SportsNation Blog Archives
Dallas Mavericks
Fans have picked the Dallas Mavericks to finish anywhere from third to eighth in the Western Conference this season.
Examples of the uncertainty surrounding this team abound. While B-Brown914 calls Mark Cuban the best owner in sports, stupid546 picks the Mavericks to finish seventh. And then there are the believers.
"This is a ball club that has reopened their championship window," blogs packattack2472.
Below are fan blogs and predictions for the NBA season. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging about the Mavericks.
Lakers fans are understandably excited about the new season, and the defending champs are a popular choice to repeat among bloggers in the ESPN.com community.
"I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport," blogs kurtnaphansen. "The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland and Artest to LA."
Below are fan blogs and predictions about the season, which tipped off this week. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging.
More fan blogs
Bulls preview | Cavaliers preview | Celtics-Cavaliers | Cuban best owner in sports | Eastern Conference predictions | Jordan among untouchables | Jordan memories | Letter to LeBron | Magic preview | NBA questions | No worries in Lakerland | Remember the Bulls? | Teams to watch | Traveling rule | Western Conference predictions | Wizards' issuesFan pictures
- Vote: What's your take on the season's opening night?
- Beyond the Nation: Cleveland Plain Dealer on Shaq's assesment.
- Chats: NBA Insider David Thorpe, 12 ET | Chad Ford's Tuesday wrap
Posting his NBA predictions minutes before the season's opening tip, SportsNation blogger Dukeyanks1515 pegged the Cavaliers as the best of the Eastern Conference, two spots ahead of the Celtics. Oops. (We'll cut him some slack; he also had the Wizards No. 5 in the East and the Mavericks No. 7 in the West, predictions which look downright prescient after Gilbert Arenas torched Mark Cuban's team in a 102-91 win).
As Tuesday debuts go, Shaquille O'Neal's was rather less successful than, say, the new Michael Jackson movie. Actually, it was less successful than Randy Foye's first game with the Wizards. O'Neal put up 10 points, 10 rebounds and one block in 29 minutes, and the Cavaliers dropped a 95-89 decision to the Celtics. But whether Shaq actually improves the Cavaliers is just one question we've got after the first night of games. Also on the agenda:
- Is Gilbert Arenas one the five best players in the league when healthy? Vote
- Would you rather have Andrew Bynum or Greg Oden for the next decade? Vote
- Did Ron Artest or Rasheed Wallace look like a better fit in victory? Vote
“C's have the better bench now, which is why it was a relatively easy win tonight. When is Cleveland going to bring in a real PG for Lebron? Mo Williams is garbage; an undersized SG pretending to play PG. He can't set up his teammates, he gets exposed defensively, and if his shot isn't going down, then what's his value?
” -- dinosaurworld
“It's one game and according to Celtic's fans they have already won the NBA championship. They fail to realize that two of our starters are new to the system and it will take them awhile to get acquainted. There was some sloppy play by the Cavs that will be corrected as time goes on.
” -- eatthegator
Do you have something to say about sports? Then say it! From NBA and NHL season previews to Jerry Jones rants, Top 25 lists and whatever else crosses your idle mind, ESPN gives you the space to say what you need to say.
Engage other fans by commenting on stories, blogging on your profile and uploading photos. Your contributions to the community could be featured on SportsNation.
Below are some examples of Dallas sports fans just like you.
Fan blogs
Rest and relaxation:
"Anybody actually wondering why Texas is ranked above Alabama needs simply look at the same schedule that you might use to bolster your argument: no voter in their right mind is going to risk putting Bama over Texas when the Tide will probably be quelled at either Ole Miss, LSU, or for sure against Florida in a title game." -- AustinBrando
The one-point season
"OU has consistently choked on the big stage in recent years. The only saving grace is in the fact Stoops has been able to get OU into these big games. However, that means nothing if we only deliver a disappointing egg every time we get to the big game." -- espnb12s
Photo galleries
Say cheese, Dallas! Have a great photo of yourself cheering at a 'Boys game or posing at your tailgate? Post it to your profile and share it with other fans.
Message boards
Can't talk enough about your teams? ESPN message boards are the place for you.
Pros: Cowboys | Mavericks | Rangers | Stars
Colleges: Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas | Texas A&M | Texas Tech | UTA
Widgets
ESPN Widgets are portable applications that you can place on Facebook, Myspace, your iGoogle home page and many of the other most popular sites on the Internet. Stay up-to-date with breaking stories and the latest scores and stats on your favorite teams.
Pros: Rangers
Colleges: Big 12 football | Mountain West football | Big 12 men's basketball | Mountain West men's basketball | Southland Conference men's basketball
Sports Passport
Chronicle all the sports venues and events you've attended (good and bad). We make it easy by providing a calendar with the games. You add the notes and pictures and rate the experience. Start tracking your games
Say your favorite professional sports team finds itself on the open market (settle down, Pirates fans; this is only a hypothetical experiment). If you then overhear someone say there's a big-money sports owner from Texas interested in buying the team and keeping it in town, are you hoping it's the guy who likes to watch from the sidelines ... or the guy who likes to watch from the sidelines?
