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| | Friday, July 28 With Cuban in town, fortunes have changed | |||||||||||||
| ESPN.com If we had searched through user comments on the Dallas Mavericks a year ago, they certainly would have looked a whole lot different than this. Mavs fans these days are actually happy and looking forward to another season. With Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki and others leading the way, the Mavericks are thinking like playoff contenders, which is the direction most of the users who commented about the team went in.
I'm one of the few Maverick fans outside of Texas, and I've been following them since they drafted Jamal Mashburn. I think this team is legit, and even if they don't acquire another big body, I still think they'll make the playoffs. Last year, when all of the other playoff teams were vying for position, Dallas came in, whether it be a home or away game, and beat the best the league had to offer, including the Lakers and the Spurs. They can flat out play, and because of their youth and chemistry that is starting to mesh, they are only going to get better. I wasn't sure about the Erick Strickland trade, because I really liked that guy, but I honestly trust Don Nelson now. Even the Finley/Kidd trade doesn't look so stupid now. Nelson has made this team into a contender, and I honestly think they could go as high as a fifth seed in the playoffs. If you analyze the other teams and see what they added, the Mavericks are going to light many teams up. Paul Escarcega Monrovia, Calif. As a basketball fan, I would just like to say that the Mark Cubans and Pat Croces are the best thing to ever happen to the league, owners that really care about the team and the fans rather than profit margins and crap like that. It's really refreshing to see Cuban at work after watching big corporations buying teams and seeing them as "assets" and old ornery owners like Donald Sterling who cling to their teams like balding men do to their last strands of hair. Amin Elhassan Atlanta Michael Finley is not the one-dimensional player you tout him as. He is tenacious on defense and could easily land on the NBA all-defensive team as his game continues to grow. Now that he hopefully has a home in Dallas, you will see him excel on both sides of the court. His relationship with Michael Jordan doesn't hurt his drive on defense. Ron Goldberg Chicago The Mavs are on the verge of stardom. They have a ton of quality pieces on their roster. All that is left is for them to get hot and ride some badly needed momentum. Finley is their MVP and he needs the team to operate around him. If Alexander can make a smooth transition to the point or to shooting guard this team can contend for the bottom seed in the playoffs. If Bradley decides to put maximum effort in his game and Donnell Harvey and Etan Thomas become the interior bruisers they were drafted to be this team can become the St. Louis Rams of the NBA. Mark Cuban certainly is the best thing to happen to Dallas basketball ever. He is a basketball fan with a billion dollars and nothing could be better for the sport. Let's go Dallas. Will Strickland Carle Place, N.Y. The big problem with the Mavs in 2000-01 will be defense. The departure of Erick Strickland hurts. No, Strick wasn't a dominating offensive force but he fit in the offense well last year. Where he will be sorely missed is his defense. Every team needs a guy whose goal is to make the NBA all-defensive team. This team will not have trouble scoring points, but like last year, they will have trouble stopping the other guys. Hopefully Trent (if he can stay healthy) and Etan Thomas can come in and provide the inside size that Nowitzki and Bradley simply will never have. Also, a problem will be chemistry early on. The key will be getting off to a decent start, which they failed to do last year and it doomed them. With quite a few new faces (Alexander and Thomas) who should get good minutes, the expectations are a little high. They may make the playoffs, but much more is a couple of years away. Shane Dallas It is going to take more than Charles Oakley to instill defense on the Mavericks. They need their perimeter players to force more turnovers. Finley and Nowitzki both had great years, but it takes more than two players, especially when the defense is so bad. Alexander was a good pick in the draft, considering how they play. If you are trying to outscore someone instead of stop them, he can score with anybody. Antwon Evans Greensboro, N.C. It's easy to ignore the Mavs because of their futility in the 90's and Nellie's eclectic personnel moves and drafts. Watching Bradley and Zhi Zhi square off in practice would be better than going to the circus. But Finley is a legitimate All-Star and the nucleus surrounding the team is underrated. Ceballos will never play defense but he just plain scores points. Add a healthy Gary Trent, who is strong enough to body up on big forwards in the West like Malone, Duncan and Webber, and the Mavs may have the inside presence they need. I think the Mavs start out the new decade with a nice little run, and a No. 7 or 8 seed in the playoffs. (Dennis Rodman sold separately.) Joe Emig Scottsdale, Ariz. I am a Dallas native. I have suffered through the Uwe Blabs, Doug Smiths, Randy Whites (the next Mailman), Roy Tarpleys, etc. Believe me, there hasn't been this much excitement with the Mavs since our glory years with Ro Blackman and Co. I don't think the team lost their fan base through this decade of shame, they've just been busy with the Cowboys, Stars and Rangers, and waiting patiently for a man like Mark Cuban, our saviour. Mark feels our pain; he is a die-hard Mavs fan who sincerely wants to bring energy back to the team. With the new arena about to open, the timing couldn't be any better. Mark my words, this team will contend in the next decade. We are still missing some pieces of the puzzle (and also have some extra pieces we don't need), but it feels good to be a Mavs fan right now! Chris Rubrecht Charlotte, N.C.
