Mavs get Dampier

[Yuma]

The only way I can see it happening is if we use our YOUNG depth to press and run at every opportunity in games this next season. Use our youth to the best advantage and try to pressure and run the older guys off the court. Most teams don't have a lot of good ball handlers now. We ahve to start using our youth to some advantage. D'Antoni is satisfied with letting us get way behind, then try to rally to win. That sucks. Can't he see how well we play when we dictate the pace of play? I think we have good pieces. We just need a better general for our troops!

 

[Mainstreet]

Well Stoudemire, Marion, Nash, Johnson is clearly better big 4 than Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio, Lakers, Jazz , Rockets can offer.

I'm not sure matching up big fours is a fair way to look at teams. However, I would also say that if the Suns took that photo again on their official website, Q might well be in the picture. The Suns clearly have a big four or five players.

However, the most significant point of my optimism is the straw that stirs the drink... Steve Nash. He immediately makes everyone better like a healthy Jason Kidd effected New Jersey's emergence. Basketball is a team game and that is what Nash should bring back to Phoenix this season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The only way I can see it happening is if we use our YOUNG depth to press and run at every opportunity in games this next season. Use our youth to the best advantage and try to pressure and run the older guys off the court. Most teams don't have a lot of good ball handlers now.

Exactly right, and the sweet thing is that, next to Kidd, Nash is the best player in the league at pushing the ball up the floor. With Kidds microfracture surgery, Nash might now be the best.

Barbosa has the speed to push the ball, but not the same decision making ability in the open court. However, his defense will create quite a few opportunities to move the ball quickly.

BTW, Marion was created to play in this type of offense. Amare will have to adjust more.

What we need is a player who can rebound and quickly make good outlet passes. I wonder if Lampe could do this? Funny, the Suns player that did this the best over the years was one we don't normally think of --Kurt Rambis. He was an absolute master at starting the break.

 

[Joe Mama]

Slin, if we would have done that same comparison last season the Suns would have been better in three of the five positions. If that is such an accurate way to look at a team why oh why were the Sacramento Kings so much better?

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

Slin, if we would have done that same comparison last season the Suns would have been better in three of the five positions. If that is such an accurate way to look at a team why oh why were the Sacramento Kings so much better?

Joe Mama

coaching! They have another good coach. Adelman has always been underrated. He has excelled over the years no matter what type of talent he has had.

 

[slinslin]

Slin, if we would have done that same comparison last season the Suns would have been better in three of the five positions. If that is such an accurate way to look at a team why oh why were the Sacramento Kings so much better?

Joe Mama

Last season the Suns didn't have a better bench than the Kings either. It would have been argueable that the Suns were better at any position except PG at the start of last season.

Oh and lets not forget that Frank Johnson was fired. The team was obviously not living up to their potential.

The Suns have more talent than the Kings. If they don't compete with them next season it's goodbye D'Antoni as well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Homerism at its finest.

Joe Mama

Or delusion, but most likely both.

 

[George O'Brien]

The Mavs certainly will be a different looking team this season. It will be interesting to see if Don Nelson can make sense of this wild mix of players. If they start badly, I would not be surprised if he gets canned.

Dampier could be the "final piece", but he could also be an expensive failure. He has never played on a running team and not every player makes the transition from slow to fast team style easily. Nelson really struggled when he was coach of the Knicks with Patrick Ewing, so it is not a sure thing that this will work. If Cuban is calling the shots, it may mean the Mavs will start looking like the Blazers.

 

[Gaddabout]

Contract terms: I'm reading Damp will get a starting salary at about $8 mil with 12.5 percent annual raises over five years. That's 5/$50 mil? That is NOT the bargain I'd been reading about, and considering the Mavs gave up Najera, multiple No. 1's (!!!!!) and $3 mil in cash, I'm *so glad* the Suns didn't push for him.

How many No. 1 picks did the Mavs give up? And cash? They mortgaged the future for a B+ center that stands a good chance at C- performances or injury now that he has a big fat contract? No thanks!

Dallas must be convinced they're a rock-solid contender. They must think there's a closing window opportunity to put this much on the line for Dampier. I'm not that confident in their chances, although I confess a Dallas/Detroit match-up would be fun to watch. Dirk vs. Ben.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Dallas must be convinced they're a rock-solid contender. They must think there's a closing window opportunity to put this much on the line for Dampier. I'm not that confident in their chances, although I confess a Dallas/Detroit match-up would be fun to watch. Dirk vs. Ben.

I dont think Dallas ever puts a lot of future thought into their deals. Most of their big deals are for the next season. Players are starting to understand that just because the Mavs gave a lot up to get them, they could easily be headed out the door the next morning (unless they are named Dirk).


Dirk is still pretty young though. Plus, Harris looks like he will be real good. They added Daniels and Howard last year. The only real aging piece is Finley, and he isn't even THAT old yet. Damp is just another player in their revolving door IMO. I don't think his signing is indicitive on the Mavs view of their future.

 

[Gaddabout]

I dont think Dallas ever puts a lot of future thought into their deals. Most of their big deals are for the next season. Players are starting to understand that just because the Mavs gave a lot up to get them, they could easily be headed out the door the next morning (unless they are named Dirk).

This looks a lot like Colangelo management circa 1988-98: Acquire good skilled talent and worry about how they fit together later. Sometimes it works (1992-93). Sometimes it bombs (pretty much any season afer 1993).

They appear tied down to a lot of contracts these days. I'm sure they have plenty money to pay them, but they could paint themselves into a corner they can't get out of. Ask BC how that one works.