Shawn Marion And The 2009 Free Agent Class

The Dallas Mavericks have had two consecutive first round losses, a fired coach, and their starting small forward admit to enjoying an illegal drug (every now and again) during the off-season.  They have had a mid-season trade seemingly backfire on them and face the reality of having lost the “one of the best in the west” title this year.  So I thought I’d take a look at the different directions this team could go in the off-season.  If this team is going to make a trade and semi-dramatically change their overall team look, then only one option really jumps out at me – The Shawn Marion Scenario.

I’m sure Donnie is making the calls and might have a couple better options than this one, but I’m not privy to what other teams are asking for or willing to give up.  But the Shawn Marion Trade is a trade that makes some sense for both teams.  Miami gets a Shawn Marion type player for more years.  Dallas gets a better player than Josh Howard and salary cap space at the end of this year.

There are two places to check and see if your brilliant tade can actually take place under the convoluted nba rules:  place one, and place two.  And if you want to check out Mark Cuban’s thoughts on end of the season, and the thought process to the Jason Kidd trade you can here.  One of the ideas, the cash for a late first round draft pick, might actually be helpful to the Mav’s future.  As I think there is good nba talent in this draft – maybe even late.

(FA) = Free Agent
(R) = Rookie
(T) = Traded For

2008 Mavs Offseason

It starts out with a Miami – Dallas trade.  Dallas receives Shawn Marion, Miami receives Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it).

Draft
In the draft the Mavs would trade 3 million dollars for a late first rounder, then trade that pick and three million to move up again and select Brandon Rush.  And with their second pick select a small forward, we’ll say Victor Calver.

Free Agents
Earl Boykins- made $542,040 last year with the Bobcats and, while being the shortest player in the league, offers real value at that price.  He is quick and gifted offensively.

Jannero Pargo - signing him to a deal close to 4 or 5 years – 24 million.  Jannero Pargo made 2 million dollars last season and has a player option for $2 million this season, but will probably opt out for more money.  He’s a fairly quick point guard who can shoot and defend.  With Devon Harris gone he would be a very nice pick up.

Patrick O’Bryant- is a 7 foot center who has been in the league two years.  He only played last year due to being injured in his rookie season.  He was the ninth pick in the draft two years ago and is worth taking a shot on - as he is a skinny 7 footer who could run the floor and block shots.  Hoping for a poor man’s Tyson Chandler here.

The 15 Man Roster
PG    Jason Kidd             Jannero Pargo(FA)           Earl Boykins(FA)
SG    Jason Terry            Brandon Rush(R)             Antoine Wright
SF    Shawn Marion(T)    Deveon George               Victor Calver(R)
PF    Dirk Nowitzki           Brandon Bass                  Malik Allen
C     Erick Dampier           Patrick O’Bryant(FA)        Jamal Magloire

2008 Team Review
Shawn Marion is an upgrade from Josh Howard and is comfortable in an up-tempo offense.  Part of the reason I like this year’s draft so much is the fact you can find talent in the middle of it, Brandon Rush is one of the guys I like.  He is 6′ 7″ and can do a little bit of everything.  With Rush, Marion and Pargo added to the team it becomes more athletic, taller, and better offensively while gaining good defensive players.  This team would probably finish in the 3 to 6 seed area and could advance multiple rounds.  In all likely hood they would compete for a championship and be fun to watch.

The Future
Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion would be free agents at the end of the season giving the Mavs plenty of salary cap space.  With the convoluted rules the nba employs I’m not sure how big of an advantage this could be for signing free agents.  That year’s class may look something like this:

Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
Corey Maggette, Los Angeles Clippers
Allen Iverson, Denver
Jason Kidd, Mavericks
Shawn Marion, Mavericks
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (Has a player option for 23 million)
Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Steve Nash, Phoenix (Team option for 13 million)
Andre Miller, Sixers
Baron Davis, Warriors
Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
Ron Artest, Kings (If he doesn’t opt out this year)
Drew Gooden, Bulls
Ben Gorden, Bulls
Mike Bibby, Hawks

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Update July 1, 2008 – Baron Davis and Elton Brand have opted out a year early.  Surprising considering one was set to make 17.18 million and the other, Elton, 16.44 million.  Things like that, players opting out of that kind of money, don’t happen very often.  Especially considering they aren’t top twenty players.  Corey Magette has also opted out, but that was more expected considering he would have made only 8 million next season and he scored over 20 ppg this season.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

With perhaps Josh Smith of the Hawks and Emeka Okafur being in that group as well, I’m not sure because I don’t know the rules having to do with qualifying offers.  This is an interesting scenario as the possibilities are open.  I wouldn’t mind seeing some of those free agents on this team.   But there is also a danger with this plan, there are so many variables the Mavs could end up seeing the door close on them real quick- (but would that ever happen to a Mark Cuban run team)?

