There is no worse feeling in sports than being eliminated in the playoffs. It's an exclamation point on a disappointing season. Like everyone else, I try to look back and see what we did right and wrong and look forward to see where we stand for the upcoming and future seasons.
We made mistakes, no question. We took the start of the regular season for granted. The entire staff wanted to avoid another meltdown like we had against Golden State, so we started off the season with a willingness to experiment. We wanted to try different combinations of players to see what worked and didn't work, thinking we would still win games, but that we could evaluate players and let them try new things. Unfortunately, we didn't win as many games as we thought we should. To make matters worse, we lost games we thought we should have won easily, particularly on the road.
When we didn't win those games, we put more pressure on ourselves and tried even more lineups. We just couldn't find the right combination of players that allowed us to click. We used 556 lineup combinations. (by comparison, the Lakers used 313, the Suns 231).
One of my favorite history books from High School was Why Men Rebel, its point is that the further a person's reality diverges from their expectations, the more likely there are to be cultural problems. Which is exactly what started to happen to the Mavs. Everyone had their own solution to the problems. Some were voiced, some were internalized. Some were ignored. All made it harder for everyone to get on the same page.
You could see how these issues manifested themselves in games as well. We track pct of possessions that were stopped on both sides of the ball. In the 1st quarter, the Mavs were the most unstoppable team in the league. We scored on 55pct of our possessions. By the 3rd quarter, we were 16Th, dropping to 50pct, before improving some in the 4Th. On defense ,it was the same kind of thing. We got stops 51pct of the time in the 1st quarter,(4Th in league) dropping down to 47pct of the time in the 4Th (24Th in league).
We thought we would get on a roll at some point, but that point never came. The disparity between our home and road record really drove home the point that we needed some level of change. That without it, things could possibly get better, or they could get worse. But there was no denying the amount of pressure and tension that was being felt by players, coaches, management and fans. We all stayed optimistic, but we all had an element of doubt as well.
When we got to the trade deadline, the entire organization realized that we weren't "just going to turn it around". We needed a spark.
In discussing trades, Avery and Donnie take the role of determining which trades can help the team. Its my job to manage the financial and long term impact. No trade is done unless we all agree we should do it. We all have veto power.
We had the opportunity to make a trade with the Clippers, but contrary to reports, we turned that down immediately. There were a lot of preliminary discussions with different teams, but nothing really seemed to take hold. Even the discussions with New Jersey didn't get very far initially.
One thing about making trades, as Nelly told me early on, 99pct of them that you think might happen, never happen. Here is what does happen. GMs get on the phone and talk and talk and talk. But rarely is the GM actually empowered to make a trade. So they play the game of "having to go back to their owners". I would tell Donnie all the time, "You have the authority to say yes, when they get to the point of commitment". When we thought things would get close, we would get the "Now I have to get my owners permission". Its almost comical how unable some GMs are to pull the trigger in the NBA. Its a game they all agree to play. They pretend they have authority, until its go time. I have never seen so much time wasted in my life. i feel sorry for Donnie having to deal with all that nonsense.
So back to the trade deadline. We went back and forth about whether or not we should trade Devin. We knew he was a good point guard, with the potential to be amazing. What we didn't know was how long that would take. On one hand, we didn't have enough confidence in him to let him call his own plays, but on the other, he is a one man fast break, his shooting was improving by the minute, he is a good defender and his potential was undeniable. In Jason Kidd, we felt we would get a player that would make ti easier for Dirk, Josh, Jet to get open shots. That Avery would no longer have to scream to push the ball, that JK was the best in the business at pushing the ball in the open court. Plus, our rebounding had suffered this year vs last, JKidd is a great rebounder and the presses that had caused us problems, would no longer be a problem.
None of the other guys in the initial versions of trade were playing much at the time, other than Stack.
It wasn't an easy call. Between AJ, Donnie and I, we would change our minds by the minute. I don't think there is any doubt that the pressure and closeness of the Western Conference race had something to do with our decision making process. In my mind, this season was becoming analogous to the most agonizing season I had been through, the 04-05 season. We were having the same home vs road record delta, multiple players asking to be traded and even more internal tension about our lack of consistent performance than we had in 04-05.
