1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Excellent Column on Mavs and why they aren't playoff-bound

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by The Cat, Oct 5, 2000.

Tags:
  1. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,836
    Likes Received:
    5,434
    http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/hughes/801675.html

    Thursday, October 5
    Dallas offseason a whole lotta nothing

      By Frank Hughes
    Special to ESPN.com


      Have you ever watched a football game where a running back runs a sweep right, gets penned in, reverses direction, dodges a bunch of would-be tacklers, goes all the way across the field, gets strung out, reverses direction again, avoids another tackler, turns upfield and then gets tackled?

    You say to yourself, "Wow, what an impressive run."

    Then you hear the announcer go, "He picked up one yard."

    That's the Dallas Mavericks.

    They did all this crazy stuff this summer, made all these moves, were in the news every other day, traded and traded and signed and swapped, jiggled their roster, changed their names, made everybody think they were drastically improving.

    And they gained one yard.

    I keep hearing how the Mavericks have gotten better, the Mavs are going to make the playoffs for the first time since Ted Stepien was no longer their benefactor, how the Mavs are one of the teams to beat this year.

    And I just don't see it.

    This is no disrespect to Mark Cuban, who is doing everything he can to bring credibility to the franchise, including providing every player with a live-in maid and a part-time window washer because NBA players "deserve everything they get." Uh-huh.

    But as one GM recently said, "They have a bunch of new pieces, but none of them seem to fit together."

    Since when did acquiring Christian Laettner suddenly put you over the top? It may send you over a cliff, but not put you over the top.

    And since when did Howard Eisley become Gary Payton or Jason Kidd? I'm telling you, this team has no starting point guard. Steve Nash has been a big disappointment thus far in his career, and Eisley, while a decent little player, is not going to make a good starter.

    Dallas performed admirably on draft day, when they picked up Courtney Alexander, Etan Thomas, Donnell Harvey and Eduardo Najera. But the last time I checked, rookies needed a serious breaking-in time in the NBA -- unless, of course, your name happens to be Tim Duncan.

    Sure, Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki are nice, and both are probably All-Stars. But with that many rookies, and with that many rookies who are expected to contribute, plus the fact that they still have no rebounding and no defense, plus the fact that Shawn Bradley still is their starting center, plus the fact that Laettner has been unhappy, and has made those around him unhappy, wherever he has gone, this seems more like a team for the future more than a team for now.

    I'm all for Cuban. He's genuinely excited, his ideas are fresh, he wants to win and he's willing to break down barriers to do it. But this is not the year, Marko, I'm sorry to say.

    I'll even put my money where my mouth is.

    I'll bet my $250 to Cuban's $2,500 (he is a billionaire after all) that the Mavericks do not make the playoffs this season, for the 11th straight season, the longest postseason drought going.

    And if I'm right, I want my windows washed, too.

    ------------------
    Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net
    ClutchTown.com
    http://www.noarena.net

    OU SUCKS!!!
     
    #1 The Cat, Oct 5, 2000
  2. BobFinn*

    BobFinn* Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2000
    Messages:
    11,438
    Likes Received:
    6
    Its true the Mavs won't be in the playoffs, but at least their trying to get better. They need to unload Bradley and get a real center. As for Laettner, his record speaks for itself. How many teams has this guy played for? Good players are not traded every year.

    ------------------
    In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things:
    1. Don't tell everything you know.
     
    #2 BobFinn*, Oct 5, 2000
  3. Rockets R' Us

    Rockets R' Us Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2000
    Messages:
    3,009
    Likes Received:
    105
    RIGHT ON! That's what I've been saying since the beggining of this "Dallas' is makin the playoffs" nonsense.

    ------------------
    Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
     
    #3 Rockets R' Us, Oct 5, 2000
  4. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 1999
    Messages:
    14,887
    Likes Received:
    123
    i agree but they could go close if Nash says injury free and plays like he did at the Olympics, he was great and is exactly what they have been missing. But yeah i am not sure there front court by committee will really work.

    ------------------
    Discombobulation Imminent
     
    #4 SmeggySmeg, Oct 5, 2000
  5. SuperS32

    SuperS32 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2000
    Messages:
    928
    Likes Received:
    26
    I couldn't agree less. This is the
    Mavs lineup-
    PG- Nash and Eisley
    SG- Finley and Alexander
    SF- Dirk Nowitski and Najara
    PF-Laettner and Harvey
    C-Bradley and Etan Thomas

    Now I'm pretty sure that that's not a lineup that can compete with the Blazers,Lakers,or Heat. But it's MORE then good enough to make the playoffs.They had a better end of the year last season then any other team in the NBA. And all they did was add rookies who WILL PRODUCE RIGHT AWAY and veterans like eisley and Laettner who can help the rookies develop.This team doesnt need 15-20 ppg out of its PG's- just 5-7 apg and decent defense which is what nash and eiley give them. They have 2 7'0 in there front court and a physical PF in Christian Laettner. There only competitors for the playoffs are wolves(who wont make it), the kings, and the rockets. They;ll proabbly have a better record then the Kings and I think they can beat the Rockets also(although i hate to say it). They ended up with a better record then the Rockets last year and improved there team more then the rockets did. I see them as a #7 seed.

    ------------------
    "There are two rules for success... 1) Never tell everything you know."
     
