1-2-3 Strikes you're out! No, I am not talking about the Texas Rangers. I am talking about the Dallas Mavericks and their "Planned Powder" (Keeping tons of money available to throw at players that they feel are worthy of being payed that much) approach to the last 2 off seasons. 3 big fish, 3 swings and misses. Derron Williams, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard all were on the Mavs radar, and all found their ways to other teams. Without going too deep into the NBA's CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) the Mavericks declined to bring back major pieces of their 2011 Championship club in 2012. Letting Tyson Chandler, JJ Barrea, Corey Brewer, and Deshawn Stevenson walk away from the team. And looked to the summer of 2012 FA market and planned on signing either Derron Williams, Dwight Howard, or possibly both. But Dwight did not opt out of his contract, making him unavaliable until July of 2013 and Derron Williams decided it would be best to stay in New Jersey rather than come home to Dallas. So in order to keep their "powder" dry, Mark Cuban signed a team full of 1 year contracts so that in 2013 he would have plenty of money to sign Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. The 2012-2013 season came and went with the Mavericks missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. That brings us to June 2013. The Miami Heat win their 2nd straight NBA Championship with their "Big 3" Dallas is ready to sign Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, or maybe both! But before free agency even begins, Chis Paul announces he will be staying in LA. Fine! Dwight is still coming here. July 5th 2013, Dwight Howard announces he will be coming to TEXAS TO PLAY FOR THE.................... Houston Rockets? 2 years, 3 big fish, and nothing to show for it.
I understand exactly what Mark Cuban was trying to do. In fact it is downright brilliant! He has structured contracts and continued to keep Dallas relevant enough that big time free agents actually think long and hard about coming here. Derron Williams said, "It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life" when asked about his decision to stay in New Jersey.
Dwight Howard had talked about Dallas being the ideal spot for him for the last 2 seasons. Even before the Orlando Magic traded him to LA, Dwight wanted to be in Dallas. But for whatever reason he chose Houston when it came down to it. Mark Cuban is a smart business man, and knows that signing contracts like Joe Johnson for 18million dollars a year and Josh Smith for 15 million a year is not smart. But the problem is, players looking to come to Dallas don't want to hear what a smart business man Cuban is, they want to see a roster that has a legit shot at contending for a title. And right now a 35 year old blonde haired German who still maybe a stud, but doesn't have a personal relationship with them like other players do just isn't what young athletic player want to see as their Robin. So here we are again, same position as last year, what does Cuban do? Does he continue the planned powder approach and hope to land Carmelo or LeBron next off season? Or does he sign multiple mid level talents and try to recreate what happened in 2011? Or do we go into complete rebuild mode and blow off the last 3-5 years of Dirk's career? It appears that Cubes has decided to go with a mixture of plan A Plan B and plan C. He signed Jose Calderon for 4 years and $29,000,000 then locked up former Mavs PG Devin Harris for 3 years and $9,000,000 and next season Dirk Nowitzki is planning on taking a huge pay cut in order to land another big fish. As of right now on July 8th 2013 the Dallas Mavericks opening day roster looks like the following:
PG- Jose Calderon/Shane Larkin/Ricky Ledo
SG- Vince Carter/Devin Harris
SF- Jae Crowder/ Shawn Marion
PF- Dirk Nowitzki
C- Bernard James
That do anything for you?
Dallas is in a tough situation, it appears that Free Agents don't want to come to Dallas, so regardless of how much money we have to offer, it won't be enough. Then there is the "planned powder" way that the Mavericks have been doing things. Mark Cuban may think it's foolish to throw MILLIONS of dollars at guys like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, but if that's what it takes to attract the Superstars of this league, and he is the only one playing by his set of rules then THAT is what is foolish.
I honestly don't want to see a Super Team in Dallas. To me there is something special about MY team being led by ONE guy and that guy making everyone else on the team better. Watching Dirk carry the Mavs in 2011 was incredible, everyone played their role and yes they were the BEST "TEAM" that season. No they didn't have the most talent, but they were more prepared, better coached, and a more cohesive unit than all the teams they played those playoffs. (Portland, LA, OKC, and Miami) There is a reason The Spurs are contenders every year. They have the best front office in the league, the best coach in the game, and most importantly they have the best group of TEAM players in their locker room.
If I were Mark Cuban what would I do? I would have signed both Calderon and Harris. That is a smart back court and that is what the major problem was last season. Guys didn't know how to get Dirk the ball. Both Calderon and Harris can do that. I would try my hardest to get Omir Asik from Houston or resign Brandon Wright. And look ahead to next year to get your new center via the Draft or try and aquire Larry Sanders, Andrew Bogut, or Greg Monroe. I know the Mavs are talking with Andrew Bynum... PROCEED WITH CAUTION! Bynum has played in 82 games 1 time in his NBA career and the most games he has played other than that is 65. Even scarier to me than the injuries is the head case that is Andrew Bynum. This is the same guy that gave JJ Barrea a forearm shiver in the 2011 NBA playoffs, then proceeded to take his uniform off and leave the arena. The guy is just a punk in my opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment