Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:01 AM)

Good Morning, as welcome to the All Star Break. A nice respite for all of us (Save for Dirk), but much needed since coming out of the break it will be nine games in 12 days with only three of those games in Dallas. I think I'm tired thinking about it. But never tired of your questions. So lets go.

Bethany (Charming Charlie )

How do you feel about how the rest of the season will go? Predict out final W-L & where we might possibly be in playoff rankings. What improvements are needed to be made to have a positive impact on the rest of the season.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:03 AM)

I said before the season the record would be 43-23 and I believe that is VERY doable. The only improvement needed is to have everyone healthy. The Mavs have played maybe two games all season where they had their entire team healthy, and in basketball shape. I'm excited to see what they can be with everyone accounted for,

Web (Dallas)

What PG would the Mavs rather face in the playoffs, Parker or Westbrook?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:04 AM)

I think they'd still take their chances with Westbrook, the wild child. But he has been brilliant over the last month. We've seen Parker just kill it in the playoffs before. We haven't seen that with Westbrook, but it might just be a matter of time before he does.

Deven (Dallas)

Hi Mr. Cooperstein. If the Mavericks don't get both Dwight and Deron in the off season this summer, who do you see the Mavs going after?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:09 AM)

Well, they might not be able to get both since they might not be able to clear out enough room. Can't tell you what Plan B is, but they are certainly playing his as though they know they're getting one. The fact that Shawn Marion has played as well as he has, has complicated things a bit, since the standard line of thinking has been that between Haywood and Marion, one would be amnestied, and the other would be traded. But Marion's versatility has made him plenty valuable to the Mavs, and makes a decision on trying to get both more difficult. I still think the Mavs would ultimately do that, but it makes the decision making more interesting

jfb (dallas)

So far w/ the injuries/condensed season/no traing camp/new players Mavs fans should deem this halfway point as being successful sitting in 4th and 8 games above .500. What do the Mavs need to do in the seoncd half to make another Finals run?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:10 AM)

As I said earlier. Good health is first and foremost, and with that, if they can somehow get Lamar Odom's game back on track so that the 22-24 minutes he plays are really effective ones, that would be huge.

Marc (Spain)

Odom and Mahinmi for Camby?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:13 AM)

Why? Portland needs Camby more than someone like Odom. And the Blazers just signed Joel Przybilla to be their backup C. No go

nish (mesquite)

Has B.Wright earned playoff minutes from the way he played the first half of this season?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:15 AM)

Well, since he is one of the two backup centers, and right now is playing better than Mahinmi, you;d have to say the answer is yes. I think you'd also be every concerned with that if you're playing the Lakers because of the bulk and skill of their bigs. And it could be a problem against someone like Splitter in SA too

jfb (dallas)

9 games in 12 days, does anyone else have this same scheduling quirk i.e. OKC, SA, or Miami? What is the Mavs strength of schedule up to this point compared to the other top teams in the league i.e. the ones I just mentioned?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:20 AM)

Don't know what the strength of schedule is but I'd imagine it would be pretty high since, the Mavs haven't faced Charlotte, Washington or New Jersey yet. Nine games in 12 days is just crazy including five games in six. Mavs are not the only team going this. The NBA is not enhancing the product when they have this type of schedule

nish (mesquite)

Does Odom's game suffer because Dallas does not play the triangle offence?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:22 AM)

There's no doubt that there's an adjustment, an a bigger one than a lot of other people would have to make, but that still doesn't mean Odom can't be better than he has been. He's been a major disappointment. The team is trying to prop him up the best they can, but they know they need a lot more from him going forward than what they have received

Chuck Cooperstein

  (11:59 AM)

OK. We're back. Mixup on the time. Pilot error. Ready to get this thing flying right again.

jason (new london tx)

any free agent point guards the mavs are looking at to add?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:02 PM)

PG is not the issue. they'll have Delonte West back at some point (Probably after the end of the nine games in 12 days). I think Center is a place that if they were so inclined to add someone, that they might do it. You wonder a little about Wright and Mahinmi as legit long term backups, and Yi can't play that spot. Problem is unless Erick Dampier comes clear after his time in Atlanta there probably isn't another place to turn. and I'm not sure you want to turn there anyway.

Darren (Trophy Club,Tx)

What trade value does Roddy B have at this moment?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:04 PM)

Depends on what your definition of value is. is he bringing a star back by himself? No. Can he be used along with other parts to help bring in someone? Possibly. Right now no one really knows what Roddy is

Shawn (DECATUR)

Coop, after hearing about Lamar's rather lame excuse for missing the LA game,(apparently his dad needed pepto bismol) I'm hearing whispers that he is out indefinitely? Conjecture or is there truth to this?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:05 PM)

Haven't heard anything about that.

