THE BIG THREE | nbadimensions.net
The Dallas Mavericks, a team whose average age is 28.1, realize that their window of opportunity to get back to the NBA Finals is closing.
They know that, you know that, I know that, and apparently even Magic Johnson knows that, according to a blog on the Dallas Morning News’ website.
The acquisition of future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd just before the All-Star break sent the Mavericks in the opposite direction of the one they hoped to travel.
A first round elimination, courtesy of the New Orleans Hornets, made 2008 the second straight year the Mavericks had failed to advance in the playoffs.
It prompted the organization to fire head coach Avery “Little General” Johnson, who had led them to the Finals in the second of his four seasons in Dallas.
Rick Carlisle, former Coach of the Year with the Detroit Pistons, was named Johnson’s successor on May 9, signing a four-year deal with the team.
In his two seasons as an NBA head coach with the Detroit Pistons, Carlisle was able to record consecutive 50-win seasons, and got them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2003.
After being fired by the Pistons in favor of legendary head coach Larry Brown, Carlisle was able to lead the Indiana Pacers to a franchise-best 61 wins in his first year as their head coach, including an Eastern Conference Finals berth that same season.
Carlisle’s first move was to visit Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki in Germany; a great way to start his tenure. He looks to bring credibility to the Mavericks, though a little inexperienced with only seven NBA seasons under his belt as a head coach.
The buck doesn’t stop there, however. Hiring a new coach isn’t going to change the fact that the Mavericks still can’t compete for a championship without making some trades and free agent signings.
So far, the Mavericks have added swingman Gerald Green, 22; forward James Singleton, 27; former Maverick DeSegana Diop, 26; and they drafted sharp shooting Shan Foster of Vanderbilt, who doesn’t look to be a contributor right away.
While these are solid additions, they are nowhere near enough to get this franchise back to the top. If Dallas wants to rejoin the elite in the basketball world, they’re going to have to swing one or two more trades.
Carlisle could prove to be a nice change in philosophy for the team, but he can’t get this team back to the Finals on his own; he’s going to need the help of owner Mark Cuban and President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Donn Nelson.
Trading Josh Howard could be one route to go. He’s still young at 28, and his contract, at about $10 million for the upcoming season with two years left isn’t going to scare anyone away.
He has embarrassed the team by vocalizing his use of marijuana, and he shot a dismal 29.2 percent from the field in Dallas’ five games against the Hornets in the playoffs. A change of scenery could be just what he needs.
Guard Jason Terry and center Erick Dampier, both with unwelcoming contracts, could also be moved in a trade if Dallas can find a willing partner, as they’re looking at some cap issues down the line—Dirk, Diop, Terry, and Dampier all have three years or more left on their contracts.
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3 months ago
i'm sorry but this trade is absolutely absurd for the knicks.
by doing what you propose, they would lose their starting PF and have to fill that void with a bench PF... like lee. but oh no wait! lee is gone too! so what.... gallinari is gonna be the starting PF?
similarly, they would lose their starting SG crawford and then what would they have to do? have duhon play SG while kidd is at the point? duhon is no SG... we wouldn't have anyone to replace crawford.
basically, this trade has 0 benefit for the knicks. you mentioned that lee and randolph don't fit in d'antoni's system....... so diop does?? plus, your statement wasn't exactly true because lee does fit very well in d'antoni's system. he is extremely athletic and hustles and runs.
a much more likely trade would be: jason terry and josh howard for stephon marbury and zach randolph. what are your thoughts on this?
3 months ago
I'll just add this to the rest of the crazy, lopsided Knicks trade proposals from Bleacher Report contributors. Crawford, Lee, Randolph and Robinson, for kid and Dampier?!?!?!? Don't get me wrong, the Knicks have been a mess, but there is this idea that every player on the team is garbage that should be given away for free. First of all, Crawford is better than most people give him credit for and is a potential star in the D'Antoni system. Second of all, Lee is a highly sought after player these days, and you are wrong to say that he "doesn;t fit the system--that is a misconception; Robinson has some issues, but he's still young, talented and capable, and apparently liked by d'Antoni; and lastly, Randolph even in an off year averaged 18 and 10. So, why should the Knicks give up ALL of these guys for an aging and increasingly ineffective Jason Kidd, and an also aging Erik Dampier with an expiring contract? It is just idiottic to think that the Knicks would do this deal
3 months ago
dream on!
All this for who?
Lebron - come on! Kobe and Lebron are both going to be playing overseas!
