Out with the old, in with the new, as they say.
Finally got rid of one of the "suit" guys that would always sit on the bench; the guy I'm talking about is 14-year vet
Jerry Stackhouse.
Sure, he's had his nights where he'd really help the team out, but I don't think you really help the team much by being an enabler; sitting on the bench, not willing to go out on the court and give it what you got, nursing some injury you'd had for like so long, oh and of course, milking the cow, not earning the cash out on the court instead you're getting paid by just looking good in a suit.
Stephon Marbury, anyone?That's not contributing to points for us on the board.
Well that was good riddance; Mavs trade him to the Grizzles and now Memphis cuts him just after a day or so being acquired. One man's trash, is another man's...trash, I guess? Retirement shouldn't be too far in his future, I don't think.
Dallas was
involved in a 4-team, 8-player trade with the Mavs receiving former Phoenix Suns' star Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai (???) all from Toronto and then as well we welcome 2-time former Maverick Greg Buckner from Memphis. The Mavs also signed a point guard from the Grizz, former SMU product Quintin Ross.
(I don't know if you'd want to come back to a team that has let you go twice and you'd come back; it's a business, though; wherever the money's at, take the chance.)Our first free agency splash [
or trickle] was
Marcin Gortat [MAR-chean GOR-tat], a 6'11" center from Orlando; guy hardly did a dang thing out in the court to aid the Magic in the finals this past season, so who'd want that kind of player?
The Mavericks, duh.
"We’re ecstatic to add a player of this caliber, experience and athleticism. We feel that this gives us a really good opportunity to compete with the best of the West.” -
Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson "He's athletic, and we think he's a guy who is pretty skilled who can really help us, he brings toughness, dynamic athleticism and a different personality to our team. Statistically, I don't know how all that stuff is going to translate." Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.
[Lines 50-55]He goes on to say,
"But we feel he's a damn good player. He's a running big man, and we've got maybe the best passing point guard of all time [J.Kidd]
. So he fits."Really? He's not all THAT; hardly been in the NBA, matter of fact, this is his first year. He started out with a team in the
D-League after being drafted by the Suns in '05. So where's the big-time
experience or any
athleticism? He practically is like a
imitation of Shawn Bradley. Wasn't mobile in my eyes when I'd see him come in for Dwight Howard in the finals. After Carlisle's quote he later says that the signing isn't off of his lack-luster performance in the finals.
Good save, Coach.
He's eons away from being worth 5 years, $34 million. I'll tell you that. I can't blame the Magic for not wanting to even touch that offer to keep him.
Hey Mavs. Mr. Donnie Nelson and Mr. Rick Carlisle. Prove me and the Dallas faithful wrong. Because for right now, the proof is in the pudding.
As for the players we give up; Devean George, Antione Wright to the Raptors. The team also lost
Brandon Bass to the Orlando Magic; I'm guessing the Mavs have about a week to match the offer the Magic gave Bass in order to retain him. Basically, I'm concerned about what the Mavs get, but all in all, if we still have my man Dirk, it's all good.
Just in case the team improves and is on their way towards a championship run in the postseason, I'm all for it. Pretty sure a lot of other Mav fans are, as well.