DALLAS -- A former teacher who moonlighted as a Dallas Mavericks hip-hop dancer for several years was charged Thursday with capital murder in the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and her daughter.
Erbie Lee Bowser, 44, was arrested late Wednesday after police say he attacked people in two Dallas-area homes, killing four people, including his estranged wife, and wounding four others.
DeSoto police charged Bowser with capital murder in the attack in that suburb, which happened about 15 minutes after an attack in southwest Dallas, about 10 miles away. Two people were killed and two were wounded in each attack, and Dallas police said they were expecting to file two additional capital murder counts against Bowser in that attack.
Police say Bowser set off an explosive device in the attack in DeSoto, but it didn't harm anyone. He was taken to a Dallas County jail after being examined at a hospital, Dallas police Maj. Jeff Cotner said Thursday.
DeSoto police Cpl. Melissa Franks said detectives haven't been able to interview Bowser yet.
"He does lapse into periods where he lapses quietly or wants to go to sleep," she said.
Police called to the Dallas home at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday found four people who had been shot, including Bowser's girlfriend, 43-year-old Toya Smith, and her daughter, 17-year-old Tasmia Allen, who had been killed, Cotner said. Smith's 14-year-old son and a 17-year-old family friend were wounded, he said.
Smith's mother, Lurlean Smith, discovered the attack had happened when she went to her daughter's home after getting a disturbing phone call from her. She said the lights were on but no one would answer the door. Near a window, she heard what she thought was someone gasping for breath. Once inside, her granddaughter's wounded friend fell into her arms.
The Milwaukee Bucks are in advanced discussions on a contract extension with forward Larry Sanders, according to sources close to the process.
Oct. 31 is the deadline for extensions for members of Sanders' 2010 draft class, but sources told ESPN.com this week that negotiations on a new deal for one of Milwaukee's new cornerstones have already reached the final stages.
In the wake of the recent departures of guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Sanders has emerged as Milwaukee's most recognizable player. He was a recent invitee to USA Basketball's minicamp in Las Vegas for the game's top 25-and-under players, only to be derailed halfway through by an ankle sprain.
Although contract figures were not immediately known, sources say Sanders is expected to receive an extension with an annual salary in excess of $10 million. He averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in just 27.3 minutes per game last season.
Sanders wound up as the league's No. 2 shot-blocker and finished seventh in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting. Yet he was snubbed by NBA coaches in voting for the All-Defensive first and second teams, just like Defensive Player of the Year winner Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.
DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks have signed free-agent center DeJuan Blair, giving them a full roster of 15 players.
Terms of the deal announced Wednesday weren't released, but it's reportedly a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.
Blair figures to be the third option at center behind Samuel Dalembert and Brandan Wright, but he once was a starter for coach Gregg Popovich in San Antonio before falling out of the rotation.
The four-year veteran averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 288 games with the Spurs. The second-round pick in 2009 started 166 games in San Antonio.
Blair has two career 20-point, 20-rebound games. One was against Dallas on April 24, 2010, when he had 27 points and 23 rebounds.
Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.
DeJuan Blair's deal with Mavs is official
August, 7, 2013
Aug 7
3:53
PM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
DeJuan Blair is officially a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Blair signed with the Mavs on Wednesday, the team announced. It's a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of a little less than $1 million.
The 6-foot-7, 270-pound Blair will play primarily center for the Mavs, joining Samuel Dalembert, Brandan Wright and Bernard James in big-man committee. The Mavs believe Blair fills a need for a tough, rugged frontcourt player on the roster.
Blair played four seasons for the San Antonio Spurs after being selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 draft. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game during his tenure with the Spurs.
The signing of Blair gives the Mavs a full roster of 15 players.
Blair signed with the Mavs on Wednesday, the team announced. It's a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of a little less than $1 million.
The 6-foot-7, 270-pound Blair will play primarily center for the Mavs, joining Samuel Dalembert, Brandan Wright and Bernard James in big-man committee. The Mavs believe Blair fills a need for a tough, rugged frontcourt player on the roster.
Blair played four seasons for the San Antonio Spurs after being selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 draft. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game during his tenure with the Spurs.
The signing of Blair gives the Mavs a full roster of 15 players.
Breaking down the Mavericks' schedule
August, 6, 2013
Aug 6
5:00
PM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
Some quick thoughts after scanning the Mavericks’ schedule for the 2013-14 season ...
SAVE THE DATE
A look at some of the Mavs’ marquee home games:
vs. Atlanta Hawks, Oct. 30: It's not necessarily a marquee opponent, but it's the season opener and the first time to see Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis wear a Mavs uniform in a game that matters.
vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Nov. 5: This game obviously loses some luster if Kobe Bryant can’t complete a remarkable comeback from a torn Achilles tendon to be ready for the first week of the season. The Lakers come back to Dallas on Dec. 7.
vs. Houston Rockets, Nov. 20: Does deciding to go to Houston make Dwight Howard a villain in Dallas? Maybe the Mavs’ creative team can come up with another video for the Rockets’ Superman. The Rockets return to Dallas on Jan. 29.
vs. San Antonio Spurs, Dec. 26: Perhaps Pop will give the Mavs a late Christmas present and leave a star or two in San Antonio. The Mavs might be fighting for a playoff berth when the Spurs make their second trip to Dallas on April 10.
vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Jan. 3: It might be painful for Mavs fans to watch Chris Paul after all the hoping and praying that he’d sign with Dallas went for naught. But Lob City, which returns to Dallas on March 27, is still a must-watch.
vs. Miami Heat, Feb. 18: Think it bothers LeBron James to see that 2011 championship banner hanging from the American Airlines Center rafters? The Mavs are still the only team to beat the Heat in a playoff series since King James took his talents to South Beach.
vs. Brooklyn Nets, March 23: Don’t expect a jersey retirement ceremony for new Nets coach Jason Kidd.
vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, March 25: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Co. only make one short trip to Dallas this season, unless the Mavs and Thunder match up in the playoffs for the third time in four years.