Other Possible Trades ( All can happen as of May 29 2008 )
Dallas Receives                                          Minnesota Receives                                  New York Receives
Antoine Walker                                          Josh Howard                                              Jerry Stackhouse
Jared Jeffries                                                                                                                        
Minnesota’s #3 overall Pick

Dallas Receives                                          New York Receives
Zack Randolph                                           Jason Kidd
Malik Rose

Dallas Receives                                          New York Receives
Zack Randolph                                           Josh Howard
Renaldo Balkman                                       Jerry Stackhouse
New York’s #6 overall pick                           Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)
                                                               Dallas 2009 first round pick + $3 million

Dallas Receives                                          Utah Receives
Andrei Kirilenko                                         Jason Terry
Morris Almond                                           Jerry Stackhouse + 3 million

Dallas Receives                                          Indiana Receives
Jermaine O’Neal                                          Jason Kidd
                                                                3 million 

Dallas Receives                                          Indiana Receives
Jermaine O’Neal                                          Josh Howard
Jamaal Tinsley                                             Jason Terry
                                                                Jerry Stackhouse
                                                                Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)

Dallas Receives                                          Milwaukee Receives
Michael Redd                                             Josh Howard
Charlie Villanueva                                         Jerry Stackhouse
                                                                Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)
                                                                Brandon Bass

Moving To First – Last Place Move

Hank Blaylock has made a Ranger career decision, he’s moving to first base.  The team is not smart to let him do so, but then again when were they ever accused of being smart.  First Base is a position you put baseball players who aren’t good at defense.  It’s the position you put your offensive fire power in order to hide their defensive inequities.  It’s a position you manage until your 22 year old, Double A hitting .313 with 10 homers and 33 RBI’s, prospect is ready to break into the Majors.  It’s not a position you put your solid defensive third baseman in order to let Ramon Vasquez play, and I like Ramon Vasquez.

This can be traced (in my opinion) to Ron Washington’s inability to A:  Stick with Jason Botts; and B:  Allow Frank the Cat to be Frank the Cat.  Ron has certain players he goes out of his way to play (last year it was Jerry Hairston Jr., this year Ben Broussard) and certain players he refuses to give a fair shake – Jason Botts and Catalanotto come to mind.  He puts them in bad situations and expects them to impress him.  He pulls them early and often while playing them very little to begin with. 

Frank’s situation has changed a little because of Broussard’s release, but is now going to change again with Hank’s move.  Opposing managers know all they have to do is bring in a lefty around the sixth or seventh inning and you won’t have to see Frank anymore.  They desire their lefty against whatever righty we have to throw up there because, A:  Frank is a good hitter, and B:  Frank won’t be able to face whatever righty you have out there later in the game.   Frank hit .231 with a .375 on base percentage against lefties in 19 PA’s last year.  I don’t know which one is worse the fact he was only allowed the opportunity to hit lefties 19 times, or the fact that somebody needs to tell Ron a .231 average and .375 on base percentage is not reason enough to pull him for Jr. Jerry Hairston or Chris Comcast Shelton.  Frank hit .299, .293, .301, and .300 in the four years prior to becoming a Ranger.  In the three years he was healthy he averaged 117 more AB’s than he did last year.  He hit .260 last year and is hitting .247 this year.  If you want to know how to screw up a good .300 hitter I suggest a chat with none other than Ron Washington.   Frank is and has been a good hitter in this league, why is he the first guy Ron pulls for hitting?  It’s not a trick question – Ron’s a jackass.

A good manager puts his players in the best position to help the team win.  The reason I call Ron a jackass is because there is no reason to be a dirty, rotten, fool about this game.  There is no reason to stand in your own way.  Jackasses have to be coerced.  They’re stubborn beasts of burden who refuse to move even if it benefits them.  And because of Ron’s refusal (for whatever reason) to get out of his own way, Hank for no apparent reason (oh, other than the great Ramon Vasquez, and I like Ramon) is going to move to first base.  Congratulations Rangers, for being intellectually baseball challenged.

