Mavs, broadcaster Bob Ortegel part ways
“I’m extremely grateful for the 23 years I’ve been with the Mavericks,” said Ortegel, a 70-year-old former college head coach who entered broadcasting after a stint in the corporate world. “It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Owner Mark Cuban made the decision to pull Ortegel off the team’s television broadcasts, replacing him with a rotation of former Mavericks point guards Derek Harper and Brad Davis.
Ortegel’s last game was the Mavs’ Jan. 27 win over the Houston Rockets. Harper has worked the home games and Davis worked the road games since then.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to freshen things up and try some different things,” Cuban said Monday night before Ortegel's departure had been finalized.
On Tuesday, Cuban wrote in an e-mail: "Bob has been an amazing part of the Mavs organization for 23 years. He has represented us not only in media, but to organizations across the country. We were hoping for him to stay, but the door is always open to him to return.
"We wish him nothing but the best."
Ortegel confirmed that he was given other options to remain with the organization, including working as the color commentator on the ESPN 103.3 radio broadcasts.
“After some serious thought and discussion, I declined,” said Ortegel, who was moved from television to radio for the 2007-08 season.
Ortegel did offer one last bit of Mavericks analysis: “I sincerely believe that if this team stays healthy that they’ve got a chance [to win a championship].”
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Rick Carlisle joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the latest Mavericks news, Dirk Nowitzki and much more.
Play Podcast ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett discuss the upcoming NBA draft and possible moves the Mavericks could make.
Play Podcast ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to talk about the NBA playoffs.
Play Podcast Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle gives his take on the contrasting styles of the Pacers and Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Bulls-Heat, Tom Thibodeau, the state of the West and more.
Play Podcast Chuck Cooperstein joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to talk about who he would rather have if forced to choose between Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
Play Podcast Tim MacMahon joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the possibility of Chris Paul joining the Mavericks and break down what kind of pitch Mark Cuban would have to make to the NBA's best point guard.
Play Podcast ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to touch on the storylines in the NBA playoffs and offer a Mavs perspective.
Play Podcast Rick Carlisle joins Chuck Cooperstein and Tim MacMahon to discuss the Mavericks' disappointing season and what needs to happen for them to get back to the playoffs.
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | D. Collison | 5.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | D. Collison | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | E. Brand | 1.3 | ||||||||||





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