Keith (Washington DC)

Would getting Deron be possible if the Mavs would have resigned Tyson Chandler?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:06 PM)

No. Chandler's contract along with Dirk's would have made it prohibitive for the Mavericks to sign Williams without paying a huge increase in the luxury tax that Mark Cuban has decided he doesn't want to pay

Ron (San Antonio)

Just have a bad feeling that Howard will be traded to the Nets and the Mavs will end up not getting either Howard or Williams. Your gut feeling, is Howard still with the Magic or with a new team by the end of the day on March 15th?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:08 PM)

Unless he is traded for Andrew Bynum, I think Orlando is going to keep him, try to win a title with him, and have that be the recruiting pitch to try to keep him long term

Jason (Ft. Worth)

Do you think the Mavs are too dependent on 3-pt. shooting? I think they are 3rd in attempts but 21st in percentage. Will the shooting get better in the 2nd half of the season because outside of Carter and Terry, the percentages are pretty brutal?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:09 PM)

At times, yes, they are too dependent on it, but the value of the shot is so high if you can make them that the Mavs feel obligated to take them. I think the % will improve in the 2nd half if for no other reason than Dirk is shooting them better (Just under 38 percent in the last 11 games)

g (ft worth)

It looks as thought OKC is learning to close out games unlike last year. Do you think the Mavs still own this matchup?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:11 PM)

I don't think they OWN the matchup, but I think it's still a matchup they feel good about. I think Westbrook's maturation in the last month has been the big difference and if he keeps this up, the Thunder become a handful for anyone.

Josh (Florida)

Do people just overrate Odom? He's never been a great offensive player. He had seasons in LA where he avg. 11 pts a game. He just needs to stop shooting so many 3's and get back to scoring more in the mid-range & paint.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:13 PM)

I don't think Odom has been overrated. He's been a very good all around player in this league for a long time. But I do agree with you, after shooting a career best 38% from 3 last year, I think he's fallen in love with the shot (As well as the long two pointer). He needs to drive it and use his creating ability to either draw defenses to him where he will pass (He's a very willing passer, almost to a fault), or try to finish at the rim.

ronnie adkinson (gilmer texas)

What team do you dont want in first round

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:15 PM)

None of them scare me, although I think Memphis with Randolph back in tow (Perhaps as early as Wed vs the Mavs) could be difficult for anyone with the physicality of the front line and the speed and quickness defensively out top with Allen and Conley

Jared (Florida)

Did you hear Frank Zacanelli on the radio today defend the Jason Kidd trade to Phoenix? He had some twisted logic in saying that trade laid the groundwork for acquiring Dirk & Nash.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:19 PM)

I didn't hear the interview. I'm not quite sure what the logic would be, but I do remember Frank's frustration with Kidd, especially when Kidd tell him the whole story about rolling the pick up truck. There were issues with Jim Cleamons that were well known too. Where Zacanelli and crew messed up was trading Kidd and then bringing in Nellie, who obviously wanted to keep the guy.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:22 PM)

Nets have Marshon Brooks. Don't need Roddy

Austin (Dallas)

Roddy for Deshawn Stevenson? Worried about Marions minutes and wear and tear? Stevenson would be a welcome body who is not afraid to play hard nosed defense.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:22 PM)

See above

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

I like the 3 teams the Mavs have to play in the back-to-back-to-back.....probably the best draw they could have asked for!

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:23 PM)

I agree with you for the most part except for the fact that all of them are up tempo teams, and even before then playing OKC and the Knicks. There's going to be A LOT of running in that five games and six days

Justin (Arlington)

How do we judge the decision to let Chandler walk? If the Mavs sign Deron Williams, does that mean it was a success or does it depend how the team does this season and whether or not Chandler could have propelled them to a much higher level?

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:28 PM)

Not an easy question. Multiple layers. Signing Williams in and of itself doesn't mean it was the right thing. Winning a title with Williams while Dirk is winding down this contract is where it's at because of the feeling that had Chandler stayed here this season, the Mavs would have repeated. And then also how the Mavericks are able to sustain going forward with Williams as the lead dog once Dirk is off the scene.

Chuck Cooperstein

  (12:36 PM)

On that note. We'll shut it down for today. Enjoy the break. We'll be back on Tuesday with the Nets in town. And then back chatting with you next Thursday.