The first thing that the Mavericks need is defense. It will be a huge mistake if Gary Trent will not start at power forward. I totally disagree with your selection of the team LVP, it is not Trent, it is obviously Shawn Bradley. Bradley cannot rebound nor score. In the long run, the Mavs do look promising if they can just re-sign Finley. The biggest mistake that Mark Cuban has made was getting rid of Erick Strickland. Strickland was the only player on the team who was a solid defender. Oh, by the way, he led the league in drawing charges. Paul Plano, Texas The first thing you usually think of when it comes to the Dallas Mavericks is a pathetic basketball franchise that year in and year out stinks up the NBA. However, all of that losing is about to change. The Mavs had one of the best drafts of any team this year. They acquired players who are destined to become great in the years to come. Courtney Alexander has the potential to be a leading scorer in the NBA one day. He is that good of an offensive player. The sleeper of the draft also may be found in a Mavs uniform next year. The young stud from Oklahoma, Eduardo Najera, is impressing many with his ability in summer leagues and may just allow Dallas to make that transition from perennial loser to newfound winner. In addition to these young rookies, the Mavs also have a great player and perennial All-Star in Michael Finley. With Finley, Ceballos, Nash, Nowitzki and a handful of others the Mavs may be thinking playoffs in the near future. However, with too many scorers and too few defenders, the Mavs are a team who will fall just short of the playoffs in the upcoming season. But for fans in Dallas, hope is on the way in seasons to come. Frank Giambalvo Melville, N.Y. For the first time since the mid-1980's, Mavericks fans may have something to cheer about. No, Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Sam Perkins and Derek Harper have not come out of retirement, but some pieces may be in place to build with. There is definitely a go-to player in All-Star Michael Finley. He simply does it all for Dallas. Dirk Nowitzki can flat out score. Shawn Bradley played well in periods last year, and Steve Nash emerged showing he could run the club if given the chance. A healthy Robert Pack can give them a tremendous boost. When he is 100 percent, he can put some solid numbers. Etan Thomas is raw, as many rookies coming into the league are, but he can rebound the ball and provide them with an interior defensive presence. The playoffs may be a stretch in the deep Western Conference, but the Mavs are headed in the right direction, which will gives the fans something to cheer about. Jody Grant Newport, Maine I couldn't help notice when people mention Mavs players they fail to mention Eduardo Najera. He is probably the most underrated rookie in this year's draft. He is a big man who, if given the minutes can score 13-17 ppg. He is also a great defender down low in the block. He's a consistent blue-collar worker who goes all out or won't go at all. He can be a key player off the bench if given the chance and minutes. My season prediction is 42-40. Zaby Leal Brownsville, Texas I believe that the Mavs will definitely be a team to watch this coming year and for years to come. They are very talented, but need to work on defense and rebounding. If they can develop Shawn Bradley to be more aggressive on both sides of the floor they might be able to challenge somebody in the playoffs. Courtney Alexander and Etan Thomas will be good players. At the point Steve Nash is getting better, but Erick Strickland stepped up very well last year and he will be missed. They have very good leaders in Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki. Now if they can just get it together they will definitely be a team to watch out for next year. Corey Hansford Long Beach, Calif.