- Vote: What's your take on five more questions on the state of sports in Dallas?
- Rank Dallas Teams: NFL Power Rankings | NBA Power Rankings | NHL Power Rankings
- Chat Wrap: Roger Staubach, Shawn Marion and others took your questions
Nicolas Marin (Escazu, Costa Rica)
Jerry, how involved are you in gameday football decisions?
Jerry Jones
I am not in game-day play calling. I am aware and informed as to what our strategy is going to be against our opponent, but I do not influence that strategy with any input. Where I am involved is anything to do with personnel. That might have to do with an injury situation or protection situation. For instance, if we had a left tackle that might be limited, I might be involved in decisions to keep a back in to protect the QB. That would be only from the standpoint of a personnel perspective. I am involved more in the preseason in terms of who we're going to involve so we can evaluate with our staff who will be on our roster. Throughout the year, we're continually evaluating players on our roster to the extent that I would have discussions about if someone would be active with our coach or coordinator. Things that are all defined that are traditionally for the duties of a GM. Full transcript.
Join a group and talk to fans of your favorite teams or heckle your rivals. Share photos. Make plans for a big tailgate. Don't see a group that fits your needs? Search for other groups by keyword or create a new group for your friends and fellow fans.
| Cowboys | Mavericks |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rangers | Stars |
|
|
|
|
| Longhorns | More Colleges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shaquille O'Neal might not mind spending a winter in Cleveland if it means playing with LeBron James, but perhaps the lure of trading financial security for a chance to wait and see if the same opportunity would present itself in New York a year from now didn't sound so enticing to Steve Nash. Or maybe the fan base in Arizona -- not to mention Grant Hill -- makes him feel all kinds of young.
With news that Nash will remain with the Suns for at least the next three seasons after signing a contract extension, SportsNation is sure the guard's championship window has closed. That might not have been the case had he followed a similar path after the 2003-04 season with the Mavericks , but two MVP awards aren't bad consolation prizes.
- Most of the 'Nation predicts Nash wins more than Mike D'Antoni the next three seasons.
- Nearly three out of four voters think Nash's legacy will top Dirk Nowitzki's.
- An even heftier percentage thinks he has more left than Jason Kidd.
- SportsNation Groups: Phoenix Suns fans | NBA Fanz Only | Dirk's Posse
“You often have to wonder, what is the price tag for giving up your dream. For Steve Nash we know it is now $11 million. (The Price to not pursue a NBA Ring). I don't fault Steve at all. I would take the money in a heartbeat and not think twice. But this is sad that such a great pg who had a fantastic 4 year stretch, will never get that 1 goal that all players seek.
” -- Vikomnla
“I love the suns and Nash but this was a ridiculous decision. The fans in PHX will love it but they are not even close to contenders for a ring. Hey, maybe they'll keep making money and keep the franchise afloat but 22 mill is alot for a 35 year old PG who doesn't play D and has had a bad back for 3 years.
” -- xjrobx
NBA Insider David Thorpe breaks down the NBA's summer leagues in the video above, including a very un-Olowokandi debut for No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. (Did you know Griffin has a low waist? Neither did we.) But as much or as little as we gain from summer league numbers -- Roy Hibbert has looked downright adequate, for crying out loud -- the real summer league comes with general managers and agents dueling over draft picks, luxury tax implications and free-agent offers.
The most recent news came Monday with the Magic matching the Mavericks' hefty offer to Marcin Gortat. Yes, we live in a world where Marcin Gortat's whereabouts for the next five years are a big deal. Get used to it. More than 90 percent of SportsNation feels like $34 million over five years might be a tad excessive for Gortat, but that's not really the question. When it comes to whether the Magic needed to pay it, voters are entirely divided.
So with many of the offseason's major addition and subtractions in the books, what do your NBA Power Rankings look like?
- Rumors of Iverson to the Clippers? Voters prefer Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.
- Keeping Grant Hill and adding Channing Frye doesn't make Suns a contender.
- The Warriors lost Jamal Crawford but Stephen Curry in the draft, and SportsNation blogger -- and pained Warriors fan -- connorcuc thinks it's time for a coach interested in defense and a new mentality for a franchise stuck in neutral.
- Although they aren't among Allen Iverson's rumored potential landing places, SportsNation blogger allikskat wonders why teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks haven't shown any interest in the veteran.
- Groups: Orlando Magic Hoops | Warrior Hoops Nation | Dirk's Posse | Phoenix Suns fans
“That premise might work if AI practiced with the team and could help Griffin in any way. He won't help or practice. Spending that kind of money for even 1yr. is a waste. They have enough wasted salaries as it is. They should get someone with a little character or desire who has enough talent to help. Not lead. AI will not lead. He is beyond that at this pt. in his career. When you practice with your team it is more about the act and not the effort.
