|| fixing the mavs ||

let's be realistic here. the mavs aren't coming back on the spurs. i wish they would...but they won't.

i think they have some of the peices to win eventually. so my thoughts are below...

PLAYER : THOUGHTS : CONTRACT LENTH AND MONEY STARTING NEXT SEASON

sir dirk is obviously a stud. his clutch antics offensively, his very solid rebouding, and reasonable defense are nothing to walk away from yet. he is getting up in age though...so building a young team around him must be a priority. (1 yr $21 million)

staying on the positive side, matrix is a wonderful defender, adequate rebounder, and doesn't need any shots to be effective offensively as far as production in concerned. but he is also getting old. when this contract is up, his career will be also. (4 yrs $7.3 million +)

roddy b has a huge future, in my opinion. he is fast, can shoot, adequate ballahandling, and play defense. he still has a ton to learn, but we must build with this kid. his talent is way too much to overlook. (4 yrs $1.1 million +)

i like haywood. he is young enough and agile enough to be a piece of this team. he is definitely an asset. he rebounds alright, and blocks a fair amount of shots. i think he could get a little stronger, proven by duncan pushing him around. definitely resign. (o yrs $6 million)

jj is a great backup. he's not scared to go to the rim, and shoots really well when open. he gets his hands on a few passes here and there...but is somewhat a defensive liability...but he normally playing against 2nd string guys. so, i think he is worth keeping. i'm afraid he might want a lot more money at some point, and he's not worth too much more. (1 yr $1.8 million)

butler is a talented player and is definitely tenacious enough on defemse. problem is, he can't create his own shot consistently. his defense doesn't bother me, and his baggage doesn't either. but he's not worth the money...if he wants to restructure for 7=8 mil and a few years, he's worth it. (1 yr $10.6 million)

stevenson is good for defense only. and he is not worth 4 mil. maybe 2 or 3, but not 4 mil for a one way player. and he has crazy eyes, like ron artest crazy eyes...i don't trust him. (1 yr $3.8 million)

damp is what we thought he was. he is tough, can rebound and block shots. he is really limited on offense. therefore, his contract is impossible to defend. but as a guy off the bench, pounding other big men down under the basket? sure, he's great for that, just not for that money...7-8 mil for a few more years...ok i can do that. (1 yr $13 million)

then there is jkidd. the age is definitely showing, finally. i love that he improved his 3 point shot dramatically, and he still makes a spectacular play on d...on occasion. but the man can't keep up with the point guards of today. as stated with marion, when the contract is up, so is his career. hopefully he will teach roddy the way. (2 yrs $8.5 million +)

najera is nasty. and at this price, perfect for this team. (3 yrs $2.8 million -)

carroll is almost useless on this team as a player...his contract could be useful in a trade, but thats about it. (2 yrs $4.3 million -)

thomas is done with the mavs it seems, but we didnt waste too much money on him...decent move last year. (0 yrs $1 million)

and terry, the toughest to call...his 4th quarter scoring is valuable. he is not scared of the big shot, and passes better than people think. he is porous on defense, i know...and teamed with dirk late in the game, make the mavs terribly bad late in the game on the defensive end. (2 yrs $10.6 million +)

THE SUMMER OF 2010

SO THE OBVIOUS...
dirk, kidd, barea, marion, najera, and roddy are back for sure

INTERNAL OPTIONS...free agents
resign haywood

EXTERNAL OPTIONS...free agents
long shots-lebron james, chris bosh, dwayne wade
possibilities-joe johnson, ray allen, tyson chandler, tj ford, jermaine oneal, michael redd, luke ridnour, kurt thomas, francisco elson

IF I WAS IN CHARGE...
-dirk, barea, kidd, roddy, haywood, najera, and marion are for sure back.
-i would try and pair damp with either terry or butler, and get a shot maker who can create...joe johnson would be perfect.
-then i would keep the one i didnt trade (terry or butler)
-at that point it would all be about backup center and point guard: ridnour, or ford
-then i would take a shot at someone like tyson chandler or ray allen, someone who can step right in and start

starters
kidd
johnson
marion
dirk
chandler

bench
haywood
butler
barea
ridnour
najera
carroll