Rick Carlisle Dallas Maverick’s New Head Coach 5-3-08

Per dallasbasketball.com Rick Carlisle is the Dallas Maverick’s new head coach.  He’s a good pick.  He stresses defense and has a good knowledge of the game.  He lost his job in Detroit after two seasons of a  50-32 record and one Coach Of The Year honor, because Joe Dumars decided he wanted Larry Brown.  He lost his job in Indiana because, to a certain degree, he lost his players.  But that’s okay if your players like to get into brawls and take target practice around strip clubs, maybe its good you don’t relate to them.

Coming soon I hope to provide you with multiple scenarios of what the Mavericks could end up looking like this offseason.  Maybe the roster will shake, or it could remain the same – there are a lot of possibilities.

Avery Johnson Fired From Dallas Mavericks 4-30-08

Reportedly Mark Cuban has fired Avery Johnson less than 18 hours after their Game 5 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.  Now why are Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban getting away with their roles in the Jason Kidd Trade and 2 first round losses?  More on the Mavs later.

Taking It For Granted

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.  -  Aldous Huxley.

The universe around us is complex, intricate and goes on forever; yet we know pretty much all there is to know about life and how it works.  Right?  Sure the earth is complex, people are diverse and not just sterotypes buuuutttt, I’ve got the score.  I’ve been given a brain that can observe all the complicated factors and make decisions, judgements, about people and things.  I know what things should be like and what I deserve.  God has sent geniuses amidst the backdrop of this earth and I am one of them.  I’m a reasonable man.

But how does this work out with our sports teams.  We forget these are actually people, who are actually made up of flesh and blood, and not just robots in which you invest a certain amout of money into and it always does the same thing again and again.  So where are we going with this?  Let’s talk about the Mavericks for a bit.  For eight staight seasons they have finished with 50 or more wins, making the playoffs in each of those years.  They’ve made a run to the NBA finals – losing in six games (The other team had a player who was terribly stricken with a disease every time a maverick came near him.  The refs acted accordingly and blew the whistle on those cruel mavericks – giving that player the record for the most free throw attempts in an NBA finals.  Did I mention it was a six game series and not seven?  Did I mention it was the all time NBA record in the NBA finals, surpassing the infamous Jordan partiality?  OK.)  The Mavericks have had a good run.

Now it looks inevitably like they’re going to lose in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.  The future doesn’t look bright with 2 future first round picks seemingly gone along with a solid young point gaurd under contract for years, while the other western conference teams get tougher.  There are many people who believe Avery Johnson will not be back next season and that this team’s future is decending like Josh Howard’s game towards the end of this season.  But we’ve taken this team for granted and forgotten that there was a time, specifically the 90’s, when this team played like our beloved Rangers have this decade.

That is - becoming too angry over getting to the playoffs and losing (in a very tough western conference) could have lasting repercussions and set this team back for years to come.  You need not look beyond this season’s trading deadline to have evidence of what overlooking, and taking for granted, the good things you have on this team can do to harm the future of this team.  And to remember we have short memories and just because Josh Howard is in a funk now, doesn’t mean he will never be able to play like an all star again.  And just because Avery Johnson doesn’t look like the best coach now, does not mean he has lost his ability to coach.

Does this team need changes?  Yes.  But making changes to make changes, or because we’re dissapointed in our beloved Mavericks exiting the playoffs in the first round for the second consecutive year and heads need to roll because of that, does the Mavericks and their fans no good.  What is best for this team moving forward, that is the question.

The Four Horsemen

Our four major teams all have business to attend to this weekend.  Let’s start with the Mavs:

The Mavericks played horribly in game 2 and come back home in need of 2 victories.  The Mavericks have played a total of 4 halfs in this series, giving up 40, 64, 67, and 60 points respectively each half.  The first one (the 40) is good, the rest are abysmal.  My three Keys to the game going forward are:

1.  Fast break points.  They have to go up for the Mavs and down for the Hornets.  In Game 1 the Mavs had 10 fast break points, the Hornets 15.  In Game 2 the Mavs had 13, the Hornets had 29.  The Mavs need to score in the 20 to 30 range and hold the Hornets under 20.

2.  Play defense.  This shouldn’t be as hard as the Mavs are making it out to be.  And I have some concern that Avery just doesn’t look like he knows how to coach this team anymore, the attitude to play defense just isn’t there.  The easy baskets and points in the paint for the Hornets are out of hand.  Also the turnovers run the New Orlean’s way as well.  In Game 1 the Hornets only turned the ball over 8 times, the Mavs 14.  In Game 2 The Hornets 6, The Mavs 15.  The Mavs should be causing more turnovers and allow less points in the paint.  In Game 1 they allowed 36, in Game 2 they allowed 48, that’s terrible.

3.  Jason Terry.  In Game 1 he shot 3-7, in game to he shot 5-8.  He has to take more attempts than seven and eight.  Then he has to make most of them.  What has happened to him since he received his contract I don’t know, but he has to start doing the things he did in the run to the finals.  I don’t know how he lost it, but most point guards have the shot where the beat their man, but when they see someone hanging around the basket pull up and float the shot in.  Jason Terry did have that shot, it’s a shot you have to practice.  I don’t know if he just doesn’t practice it anymore, but he was good at it and now he just doesn’t attempt it anymore.  Shots like that and three pointers he has to attempt and make.  Jason Terry has to become a scorer, then that will open things up for everyone else while Dirk and him are on the floor. 

This men have to grow some intestinal fortitude on the way from New Orleans to Dallas if they want to have a chance in this series, they need to be the aggressors.

Now the Stars:

Marty Turco was good, not great.  I’m glad they’ll be taking on the San Jose Sharks, it gives them a chance to go back to Caly and play two road games to start off a series.  This series will go 6 games, don’t know who wins.  But offense will be the key.  The Stars were the aggressors against the Ducks.  They will need to continue that, winning the battles along the boards and flying to loose pucks.

Now for the Cowboys:

If no one falls unexpectedly to pick #22 I trade the pick and pick #61 if I can for a first rounder next year and an earlier pick in round 2 this year.  I then pick a WR at pick #28.  I like Mario Manningham although there have been character issues and concerns with him.  If his character checks out I pick him.  If not, going with a Malcom Kelly isn’t too bad.  I don’t like the DeSean Jackson pick just because of the overvaluing of a punt returner.  I then try and go for a corner with my early second rounder and a running back with one of my later picks.  Obviously I wouldn’t go to far away from my pick the best player on the board, but I would lean toward the WR, CB and RB positions.

As for the Rangers:

Pitching, starting and bullpen need to work together in order to win.  Until they do this we won’t go on any prolonged winning streak, but we will go on prolonged losing streaks as we are in right now.  And just for fun I’m going to point out the guys I think should be on the team looking at the rest of this season.  Catalanotto.  Botts.  Kinsler.  Young.  Blaylock.  Hamilton.  Bradley.  Vasquez.  Duran.  Murphy.  Byrd.  Salty then Laird.  Millwood, Padilla, Jennings (if only to trade or cut in mid season, unless something unforeseen happens here), Gabbard, McCarthy, Loe, Rupe, Littleton, Franscisco, Wright, Benoit, Wilson.  And if had to pick I might bring a young lefty up in place of Loe and bring Loe up when a righty was hurt.

Stupidity, Ignorance and Insanity

Definitions taken from online webster dictionary. 

Stupidity – the quality or state of being stupid; extreme dullness of perception or understanding; insensibility; sluggishness.

Ignorance – The state of being uneducated or uninformed; A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have.

Insanity - (Law) Such a mental condition, as, either from the existence of delusions, or from incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong, with regard to any matter under action, does away with individual responsibility.  (Albert Einstein’s definition) Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

There have been some eye popping decisions from our sport’s teams lately that involved these three triats.  First the Mavs. 

The Kidd Trade went like this – Devon Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Keith Van Horn, Trenton Hassell, two first-round draft picks and 3 million dollars for Jason Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright.  Now that’s eye opening.  Why?  Because there is no need to give New Jersey anymore than the 5 players mentioned.  Imagine Rod Thorn trying to keep his laughter inside of him while hearing the Mavericks agree not only to give them a young talented point gaurd under contract for 4 more years (if I remember correctly) at about half what Kidd makes, but 2 first round picks and 3 million dollars.  Wow. 