” -- paulc1955
“LOL! Cuban and the Mavs went all in with 3 kings (casting aside a very good and young foward in Bass) and the Magic waited until the last second to play 4 aces. Now the Mavs only legit big man is Dampier. Better get to work Cuban and find a quality big if you hope to secure a shot at the 8th seed in the playoffs.
” -- the_real_kman
For a guy who made more money than the entire populace of SportsNation pulls down in a year by being two steps ahead of the cutting edge in technology, Mark Cuban sure loves to go retro with his basketball rosters.
With the reported imminent addition of Shawn Marion, the Mavericks look more and more like the best team 2002 ever saw. To be fair, it's not as if Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and now Marion ceased being good in the decade's early stages. But 2002 was a long time ago -- Avril Lavigne and "Spiderman" long -- and there's a reason 94 percent of voters previously said the Mavs wouldn't reach the NBA Finals during the duration of Jason Kidd's three-year extension.
Adding Marion might bring a few people back to the bandwagon, but if you see Juwan Howard, Shawn Bradley or Nick Van Exel walking around the team facilities, it's time to worry.
- Even with Marion, only 41 percent see Mavs as even borderline contender
- Vote: Vote on the Marion trade and Mark Cuban's reign in Dallas
- Chat: Ask John Hollinger how Marion fits with the Mavericks at 3 ET
- Groups: Dirk's Posse | Dallas Mavericks | LA Laker Haters
“I still dont think this helps out the Mavs too much. Marion might win them 5 reg season games, but will get blown away in the playoffs. This is why the mavs will fold tent in a couple years. not planning on the future and taking Lux Tax hits like this. Kidd was a bad trade a coulple years ago and they are still eating crow.
” -- cory_brock
“Cuban has screwed this team up as much as he can. He is now trying to build an older version of Golden State, an all offensive team that plays no defense and goes nowhere in the playoffs. Just three years ago they had such a nice team, it's a shame.
” -- Torrerox
In the immediate aftermath of the team's most recent championship, SportsNation was split as to whether or not the Lakers were favorites to repeat. But when the Cavaliers made their big move, literally, by adding Shaquille O'Neal to the mix, popular support swung in favor of LeBron James' team.
So what impact does Ron Artest have on things? Well, voters still think Artest would fit better alongside LeBron and Shaq, but it's no longer a contest for the top spot.
By a better than 2-to-1 margin, it's the Lakers for two.
And Artest's combustible past aside, voters not only think Dennis Rodman was more of a handful for Phil Jackson; they think a current member of the Lakers is more of a chore.
- It was a relatively quiet long weekend, although Hedo Turkoglu did his best to create some dramatic fireworks. SportsNation isn't buying that Toronto's Turkish community or Turkoglu's comfort level with the Eastern Conference had much to do with his apparent reversal after reaching a verbal agreement to sign with the Blazers. They also aren't convinced pairing Turkoglu with Chris Bosh makes the Raptors a playoff team.
- Vote: Jason Kidd's decision to stay and Rasheed Wallace's relocation
- Groups: LA Laker Haters | Celtic Pride CHAMPIONS! | Portland Trail Blazers Nation
“Great job hedo you went from playing for an elite team in the east to nearly playing for an up & coming portland squad to playing for a lottery team? The raptors will flirt with .500 at best and hedo can watch the playoffs from his cosmopolitan house enjoying the extra $$$ he has accepted for losing!
” -- bos411
“well i think the hedo deal was worth it for toranto yeah they have no shot at winning the whole thing but they are trying to put fans in the seats making the playoffs do that and hedo proved he is a playoff performer against the CAVS but when it comes down to it great pick up by the raptors
” -- blackmatt86
"SportsNation" on ESPN2!
WE'RE OFF UNTIL MONDAY, NOV. 30! BUT KEEP SENDING US WEIRD WEB CLIPS!
SPORTSNATION GRIDIRON CENTRAL
-
- NFL Coach Ratings
- Week 10: Bill Belichick drops about 30 percentage points
-
- NFL Pick'Em Week 11
- SN last week: 9-6
SN this season: 99-45
-
- NFL Power Rankings
- Colts return to No. 1
Jets down to No. 21
-
- NFL MVP Watch
- Last week's notables
No. 1 Drew Brees
No. 7 Ben Roethlisberger
-
- College Football Fan Top 25
- TCU holds at No. 4
USC down to No. 20
-
- College Football Pick'Em
- SN last week: 17-5
SN this season: 187-38
-
- Heisman Watch
- This week's notables
No. 2: Toby Gerhart
No. 4: C.J. Spiller
Send us weird Web clips, vote on the best of the month and visit the archive.
FEATURED FAN
FEATURED GROUPS
FEATURED PHOTOS
GREATEST HITS ALBUM
-
- Friday, November 13
- LeBron says the No. 23 should be off-limits. What should his new number be?
-
- Thursday, November 12
- Does the Nintendo Game Boy deserve a spot in the toy Hall of Fame?
-
- Wednesday, November 11
- SportsNation salutes our Veterans with pictures posted by fans in uniform.
-
- Wednesday, November 11
- Do Gold Gloves matter? Jeter might want to put on earmuffs for this answer.