Official pre-season countdown thread

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Shamsports released it's 2012 salary page for the Mavs.

The only nugget of real interest, imo, is the difference in contracts they gave the second round rookies.

Bernard James got one year guaranteed, at the absolute rookie minimum, plus an non-guaranteed year next year.

Crowder, in contrast, got almost 35% more salary in the first year, AND got two years guaranteed with a team option for the third year.

I think we could all see this for ourselves in the summer league, but giving a second rounder two years guaranteed and above the minimum scale seems to speak to the Mavs confidence in Crowder being a contributor here.

What I don't get is why they drafted James first, unless it was a PR move to rev up the crowd. Sounded like they were most interested in Crowder when they got to the second round and with two consecutive picks, the order didn't matter, but you'd just expect that they'd go for their more desired player first.

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

What I don't get is why they drafted James first, unless it was a PR move to rev up the crowd. Sounded like they were most interested in Crowder when they got to the second round and with two consecutive picks, the order didn't matter, but you'd just expect that they'd go for their more desired player first.

IIRC, there was a radio interview over the summer with either Donnie or Mark where they said they took James first as a token symbol of respect.