But the current year wasn't really my personal deciding factor. Looking at our future cap structure was. In doing a deal for JKidd, we created a situation where Devin, Mo Ager, Hass and what we would have paid Ghana would no longer be on our cap. Which put us in a position for the future that I looked at as follows:
2008-9 We have a full training camp with a very motivated JKidd, the rest of our starters back, an improving Nasty Bassty (had to get that in there :), plus anyone we can add. We all thought (and still do), we would have a very strong nucleus to build around. We would also have a 1st round pick.
2009-10 Depending on how the previous season went, we would have several last year contracts available, the option of potentially having some cap room, and other options to improve the team. With the much lower potential salaries, not only could we use cap room if we went that direction to enable roster flexibility, we could also buy a pick. (there are almost always teams willing to sell a pick in the 20s for 3mm dollars)
2010-11 In this year we only have 2 fully guaranteed contracts and in 2011-12 We dint have any fully guaranteed contracts. So the options are endless in both years. Plus , its in one of these years that the new CBA comes up. With so little committed, depending on how hard a line the owners take, things could get very, very inter sting. Having so little contractually committed could be a great place to be when other teams look to dump salaries to avoid the risks of a lockout.
So with the changes, while we lost a great player in Devin, we felt like we were picking up someone who could spark the team and add energy on the court. At best, we re energized, at worst, it doesn't help, but we have improved the roster flexibility for the future and improved our opportunity to re invent ourselves, just as we had after the 04 05 season. And as far as the draft picks, there is no question there is risk there, but in the NBA, there is always the option to buy low first round draft picks, so we weren't as concerned there.
So from my my viewpoint, we accelerated salaries, which wasn't cheap, and in exchange, got a player that our basketball people thought could energize and help us.
The only thing remaining to be done was to actually execute the trade. About this time, the theme song to the Benny Hill Show comes to mind. I can't go into all the details, but there should be a rule in the NBA that any trade that is offered is considered a binding contract and the team is required to stick to it. This thing went from 2 teams to 3 teams to maybe 4, back to 3, back to 2 with players changing, players talking, players that wanted to be traded being told by their agents not to approve the trade, players who wanted to be traded excited to be part of the deal, then being worried that they we rent in the deal. it was crazy. There were many times I thought it was dead. But it finally got done.
Do I think we might the right deal, you never know till you know, but I know I would make the same deal again. i also know what I learned from Nash leaving. As great an offensive coach as Nellie is, Nash wasn't playing at MVP levels with us. A change of scenery and coaches and system, some payback motivation and he became a very, very deserving 2 time MVP.
My hope, is that with the changes that have taken place with our Mavs, we will see the same effect with JKidd this coming year, and that will lead to another great year and another and a Mavs championship along the way. If it doesn't work, we hopefully have limited our downside
And one last word on something. I have never, ever raised my voice to any coach or player on this team. Ever. I've been screamed at. which I have no problem with. I have no problem with someone venting at me or to me, even about me. In fact, if its necessary, I prefer it be to me. Its a sign of passion. In fact i wrote a blog post about it 4 years ago
Its going to be a fun summer, Go Mavs !
And BTW, here is hoping for a Stars vs Pens Stanley Cup !
Talking Mavs
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. i am a diehard lakers fan. i say that so that this will have its proper framing, you make it hard for me to hate the mavericks. i am in lakerland and i have this deep respect for the mavericks as an organization, especially for the loyalty there that is seldom seen in pro sports. good luck (but not too much luck)
Posted at 5:54PM on May 5th 2008 by Tyler
3. Really interesting post Mark. Thanks for giving MFFL's so much insight into what's going on behind the scenes. It's a difficult time right now in Mavsland, but with you and Donnie running the show and Dirk playing at his peak, I'm looking forward to another exciting season in 08-09.
One request though - can you go back to being more available (radio/TV interviews) during the season like you were the first few years, instead of waiting until the end of the season? Your ability to put things in perspective has really been missing lately. Also, during the Nash/Dirk years there was a real sense of excitement that was furthered by you showing up all the time on local radio stations. Mavs fans could use some of that these days.
