Nice Article on Wright (and a little snipe at Avery maybe?)

[SpeedyG]

They talked to him about coming into the league with the Nets, the trade to the Mavs, and starting this year. Is the below quote a snipe at what was the issue with the team with Avery at the helm?

Did [former Mavs coach] Avery Johnson give you any indication about how he might use you, if at all?

He talked to me the first day I got here in a meeting with Malik [Allen] and he was like, "I’m going to give you guys a fair chance to play." That was the last time he talked to me the rest of that week. He hadn’t even said a word to me at practice, not a "Good job," or can I get a "Good morning or something," so I knew I was done.

Although, reading this story makes me think Antoine won't have that breakout year everyone in Dallas hopes for him to have. He's always been a guy I thought that has the talent, but lacks confidence in his talent. Reading the following makes me think he still doesn't have it.

If someone told you earlier this summer that you’d be the starting shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks, what would you have thought about that?

I probably would have been smiling about it from ear to ear until you actually get here and everybody wants to talk about it. Everybody’s like, "So you’re starting now? Are you going to be the starter? How are you doing with Rick?" It’s like, you know what, how much pressure are you guys actually going to put on me? Do you just want me to crumble? I’m already out there with a Hall of Famer, two All-Stars, you know, and Erick [Dampier]. Everybody’s looking for me to mess up already. I really don’t need that type of pressure. I really don’t even think about. I know what I have to do, and all that other stuff just comes along with it. There’s going to be nights where I didn’t play that well and other guys stepped up and played well. It’s just all about being there for your teammates. We all have roles to do, so just do your best when you’re out there.

http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1000731.html

[mavsfoty]

I think the guy is just staying grounded. We don't need him to be an All-Star but fill a significant role in the starting lineup. I mentioned it in the other thread but he is like Griffin but not such an offensive liabilty. When Griff was on the court in 06 w/ Gana teams just swarmed Dirk and Josh. Wright can at least score easy baskets.

Needless to say I like Wright and hope he has a solid year.

[dirkforpres]

"Im already out there with a Hall of Famer, two all-stars.... and Erick Dampier." LMAO!

[SpeedyG]

"Im already out there with a Hall of Famer, two all-stars.... and Erick Dampier." LMAO!

I thought that was hilarious.

[JES12]

"Im already out there with a Hall of Famer, two all-stars.... and Erick Dampier." LMAO!

LOL, the Dampier part is funny, but even funnier is that he either a) Thinks Kidd is not a future hall of famer (because, obviously Dirk is) or b) he is saying Kidd is so OLD he might as well be in the hall of fame already with the 2 all-stars being Dirk & Josh.

[italy_23]

"Im already out there with a Hall of Famer, two all-stars.... and Erick Dampier." LMAO!

LOL, the Dampier part is funny, but even funnier is that he either a) Thinks Kidd is not a future hall of famer (because, obviously Dirk is) or b) he is saying Kidd is so OLD he might as well be in the hall of fame already with the 2 all-stars being Dirk & Josh.

this gets better and better
way to go antoine

[catalyst]

Giggle.

All he needs to do is play 25 minutes a game, score 8-10 pts, and try at defense. Is that too much to ask?

[SpeedyG]

"Im already out there with a Hall of Famer, two all-stars.... and Erick Dampier." LMAO!

LOL, the Dampier part is funny, but even funnier is that he either a) Thinks Kidd is not a future hall of famer (because, obviously Dirk is) or b) he is saying Kidd is so OLD he might as well be in the hall of fame already with the 2 all-stars being Dirk & Josh.

Seriously, we know you hate the Kidd for Harris deal, but to imply that Kidd is not the HoF in Wright's statement is just plain stupid. The guy is top 5 in assists and assists per game, 11th in steals, one of the best rebounding guards in the history in the game, #3 in Triple-doubles, and is generally regarded as a top 10 (if not top 5 by some) PG in history. He took his team to the Finals twice, should have won an MVP once, and both has prime moments and longevity in the NBA.

Dirk will get there as he accumulates more years in the league (especially since he could go down as best foreign player ever in the league), but for now, Kidd is the Hall Of Famer, with Dirk and Josh as the All-Stars.

[JES12]

I never SAID or IMPLIED that Kidd was not a HOFer. I KNOW Dirk will be one and Wright is the one who said "a" HOFer (not future HOFer) and 2 all stars, not 2 (future) HOFers and 1 all-star. One is left trying to guess who he means.

Read before you dis!

[SpeedyG]

I never SAID or IMPLIED that Kidd was not a HOFer. I KNOW Dirk will be one and Wright is the one who said "a" HOFer (not future HOFer) and 2 all stars, not 2 (future) HOFers and 1 all-star. One is left trying to guess who he means.

Read before you dis!

Actually, I did read. You made a subtle shot at Kidd, and thought you could get away with it. That much is clear with your option B comment. Now you try and make up an excuse how Wright didn't say "future" HoFer. Why? Is Dirk in the HoF NOW? Neither Kidd nor Dirk are. But when people talk about a player who's career is almost over (and thus, we have a clear picture of what their career already looks like compared to others), there's no need to add the word "future"

but even funnier is that he either a) Thinks Kidd is not a future hall of famer (because, obviously Dirk is)

How is Dirk "obviously" a HoFer while Kidd is not? Dirk has been in the league 10 years, Kidd 14. Assuming that Dirk duplicates what he did last year for the next four years, he'll have 24258 points (good for 16th ahead of Barkley). That is arguably his best asset. Do the same for his rebounding #s and he doesn't even crack top 30. Let's do the same for his 3PTM and he'll have 1335...good for 12th behind one Jason Kidd. Those are Dirk's best stats. I won't even touch on his steals, assists, or blocks since we know he'll nowhere be close to the top on those.

