Being Mark
Pretend you’re Mark Cuban.
Right away, everything is different. For one thing you have $2 billion.
More things have changed than that. As you start to look around, you find you suddenly have boundless energy and a keen insight into things you didn’t know anything about, like the Internet, the stock market and the future of global communications.
On the other hand, you don’t care about things that seemed important, like clothes. Now a T-shirt will suffice, no matter where you’re going.
Oh, and you have an obsession with this NBA team you own, that seemed to be going down the drain.
You still go everywhere with it… and it’s ever more painful as its fall accelerates from its pinnacle (2-0 up over the Heat in the 2006 Finals with a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3) to its present state.
Even if you have a lot going on, like trying to buy the Cubs, which Commissioner Bud Selig will never let happen —Bud likes owners with a more reverent attitude toward commissioners—and SEC is charging you with insider trading, you’re still out there suffering day-by-day with your Mavericks.
You bought the franchise when it was nothing… just as coach Don Nelson started to pull it together.
Of course, dying to help, you got him Dennis Rodman, who scuttled the rest of that season like an anvil dropped from space.
In subsequent years, you and Nellie disagreed about which of you was the genius, but you managed to put your personal feelings aside and let Nellie do what he does.
Then, when Nellie left and the legal proceedings began, you even went Avery Johnson, whom Nellie nominated to succeed him. Avery took Nellie’s offensive team and made it defend.
Voila!
Avery went 16-2 after stepping in for Nellie, 60-22 in his first full season and 67-15 in his third, giving him the highest winning percentage in NBA history at that point.
You let Steve Nash go… to back-to-back MVP seasons in Phoenix and still wound up as a better team!
It looked like it was going to become a championship team except for your misadventure in the 2006 Finals after going up, 2-0 and blowing that 13-point lead in the last six minutes in Miami when it looked like you were about to lead, 3-0.
Now all everyone remembers is you railing about the referees, you getting fined $250,000 by Commissioner David Stern, Avery changing hotels and bristling at the press, presaging your losses in Games 4, 5 and 6.
The next season was even better and worse: 67 wins, utter domination of the regular season, followed by that first-round loss to the Warriors… and that damned Nellie.
The season after that, 2007-2008, you started 35-17 but that was only No. 3 in the West as everything changed.
The Lakers, who had almost lost Kobe Bryant, were back with Andrew Bynum on the rise and the Grizzlies donating Pau Gasol.
Worse, the Suns had just beaten you to the obvious move —Shaquille O’Neal— who would have fit naturally with you but fit awkwardly with them.
So now, you had to think up a dramatic move of your own… Jason Kidd?
Unfortunately, you gave up Devin Harris, your best player under 25, and it would have been nice if someone had figured out Jason would fit about as well with you as Shaq did with the Suns.
Your offense was built around isolations for Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard, leaving little for Kidd to do but hand them the ball and get out of the way.
So you finished 16-13, lost in five games to the Hornets in the first round and offed Avery, who was supposedly too controlling and making everybody crazy.
Now you’ve got Rick Carlisle, a sharp guy who turned around his first two teams, the Pistons and Pacers, but it’s clear your days of winning 55-60 are over.
What do do now?
Make trades in the hope of patching on the fly?
Back up the truck?
Unfortunately, there’s a certain point at which you’re out of good moves—and you’re there.
If you want to trade, you’ll soon discover the only players anyone wants will be Dirk, Josh and Brandon Bass, the ones you’d want to rebuild around.
If anyone knows you, they know you won’t ever be trading Dirk, your No. 1 fave.
There are deals out there, they’re just loaded with risk and freighted with huge, long-term contracts (see: Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Stephon Marbury or your choice of any Clipper of Bobcat.)
On the other hand, when you see it’s not working, how long do you intend to gaze at it?
Detroit’s Joe Dumars just decided he wasn’t going to watch his veterans—who had been in the last six East Finals—die by inches, plunged boldly into the future and, in the meantime, aligned his fate with Allen Iverson.