Posted at 6:07PM on May 5th 2008 by Ryan
5. As a Warriors fan, I have two observations.
1. Letting Nash go - then signing Erik Dampier - must have been one of the most insane moves of all time. To effectively trade Nash for Dampier basically cost the Mavs a Championship (or two). It will be tough to ever recover from that move.
2. It is frustrating to root for a team - like the Warriors - where the number one priority is financial management. It makes it feel like when push comes to shove, money will ALWAYS come before winning for our club. Thus, I respect the Mavs' willingness to try to make moves to win - despite the financial cost. However, it also does remain a lesson to us all that money alone does not buy championships (well, perhaps in the MLB it does...) - you also need good management, some luck in the draft, etc...
Posted at 6:23PM on May 5th 2008 by Doug
6. Agreed! My poor Habs! :)
Posted at 6:57PM on May 5th 2008 by Jeremy Toeman
7. Mark,
It is truly a pleasure to read your inside thinking on trades and the NBA. No other owner in professional sports does this. It is truly a gift to knowledgable fans to get the inside scoop from an owner.
Your logic is perfect. The numbers you presented impressed upon me again how close the competition is in the NBA. Scoring on 55% of posessions and then dropping to 50% is really not much of a drop, but that is all it takes in the NBA, especially the Western Conference.
I always thought the Mavs big problem was defense. But, your numbers suggest that defense really isn't that much of a problem.
Success in the NBA is much more complicated than most fans understand.
Thanks again for a look inside the NBA.
Don Dodge
9. Wish there were more owners like you. I can only imagine how tough this one was but, at the end of the day, you live, learn and look at the potential going forward.
The pct of possession stat. is amazing... i'd love to see those stats against individual teams.
Finally, Carisle is not the right guy. I don't know who is but, he's not the right guy.
Posted at 7:50PM on May 5th 2008 by Clarence Bennett
10. Although I didn't see the Mavs winning it all this year, given Kidd's age, to make that trade you are stating the time is now to win. Nice spin on how it impacts '09 and '10, but JK will be gone by then and although I'm a big fan, Stack will be retired or have very little left in the tank. Dirk isn't getting any younger. With the JK trade you slammed a window shut after next year that would have been slightly open for a few more years. JK is good player but no longer great. His age showed in the playoffs. Devin is a good player who could become great. I'd rather have Devin next year. Plus now the team has to adjust to a new coach. Considering you've mentioned in the past that you had considered selling the Mavs before, what makes us think you're in it for the long haul? You clearly thought the best chance to win was now, or else you wouldn't have traded for an aging PG. Now you're trying to spin it and tell us the flexibility you'll have down the road, when we don't even know if you the owner will still be around.
Posted at 7:51PM on May 5th 2008 by Brad Donnelly
11. I agree with what u had to say, and appreciate the candor. I don't think big moves are what's needed right now and what moves would you make anyway.
I think we have to get our bench in order, we couldn't compete with the hornets bench and they don't have a great bench.
I hope bringing in a coach with a fresh perspective will help, I like rick carlisle He built the pistons into a great team and then got screwed when larry brown slimed his way into carlisle's job.
I'll be Watching the spurs hornets series closely the team we lost to might be better than we think.
Posted at 9:07PM on May 5th 2008 by gpurvis
12. Thank you Mark!
Posted at 9:47PM on May 5th 2008 by Barry
13. Mark, great post. I admire you and the job you do. I find myself cheering for the Mavs and I'm from Philly, which is why I have to ask...Why you gotta hate on my Flyers?
