FACT: THE DALLAS MAVERICKS HAD DIRK, FINLEY, NASH AND DON NELSON WHEN CUBAN PURCHASED THE TEAM. PLEASE LET US STOP THE PERPETUAL MYTH THAT MARK CUBAN IS A GREAT OWNER! The year Cuban purchased the Mavericks midseason, the team finished 40-42. Cuban's first big move as Mavs owner? Signing Dennis Rodman, who killed team chemistry, played twelve games, during which the team compiled a 3-9 record. Dallas finished one spot out of the playoffs that season. THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE MAVERICKS GREATNESS WERE ALREADY IN PLACE WHEN CUBAN PURCHASED THE TEAM.
Cuban has pretty much turned expiring contracts to kidd, stackhouse, van excel, jamison, devin harris, terry and some others I am forgetting.
FACT: THERE'S MORE THINGS THAT GO INTO BEING A GREAT OWNER THAN JUST HAVING GOOD PIECES IN PLACE. YOU CAN'T DISCREDIT THE MAN FOR WHAT HE DID WITH THOSE BUILDING BLOCKS. You know things such as taking risks, resigning players, making sure your players are happy, having a do whatever it takes to win attitude, making sure your building is packed night in and night out, building rapport with your superstars (Dirk). Spending money to make money etc. All these things are very important. You know the Mavericks had Jamal Mashburn, Jim Jackson AND Jason Kidd at one point in time? How that for some "BUILDING BLOCKS" ? If Cuban owned the team in the 90's and had assets like those all I know is the Mavs would NOT have been bottom feeders during that decade. Give credit when credit is due. PS MAVS STILL SUCK.
I've talked to Mark Cuban he's not the impatient spender people make him out to be, his philosophy is always cost benefit analysis and he always looks for bang for buck and value. It's just like the nash deal, nash was solid for them, obviously not as solid for them as he was for phoenix, btu the offense did not call for that, so he took a player that sells tickets, was loved, and is a great player for them, but decided it wasn't worth 9-12 million for 5 years at his age... he thought dampier was, hes not afraid to do it, but hes also not a loose cannon make him out to be on a spending spree, he just decides if its worth it, and is it a necessary piece towards a title, i definitely have respect for him as a owner. I hate the idea of the mavs, but after their personell changes, getting rid of howard stackhouse, guys i hated, they are not bad, if they were in a different city..
agree cuban is an ass on tv and at the games but if you ever heard the man speak or even his conversations with Morey he is actually quite likable and very intelligent and knows his stuff.
Cuban made his money by being a smart businessman. Jordan made his money by being good at playing basketball and endorsing products. I have to give the business acumen edge to Cuban, and the edge in basketball knowledge to Jordan. Each can hire people to compensate where they are weak. But, the owner is more responsible for the business decisions, so I don't think Jordan is going to match Cuban here. I doubt Jordan will be able to match the profit-making turnaround that Cuban effected in Dallas. That profit has fed everything that Dallas has been able to do since. Jordan isn't as wealthy and has a small-market team and likely no experience running a business; I don't see him pulling it off.
C'mon man. Mark Cuban engineered the total makeover of the Mavs organization which was a decade long joke before he took over. They have enjoyed their best years under him - you have to be a moron to believe that is just a mere coincidence. His biggest fault was arguing with the refs in the '06 finals. If he had kept his yap shut, they would have a championship ring. Oh yeah, they are division champs and the number 2 seed this year because of the moves HE made this year and not Nelson.
I don't know which of the two have better knowledge in basketball. I think we should not assume too readily that just because the guy can play great basketball, he is "knowledgeable" in the game. I am pretty sure Daryl Morey is more knowledgeable than Michael Jordan on about everything related to basketball except actually playing the game.
I'm not saying Cuban is a horrible owner. He's a very good owner. I strongly disagree with him being "the best owner in the league, hands down!" There is no way Cuban would have been able to do what he's done with the Mavs had Nash, Finley, and Nowitzki already been in place when he purchased the team. He's done a very good job. The first four full seasons Cuban owned the Mavs, the Nash/Finley/Nowitzki trio made it to the WC Semis twice, the WC Finals once, and lost in the first round once. This is a core group of players that Cuban had nothing to do with putting together. His significant additions were Raef LaFrentz and Van Exel. After the Nash/Finley/Nowitzki trio was broken up, the team has made the finals once, WC semis twice, and lost in the first round twice. The team once again looks poised to lose in the first round. When the team did make the finals, the Mavs pulled an epic chokejob. The team followed the lead of their owner, obsessing over criticizing the officials, and gave away an NBA title.
I heard Cuban, fixed up the facilities and incorporated technology to help the players. Jordan is in a different situation because players idolize him. That's his advantage. I think he became an owner for the power and the control.
Why do you think Jordan got better? I think he hasnt done anything since he is the owner. Lets see in this offseason.
Jordan will become more than Cuban when he dons the uniform next season as the NBA's first player/owner.
wasn't there some R&B singer (Toni Braxton?) who had something to do with causing chemistry problems on that 3 J's Mavs squad? i think between Kidd and Jackson. So, unless Cuban genetically split her in half for them; it wouldn't have worked out.
Jordan probably looks at his players in Charlotte and shakes his head. Scrubs. He can probably out play most of them at his age now.
the reason Jordan is front and center by the bench and wears his emotions on his sleeve is b/c his passion for the game, being that he dedicated himself to the game for 10+ years. He knows what players go through (pressures, plays, practice, mental-awarness on the court, etc.), unlike Cuban. As far team development goes though, Cuban is a better businessman than Jordan (so far). Although, Jordan recently took over majority ownership of the Bobcats, only time can tell how he fairs as a real owner. He does have alot of work to do with the Bobcats, but look at where the Mavs were before Cuban to where they've been in the past 4-5 yrs. Mavs are more dynamic than the Bobcats!
