http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/ramsay_drjack/1338282.html Sorry, but Dr. Jack just seems like a moron. Raef may end up underperforming in Dallas as some felt he did in Denver, but for Dr. Jack not to see the enormous talent differential in this trade is mind-boggling.
Well so far we have Dr. Jack, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith taking this stance on this trade. Interesting and surprising to most of us.
He's assuming than Van Exel is coming off the bench, but I don't think the Mavericks are stupid enough to do that. I think Van Exel will start as SG. And as for him comparing Lafrentz and Howard as equals, well that's just ludicrous. It looks like the only thing Howards does better is shoot free throws. Yeah, Lafrentz might not be an ideal center, but he's much more of a center than Howard. He hinted that Juwan would be better guarding Shaq than Lafrentz??? Maybe he needs to check the stats. Lafrentz is second in the league in blocked shots. I used to respect "Dr." Jack's commentary, but after reading that it doesn't look like he has much of a clue anymore.
I've always enjoyed Dr. Jack's stare-at-the-camera smile, which he delivers while the other person's talking to the camera. Jack has that "see-my-new-teeth?" smile. Next time he's on the air, watch: you'll see what I mean. I don't want to tease his age too much, we'll all get there. But he's out of touch, it's true. Still, better he has a high-profile job than Peter Vecsey.
I see where Dr. Jack is coming from, as well as Charles & Kenny, but I still like this trade. If anything, it moves Dirk back to his natural position now (PF/SF) and adds another solid PF/C to the rotation, which is never a bad thing, (How many 7' 3pt shooters can a team have, BTW?) as well as solid guard play. Obviously the Mavs feel that in order to beat the Lakers you have to bring a full offensive arsenal to the table, not just 'a few loaded guns'.... Gotta bring missle launchers, tanks, air craft carriers, .... If I were Nelson, I would begin working on Zone defenses right now in anticipation of the playoffs. I mean, can you imagine a 1-3-1 zone with Finley at the top matching up, a second line of (left to right) Nash, LaFrentz, and Nowitzki, and Bradley in the back? Or a 2-3 with Nash, Van Exel, or Finley at the top, and (left to right) Nowtizki, Bradley, and LaFrentz along the baseline? Could be tough. The Mavs seem to also have the makings of a nice future frontcourt (Dirk at SF, Raef at PF), and could still use Van Exel as a means to acquire more talent (a physical, shot-blocking C via trade or draft, perhaps?) in the offseason. As for Denver, they get a chance to start over. They lose a few contracts, free up a lot of money next year, and gain another pick in what should be another deep draft. However, I wonder what happens to McDyess now, could there be another Elton Brand-like trade this summer? Time will tell.
I think Cuban spread a little money in these guys pockets too so that they would say Denver looks OK in the trade. That Cuban is a smart guy, trying to spin so he doesn't get investigated by the NBA lawyers, SEC, EOEC and the AARP for bribing mentally declining older folk. Brilliant, brilliant, master plan.