OK, the Mavs are making me eat my words. I have said I will never go see a Mavericks game, because they are pathetic. I struggled with the Cowboys in the early-90's, because I knew it would get better. Same with the Rangers. But I have had no hope with the Mavericks. Every year, something dumb happens, like dumb trades, draft picks, etc. I had decided the Mavericks would never win, and possibly have the curse of Roy Tarpley hanging over them. But, Mark Cuban has changed that. I am willing to give the Mavs a chance, ONE MORE TIME, to prove they are not all idiots. This is the year. I don't need an NBA championship, just proof that the second half was a sign of things to come, not an aberration. I graduated from Texas A&M in August, and have a new job in Dallas. So, Mavs, this is your one shot to convince me to go to a Mavericks game and not cheer for the other team. Bryon Ingermann College Station, Texas First of all, I am and have been a Mavs fan since the glory days of Mark Aguirre. It has been a long, long time since I could say that out loud without being the funniest man in the room. But, like your article, the Mavs are finally on to something again. However, it can be said that I felt this same way when the three Js came to town, and we all know how that ended. We now have Shawn Bradley. But this time we have Cuban, who has shown that he will pay to win, pay to improve and pay to bring the fans of Dallas something they deserve. I just want to thank you for your article, which I found to be right on the money. It's nice to read something about the Mavs that makes me excited. Good work. Justin Voorhees Austin, Texas Professional teams who are in contention year in and year out have "front office" people who make a positive impact. Cuban is that person with the Mavs. The style the Mavs played last year was worth watching. They have the scorers. I believe they filled their needs for rebounding through the draft. The only question here is who is going to be the point guard? Steve Nash belongs in the NBA, but only as a backup. If they can get an unselfish veteran point guard to run the show, I think we can expect the Mavs to wrap up a playoff spot anywhere between the 6th to the 8th spot. Eddie Griffin Lincoln, Neb. I'm a Tar Heel transplant into Texas that loves hoops. I moved to Dallas in Feb. 2000 and couldn't get enough of the Mavs. Mark Cuban has made the games fun, not just with the attitude of the players, but even with intermission entertainment at the games. This team may only have an outside shot at the eighth playoff spot again this year, but with their energy level and ability to score points, they will be a team that can sneak up on the best in the west. Keep an eye on Donnell Harvey, too. You barely mention him, but this is a guy that loves to rebound and bang inside. He will obviously have lots to learn in the league as a youngster, but he has demonstrated a willingness to do just that so far. He could fill a HUGE rebounding hole coming off the bench. Jason Mooneyham Dallas I don't care if we had the top four draft picks and Michael Jordan. The bottom line is we will never accomplish anything because the formula of Nellie + Shawn Bradley = DISASTER. My feelings go out to the draftees aboard this Titanic in which Nelson is captain. ATTENTION: Courtney Alexander, Donnell Harvey, Etan Thomas, Ed Najera, your bench seats can be used as floatation devises when this magnificent ship sinks. I don't blame the players (well, except Bradley), I blame the coach, and Mark Cuban for signing him to that horrific contract. Lawrence Copling Dallas Your article starts by stating that the Mavs were going to be a playoff team this year, but as the article progressed this reader saw the same old Mav team with the same problems. Where in the review does the team improve? Defense and rebounding win games in the NBA. It appears they just improved the offense with question marks still concerning the defense. I, like just about everyone else, don't think the Mavs have the Kings looking over their shoulders this year, but maybe the Sonics will beware in a year or so. It appears Mark Cuban has really excited Dallas fans and that of ESPN also. Bill Benjamin Detroit I feel Nash and Bradley would be nice to have on the bench. Nash is not a starter by any means, he can't handle the top point guards defensively and he can't score on them either. Shawn Bradley, need I say more. However, on a positive note, Trent, Finley and Dirk could make a fine trio on the offensive end. Throw in Alexander off the bench with Hubert Davis, and they can light it up. I hope that Etan Thomas and Donnell Harvey come in and crash the boards like mad men and give some attitude to this team. James Bernhard Austin, Texas | ALSO SEE Offseason spotlight index Offseason spotlight: Dallas Mavericks | |||||||||||||