3 months ago
As a Knick fan I will just say no thanks and leave it at that.
from 3 months ago
Well said.
3 months ago
Thanks for the feedback on the Knicks trade, I can't really argue with you guys. I guess I was trying to force a trade since I liked the idea of Kidd playing point for D'Antoni, but it all ended up a mess. He's old and declining like you all mentioned, so let's throw that trade out.
Now let's turn attention to the other deals: What do you guys think about the Iverson and Carter deals? The Nuggets idea I was a little apprehensive about, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of people that disagree with that idea. How about Carter though? Howard and Jones are a bit much, but they get to dump his long term contract and get a piece to build the future with.
3 months ago
I don't like the Carter idea because it leaves no room for the mavs to rebuild. I really like the iverson idea, get rid of stack or terry and howard is good but he's tradable.
Kidd
Iverson
Bass
Nowitzki
Diop
Win now or rebuild. I don't think terry and howard are taking the mavs to a 'ship. Start bass at the 3, he'd be a monster of a mismatch and could probably guard the opposing 3 very well.
from 3 months ago
I agree, I love the Iverson deal. He'd be great with Kidd, the Mavs could deal away Howard and Terry, and the Mavs would have a big contract expiring in 2010. Your lineup with Stack, Jones, and Dampier off the bench.
It'd be okay for the Nuggets, with Terry at point, Howard at the two, and Melo at forward and Smith of the bench (or out of Denver). I don't think it'll happen, though, because I think the Nuggets want to land Kobe, LeBron, DWade or Stoudemire alongside Melo in 2010.
3 months ago
im shocked that josh howard it STILL with the mavs, what the hell are they thinking?
3 months ago
This article is contradictory, and disrespects reality. It somberly impresses the Mavs 28.1 years-old, avg. age as a negative toward youthfulness, I guess...then goes on to call a 28 year old player, young?...go figure
Plus, it fails to consider how the focal point of Dallas' success now, lies within a HOF player who only spent half-a-season with the squad last year. I think this article shouldve been saved for the end of the upcoming season, to be valid.
A Vince Carter trade ---because of his weird offensive mindset--- will conflict with Dirk's game/spots he where he tends to be on the Court for highest efficiency. AI isn't needed, because Jason Kidd has it all sewn up. And Jason Terry is a very good defender (vital in the playoffs) and he's proven that he can be counted on/when called upon in the (3pt./outside) clutch scenarios. AI can't function without being the 1st-2nd option, and could be cancerous if unhappy about anything less.
So MARK CUBAN, if you're listening---NOW HERE THIS:
Dallas will be just fine if they don't disturb this team, as is, and JKidd stays healthy.
from 3 months ago
Average age includes everybody. Look at the starters and you will find that age is hurting them.
PG: Jason Kidd 35
SG: Jason Terry 30
SF: Josh Howard 28
PF: Dirk Nowitzki 30
C: Eric Dampier 33
Average age of the starters, 31.2, only one player under 30.
Their average age drops because of backups like Jose Juan Barea, 24, and Brandon Bass, 23, who play, but aren't making significant strides towards helping the team.
from 3 months ago
My bad with the age part, I should have pointed out that it's the main players like Kidd, Dampier, Dirk, etc. that are aging.
from 3 months ago
Also, there are the guys that are third string and worse that lower the age.
Gerald Greene, third string, 22, and Antoine Wright, third string, 24.
from 3 months ago
No worries, I just hate when people put average age of a team when you need to look to the guys that are actually playing, when guys really low on the depth chart can change the average age.
from 3 months ago
yungCaucasoid,
Iverson can't function without being a first or second option because he is a first option player. Just like Kobe or D-Wade or Lebron would not be able to function. They don't know anything else. Also, I watched Iverson this season on the Nuggets and when his shot wasn't falling for the most part he has learned to find other ways to get involved with his team. So as far as him being 'cancerious if unhappy" is a bunch of BS. Get out of here with all that. And by the way Iverson isn't a PG, he's a combo/SG...so him and Jason Kidd wouldn't be conflicting with eachother anyway.
Joe,
And I really wish people will stop talking about these players ages....Dirk is 30, so what! Look at the way he plays. Dang some of you act like if a player is 30+ they can't play the game anymore...some of the best players in the league (Kobe, Tim Duncan, KG, Iverson, Dirk, Steve Nash, ect) are all thirty or over. They are aging, yes, but are also playing their best basketball. If you look over the past decade, its the older teams that are winning everything (Spurs, Detroit, Boston). Not a team filled with a bunch of 19 and 20 year olds..get a grip. The best teams are the teams that have a good combination of youth and experience.