TOUGHEST STRETCH
The NBA didn’t do Dallas any favors in April, when the Mavs could be scratching and clawing for one of the West’s final playoff bids. Five of the Mavs’ final seven games are on the road, including a four-game-in-six-night stretch that starts against the two L.A. teams. Projected West contenders Golden State and San Antonio are among the three teams scheduled to visit the AAC in April.
SOFTEST STRETCH
The second half of January should be good for the Mavs. They play half of those eight games on the road, but that includes trips to Phoenix, Cleveland and Toronto, none of which are the rear end of back-to-backs. Houston is the only potential contender to come to the AAC in that stretch, when the Mavs will also face Portland, Detroit and Sacramento at home.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: His September wedding in San Diego is the stuff of TMZ and People Magazine. His free agency next summer could eclipse the attention of when he previously entered the market in 2010. But, for now, LeBron James is asking for a little space. Please. At least that's the message from his Facebook and Twitter posts overnight. On his Facebook page, as Sunday turned to Monday. … Unlike during the Heat's playoff run to the franchise's second-consecutive NBAchampionship, when he self-imposed a social-media ban, also avoiding his cell phone and cable sports, James has again been active on his various accounts. But, apparently, enough was enough after a start to the summer that had him attracting massive crowds in visits to the Philippines and China.
- Perry A. Farell of the Detroit Free Press: As Rajon Rondo continues to rehab from a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in late January, trade speculation involving the All-Star point guard will continue to have a life — possibly up to the trade deadline next year. … A story out of Boston said Celtics president Dan Ainge hopes Rajon Rondo is ready by training camp. Surrounded by a young team and rookie coach, the fiery Rondo clearly would be the leader of a team that isn’t expected to make the playoffs. One factor in the Pistons’ favor is Rondo is on good terms with Josh Smith, the team’s free-agent acquisition. Another factor is he’d have two big men to get the ball to in Greg Monroe and Greg Drummond. Ainge likely would wait until Rondo plays, see how his relationship with Stevens develops and what offers teams would present before deciding on moving Rondo. A surplus of guards and expiring contracts could get Ainge’s attention.
- Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer: The Charlotte Bobcats have had a disturbing tendency over the years to part ways with key players with not much compensation – either via trade or free agency. Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler
, Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace – they were four of the most important players on the Bobcats’ lone playoff team ever (in 2010). None of them are here anymore. Gerald Henderson is here, however – the Bobcats held a press conference for him Monday after Henderson re-signed with the team. He’s guaranteed to be in Charlotte through the 2015 season, but his third contract year can be voided at his option. That’s not a perfect situation, but it beats the alternative. Henderson and Kemba Walker were the Bobcats’ two best players last season. They both will return, and the team has added several other key pieces – most notably first-round pick Cody Zeller and big man Al Jefferson, who was the most expensive free-agent acquisition in team history. Henderson spoke Monday of being “part of the problem” the last two seasons – meaning he signed his name to that combined 28-120 record (worst in the NBA the past two seasons) just like everyone else on those very forgettable squads. Now, the shooting guard said, he wants to be part of the solution. - Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com: The Sixers and new GM Sam Hinkie have not forgotten to hire a head coach. … Atlanta’s Kenny Atkinson, San Antonio’s Brett Brown, Chicago’s Adrian Griffin, and Boston’s Jay Larranaga are scheduled to meet with Sixers’ ownership throughout the week in New York City. Portland assistant David Vanterpool, who interviewed for the position late last month, may be given a second interview as well. Michael Curry, who coached the Sixers’ summer league team in Orlando, is still considered a candidate. The Sixers have seemingly interviewed countless candidates, but this series of second interviews leads one to believe that the search may be coming to a close.
- J. Michael of CSN Washington: No one is expecting that transformation to happen overnight with John Wall and the Wizards, but for them to reach the next level –- the playoffs –- he has to make similar adjustments. He has the athleticism and capability at his position as a 6-4 point guard. Wall still plans to hook up with Gary Payton, a Hall of Fame point guard who was one of the best of his generation, in Seattle before returning to train with the Wizards on Aug. 20. Plus, he had ample time to watch the nuances of Tony Parker as he led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA finals and the Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley, who helped his team advance to the Western Conference finals. “Footwork also, just like catching the ball and working on pivots and stuff,” Wall said about what he has done this off-season in addition to refining jump shot. “Floaters. Watched a lot of Tony Parker throughout the playoffs and I see how Mike Conley added to his game after I went to two of his playoff series." Wall also is going to lobby coach Randy Wittman to allow him to do something else. “Hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to post up this year,” he said.
- Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News: Coach Rick Carlisle calls it an honor to play on Christmas Day, but for the second consecutive season, the Mavericks will be one of the have-nots in that regard. They will get to enjoy Christmas Day with family and friends, but they will have a home game the following night against the San Antonio Spurs. Call it a belated lump of coal from Santa Claus. The NBA will release its 2013-14 schedule on Tuesday evening. A few highlights leaked out Monday. The Mavericks will open the season Oct. 30 at American Airlines Center against Atlanta. As for the Miami Heat, the two-time defending league champion will visit AAC on Feb. 18, which should be the Mavericks’ first game after the All-Star break in New Orleans. They also will have an eight-game home stand in March.
- Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: Alex Len arrived in College Park, Md., not knowing the language or culture of America, let alone an American. Essence Townsend changed all that, forming the Twin Towers of a different sort when the 6-foot-7 center from the women’s team and New Jersey met the 7-1 center from the men’s team and Ukraine. It began innocently enough at an ice cream social for basketball players to start the 2011-12 school year. Townsend, a junior then, was just being social when she introduced herself to Len, yelling as people often do so that a foreigner can understand English. A teammate told her, “That’s going to be your future man,” and she got mad. Len friended her on Facebook. They high-fived in hallways. They rebounded for each other. “One day, I guess he finally got the courage to ask me to come hang out,” she said. That was 18 months and a few thousand English words ago. Len went from not doing interviews for his first year in America and talking to Townsend with Google translator to confidently and thoughtfully having English conversations this year. That helped him follow coaching, including the moves she showed him. “If I could give a suggestion of how to learn the language quickly, find a girl,” Len said. “That’s the best way to learn it.”
- Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: St. Mary's point guard Matthew Dellavedova has been invited to Cavs' training camp, a source confirmed. He caught the eye of the Cavs at summer league. Dellavedova, a native of Australia, is in the running to be the Cavs' third point guard behind Kyrie Irving and Jarrett Jack. Dellavedova averaged 2.8 points and 3.0 assists in five summer-league games.
- Michael Baldwin of The Oklahoman: Bill Self said never say never. One of seven people inducted in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Kansas University men's basketball coach was asked if he would ever consider coaching in the NBA. “It hasn't really tempted me because I haven't had that many people talk to me about it,” Self said. “But at some point and time, sure, I think it would (tempt me). It would be great to be able to match wits with the best athletes in the world, but I'm certainly happy where I'm at. “I'm not saying I never would (coach in the NBA) but I'm locked in.” Since Self wouldn't owe Kansas a penalty if he leaves before his contract expires in 2022, would the ultimate job for the Edmond Memorial product be to coach the NBA team in the shadows of his hometown? “I wouldn't say the Thunder,” Self said. “They've done a remarkable job. They have a coach (Scott Brooks) who is one of the bright stars in all of basketball, at any level. That's not anything I would think about.”
- Mike Tokito of The Oregonian: In the first year under the new collective bargaining agreement in which the change was enacted, Toronto took Italian Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick. Since then, however, every No. 1 pick but one -- the Clippers' Blake Griffin -- entered the draft after one year of college basketball. At least one major college administrator has had enough. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott came out strongly in favor of changing the draft rules, the Arizona Republic's Doug Haller reports. "It’s crazy what’s going on," Scott said. "We’ve managed with the NFL and football to have a reasonable policy that allows kids to go pro at the appropriate time. We’ve managed to do it in baseball. Basketball’s the only sport where we haven’t managed to come up with a responsible policy and the blame is with the NBA, the NBA Players Association and the NCAA, so now’s the time to take ownership of it. We’ve got time." One-and-done was written into the 2005 CBA, and there were discussions about tweaking it during the CBA negotiations in 2011, but the urgency to end the lockout put such side issues on the back-burner. It's hard to blame Scott for wanting to change the rule.
- Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee: Stepping up efforts to design and market a downtown arena, the Sacramento Kings have emailed an online survey to some 60,000 residents and businesses asking for opinions – and testing the waters for potential upscale ticket buyers. Team President Chris Granger said the team and city officials have not yet decided on basic arena elements, such as how many seats it will have, and is looking for clues from the public. "I want to hear what other people think about the venue," Granger said about the survey and other upcoming community outreach efforts. Initial estimates had put seating at 18,500, which is 1,200 more than at the current Sleep Train Arena in Natomas. Granger recently said that number may be too high. He said the facility has to have enough seats to attract most major concerts but should be intimate enough to boost crowd noise and excitement at Kings games.
- Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel: I haven't been this excited about something so potentially bad since "Miami Vice" went into syndication. That's because the Bucks, at least for the short term, have finally gotten it right. Seriously, their ingeniousness is to be applauded. Not only have they accomplished something remarkably healthy by ridding themselves of Brandon Jennings' immaturity and inaccuracy, they have almost completely turned over the roster with fresh, happy faces in time for one of the NBA's all-time drafts. With a much-needed change in philosophy, general manager John Hammond has assembled a team of young, willing, hustling souls around Larry Sanders and John Henson that just might finish last in Central Division. But... There will be none of the ego-driven nonsense that destroyed the locker room last season and alienated the fan base during the grim march to another one-and-done playoff experience that added nothing to the Bucks' growth.
- Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN: NBA power agent Jeff Schwartz will have conversations with Minnesota Timberwolves president of operations Flip Saunders sometime in early 2015. Those talks will center around whether All-Star Kevin Love will opt-out of his 2015-16 contract and choose unrestricted free agency, or sign a more lucrative extension. In other words, Schwartz is someone the Wolves want to maintain a solid relationship with. But that could be compromised with Schwartz also representing Wolves restricted free agent center Nikola Pekovic. Saunders was in New York City earlier in the week to meet with Schwartz. Word is it was cordial gathering. But one central issue remains, according to sources: money. The Wolves are offering Pekovic a four-year, $48 million extension. Schwartz wants more. In fact, at least initially, a lot more. One league source said his opening asking price was in the vicinity of $15 million/year.
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News: Carmelo Anthony admitted “my window is closing” and that he’s “trying to bring a championship to New York ASAP.” But the clock is ticking on Anthony’s career as well as his time in New York. The All-Star forward can become a free agent on July 1, and he will almost certainly opt out of his contract because it makes financial sense. The Knicks can offer Anthony the most money but the Los Angeles Lakers will be players in the free-agent market next summer and there has already been talk of Anthony joining Kobe Bryant, and even Anthony and LeBron James joining forces in the purple and gold. “As far as ruling anything out, I haven’t even, to be honest with you, thought about anything past today,” Anthony said on Saturday in Queens, where he was hosting a youth camp. “My mind is not even thinking about next season, next offseason right now. I’m just trying to do what I do this offseason to get right, work out, train and get right and prepare myself for this season. When that time comes, I’ll deal with that.”
- Roderick Boone of Newsday: Paul Pierce bled Celtics green, courtesy of playing 15 years with the franchise that plucked him out of Kansas with the 10th selection in the 1998 draft. He was attached to the Celtics, a part of the team's fabric. But the proverbial umbilical cord was cut when he was shipped to the Nets in the blockbuster trade that also brought Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to Brooklyn last month. Although the emotional trauma won't be easy to get over for Pierce, Rivers thinks the move could rejuvenate the 35-year-old forward's career. "I think in some ways, it may give him more life," Rivers said Friday after being honored with a Sports Pioneer award at the National Association of Black Journalists convention. "But I just think it's tough for him personally. Like he said in the press conference, he wanted to stay and wasn't allowed to, and that's tough for him."