Meanwhile, Denver just went from uncoachable with AI, Carmelo Anthony et al. to semi-lucid with Chauncey Billups there to restore order.
We don’t know how they’ll wind up but it was Denver’s best shot to right the ship before Carmelo abandons it and it pushed Detroit headlong into the future.
Of course, the best thing would be if you can get one of those flashes of genius like creating Broadcast.com.
Did you ever see that movie, “Weird Science”, in which two geeks program all the facets about their perfect woman into a computer and out pops Kelly LeBrock?
In any case, you’d better figure out a new way to get where you’re going because you’re not getting there this way.
mike Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
Dwyane Wade gave one of the best final performances in recent memories, and destroyed the Mavs, who are the weakest team mentally in the NBA.
Mace Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Poor Mark, all this and facing jail time too. Maybe he’ll do time close to San Antonio — we are dying to visit him since we all love him so much after he has endlessly insulted the city of San Antonio.
Melvin Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Its really hard to be in Marc’s situation. After all he never had shortcomings in terms of giving his team financial supports and every support an owner could have ever given to his team. And the Jason Kidd trade is really a bad trade for them and everyone thinks it that way maybe except him.
I just hope their time will come soon
David Musick Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
Well, I think this is a bit harsh! How easy to nip a lion that’s down (I suppose). Rome is burning but the SEC found another red herring in Mark as Martha was used to divert public attentin away from Enron and those 1000 points of light. Let’s not forget Mark a great American. What damage has he done to anybody?
Zane Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 4:11 am
I don’t think its fair to blame Cuban for this trade.
Who could have possibly thought this was such a bad trade? Devin for Jason Kidd? J-Kidd, 9-time all-star, tough playoff competitor - he has the type of resume and skills that this team needed at the time.
Sure it was a risk, and it didn’t pay off this time but i applaud Cuban for trying. If the chemistry were better, this trade could have netted them a ring. There is even more talent now to make more trades, don’t write off the Mavs and Cuban just yet.
Reading is Great! Monday Morning’s NBA News, Rumors, and Weekend Updates - EmptyTheBench.com Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 4:16 am
[...] not so much. - Blaze of Love - A list of some pretty ugly, often poorly-tattooed NBA players. - HoopsHype - The Dallas Mavericks are going nowhere and might be out of moves, too. - Mr. Irrelevant - So, [...]
jacob Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 4:55 am
The Mavs were in the 2006 Finals, not the 2005.
Sorry. I’m not a jerk, just nitpicky.
Chris Maddox Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 11:27 am
Dallas Mavericks Recap
I’ll start off by saying I am a MFFL (Mavericks fan for life), and I have watch the Mavericks fall time and time again in the playoffs. I’ve seen just about every player that has played a sufficeint amount of time completely blow a playoff game. If it was a missed shot, a poor defensive play, a lazy pass, free throws, bad time out, etc. I’ve seen the Dallas Mavericks lose, and you can’t blame any of these decisions on Mark or Donnie Nelson.
Things took a rough turn as soon as Steve Nash decided that he felt that Phoenix wanted him more than Dallas did. After losing a All-Star point guard you have to react, which they did. They went on to trade away Antawn Walker and Antoine Jamison to bring back another “point” in Jason Terry and a explosive point guard a way of Wisconsin, Devin Harris with the 5th overall pick in the 2004 draft.
Soon enough in 2006, despite losing a player in Stve Nash who would go on to win back-to -back MVP awards, Dallas made it to the Finals, where they lost to a Miami Heat team lead by Dwayne Wade.
The Mavericks went on to win 67 games in the regular season lead by no other than your 2006-07 NBA MVP, but fell to Golden State in the 1st round of the playoffs, a team that has given them a lot of trouble previously (I actually called the Mavericks losing the series before they played).
In the 2007-08 season major trades were made Pau Gasol to the Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns, and before the season Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were sent to the Boston Celtics, the reigning champions. Dallas obviously saw these trades as threats, and as a number 1 seeded team that had just lost to an 8 seed, they felt they had to make a major move to somewhat redeem themselves. So midway through the 2007-08 season the Dallas Mavericks made a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd. Dallas went on to lose a 2nd consecutive time in the 1st round, this time to a young, athletic New Orleans team lead by the best point guard in the world, Chris Paul.