Posted at 10:01PM on May 5th 2008 by Chris G
14. I am so grateful that you do not shy away from controversial situations like this. I couldn't wait to see your comments concerning Avery's departure. All fans deserve an owner that gives them what you do. I admit I'm a little disappointed you did not comment directly about Avery, but I understand. I really tire of the media and their "take" on Avery's firing, the Mavs playoff failures, and how the trade for Kidd was a mistake; but the biggest disappointment to me was the players that repeatedly did not show up at crunch time. Dirk is the MAN, but Howard, Stackhouse, Dampier, & George disappeared! It was VERY evident that the Mavs started most games fast, but faltered after the first quarter. In watching the Mavs, it looked like Avery could be getting outcoached, but a closer look revealed that players were not playing up to their capabilies for him. It may be that Avery had too tight of a hold on them, or it may be that they put so much more pressure on themselves to win for him, that they fell short. Hopefully it was not because they were selfish enough not to play for him. Whatever the case, we drastically need a character check of our players! They are not going to be perfect, but teammates have got to rely on them in the crunch. Howard and his off-court antics along with Stachouse's on-court behavior cannot be tolerated. Bravo to you Cuban for your maturity as an owner! I am impressed that you are focusing more on being an owner than a fanatic. I honestly feel that with your continued maturity will come a championship in Dallas. I wish Avery would have been given one more year, but it didn't appear he was up to it anyway. I do hope you will bring in a spiritual discipline-minded coach that will clean up the character issues and get the focus of our underachievers back on what they can do to help our team win! (or bring in some new players eager to work together) Good Luck and Go Mavs!!!
Posted at 10:40PM on May 5th 2008 by Keenon R.
15. In my humble opinion you are the best owner in sports, and in great Dallas, TX tradition you took your whole league to another level just like Jerry Jones did with the Cows. Harris seemed like a nice guy, but I never thought he had what it took to take our beloved Mavs to the next level, although it was hard to come closer to what happened two years ago... Anyway, what are the chances of getting a rough and tough competitor like Ron Artest into the mix of things? Does Kidd have enough left in the tank to win a championship? Is Carlisle really the answer? There are many questions lingering in this diehard fan's mind, but there is also confidence in the owners who took us from the laughing stock of the NBA to prominence in the league... just stay hungry for a championship, we need that trophy in Big D!
16. Mark,
As I like to think at the end of every year you have owned the Mavericks, Thank you!!! My son was born in 2000 so has enjoyed a very nice run for the Mavs instead of the 90s. I have been a fan since the first year of the team. You are not afraid to take a chance or take the responsibility for the results and for that I say thank you. You also are not afraid to spend the dollars to back up you mouth. Go mavs and thank you again for your passion and committment to the community and Dallas.
Mark
Posted at 10:49PM on May 5th 2008 by Mark
17. Mark, thank you for finally voicing your thoughts on the Kidd trade, the end of the season, and moving towards the future.
As many bandwagon "fans" get off the bus, it is the rest of us true MFFL'ers who appreciate what you do for this organization. As some fans from other teams around the association stated above, they long for an owner who is not about the almighty dollar.
Bottom line...your effort as an owner has brought about a change over the past 8 years that many business cant even dream about. Thanks again for all you have done. Best wishes in the offseason, get some "new pieces" for the puzzle
Posted at 11:39PM on May 5th 2008 by JF
18. All summer leading up to the season I wanted Dallas verses Detroit in the Finals. NO way the NBA/TNT/ABC family wanted that but I think it would have been quite entertaining. So I am putting in the dibs for next year-please be so kind to give a thumbs up to the Pistons for this season and with rest and more gel time, I can see this next year.
19. I have lived and died with this team over the last five years. Every time they show a shot of you almost pulling your hair out, you can bet that I was standing in front of my television doing pretty much the same thing.
Lets do whatever we can do to lock up Nasty Bassty for a while, you can tell he is going to be an awesome presence for us for a quite sometime.
If Rick's our guy then I am ready to support a fundamental team, which is something that we appeared slightly weak at in the latter part of this past season.
Go Mavs!
Posted at 2:23AM on May 6th 2008 by Chris White
20. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the league needs more owners like you. Agree or disagree, I appreciate your candor and enthusiasm. I'm not so sure you would ever admit it publicly in such a forum if you felt you wouldn't make that same trade again. But if you thought letting go of Nash was a smart move, then I believe you also think the Kidd trade was the good, even in retrospect. Nash wasn't playing at an MVP level. Sure. But was his replacement? Was his replacement playing even at the level Nash played at in Dallas? I don't think so. Just admit it was a mistake.
But thanks for being one of two dissenting votes on the Sonics move. You're a good man.
Posted at 2:35AM on May 6th 2008 by GM
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1. any thoughts on letting avery go?
Posted at 5:48PM on May 5th 2008 by david