- Staff of The Dallas Morning News: This summer, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban once again failed to land the big fish. But he didn’t go down without fight. On his personal blog, Cuban posted why he decided to go all out for Howard and even revealed his pitch to superstar big man. Here is excerpt from his post and the video created to attract Howard to Dallas. Let me address here the inevitable question of Dwight vs Mavs culture. We saw it as somewhat of a risk, but felt like because Dwight by all appearances and checking we did, is a good guy and with our support systems we believed we could make it work. if not, he was obviously a very trade-able asset. But, as everyone knows, we didn’t sign him. He went to the Rockets. I do have to say the meeting with Dwight was very interesting. He is a smart guy. Much smarter than people give him credit for. He is also a very, very good listener. Unlike most people, he spent far more time listening than talking. And he had the best response to an opening question that I have ever heard from a player, or anyone for that matter. When we asked him what his goal was, his response was very specific ”I want to be Epic” . Which was a perfect lead in to the video we created for him. Although the video is pretty cool, it wasn’t enough to sway Howard to join an aging Dirk Nowitzki and questionable supporting cast. But Cuban says he doesn’t regret his go big or go home attitude as it relates to his pursuit of Howard:
- Andrew Gilstrap of ArizonaSports.com: Alex Len isn't the only Phoenix Suns center struggling with foot problems. Suns starting center Marcin Gortat returned to the U.S. on Thursday to undergo medical tests on his right foot according to EuroBasket 2013's website. Gortat had been working out with Poland's national team as they prepare for the EuroBasket 2013 tournament, which starts Sept. 4 in Slovenia. The six-year NBA veteran took a leave of three weeks from the Polish team. He is expected to return in time for the tournament to start. Gortat suffered an injury in the same foot in early March and didn't play the rest of the 2012-2013 season for the Suns.
- J. Michael of CSN Washington: A primary benefit of moving so fast in the off-season for the Wizards is that they have their ducks in a row almost two months before training camp begins. John Wall’s $80 million extension could've dragged on until Oct. 30, but they worked out a five-year deal with him in three weeks. Free agents Eric Maynor, Martell Webster and Garrett Temple were secured in the first three days of the signing period. Coach Randy Wittman couldn't be happier, and he let his feelings be known on what he thought president Ernie Grunfeld and CEO and majority owner Ted Leonsis should do -– and why. “I expressed to him my beliefs. I got to do that,” Wittman said of his conversations with Leonsis. “I've got to be willing to express my beliefs.”
- Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald: To appreciate what the Heat could be getting in new addition Greg Oden, consider that the last time he played (21 games in 2009), he had the NBA’s eighth-best efficiency rating and also had per-48 minute averages of 22.2 points, 17 rebounds and 4.6 blocks. "Heat fans have to be even more excited. Low risk, high reward," TNT’sReggie Miller tweeted. "He just has to clog the lane and block shots." With 13 guaranteed contracts and a looming $19 million tax bill, the Heat has told people it feels no urgency to make any other veteran pickups, though Mo Williams at the minimum cannot be ruled out. Some assuredly will lobby for a Heat roster spot, including guardDeShawn Stevenson, of all people. Stevenson, who once calledLeBron James overrated, tweeted Saturday night: "Miami Heat Where I Wanna Go!!! LeBron Make It Happen." Stevenson was waived by Atlanta this week.
- Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe: Badly misunderstood in certain instances, having made heinous mistakes in others, Delonte West has run the gamut of experiences in his NBA career. He’s 30 now, married and a new father, and he’s looking to return to the NBA, hoping teams can overlook his past troubles and provide him with a sliver of an opportunity. West, who last played for the Mavericks, said he will accept a nonguaranteed deal, just hoping to impress a coach and make a roster. He was waived by Dallas last October after a dispute with coach Rick Carlisle, then played briefly in the Development League. West, who has had a pair of stints with the Celtics, said the time away has been rewarding and therapeutic. “This, in a way, has been the biggest blessing of my life,” he said. “This has given me time to grow. I’m just looking for answers, and all of the things I have been searching for, as a man, not as an athlete, to complete me. In that time period I met my wife and have had a beautiful son, and it’s like everything is falling in place. Back in December or January, I stopped trying to trust in man and fight these battles by myself. I just handed the keys to the man upstairs and let him drive. It’s been the biggest blessing of my life. I have so much to be grateful for, thankful for, and I have a lot to play for now.” West said fatherhood has changed him.
- Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press: A year into what looks like a potentially long NBA career, Draymond Green already has given and taken away some strong impressions. Biggest trash talker? He gives the nod to Pistons free-agent pickup Josh Smith. Rival? Houston, after Green was tossed from a February game with the Rockets. He put a hard foul on Patrick Beverley to prevent Houston from setting a single-game three-pointer record, and jawing and the ejection ensued. “It is what it is now,” Green, a Saginaw native and former Michigan State All-America forward who is entering his second season with the Golden State Warriors, said Saturday after some pickup basketball at Lansing Everett High. “They hate me. I dislike them.” The difference between MSU coach Tom Izzo and Golden State coach Mark Jackson? Jackson is as low-key as Izzo is high-volume, Green said.
- Paul Jones of Sportsnet.ca: It didn’t end the way Damon Stoudamire wanted it to, and he wishes it had been different. Stoudamire, the first ever collegiate player selected by the Toronto Raptors has made it known every chance he has had since he left Toronto in a huff and was traded to Portland in February of 1998. It was turbulent time in Toronto for the neophyte franchise. Ownership of the team was in limbo thanks to a shotgun clause that was enacted forcing one of the two owners to either cede their share of ownership or put up the money to buyout the other side. Unfortunately for Mighty Mouse, he was on the side with minority owner Isiah Thomas who couldn’t put the cash together in time to buy the entire franchise. … But it’s history that the diminutive guard wishes would have taken a different course. “I was young,” said Stoudamire with a smile. “Basketball is a business and as you get older it’s more about building relationships and that’s more important than the selfishness in which I left here. For me, I wish I could have done that over again because it just wasn’t done the right way.”