It’s a toss up right now as to who is a better point gaurd at this stage of their careers:  Devon Harris or Jason Kidd.  Coupled with the fact that one’s best years are behind him and one’s best years are in front, one gets paid 20 million dollars a year the other 10 millon (If I remember correctly).  Jason Kidd is probably the best player now, but not by much.  The one thing that I can look at as semi-positive with this trade is Jason Kidd’s 21 million comes off the book next year and for the first time in along time we come under the salary cap – with players like Dirk, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry still here, Oh! and Erik Dampier.

But I’m not losing hope on the Mavs.  They still have the talent and (I beleive) grit to upset teams in the playoffs and if they play to capability – win.

As for the Rangers:

Song and dance, Song and dance.  They’ve made good decisions don’t get me wrong – Josh Hamilton for Eddie Volquez – grrrreat!  Mark Texiera Trade – dddddecent.  But how are we going to improve by putting Eddie Guardado in front of Frankie Francisco?  How are we going to improve if we keep sending Kameron Loe to new places each year?  Robinson Tejeda over Kameron Loe, Frankie Francisco?  Saltalamacchia in the minors, Laird starting?  Move Jason Botts to first after you give all those health concerns about tall players getting back problems there, the kind Botts has had?  These people just wing it.  Forget your future isn’t Laird, Forget your future isn’t Broussard (and make Catalanotto play there keeping Botts in OF).  Gaurdado has no place here with as many young arms as we have, but while we’re in the mood let’s forget Francisco and Loe.

I see talent here and depth, which is good.  But as long as we start out the season with the failed policy of putting two-bit veterans in front of players  who you need to find out if they can play, is ignorant, stupid and insane (they’ve done this before).

A Love Poem For Devean George

The Kidd Trade nixed by George, by George.  George Please, Please!!! don’t allow this trade to go through ever.  And on this Valentine’s Day I would like to tell everyone who I love, so I made a love poem.  Enjoy.

Devean George I Love You 

Devean George I love you,
there is no other way to say,
the feelings I have for you,
on this our valentine’s day.
While others drink in heated passion,
and burn their shallow lusts too fast,
We defy all of culture’s trendy fashions
with a gentle tickle of love that lasts.
The secret is my admiration,
for a city you helped save,
The epic tale of a terrified nation
where one man steps up to block its grave.
Yes our love goes beyond the flesh,
the 6 foot 8 frame and piercing eyes,
the gazelle like motion and muscular chest,
It is your will that breaks and ties.
The will pictured in heroic dreams,
And it is that will I emphasize,
The one in which you saved my team,
And won my love as your prize.

 

New Year’s Joke

So have you heard the Joke of this new year?  You know the one about the Giants being on a roll and ready to beat those disintegrating Cowboys.  Ya, stop me if you heard this one last year just before game 9 on the NFL schedule.  Oh the Giants have a better feel defensively now!  Oh how they put pressure on the quarterback!  Oh how Eli has just looked outstanding!  That a boy, let’s give Eli a butt pat (you know their so hard on him in New York, always comparing him to Peyton, you know that’s just not fair).

I know the Cowboys didn’t look great ending the regular season.  And I know Terrell Owens is a “game time” decision.  But everyone who thinks the Giants have a rat behind’s chance of winning, I gaurantee have been smoking something more than the nice cigars they received for Christmas.  The Cowboys are better, have been better and will be better than those rotten Giants.  Did they play a good game against New England? Sure.  Did they beat a team in Tampa Bay who could only manage 9 wins in an extremely weak division?  Sure.  Then again they won 10 games in a very tough division.  Good team?  Yes.  Better than Cowboys?  Uhhh, No.

More

Hopefully I’ll write more than I have been lately.  The Mavericks are floating along, the Stars have been rejuvenated offensively, the Rangers have made good moves but still lack the finishing touches.  And the Cowboys will win this weekend.  Maybe there’s just nothing more to say.

Roger Clemens Denies Steroid Use In Youtube Video

Update 12-24-07:  It is actually posted on Youtube now.  Here you go.

On his website in a Youtube Video he denies steroid use and says he will be interviewed by Mike Wallace of 60 minutes after Christmas.  So if you want to see it click here.