    #5 SuperS32, Oct 5, 2000
  6. Rockets R' Us

    Rockets R' Us Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2000
    Messages:
    3,009
    Likes Received:
    105
    Hey SuperS32, why'd you take Bob's signature? [​IMG]

    ------------------
    Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
     
    #6 Rockets R' Us, Oct 5, 2000
  7. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2000
    Messages:
    6,053
    Likes Received:
    5
    The Mavs did improve, but they will need time. I have already heard that the Mavericks have sold more tickets through today, then they did for the entire season last year.

    They may not make the playoffs, but Cuban sure is hyping them up!

    ------------------
    There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
     
    #7 HOOP-T, Oct 6, 2000
  8. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    48,984
    Likes Received:
    1,445
    Don't get me wrong, I'm not on the Mavericks bandwagon, but I don't understand how someone can say something like Eisley's never going to be a good starter because he's never started. Does this guy not remember who Eisley was playing behind in Utah? The guy was a very good backup who, I believe could be a very good starter in this league.

    ------------------
    Cheerleaders are just dancers who've gone r****ded.

    visit www.swirve.com
     
    #8 Rocketman95, Oct 6, 2000
  9. oeilpere

    oeilpere Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2000
    Messages:
    1,015
    Likes Received:
    1
    I do not agree with Frank Hughes. But I certainly do not agree with SuperS32 either.

    M. Cuban

    The Mav's have a progressive, agressive and charismatic owner who will do anything to get the Mavericks on the top step. He likes the players and hangs out with them. He loans them his jet for the flimsiest reasons.

    He rebuilt their dressing room this year, including 16 individual cubicles the size of my livingroom. Each has a VCR, DVD, Sony Playstation, Stereo Monitor, Central Dedicated in-house cable system to review the previous half/game in the privacy of their own comfort while the coach reiterates the game plan for the second half.

    But the most important thing he did was show the team he will bend over backwards to get what is needed to make it a successful team. He falls short, simply because of the limitations of available personnel. But do not think this sense of committment to the team was lost on guys like Michael Finley. Or C-Webb. Or .....

    The Guards

    Nash and Eisley are no slouches. Nash has burned some pretty good players and teams this summer. He has gained some enormous respect around the league, and he looks as healthy as when he played ball in college. Eisley was the backup for one of the premier PG's to ever play this game. Even if you don't believe in the laws of osmosis, no one should attempt desparaging remarks either. He is going to cook for the Mavs this year.

    The Rest

    'Ski will score and often. he will cause so many matchup problems they may name a Hurricane after him. Laettner is less impressive to me than some, but he surely will offer some improvemnent over last year's platooning sytem. The Praying Mantis has bulked up. Again. Folks, he is a presence in the middle, and is gaining strength. I klnow he's hard to look at, but so was Georges Mureshan. Bradley will earn some kudos this year.

    Conclusion

    I think the Mavericks will contest for a playoff berth. They will not dominate as some have postulated. But they will not flounder all year either. They will hurt some teams. As for the bet: I'll take Frank's money from him. Straight up, Frank ... your $250 against my $25 ... probably, the best bet I ever made!
     
    #9 oeilpere, Oct 7, 2000
  10. rock

    rock Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 1999
    Messages:
    736
    Likes Received:
    1
    And I'll bet your $25 against my $2.50

    ------------------
     
    #10 rock, Oct 9, 2000
  11. FranchiseCat

    FranchiseCat Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2000
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    0
    And I'll bet your $2.50 against my $.25 [​IMG]



    ------------------
    "...Do you hear 'em? They're everywhere!!! AAAHHH!!!"

    That's what the other teams will be saying after being shellshocked by Steve Francis and Co.
     
    #11 FranchiseCat, Oct 10, 2000
  12. DrNuegebauer

    DrNuegebauer Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2000
    Messages:
    12,743
    Likes Received:
    9,983
    and I'll bet your $.25 against my... oh wait, this isn't funny anymore [​IMG]



    ------------------
     
    #12 DrNuegebauer, Oct 10, 2000
  13. vj23k

    vj23k Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2000
    Messages:
    5,351
    Likes Received:
    46
    thats 2.5 cents if your not good with your decimals doc.neug [​IMG]
     
    #13 vj23k, Oct 10, 2000
  14. vj23k

    vj23k Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2000
    Messages:
    5,351
    Likes Received:
    46
    SuperS32, why wont the wolves make it, if smith is back then i see them making the 8th spot. It was very unfortunate what happened to sealy though. he was a good guy, as well as an excellent basketball player.
     
    #14 vj23k, Oct 10, 2000
  15. moestavern19

    moestavern19 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 1999
    Messages:
    39,003
    Likes Received:
    3,641
    I was expecting more why the Mavs look good posts when i opened this topic , Never mind

    ------------------
    This signature space for rent call 555 ...
     
    #15 moestavern19, Oct 10, 2000
  16. mrpaige

    mrpaige Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2000
    Messages:
    8,831
    Likes Received:
    15
    #16 mrpaige, Mar 16, 2001
  17. crash5179

    crash5179 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2000
    Messages:
    16,468
    Likes Received:
    1,297
    I love it any time someone from ESPN puts their foot in there mouth!

    ------------------
     
    #17 crash5179, Mar 16, 2001
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page