- Chris Haynes CSNNW.com: Longtime NBA assistant Elston Turner has accepted a lead assistant position with the Memphis Grizzlies, a league source relayed to CSNNW.com. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Turner was the No. 1 option for newly crowned Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger. Turner, 54, is considered to be one of the great defensive minded coaches in the profession. He also had talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves in regards to rejoining Rick Adelman's staff. Turner has been a top candidate for several head coaching vacancies over the last few years. He most recently interviewed for the Charlotte Bobcats this offseason before they eventually hired Steve Clifford.
Recruiting video highlights Cuban's missive
August, 3, 2013
Aug 3
10:56
PM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
The most entertaining part of Mark Cuban's 3,000-plus-word post on blogmaverick.com might be the Superman Origins-inspired video he shared that was part of the Mavs' Dwight Howard recruiting pitch.
Some other excerpted highlights from Cuban's stream-of-consciousness prose:
On the post-lockout decisions: "All my thoughts on the new CBA have been well chronicled elsewhere, so i won’t revisit them here. But what we have not discussed publicly was our concern of bringing back an older team in a shortened season. We basically saw the 2011-12 season as a throw away no matter who we signed. With out the time to prepare and get their bodies ready, throwing a team with with an older starting lineup right into the fire was going to be tough. Young guys can walk into an NBA game any day of the year. Get to your mid 30s, not so much. So to bring the gang back , we would basically be losing a year. When you look at keeping together an older team and the first year after your championship is a lost year, it’s hard to justify keeping an older team together. But we were the champs. That meant a lot.
"It also meant that if we kept everyone together we would have to make do with our existing roster. We would have little room to add new players. In particular we would not be in position to add someone who could come in and be a cornerstone for our future. IMHO we would be stuck with an aging team and not be in a position to make a big impact on our roster."
On sticking with Dirk Nowitzki: "Our culture is one of the reasons I won’t trade Dirk.
"When you turn your team upside down and try to figure out what the culture of the team is, you take the greatest risk a team can take. Dirk sets the tone for our team. He works as hard, if not harder than anyone. He helps our younger players understand what he expects and what they need to do to excel. On the court he is selfless. He would rather not have to score a point if we would win the game any way. He would rather pass the ball and let anyone else score than be forced to take the shot. Until its the time of the game where we need a point. Then he is ready to step up as often as we need it. But he knows, that his impact on a game is far more important than any averages or what appears in the box score. That mindset. That selflessness. His work ethic is something I want to be in place long after he has retired. But to do that we have to transition with him, not in a void.
"It is also the reason I believe that you don’t just blow up a team. Go back the past 10 years and look at all the teams that traded their best player. There aren’t a lot of quick trips to the finals to point to as examples."
On trying to sign Dwight Howard: "We had hoped that Chris Paul may be available He wasn’t. So Dwight Howard was our first target once again.
"Let me address here the inevitable question of Dwight vs Mavs culture. We saw it as somewhat of a risk, but felt like because Dwight by all appearances and checking we did, is a good guy and with our support systems we believed we could make it work. if not, he was obviously a very trade-able asset. But, as everyone knows, we didn’t sign him. He went to the Rockets. I do have to say the meeting with Dwight was very interesting. He is a smart guy. Much smarter than people give him credit for. He is also a very, very good listener. Unlike most people, he spent far more time listening than talking. And he had the best response to an opening question that I have ever heard from a player, or anyone for that matter. When we asked him what his goal was, his response was very specific ” I want to be Epic” . Which was a perfect lead in to the video we created for him"
On the "popular" rebuilding process: "In today’s game it appears that the popular path to build a team is to put together a group of young players that you hope will develop to their full potential and potentially lose a lot of games so you have a chance to pick the next Kevin Durant, John Wall or Kyrie Irving or Blake Griffin et al.
"Then you have to do it again at least one more season , if not more, because any one of those players is not enough to win a championship. They are all great players now, but it takes time for them to develop into great players. THen you have to put the right players around them in order to become a championship contending team. This may be the exact right approach for teams to take to build a championship. You never know until you know.
"What I do know, at least what I think i have learned from my experiences in business is that when there is a rush for everyone to do the same thing, it becomes more difficult to do . Not easier. Harder. It also means that as other teams follow their lead, it creates opportunities for those who have followed a different path.
"I see quite a few teams taking what appears to be the same approach to building a team. I can understand why they are taking this approach. In the current CBA the value of a player chosen in the draft can be considerable because of the defined contract terms. And if you put together some great young players, it is very enticing to want to keep those players together for a long period.
"But I also know that even if you have the worst record in the NBA, you may not get the top pick and even if you do, there is a material chance you pick the wrong player , or it just happens to be a draft when there are not any IDENTIFIABLE superstar potential players at the top of the draft.
"In other words , while it may be popular i think the quantity of teams taking the same approach makes it more difficult to build a team in this manner."
On the Mavs' future: "We went out and signed what I think (I know I’m always positive about our players, but this time I’m REALLY POSITIVE [smiley face emoticon] , are a great group of players. We got players that we think fit our culture. That have a skill set that will allow us to be successful , that complement each other, fit well with Rick’s system and can be a good team
"We also feel like we have some players that will be far better on our team than they were on previous teams. I like our ability to work with what i call “fallen angels”. Players who are traded or left unsigned because everyone in the league thinks that they can only be the player they saw in another organization. We have taken players like Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Brandon Wright, Tyson Chandler and you can even say Vince Carter among others that were perceived as having this problem or that problem and had them contribute in new ways that were beyond what the “experts” expected.
"We pay less attention to what they did in their last system than what we believe they will do in our system with our group of players. We are not always successful as last year pointed out, but we have a good track record.