3 months ago
LALALA,
There is no way in hell the Nuggets will land Kobe/ Lebron/D-Wade or Amare in 2010, so Nuggets fans need to give up on that. Kobe is remaining a Laker probably untill he retires, D-Wade and Lebron will go to majore markets like New York (if they even leave their organizations). Denver is not an attractive place for free agents, Carmelo will more then likely get traded by then too considering if that organization trades Iverson they will will have no chance of contending in the West for at least the next few seasons, by then Carmelo will be in his 7th year and can hardly even help his team win 1 game in the playoffs. After seeing the fact that that organization doesn't seem commited to contending (also after seeing how they have wasted Iversons time) those guys will not be in a Nuggets uniform...and by that time, Carmelo probably won't be either. Although I will agree that that Iverson deal to the Mavs looks rather sweet.
3 months ago
Joe,
thanks for falling right on in, into where I don't have to worry about you trying to tapdance your way out of...you're right, about those players ages. But, I love that about this squad! Why? Check the last 20 NBA Championships;
which team won the title with a core of young guys? None, as in, nada, nunca, zero, zilch!
which team won the title with a core of wiley vets? All of them, as in, each team, 100%----period.
So, thanks for bringing up that age positivity...real talk
_________________________________________________________________
Jason,
In your first sentence, you agreed with me, so...you get it out of here with that hypocritical bs.
Plus, I didn't see AI much this year. But if he is committed to getting folk involved when his offense is not on, then...you have a legitimate point.
But, what about nights HE IS ON and those who come before him *are on* as well? Then, I see a challenge arising that could be cancerous. So, wake that anus up pal!
from 3 months ago
I was using your qoute saying he couldn't function not being a 1st or second option player as a point to let you knew that 1st or second option players (or dominate players in general) are just that....1st or second OPTION PLAYERS!! And if you bring him in expecting to be anything less then whats the point having him? So everything you are saying is irrelevent. Other then Dirk, who else would be the option that came before Iverson? Who are those that would "come before him"? LOL! If you didn't watch Iverson play that much this season, then what the hell are you talking about?! It makes you look the most hypocritical out of everyone on here, calling the guy "cancerous" if you barely watched him play. If the guy is on then he is ON...Basketball 101: YOU FEED THE HOT-HAND! Just like if Dirk was on, they would continue to feed him.
Also, when Iverson went off for 51 pts this past season, he was hot and couldn't miss (I think he was shooting like 82% from the field)...Coach Karl told him to pass the ball in the fourth (probably to releive defensive pressure off of him) and guess what...he passed the ball!! Imagine that!! So that sort of makes your argument for not wanting that guy on your team a little silly don't you think? Me thinks so. :)
Bottom line is, your team isn't going anywhere as currently constructed and is in a win NOW mode, so that trade the writer brought up sounds pretty sweet for you folks wether you like the guy or not.
3 months ago
Interesting article, but I think a Kidd/Iverson backcourt would have more holes in it than swiss cheese. Kidd already can't guard the likes of Tony Parker and Chris Paul, and now you're putting him on SG's like Kobe and D-Wade?
Sure, he makes us for Iverson's height, but not skill. It's been pretty well established that Kidd has slowed down, and Iverson has pretty much given up playing defense.
It would be interesting to see the two of them, plus Dirk, on the same team. It would truly be the "Redeem Team", three Hall-of-Famers with their last chance to get a ring. Sound familiar?
3 months ago
Jason,
You're being idiotic enough to view one season as, transcending Iverson's entire career mindset, doesn't mean I have to join in with you. I told you once, that you have a point, which I am surprised your limited basketball knowledge was even able to accomplish to begin with...so, really, to tell you the truth;
I think they should trade for Iverson, and get rid of Dirk, because he's a choke artist!...as we saw in '06 NBA Finals.
Thats how I really feel but we didn't get all into that.
JKidd, AI, Dampier, Howard, Stack, Terry, and Diop could more than suffice, for a run at a championship. I commented on AI only in terms of, there's no way he gets put before Dirk, even though he should...so if he went there taking command, he'd be considered a cancer. Unless he took the KOBE 101 instructions and just went rrrrrrrreal faaaaaaaaar out of his way to include other teammates. So you can focus your attention elsewhere, or I can commence *the exploiting of idiocy* to really start.
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