I was thinking of something similar myself.
There are 3 players on the Blazers that I think we could get that could help our team: Rasheed Wallace, Ruben Patterson, and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.
I went to RealGM and Boumtje Boumtje was untradeable...I don't know why?
Portland is looking to dump Wallace and Patterson so we give them Jamison, Abdul-Wahad, and Delk.
The trade is accepted after Dec 20th. Patterson would help with his fire and defensive ability.

PG - Nash / Best / Daniels
SG - Finley / Howard
SF - Walker /Patterson
PF - Dirk / Najera
C - Wallace / Bradley / Fortson

[jacktruth]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
If we bring in a new coach, he has to do those things.

That's the perplexing thing. . .most coaches do those two things, or at least try to. . .geez, at minimum they see the value in those things. Nellie doesn't even seem to see the value in having a consistent starting lineup.

He doesn't seem to understand that when you have x number of days preparing for a team and you spend x number of days touting the strengths of the other team, your lose the ability to build the confidence of your own team.

This may sound harsh, but coming from the mouth of a parent, I wonder if little Nellie hasn't taken a head coaching job because his father never praises and encourages him. . .

[Bookit]

The Lakers start their 5 best players. Why doesn't Nellie do the same? Small ball sucks so much I can't stand it anymore. Isn't the beginning of the game important? Especially against the Lakers? Put Jamison in the linup Nellie.

I do like the fact that Nellie is playing Howard more however. At least Howard has long arms and isn't imtimidated.

[kg_veteran]

Amazing that so many people want a total restructuring of the Mavs because of a loss to Lakers, and the history of losses to them.

Since you're new here, I'll let you slide on that one. If we were all bitching about one loss, we would be overreacting. But the same crap keeps re-occurring here over and over and over again. Don't tell us we're overreacting to one game. We're simply commenting on what we view as an organizational problem that needs to be solved.

Don't forget the pleasure we all have had watching an incredible Mavs team get better each season and who had the best record in the league last year.

That's all that anybody wants. For the team to continue to get better. And for the team to have a realistic shot at a title. That's why we're complaining, because things need to change for that shot at the title to be realistic.

Keep the big picture in mind, the season, home court advantage, other playoff opponents...

The big picture is what is really scary.

The Lakers are a problem for EVERY TEAM, not just the Mavs. If every team that has been steamrolled by them so far this year "knee-jerked" by firing coaches and trading players, the league would be no closer to beating them.

Who cares about the rest of the league? The Mavs have enough talent to compete with the Lakers. And nobody's talking about one game. I could have accepted a loss last night without Nowitzki if the Mavericks had just gone out and played hard and executed a gameplan. But that didn't happen.

We need a coach who believes that it is possible to beat the Lakers, the Spurs, the Kings, etc., without luck intervening.

Do you think the Spurs are ready to give it up and start over because they have already lost 3 and are in a way worse predicament then the Mavs? NOPE.....

No, because their coach at least has the attitude of a winner. He knows that it's possible to beat the Lakers.

Nellie doesn't.

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: Bookit
The Lakers start their 5 best players. Why doesn't Nellie do the same?

That's too damn simple and makes too much sense. Gotta trick it up.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: The Buddha
The Lakers are a problem for EVERY TEAM, not just the Mavs. If every team that has been steamrolled by them so far this year "knee-jerked" by firing coaches and trading players, the league would be no closer to beating them.

OK I'm officially calling Bull Shit on this statement. I can name you two handfuls of teams with less talent who the Lakers are not as much a problem for as they have been fro the Mavs over the past 3 + seasons. I'm only comparing since the mavs because a playoff team. Our history of sucking goes back farther, but it isn't that the Lakers are a problem for everyone, it's that they are more of a problem for the Mavs than any other team in the league. There are lottery teams in the east that have more wins aginst the Lakers in the last 3 years than we do and they only play them 2 times per year.

Given this history, it is blatantly obvious that Nellie a complete failure as a coach against the Lakers and the Mavs have less chance than the Nuggets or Houston or Memphis or the Bulls of getting past the Lakers in the playoffs. Considering our superior talent level that is completely unacceptable to me as a fan.

[MavKikiNYC]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
I'd be willing to give Riley a try.

My first choice would be Jerry Sloan, but he's not available.

Other than Riley or Sloan, I don't know that there's anyone qualified enough out there to justify a change.

I kind of like Kiki's suggestion, though.

Bring in a coaching staff full of winners.

I like Sloan, but frankly, I can't imagine him putting up with Cuban. And that's BEFORE Cuban's antics about the scorer at the Delta Center a couple of years ago. Cuban hiring Sloan would have to occur with the approximate dynamic of Jones hiring Parcells, and I don't think Cuban has experienced enough failure to be able to bottom out and back off. But Sloan is the TYPE of coach I think could move the Mavericks toward where they need to be.

Riley would be available, presumably. I don't know what kind of compenation the Mavericks would have to offer. Maybe offer to send Nellie over for starters. Come to think of it, the Heat are in a position where they could actually use some of Nellie's talent assessment expertise, and he might even be able to gimmick them into the Eastern Conference playoffs, things being what they are over here.