"If we stay healthy, I think we can have a good team. How good ? I don’t make predictions. I do believe that by having a core of players that we can grow and develop with, and cap room in the upcoming season and what we feel is the ability to develop and improve the performance of our players, we are in a good position for this year and for the future. We have been hurt by not having a core of players in place that free agents see as teammates they want to play with. THat shouldn’t be the case next year.
"In addition, because of all the financial restrictions that the new CBA puts on teams, I believe more teams are going to be blown up and the new popular approach will be adopted by more teams. Which in turn will make that approach even more difficult to be successful with. Hopefully this will create opportunities for the Mavs to add new players either via cap room or through trade that get us back in to the Finals and rewards our fans with another ring."
Mark Cuban authors 'Lets Talk' epic
August, 3, 2013
Aug 3
10:47
PM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
In a 3,000-plus-word post on his blog, blogmaverick.com, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban explained his thought process regarding the team's massive roster overhaul since the 2011 title run and expressed confidence in the future of a franchise coming off its first non-playoff season in a dozen years.
Cuban also shared the video of a two-minute, eight-second cartoon created by the Mavs as part of their failed recruiting pitch to Dwight Howard this summer in the blog post titled "Lets Talk Mavs #MFFL."
The blog post begins by rehashing the 2010-11 season, reminding readers that there was a lot of internal and external doubt before the Mavs made their surprising championship run, and then details Cuban's "tough decisions" to allow key players from the title team to leave via free agency after the lockout.
Cuban cited the collective bargaining agreement and post-lockout schedule as a factor in his decision not to re-sign Tyson Chandler and others after the championship. He called the compressed, 66-game 2011-12 season a "lost year" for teams like the Mavs that relied primarily on older players, saying that made it difficult to justify keeping the roster intact, knowing that they "would be stuck with an aging team and not be in a position to make a big impact on our roster" due to the more restrictive CBA.
"Would i do it the same way again?" Cuban wrote. "In a heartbeat. Why? Because in the NBA, like in the non-sports business world you have to take chances in order to be rewarded. You have to be smart and you have to be more than a little lucky."
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Greg Oden's decision set for Friday
August, 1, 2013
Aug 1
10:42
PM CT
By
Jeff Goodman and
Marc Stein | ESPN.com
Former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden plans to choose his new team Friday, according to sources close to the situation.
Sources told ESPN.com that Oden, after showing off his skills for several teams over the past few weeks, has not yet ruled out any of the six teams chasing him but is most likely to select his destination from the trio of Miami, San Antonio and Dallas.
New Orleans, Sacramento and Atlanta are the other known suitors for Oden. One source close to the process said Thursday night that the Pelicans are the only team from that group still "in the mix."
Every team from the final six but Dallas sent a representative to Indianapolis last week to watch Oden work out, with multiple witnesses telling ESPN.com later that Oden has noticeably slimmed down and is moving well more than a year removed from his last microfracture knee surgery.
Sources said all six of the teams in the Oden chase then presented offers early this week that detailed not only financial specifics but also each club's medical plans for overseeing the 25-year-old Oden's ongoing recovery from a multitude of knee problems.
Oden hasn't played in an NBA game since Dec. 5, 2009, and underwent his third career microfracture surgery as recently as February 2012. He was selected No. 1 overall by Portland in 2007 but has played in just 82 career NBA games thanks to injury woes. In 21 games in the 2009-10 season, Oden averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game before succumbing to injury again.
Sources said Cleveland, Boston and Memphis, in addition to the six finalists, all expressed interest in Oden, but those three teams declined to make a formal offer.
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Devin Harris gets veteran's minimum
July, 31, 2013
Jul 31
3:43
PM CT
By
Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com
Guard Devin Harris signed a contract Wednesday with the Dallas Mavericks that was significantly smaller than the deal the sides originally agreed to this summer.
Harris, 30, signed a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million. Earlier this month, the sides mutually agreed to pull a three-year, $9 million offer off the table when Harris' pre-signing physical screening revealed that he had a dislocated toe that required surgery.
The Mavs could offer Harris no more than the minimum salary after using the rest of their salary-cap space to sign guard Monta Ellis and center Samuel Dalembert.
The 6-foot-3, 192-pound Harris returns for his second stint in Dallas. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2004 draft spent his first 3½ NBA seasons with the Mavs, playing an integral role on their 2006 Finals team before becoming the centerpiece of the package Dallas gave up to get Jason Kidd before the 2008 trade deadline.
Harris, a one-time All-Star, has averaged 12.8 points and 4.9 assists while playing for the Mavs, Nets, Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks during his nine-year career. Once healthy, Harris will provide the Mavs depth at both backcourt positions.
His signing gives the Mavs 14 players under contract. Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Tuesday that the Mavs are close to finalizing a one-year, veteran's-minimum deal for former San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair.
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons officially announced the next step in their win-now plan Wednesday, acquiring point guard Brandon Jennings from the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Brandon Knight and two other players.
"We believe Brandon's talent and skill-set will complement the core group of players we have assembled on our roster in a positive way," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement released by the team.
The Pistons also gave up two seldom-used players, forward Khris Middleton and center Viacheslav Kravtsov.
Detroit has signed free-agents Josh Smith, Chauncey Billups and Luigi Datome this offseason after drafting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the No. 8 overall pick, but it didn't have a standout point guard until agreeing to a deal with Milwaukee. The Pistons seem to have improved their chances of ending their four-year postseason drought with a series of moves this summer.
- Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: The strange summer saga of Brandon Jennings finally was resolved Tuesday. The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons, inking Jennings to a three-year, $24 million contract and sending him to Detroit in exchange for point guard Brandon Knight, small forward Khris Middleton and center Viacheslav Kravtsov. … The move signaled the Bucks’ determination to start anew after a sour ending to last season, culminating in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Gone are Jennings and Monta Ellis, the starters in the Bucks backcourt all of last season and the team’s two leading scorers. In their places are the 21-year-old Knight and 25-year-old shooting guard O.J. Mayo, who signed a three-year, $24 million free-agent deal earlier this summer. … The Bucks have only five holdovers from the roster at the end of the season: Larry Sanders, John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova, Ekpe Udoh and Ish Smith. Instead of committing to a long-term deal with Jennings, the Bucks obtained a player in the third year of his rookie-scale contract. Knight will make $2.8 million next season and $3.5 million in 2014-’15.
- Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News: The Pistons weren’t done wheeling and dealing, as Pistons president and Louisiana native Joe Dumars returned to his riverboat gambler ways, acquiring point guard Brandon Jennings in a sign-and-trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pistons traded Brandon Knight, Khris Middleton and Slava Kravtsov for Jennings and will have him for the next three years at $24 million total. Mind you, this was not too far removed from Dumars demonstratively denying any talks with the Bucks, run by good friend and former Pistons executive John Hammond. Meaning he plays poker, too. In acquiring Jennings and Josh Smith, there’s two talented but mercurial players who could be termed as “wild cards.” Chemistry is indeed a fair question, but considering the Pistons got two players for far less than they felt they’d command on the open market — Smith wanted a max contract and Jennings wanted $12 million per season — they should have two players with things to prove to the NBA at large. A willingness to silence critics should make potential sacrifices a lot easier in what’s an interesting mix of talent, youth and experience in the Pistons’ locker room. The last time the Pistons changed three starters so dramatically in one offseason was in 2002 when they signed Chauncey Billups as a free agent, traded mainstay Jerry Stackhouse for some unknown guard named Richard Hamilton and plucked Tayshaun Prince late in the first round for what was a bad 2002 draft.
- Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald: After the spinal tap incident sidelined Luol Deng for the final seven games of the playoffs, he mostly stayed silent, other than a few health updates on Twitter. Deng finally addressed the incident in an interview posted on nba.com. He’s currently in Ghana for one of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders events. “The end of the season was disappointing,” Deng said. “I worked hard all season, played in the All-Star (Game), and wanted to take the team as far as possible in the playoffs. But then, when I got sick, I think that we could have handled the situation better. “Obviously there are some things that you can’t handle. You can’t really handle getting sick, being taken to the ER or going to the hospital. I got the spinal tap and that’s where it went all wrong. My body didn’t react well to the spinal tap. I had some serious side effects that not only didn’t allow me to play basketball, but really put my life in danger.” No matter how you slice it, Deng’s hospital visit on the afternoon of Game 6 vs. Brooklyn didn’t go well. Due to concerns he could have meningitis, Deng was given a spinal tap. As it turned out, he didn’t have meningitis. His body began to leak spinal fluid after the procedure, leaving him in no shape to move around, let alone play basketball. After a few rough days, there was nothing to do but wait for his body to replenish the fluid. The Bulls say Deng is doing fine now.
- Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer: The Mike Miller introduction felt like the peak of the late-summer momentum that seems to have firmly re-entrenched the Grizzlies as a legitimate Western Conference contender. And Joerger went into a bit of detail about how Miller can factor on the floor, not only in spacing the court for the team's power players but also using his versatility to give the team more playmaking and more small lineup options. Perhaps most intriguing was the suggestion that this second go-round could last a little while. Joerger emphasized that Miller, in Memphis, would not be seen as merely a “hired gun,” but rather as a more meaningful part of the team and community. But the suggestion went further than that. Miller talked about “being a part of this for a long time to come.” Levien followed up by mentioning a “long relationship in Memphis going forward.” Miller signed a two-year deal with the Grizzlies with a player option in the second season, the idea being that Miller thinks he's got one more significant contract left in him. Based on the team's current salary projection, Miller might need to play out both years of his current contract to get a longer-term deal for above the vet minimum in Memphis. This will make next summer interesting. But that's next summer.
- Michael Pointer of The Indianapolis Star: Q: Despite having an outstanding season, there’s been a lot of speculation you may go back to coming off the bench this season, especially if Danny Granger is healthy and ready. Would you be OK with that? Lance Stephenson: “I’m just coming in to play hard. Whatever coach (Frank Vogel) decides to do, I think it’s a great decision. Me coming off the bench, Danny coming off the bench, either way, we’re deep. Whatever helps the team, that’s what I want to do.”
- Jody Genessy of the Deseret News: Derrick Favors knows he’ll need to more than hold his own, mentally and physically, now that Paul Millsap has headed to his backup’s childhood home to play for the Hawks and Al Jefferson has signed with Charlotte. That was the message they each had for Favors on their way out of Utah: “They both just told me, ‘It’s (your) team now; it’s time to take over; do your thing out there. You’ve been learning from us the past two or three years; now it’s time to play.’” To sum up Favors’ reaction to that sentiment: FINALLY! … More than ever, Favors realizes that devotion and continual self-motivation are critical to his long-term goals. Now that he’s a few months from the golden opportunity that he’s waited for so long, Favors realizes it’s on him to be a hard worker, a defensive beast, a reliable offensive presence and a solid leader for his teammates to get that chance someday to hold the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. And Favors believes he will.
- Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com: USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo has left the door open for Portland Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge to represent his country if he has interest in doing so. However, Colangelo reiterates that he is not reaching out to players. He only wants players who are willing to make the necessary commitment to going through the entire process. When asked about Aldridge's chances of being added to the USA Basketball program, Colangelo's response was basically that he needed to hear from Aldridge, himself. “I am always interested in players who seek to compete,” Colangelo told CSNNW.com Tuesday night. “My phone is always available. Unless one is hungry and passionate about USA Basketball, there is little chance. “Certainly we won't solicit.” In mid-April, Aldridge informed CSNNW.com that he would participate if requested. It is unknown at this time if Aldridge will contact Colangelo.
- Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman: Sorry, I can’t get excited about Ryan Gomes, who apparently is signing with the Thunder. Mike Miller? Absolutely. Dorrell Wright? OK. Derek Fisher? Fine. Ryan Gomes? Nope. A 6-foot-7 small forward who is a career 35 percent 3-pointer doesn’t fit the Thunder needs. Gomes always has been a good defender, but does the Thunder need a wing defender who’s not a great offensive threat? Let’s see. Thabo Sefolosha. DeAndre Liggins. Andre Roberson. I love defense as much as the next guy — OK, I love defense way more than most next guys — but the Thunder doesn’t need four wingmen whose forte is defense. It’s not that Gomes is a bad player. You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you, but it’s true.
- Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: The team is on the verge of signing Spurs free agent forward DeJuan Blair to a one-year deal. Blair would be an immediate upgrade over Elton Brand, who signed this offseason with the Atlanta Hawks. He is 6-foot-7, 265 pounds but has a big frame and can beat up people. Phsyically, he would remind you of David West, without his touch around the rim or jumper from 15 feet. When Blair was a rookie out of Pittsburgh, he looked like he had the makings of becoming a nice, bruising power forward. A guy who scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. As a rookie in 2009-'10, Blair played in all 82 games with the San Antonio Spurs and averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. Since then, it's been a straight ride down the bench. Last season, he averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 boards and a career-low 14.0 minutes per game. When he's "good", he can push people around, defend the low block, and grab some boards and score junk buckets. He should be in the Mavs rotation, and be better than Brand.
- Shannon J. Owens of the Orlando Sentinel: So, a top 10 NBA draft pick, a former Orlando Magic guard, a Houston Rockets forward and a Euro Cup MVP walked into an Orlando recreation center gym the other night. I promise this isn't the start of a joke. How is this for a pick-up ball lineup? Austin Rivers, Courtney Lee, Chandler Parsons and Nick Calathes. All four gathered at the Downtown recreation center Monday night, competing together for the first time this summer in the Orlando Pro-Am league. With the exception of Calathes, who flew to Memphis to meet with theGrizzlies about potentially playing for the team, the rest of the NBA ballers came back for more rec hoops action Tuesday. "This is the best competition and best league in Orlando, so it's definitely fun coming out here," Parsons said. "The crowd gets into it, people are talking trash, so it's fun." And some of you thought all NBA players are spoiled millionaires with no love for the game. Clearly, you're not looking in the right places. Seriously, I've seen high school gyms pack with better crowds than what I witnessed Monday night as Parsons' 3 Stripes team beat 800-Trial-Pro — headlined by former UCF star Keith Clanton — 105-93 before a crowd of about 150 people.
- Ryan Lillis of The Sacramento Bee: What began as a small group of neighborhood activists scraping for donations at a picnic in a midtown Sacramento garden has developed into a volatile political clash over whether to hold a public vote on the city's plan to subsidize a new Kings arena downtown. The debate has escalated in recent days. There have been allegations that paid signature gatherers are lying to voters, charges of doctored press releases and outrage on Twitter about claims made by both sides. In an indication of how intense the campaign has become, more than 56,000 city voters received an automated "robocall" Sunday evening extolling the virtues of a downtown arena and attacking the campaign under way to place the city's financing plan before the voters in June. Those kinds of robocalls are not unusual during campaign season. But a vote on the arena – if it comes at all – won't be held for another 10 months.
- Richard Goldstein of The New York Times: Ossie Schectman, a Knicks guard and a onetime all-American at Long Island University in Brooklyn, played when the two-handed set shot ruled and a 6-foot-8 center was a giant. When Schectman died on Tuesday at 94, he was remembered as a central figure in the National Basketball Association’s creation tale. He scored the first 2 points in the league’s history and became something of a celebrity when the distinction was uncovered, 42 years and 5 million points later. On the night of Nov. 1, 1946, the Knicks faced the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens, the home of the National Hockey League’s Maple Leafs, before 7,090 fans more familiar with face-offs than jump balls. The court covered the ice surface. It was the inaugural game of the Basketball Association of America, which became the N.B.A. three years later.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. A co-host of ESPN Dallas GameDay on 103.3 FM, Tim also covers the Cowboys and Rangers. He covered the local sports scene from high schools to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. He is a UNT graduate.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. A co-host of Fitzsimmons and Durrett on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, Richard also writes about the Rangers, Cowboys, Mavericks, colleges, golf and motorsports. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Rick Carlisle
Galloway & Company: Mark Cuban
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Mark Cuban talk
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Marc Stein
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: The Standoff
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ramona Shelburne
Fitzsimmons and Durrett: Buy or sell
Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Marc Stein
Play Podcast Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett at Mavericks media day to discuss his expectations for the upcoming season.
Play Podcast Mark Cuban joins Galloway and Company to discuss the Mavericks' new GM Gersson Rosas and much more.
Play Podcast Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss Mark Cuban's comments from Las Vegas about the Mavericks' offseason, how he sees the team without Dwight Howard and more.
Play Podcast Marc Stein joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon to discuss why the Mavericks didn't want to match Cleveland's offer to Andrew Bynum, what's next for the Mavs and the possibility of Dirk Nowitzki ending his career elsewhere.
Play Podcast Jeff Platt fires quick-hitters at Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon in the weekly sports standoff about Andrew Bynum, the Mavs' current backcourt, a potential Nelson Cruz suspension and more.
Play Podcast ESPN Los Angeles' Ramona Shelburne joins Ian Fitzsimmons and Tim MacMahon to discuss why she thinks Andrew Bynum got a bad rap in Los Angeles and how he would fit in with the Mavericks.
Play Podcast Buy, sell or hold? If Dwight Howard goes to another team, what are the Mavs' options? The guys take a look at a list of potential fallback options.
Play Podcast ESPN's Marc Stein joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss the latest news on the Mavericks' meeting with Dwight Howard.
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| DAL | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| MEM | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
| W-L | PF | PA | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORL | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 | |
| DAL | 0-0 | .0 | .0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | W0 |
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dirk Nowitzki
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | D. Jones | 2.9 | ||||||||||
| Steals | S. Marion | 1.1 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.2 | ||||||||||
DALLAS CALENDAR: Sep 28
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Final 11 Oklahoma St 21 West Virginia 30 
Final SMU 17 TCU 48 
Final 10 Texas A&M 45 Arkansas 33 
Final 14 Oklahoma 35 22 Notre Dame 21