Dallas has choosen its fate, trading for the aged future hall of famer, giving up Devin Harris and two 1st round picks (2008 and 2010). Now the Mavericks have former Dirk Nowitzki who is 30, the troubled Josh Howard who will be 29 this season, Jason Terry who turned 31 in September, and Jason Kidd who will be 36 in March, to lead the Mavericks. They also have Brandon Bass, Gerald Green, James Singleton, Shawne Williams, and Antoine Wright who are all young athletic wings, that have all shown some potential, (but only Bass has been consistant) as well as their back up point guard Jose Barea as theis future, unless trades, signings/wavings occur of course.
There are talks of Jerry Stackhouse being traded, a little talk of LeBron potentially coming to Dallas, (yea……don’t get your hopes up about that one, but it’s safe to dream, I will), and Mark Cuban inside trading. The future of this team lead by proven vets that have yet to bring home the trophy, mixed with young, athletic players looking for a chance, will rely on hunger, desire, and will. The talent has always been there, the leadership by their best player ever, and my favorite player Dirk Nowitzki has not. No one expects much from this Dallas Mavericks team this year, and somtimes that’s all it takes.
Christian D. Maddox
Greensboro, NC
Chriscupid32@Yahoo.com
Chris Maddox Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Chris Maddox Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 11:27 am
Dallas Mavericks Recap
I’ll start off by saying I am a MFFL (Mavericks fan for life), and I have watch the Mavericks fall time and time again in the playoffs. I’ve seen just about every player that has played a sufficeint amount of time completely blow a playoff game. If it was a missed shot, a poor defensive play, a lazy pass, free throws, bad time out, etc. I’ve seen the Dallas Mavericks lose, and you can’t blame any of these decisions on Mark or Donnie Nelson.
Things took a rough turn as soon as Steve Nash decided that he felt that Phoenix wanted him more than Dallas did. After losing a All-Star point guard you have to react, which they did. They went on to trade away Antawn Walker and Antoine Jamison to bring back another “point” in Jason Terry and a explosive point guard a way of Wisconsin, Devin Harris with the 5th overall pick in the 2004 draft.
Soon enough in 2006, despite losing a player in Steve Nash who would go on to win back-to -back MVP awards, Dallas made it to the Finals, where they lost to a Miami Heat team lead by Dwayne Wade.
The Mavericks went on to win 67 games in the regular season lead by no other than your 2006-07 NBA MVP, but fell to Golden State in the 1st round of the playoffs, a team that has given them a lot of trouble previously (I actually called the Mavericks losing the series before they played).
In the 2007-08 season major trades were made, Pau Gasol to the Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns, and before the season, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were sent to the Boston Celtics, the reigning champions. Dallas obviously saw these trades as threats, and as a number 1 seeded team that had just lost to an 8 seed, they felt they had to make a major move to somewhat redeem themselves. So midway through the 2007-08 season the Dallas Mavericks made a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd. Dallas went on to lose a 2nd consecutive time in the 1st round, this time to a young, athletic New Orleans team lead by the best point guard in the world, Chris Paul.
Dallas has choosen its fate, trading for the aged future hall of famer, giving up Devin Harris and two 1st round picks (2008 and 2010). Now the Mavericks have former MVP Dirk Nowitzki who is 30, the troubled Josh Howard who will be 29 this season, Jason Terry who turned 31 in September, and Jason Kidd who will be 36 in March, to lead the Mavericks. They also have Brandon Bass, Gerald Green, James Singleton, Shawne Williams, and Antoine Wright who are all young athletic wings, that have all shown some potential, (but only Bass has been consistant) as well as their back up point guard Jose Barea as theis future, unless trades, signings/wavings occur of course.
