FORT WORTH, Texas -- Wang Zhizhi is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers as the Dallas Mavericks decided Wednesday not to match a $6 million, three-year offer sheet. The Mavericks had until Thursday to make a decision, but owner Mark Cuban told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Wednesday that he'd made up his mind. "The bottom line is he didn't want to be here,'' Cuban said. "He wanted to go someplace where he could get a lot of minutes.'' Wang, a 7-foot-1 center with a good outside shot, played 55 games last season and averaged 5.6 points in 10.9 minutes per game. Wang's role wasn't likely to increase as Dallas plans to get more out of Shawn Bradley and Evan Eschmeyer at center. Raef LaFrentz and Dirk Nowitzki also can play the position. "It would be good to have him, but we're not going to miss him,'' Cuban said. "We'll find the two or three points from somewhere else.'' Dallas made him the first Asian-born player in the NBA two seasons ago, but relations with the team were strained after he disobeyed orders to join China's national team this summer. He played on Golden State's summer league team ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cuban seems like a nice enough guy until you cross him. "We'll get the 2 or 3 points from somewhere else". Ouch!
I do not blame Wang he was used as a publicity stunt in Dallas and did recieve very few minutes, Can't blame him for wanting to further his career. Go Wang!
I still think Wang will turn out to be a good player but Dallas won't miss him. When you look at all of his skills he just doesn't have what the Mavs need. He has exactly what LA needs which is why I think he will still be a good player.
Well that was classy. I hope to god Wang goes off an has a solid career. Lets see Cuban takes shots at Wang, and Ming, all the while he's paying top dollar to that stiff Shawn Bradley. Yeah, you try and replace those 2 to 3 ppg, I doubt it'll help you against the Spurs, Kings and Lakers.
Maybe Wang only averaged 5 ppg against the Clipps last season, but Cuban needs reminded that the Clipps split the season series 2-2 with the Mavs. In the final minutes of a close game were the ball is pounded inside, do you favor Kandi, Brand, and Wang or LaFrentz, Bradley and Dirk?
How do we know that Ming is any better than Wang? They put up frighteningly similar numbers in China playing against the sam competition.
As a Mavs fan this dissapoints me. Wang has potential and the Mavs aren't getting anything in return. Bummer.
Wang really didn't help Dallas. Dallas needs players that can play both sides of the ball. Not one person on their team can do that which will make them a perenial playoff loser. Dallas basketball is shallow as an Adam Sandler movie. Entertaining yes, award winning no.
Adam Sandler is getting rave reviews for the new movie Punch-Drunk Love... but the Mavs still have no D
I think most of us here (and a number of NBA analysts) tend to think Wang is underrated (as is Bateer). Cuban isn't used to being told to f-off, so he got mad, turned 5.6 per game into 2, and said something he probably shouldn't have...but that isn't new for him.
When I think about this whole Wang situation, I wonder whether Wang is very brave or very stupid. One can say that he is a selfish unpatriotic jerk, but can also claim him to be a fearless individual who defies an empire to pursue freedom. Either way, I do hope Yao to "beat him to death" when we face the clippers.
Wang has big cajones for standing up to China. If he doesn't fear the wrath of that government, I think he has what it takes to have a succesful NBA career.
