DONUT 1: What if the Mavs don't sign anybody? ...
Can the Dallas Mavericks afford to NOT sign somebody?
Here's the way my brothers at FoxSportsSouthwest phrase the question: Can the Mavericks really afford to not land a big name free agent or two? The face of the franchise, Dirk Nowitzki , turns 34 next month. Don't the Mavs need to give Nowitzki, who is signed for two more years, as much help as quick as possible?
Sounds simple and obvious, right?
DONUT 2: "Fat Mavs Optimism'' ...
It's an art project. "Fat Mavs Optimism.''
What else am I gonna do with a packet full of Mavs playoff-game parking passes?
But seriously, that's my rosy approach to things. I half-considered keeping the packet, even after 0-4 against OKC, just in case Chancellor Stern demanded a recount or something.
DONUT 3: I'm staying optimistic, though ...
Because I'm "Donnie's Boy'' or "Cuban's Backpocket Guy'' or a "Dirk Homer''?
Ummm, maybe. But I think 12 years of franchise success, combined with my naturally rosy nature, is what motivates my belief that Plan A (Deron Williams) is a viable one. (I know that the Nets hold the best cards - $106 million worth of them. But Dallas owns one of just a few seats at the poker table, and that is a start). And it's what fuels my confidence that if the Mavs are forced to downshift to an alternative plan, it'll be one that fits not only Cuban's private promise to Dirk, but also Donnie's public pledge to the audience.
"Listen, how many years have we made the playoffs?" Donnie says. "We don't plan on putting out anything less than a championship-caliber team. That's been Mark's history and that's our commitment to our fans and this city."
DONUT 4: Which plan? ...
More from Donnie:
"There's lots of good players out there," Nelson says. "And whether it's A, B, C, D, E, F, or keep the powder dry, which is always an option. Just because we have it doesn't mean we have to spend it. Those are all things that we'll take up this summer."
Nobody seems to be listening to Donnie's words beyond "A.'' But read 'em again. (And if you lean to the idea that Dallas MUST sign somebody, read 'em and weep. Because that's not what he's saying.)
DONUT 5: So what is 'Plan B'? ...
I'm working on specifics there. But we can play with educated guesses, different directions Dallas can go.
Let's toss one out there, just for the sake of conversation, and just as an example of one of the options that do exist.
(Sidebar: I know I could wildly increase DallasBasketball.com traffic if what I'm about to frame as an "educated guess as to one of many Plan B options'' was instead framed as a screaming-headline scoop. I'll leave that to somebody else; here, let's keep it in the perspective of what it is, OK?)
DONUT 6: Three of our faves: Game Havens, The Wildflower Festival and NBA2K12! ...
Remember to plan for next weekend’s 20th Annual Wildflower Festival in Richardson. A huge number of big-name artists (Augustana, The Commodores, Dashboard Confessional, Neal McCoy and Nelly to name a few) will be there .. as will our very own Game Havens with their 2nd Annual GAME ZONE. Oh…and don’t forget the festival food!
This year, Game Havens will be hosting the NBA 2K12 Championship and FIFA 12 Championship, not to mention a second year of Call of Duty Zombies tournaments! Check out the events page on Facebook for all their tournaments or stop by for some FREE-PLAY gaming and Kinect stations. And you definitely have to visit the “Design Your Game Room” area with some live demos of the incredible (but affordable) game rooms they build.
In the meanwhile, “LIKE” Game Havens and follow @GameHavensTeam on Twitter and keep up with the busy weekend ahead and the gaming world in general!
DONUT 7: How about Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett? ...
Now, don't get all excited. (Or all pissed, depending on your viewpoint.) But this organization loves both of those elder statesmen. Always has. Nash and Garnett, on expensive two-year deals designed to expire when Dirk's existing contract is up, would keep the Mavs competitive and interesting and ... in the Summer of 2014, the Mavs would start all over. Dip way under the taxpayer limit. Maybe be a lottery team. ... all with the sweet memories of Dirk and the Mavs winning a title and then Dirk/Nash/KG creating two years-worth of some very special sports storylines.
DONUT 8: Catch the Mavs and the DB.com Staff on Twitter! ...
DONUT 9: Or ...
Here's the third direction ... one that doesn't fit with the Cuban/Donnie pledge but one that does fit with the "powder dry'' remark:
If you don't get Deron, don't overspend. Wait. Endure the pain. Stay committed to the notion that this is a SuperTeam Era and that it's all about assembling better casts than the ones in Miami and OKC ... and that if you can't make this-year moves that make you truly competitive at that level, wait. And try to hit your homeruns next year.
When Donnie talks of "Plan F' through "Plan Keep The Powder Dry,'' that's what he's talking about.
The option of doing nothing big this year. The option of attempting to hit homeruns without taking big swings, or for a better baseball analogy, the option of hoping a bunch of bunts add up the way a homerun might.
That's what Donnie is telling us. Plan A (Deron) is widely reported. Plan B (something like the pursuit of Nash/KG) will soon be wildly speculated. But "Plan F'' through "Plan Keep The Powder Dry'' is going unreported.
Because so few people who listened to Donnie actually listened. Or are willing to accept what he's saying.
DONUT 10: Best in the Business ...
Try our Premium Mavs coverage! This is what we do, every day, with 28 years of experience on the beat! It’s pennies a day to get All-Access to what the Mavs are doing upstairs, down in the basement, in the locker room and on the court – and it’s free to come inside for
a 7-day tryout. Now more than ever, there’s every reason to give it a go! Thanks for your support of the site at less than a dime-a-day! Go Mavs and Go Premium!
DONUT 11: Who needs tickets? ...
My guy Ryan at MavCowTickets knows the ins and outs of the Rangers, Cowboys, Mavs, the arenas, the opponents ... the works! For the most personal service in the business -- with no stupid add-on costs -- check him out and tell him The Fish sent you!
DONUT 12: The Final Word ...
I have faith that if you're reading this, you are willing to accept the complexities here. (Great example: Dig into Michael Dugat's MAVNALYSIS of the club's Tyson/Deron-related decisions. One key question: Would Deron be/have been more attracted to a Mavs team with Tyson and no space? Or with 'Trix and space?
If you are in the "Just Do Something!'' Club, have at it. But you've come to the wrong sport, the wrong league and the wrong team, all at the wrong time. There are weighty decisions to be made. "Just Do Something'' is an option, sure. It's tucked in there somewhere between "Plans A, B, C, D, E, F'' and "Plan Keep The Powder Dry.''
|