Kidd has been named to All NBA 1st team 5 times, and once as a 2nd team. Named to All defensive 1st and 2nd team 8 times (4 of each). 7 all-star appearances. He has two finals appearance and one year where he should have won MVP. Dirk on the other hand has been All-NBA 8 times, 1 MVP, and 7 All-Star apperances. Now tell me again, how is Dirk an "obvious" HoF while Kidd is not?

What Antoine Wright meant in what he said was very clear. At least, to those who aren't bitter about a recent lopsided trade that saw his favorite team lose his favorite player.

[JES12]

You can read whatever you want, but the fact is you are putting words in my mouth and assuming I said or think something that never was said, implied or though by myself. I never said "Kidd is not" so no reason to ask the question. The point is they are both HOFers and he refered to only one HOFer on this team.

And yes, Dirk is a HOFer right now. He could retire today and be in the HOF in 2015. He has an MVP, unklike Kidd. Dirk has been on the last 8 all NBA teams and counting, Kidd has been to 6 total. They both have 7 all-star appearences and newsflash: one of the two will be there again this year. So don't try to downplay Dirk in order to hype Kidd. My thought's were always both are going to be in the HOF, but I would call them future HOFers until they are voted in even if they are retired.

It sounds like you are the one with the hidden or implied agenda....not me.

But when people talk about a player who's career is almost over (and thus, we have a clear picture of what their career already looks like compared to others), there's no need to add the word "future"

I'm not saying you, but anyone inturpreting Antoine's statement can read this same sentance as being old enough to pracctically be in it already.

Plain and simple, when he made that statement, I was trying to figure out who he was talking about (I'm still not sure he was talking about Kidd, but somehow you are...why?) and automaticly assumed that Dirk is the one he was refering to and was trying to figure out why he did not concider Kidd one also. You seem to think the 2 players are the other way around. Who knows? If we are to assume the OLDER one based upon "career almost being over" then the one he was calling the HOFer is Kidd. I was basing off talent and merit, you were basing off age. By your intupretation, my statement B is the correct one.

Why are you trying to start an argument from nothing? I mean, I think we both agree...do we not agree that both should be "future" HOFers?

[italy_23]

no need for this conversation. that was one funny statement made by wright, and it became even funnier with the responses here in this thread. you guys made me smile, so no need to start off a convo like this.
like jes said in his final sentence: both are future HOFs

[SpeedyG]

You can read whatever you want, but the fact is you are putting words in my mouth and assuming I said or think something that never was said, implied or though by myself. I never said "Kidd is not" so no reason to ask the question. The point is they are both HOFers and he refered to only one HOFer on this team.

And yes, Dirk is a HOFer right now. He could retire today and be in the HOF in 2015. He has an MVP, unklike Kidd. Dirk has been on the last 8 all NBA teams and counting, Kidd has been to 6 total. They both have 7 all-star appearences and newsflash: one of the two will be there again this year. So don't try to downplay Dirk in order to hype Kidd. My thought's were always both are going to be in the HOF, but I would call them future HOFers until they are voted in even if they are retired.

It sounds like you are the one with the hidden or implied agenda....not me.

But when people talk about a player who's career is almost over (and thus, we have a clear picture of what their career already looks like compared to others), there's no need to add the word "future"

I'm not saying you, but anyone inturpreting Antoine's statement can read this same sentance as being old enough to pracctically be in it already.

Plain and simple, when he made that statement, I was trying to figure out who he was talking about (I'm still not sure he was talking about Kidd, but somehow you are...why?) and automaticly assumed that Dirk is the one he was refering to and was trying to figure out why he did not concider Kidd one also. You seem to think the 2 players are the other way around. Who knows? If we are to assume the OLDER one based upon "career almost being over" then the one he was calling the HOFer is Kidd. I was basing off talent and merit, you were basing off age. By your intupretation, my statement B is the correct one.

Why are you trying to start an argument from nothing? I mean, I think we both agree...do we not agree that both should be "future" HOFers?

Why am I starting an argument from nothing? I"m not. Ever since the deal was made, you've constantly bashed Kidd. So no, I don't see your comments on this thread as "nothing". It's your usual shot at Kidd.

Why did I think that Antoine refer to Kidd as the Hall of Famer? Because just about everyone of his former teammates and coaches regard him as such. I've heard Lawrence Frank, Jefferson, Carter, including Wright when he was with the Nets, refer to him as a HoFer. I've heard Ainge, and McDyess, and Skiles call him such.

I'm not saying Kidd is a HoF and Dirk is not because Kidd is older. I'm saying that because Kidd's career is a complete picture now (for the most part, a championship would just be icing on the cake). Dirk's not. As it stands, he's barely in the radar of any major statistical category. He also has had stigmas attached to him (fair or not) due to the Finals collapse and the first round exit against GS.

It's like calling Wade a HoF. Can't do it, no matter how dominant he is today. His career isn't over, and if (god forbid) it is somewhat cut short, it'll be tough for him to make it, MVP and championship or not.

Kidd both had a prime (two Finals appearance, MVP runner-up, assists title, first team AND defensive team honors, not to mention being viewed as the guy who resurrected an entire NBA franchise that is generally considered the worst in the league) and longevity.

Dirk, Lebron, and all these younger guys don't have the longevity (yet). No one refers to these guys as HoFers...yet. I think we'll start hearing that about Dirk soon, though.

EDIT: anyway, I'll let this one go. I'm the visitor here, so I'll try not to stir too much trouble. Here's to beating Houston.