As for his quitting on his team.....I'm not sure about that. I mean, I'm not sure what I think about that. Haven't read enough of the details of that yet, but in a way, it seems reminiscent of JVG leaving the NYKs after it became clear to him that he had lost them. I've never heard or read this explicitly, but I've wondered if JVG didn't know going into the season that he was going to leave, but waited until it was too late to make wholesale changes to the rest of his coaching staff to give them a chance to work for the rest of the season. It worked out okay for Chaney. I'm not a huge fan of JVG as a coach, but I'm not sure that he wouldn't do something like that out of a sense of loyalty to his staff.

Don't know if that was Riley's motivation or not either. But the club appears to be willing to let Stan Van Gundy take his shot, and SVG has served Riles loyally for years. Riley probably sensed that he was not going to be able to bring that group far enough fast enough, and improved the roster as much as he could before stepping aside.

That's a rather different type of "quitting" than what Capon did last night. Effectively, Riley doesn't have to wake up and face his club in the morning. He just hustled on his pants and slipped out in the dark. Capon, on the other hand, passed out in the bathroom after having failed to perform. And you have to wonder if the team's respect for him hasn't begun to erode already.

[kg_veteran]

The difference between how Dallas plays the Lakers and how other teams play the Lakers, at least as I perceive it, is that most teams leave it all on the court against the Lakers and play as hard as they absolutely can to try and beat the Lakers. When Dallas plays them, they typically don't start playing that hard until they're way behind.

Also, I've seen teams like the Grizzlies and Bulls go out and play fearlessly against the Lakers, but the Mavericks look very much afraid. Almost like they've been told they can't win, and they believe it.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
The difference between how Dallas plays the Lakers and how other teams play the Lakers, at least as I perceive it, is that most teams leave it all on the court against the Lakers and play as hard as they absolutely can to try and beat the Lakers. When Dallas plays them, they typically don't start playing that hard until they're way behind.

Also, I've seen teams like the Grizzlies and Bulls go out and play fearlessly against the Lakers, but the Mavericks look very much afraid. Almost like they've been told they can't win, and they believe it.

Don't most other teams start with their 5 best players as well?

[kg_veteran]

Yes.

[Charlie Brown]

put walker in the trade instead of jamison . . .

i still don't understand why a lot of fans think walker's good for us . . . he's shooting 42% from the floor (which is actually GOOD considering his career numbers) and shooting like 28% from 3pt line . . . and i can't see either figure getting much better . . .

when you have too many stars on the team, there are not enough balls to go around, so the key is to make sure you have efficient scorers as opposed to volume scorers . . . walker and finley are volume scorers and i think having one (finley) is enough . . . nash, nowitzki, and jamison are efficient scorers

i also point to the plus/minus figures, which although not perfect, is still pretty telling . . . walker is freakin 10th on the team in terms of +/- . . . i think that's horrible for a guy who supposedly makes players around him better . . .

http://www.82games.com/0304DAL.HTM

i've never liked walker or nellie . . . i say get rid of them both

and this is the rotation i use

PG Steve Nash Travis Best
SG Josh Howard Michael Finley
SF Antawn Jamison Michael Finley
PF Dirk Nowitzki Eduardo Najera
C Rasheed Wallace Shawn Bradley

[WayOutWest]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
The difference between how Dallas plays the Lakers and how other teams play the Lakers, at least as I perceive it, is that most teams leave it all on the court against the Lakers and play as hard as they absolutely can to try and beat the Lakers. When Dallas plays them, they typically don't start playing that hard until they're way behind.

Also, I've seen teams like the Grizzlies and Bulls go out and play fearlessly against the Lakers, but the Mavericks look very much afraid. Almost like they've been told they can't win, and they believe it.

There is definately a mental problem with the Mavs. For years it's annoyed me how "UP" teams get when they play the Lakers. It's almost like they save their best game for them. You've got teams/coaches/players that have carreer nights vs. L.A. I'm starting to see that with the Spurs, the Clippers played like thier life depended on it the whole game then they came out flat against the Cavaliers, there was a notable difference in attitude. Granted many times attitude is not enough, like when the Clips played Denver, you could tell the Clips wanted to show up the Nuggest because of Miller and Carmelo, but they just couldn't hang. Mavs have the talent to hang with anyone in the league but they have a losing mentality towards certain teams.

IMO Jerry Sloan would not be a good coach for the mavs, Riley would be awesome. Sloan is too much of a control freak, he calls in EVERY single set play even though he had Stockton running the point, the Mavs are not built for a Sloan type of coach. Riles on the other hand is more of a game plan coach and makes adjustments better than any coach including Phil Jackson and Larry Brown. He didn't quite on this team like some make it out to be and he has to face them everyday, he was just worn out and didn't think he could do much with his team.

I'm starting to buy into the Nellie negative attitude being a detrement to the Mavs camp. Where do I sign?

[uberfan]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
WARNING: The following post contains some radical thoughts and some "knee-jerking" about how to fix the team. I realize that I don't have all the answers, and I don't know more about the NBA than Don Nelson. And I don't care, because no one's forcing you to read this.