There are talks of Jerry Stackhouse being traded, a little talk of LeBron potentially coming to Dallas, (yea……don’t get your hopes up about that one, but it’s safe to dream, I will), and Mark Cuban inside trading. The future of this team lead by proven vets that have yet to bring home the trophy, mixed with young, athletic players looking for a chance, will rely on hunger, desire, and will. The talent has always been there, the leadership by their best player ever, and my favorite player Dirk Nowitzki has not. No one expects much from this Dallas Mavericks team this year, and somtimes that’s all it takes.
Christian D. Maddox
Greensboro, NC
Chriscupid32@Yahoo.com
I had to correct my mistakes I’m 18 lol I forgot to proof read.
Max Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
This is a bone headed article. Each of it’s points can be easily rebutted. For most of the rebuttals search Cuban’s blog. He’s addressed them all before.
As an entrepreneur you make decisions based on data you have, rationale and a gut instinct. Whatever happens, you don’t look back.
So when this article says “Unfortunately, there’s a certain point at which you’re out of good moves—and you’re there.”
An entrepreneur is never out of good moves.
patfil Said,
November 25, 2008 @ 2:06 am
I think keeping this team till the end of the season will prove that they can make good… im a kidd fan… i know he’ll find a way to make the whole team better, and I think they are already starting to.
DaddyNomNoms Said,
November 25, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Chris Maddox- You talk to much.
James Said,
November 25, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
Jason Kidd can’t shoot. It was obvious before the trade. Kidd could never shoot, and is not an “all time great”. No way is Kidd better than Chris Paul. Not even in his prime. Cuban lost it, Devean George gave him a Mulligan, and Cuban lost it again. What a waste of money and Devin Harris.
Malte Said,
November 26, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Maybe trading for Kidd was wrong, but Jason is definitly an “all time great.” He took the stunning badly Nets to the finals two times and is one of the greatest PGs all time (Paul has to prove that). The Mavs aren’t as good as 2006 and it’ll be a long time before they reach the finals again, but no team likes to match’em in the playoffs (though it seems they’re first round fodder, just have big potential). IMHO you can’t blame Cuban for the trades, he tried everything he could do to give his team a final shot. That’s way better than watch your team heading into the no man’s land of the Western Conference (they apparently were).
Pat Said,
November 27, 2008 @ 9:36 am
never mind Mark, how about Kevin McHale trading KG for Al Jefferson & junk. When the Lakers were offering Andrew Bynum AND Lamar Oden for KG.
McHale “Gave” away KG to his main love,the Boston Celtics.
If I was a T_Wolves fan.I’d be pissed.
patfil Said,
November 27, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
“Kidd could never shoot, and is not an “all time great”. - James obviously doesn’t know what a REAL point guards role is… Kidd will probably still average double figures in scoring for his entire career when he retires, but even then, it’s making your teammates better, passing the ball well, that makes you a good point guard. PLUS he’s one of the best guard rebounders ever, and 2nd to total TRIPLE DOUBLES in the history of the nba, if that doesn’t qualify to make you an all time great, than what would? oh, and i have him in my fantasy league this year.. his average steals per game have been awesome as well…
Chris Maddox Said,
November 28, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Of course Kidd is a all-time great point guard, there’s no need to even discuss that. Chris Paul is closer to his prime than Kidd, so obviously he had the upper hand. Cuban thought he had a chance to win it with Jason, and he was wrong. I still LOVE Mark and the Mavs. My fave 3 (mavs, grizzles, and blazers) teams aren’t great but you don’t give up hope.
history personal computer | NBA.COM Said,
November 29, 2008 @ 9:14 am
[...] Being Mark … it together. Of course, dying to help, you got him Dennis Rodman, who scuttled the rest of that season like an anvil dropped from space. In subsequent years, you and Nellie disagreed about which of you was the genius, but you managed to put your personal feelings aside and let Nellie do what he does … [...]
the warriors movie | Intel.com Said,
November 30, 2008 @ 4:18 am
[...] Being Mark … 5 and 6. The next season was even better and worse: 67 wins, utter domination of the regular season, followed by that first-round loss to the Warriors… and that damned Nellie. The season after that, 2007-2008, you started 35-17 but that was only No. 3 in the West as everything changed. The Lakers … [...]