Here's my knee-jerk, spur of the moment thoughts on improving the team:

1. Trade Jamison, Najera, and Delk to the Blazers for Rasheed Wallace.

I know a lot of people don't like CTC, but he's an undeniable talent, and he fits better on this team than any of the guys we'd be trading.

Wallace - Bradley
Nowitzki - Fortson
Walker - Howard
Finley - Howard
Nash - Best

That's a bad ass team, defensively and offensively.

You've got five scorers who are very versatile and can score from anywhere on the court. Three of them can post up well, and most of them can get their own shot.

It's a very good rebounding team.

It has a lot of defensive potential. Think about these lineups:

Bradley
Wallace
Walker
Howard
Best

Bradley
Wallace
Nowitzki
Walker
Nash

Wallace
Nowitzki
Howard
Finley
Nash

I could go on and on, but you would always have a nice mix of offense and defense on the floor, because Bradley, Best, Howard, and Wallace are all good defenders.

2. Establish a set rotation.

Instead of using all 11 guys and acting like he's a kid with a new toy, Nellie should take this team and establish a set rotation.

The starters should be Wallace (or Jamison if he stays), Nowitzki, Walker, Finley and Nash. The guards off the bench should be Best and Howard. The frontcourt reserves should be Bradley and either Najera or Fortson.

Pick 9 guys. 5 starters, 2 frontcourt reserves, and 2 backcourt reserves. And then play them. Consistently.

3. Believe you're as good as anybody in the league. Specifically, the Lakers.

I thought we were over this after the playoffs last year, but then again, I guess we didn't face the Lakers.

The Mavericks have to start believing that they belong among the elite. They have enough talent to compete with and beat anyone -- they simply have to play like they know that.

I don't know if it has to be Dirk, or Nellie, or Fin, or Walker, or Steve, or what, but somebody has to take charge of this situation and say that it's NOT okay to act like underdogs. It's NOT okay to act like we're just happy to be here.

We can continue to stockpile talent in Dallas for as long as we want. Until the organization reaches the point where they expect to beat everybody and don't accept anything less, we're going to end up wondering about what might have been.

Although I would not trust Nellie to play Wallace at 5, or even Wallace t play there himself, Portland is looking for shorterm contract back for Wallace. So, if you want to make the trade you may have to do it like this (after Dec. 20th). At least Jamison will play down low with Dirk and Wallace playing outside. Patterson gives us a defender to replace Delk and the-never-available-when-you-need-him TAW:



Dallas trades: PG Tony Delk (9.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.8 apg in 21.1 minutes)
PF Antoine Walker (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 36.4 minutes)
PF Tariq Abdul-Wahad (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 36.4 minutes)
Dallas receives: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg in 40.0 minutes)
SG Ruben Patterson (4.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 apg in 20.1 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -4.1 ppg, -1.5 rpg, and -1.2 apg.

Portland trades: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 apg in 40.0 minutes)
SG Ruben Patterson (4.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 apg in 20.1 minutes)
Portland receives: PG Tony Delk (9.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.8 apg in 13 games)
PF Antoine Walker (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 18 games)
PF Tariq Abdul-Wahad (16.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.4 apg in 18 games)
Change in team outlook: +4.1 ppg, +1.5 rpg, and +1.2 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

Due to Dallas and Portland being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Dallas

[Charlie Brown]

i'd do that trade in a heartbeat

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Charlie Brown
i'd do that trade in a heartbeat

Too bad you're not MARK CUBAN, though. Awwwwww.... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]




Anyway....I think Finley would sooner go than Walker if only because of the AGE DIFFERENCE(Walker is 27; Finley is 30-something)....Of course, Finley not doing much of anything offensively *and* not trying to contribute in OTHER WAYS when his offense is not going Doesn't help YOUR case for Trading Antoine. AT least Walker continues to Rebound the Ball, and has had more games where he has had 5 or more assists than Games where he has not. He is intense and hates to lose.....AS for Finley? Riiiight....

Cuban would have to be smoking the Cocaine-laced Cigar if he even thought of making that trade or ANY Trade involving Walker.

(Judging by your picture, I'd say you've been doing some "smoking" of your own...lol)

i've never liked walker or nellie . . . i say get rid of them both

So just because a Fan doesn't like someone, they should be traded? ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]




Okay then.....I don't like Finley.....TRADE HIM! bahhahahaahahahh!!! Oh wait!

I don't like...umm......Best! TRADE HIM!!! HAHAHHAAHAH!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[MavKikiNYC]

This is a slight divergence from The Solution, but pertinent in the context of Nellie's approach to the game relative to that of other coaches.

Did anyone note last night Kerr's point about Phil Jackson and how he was very careful to get reserves into the game, at LEAST every 4-5 games, just to keep them mentally sharp, and how Kerr, as a former Jackson player and former high-performing reserve found that motivation to be extremely valuable in keeping him ready to play?

Case in point from last night:

Medevenko logged 13 minutes, scoring 6 points and grabbing 5 rebounds.

In contrast, Fortson and Mantis combined logged 11 minutes, scoring 2 points and grabbing 1 rebound.

Which player(s) were more ready to play--Jackson's or Nelson's?