Official 2013 Off-Season Thread.

[GermanFan120]

It is my humble opinion that Howard has done all he can to destroy his contract value over the past 18 months. Hard to understand. I guess maturity and common sense are victims to his talent.

And this is the real point. The Dwight you have been seeing over the last 18 months is not the REAL Dwight. Dwight has felt like he was pushed into a corner by his former team, and he became disgruntled. Then he was traded somewhere, WHERE HE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO GO in the first place. (He said Brooklyn was #1 and Dallas was #2) Then when he gets there Kobe charges him up before he even walks in the door and tells him, you will be the 4-5 option on this team, deal with it. Disrespected again. Have any of you ever really wanted to prove yourself, and then get that opportunity stripped away from with constant verbal beat downs? If Kobe had charged any of you up the way he constantly charged Dwight up, you would react the say way.

The real Dwight is the guy who was playing for Orlando for his first 6-7 years. And when he is happy again, he will return to that same guy. Dwight is not a cancer, is not a coach killer and does not blow up locker rooms. What he is is immature when he faces scrutiny, because he is not gifted at talking.

The Mavericks need Dwight Howard, plain and simple.

I am sorry I just cannot agree with you.
First of all, I could argue that The Dwight you have been seeing over the last 18 months is the REAL Dwight. If you say he is not, then I can say the same thing about Bynum.
Second of all, by following what you said, my question is: do we really need a future leader who will only play great when he is happy? Has there been any super star who was like this? Dirk is not, Duncan is not, Jordan is not, Lebron is not, Kobe is not etc etc.. Iverson is, but where is Iverson now?

Dwight's personality defined who he is, and that decided his destiny. He is MENTALLY WEAK, he has NO HEART.

[catalyst]

While I agree with German, I still think Mavs needs to go all in for Howard

[GermanFan120]

While I agree with German, I still think Mavs needs to go all in for Howard

If we get D12, I just hope the Mavs can provide him the right coaching staff to somehow make him a grown-up man. I cannot stand player laughing around when his team is losing by 20 points, and D12 is exactly that player.

[Teffer10]

My back up plan is Monta Ellis and Dalembert, and draft Dieng. Then sign Tony Allen or other defensive 2. Havent thought beyond that, but provides good team now, and good future with Wright re-signed.May also include Ellis if Howard signed

I think this is about dead on when all is said and done.
I'm not a big Ellis fan but after Howard and CP3 resign with their teams Ellis is probably the best #2 scoring option to play with Dirk. Dally will come cheap and should fill a need. Allen would be the perfect SG if Ellis is our acting PG. We at least make the POs with that team imo. Not sure Dieng would be the right guy to draft though.

Ellis/James/Rookie
Allen/Carter/Cunningham
Marion/Crowder
Dirk/Wright
Dalembert/James

[Imon]

Am I the only one in this forum who thinks Chris Paul is a higher priority than Howard?

I mean, I know Howard may appear to be the easier target with his disastrous season in LA and all but Chris Paul is simply a better player.
And before you say that you can't teach height I understand that and I understand a good center in the NBA is extremely difficult to come by but seriously ... Chris Paul is a sure thing (given that his knee cartilage issue doesn't flare up).

[Jinra]

I am sorry I just cannot agree with you.
First of all, I could argue that The Dwight you have been seeing over the last 18 months is the REAL Dwight. If you say he is not, then I can say the same thing about Bynum.
Second of all, by following what you said, my question is: do we really need a future leader who will only play great when he is happy? Has there been any super star who was like this? Dirk is not, Duncan is not, Jordan is not, Lebron is not, Kobe is not etc etc.. Iverson is, but where is Iverson now?

Dwight's personality defined who he is, and that decided his destiny. He is MENTALLY WEAK, he has NO HEART.

Yeah, I probably shouldn't have gone there, because I am no psychiatrist at all and can't really defend my stance professionally. So I understand if you disagree, but please allow me to make this last little comment. The bad in life doesn't define you, it molds you. The bad, by causing you to react, strengthens and matures you. I give Dwight major props because his last year in Orlando was by far his worst character year. But, he learned a lesson and came to LA Lakers and did (I think) a great job of shutting his mouth. And, when he did slip-up, LA was on him "like flies at a picnic". Then he would say nothing again. He is showing signs of maturing, and I think that is most important. Immature? Yes. Mentally weak? Yes. No heart? Hard to have heart in place that your heart never was in.

Now for you!!!! @Imon

Of course Paul is a higher priority, but I think I am in the majority than think Mavs have no shot at Paul without Dwight. Paul is super smart, and will watch the landscape take form before he commits to a team, outside of LA. He is in no rush to sign any deal, but if he sees no one really making efforts to build for him, he will resign with LA.

Mavs would love to convince Howard to commit same day, while fantasy, the rest of that dream would have Mavericks on the phone with Chris Paul's camp the moment Howard committed. "Hey Chris, we just signed Dwight. We would love to come talk to you. We can be there in 8 hours. Are you in?"

[EntropyPR]

Hopefully Dwight sees the 2011 playoffs and notices what a good defensive center alongside Dirk can do. While I do think Paul will be better long term for Dallas, what is our most important need right now.. a great PG or a great center? In the dream scenario we get both but if we had to choose from either what gets us better now? There are more solid PGs out there than centers who are a dying breed. Lets also not forget, while last year he fumbled the ball Cuban is still the best owner in sports and these players know that.

[urgal]

I think we should stop the CP3 and Dwight talks. I mean, the chances of only one of them leaving their clubs is just way too slim. Even if the Clippers will be a first round exit again this year, this team is just a coaching and system change away from becoming a serious team. It also seems like he feels comfortable there, so why leave?

Concerning Dwight: I think he'll simply choose the lifestyle and the extra money over another team.

And call me crazy, but I don't even think that a Dirk/Dwight/CP3 would be a serious contender right away. You would'nt have the money to surround them with other good players. Just ask LA.

Concerning this years Draft: would anybody consider drafting the german PG Dennis Schröder? I think the Mavs will try to draft a PG and if Burke or MCW don't fall to Dallas, he could be a possibility.
Has a great wingspan, good quickness on D and has also been able to score and involve his teammates in the Summit. He's considered the 3rd best PG in this years draft. Dirk could also help him making the adjustment to the NBA.

[Imon]

I caught the second half of the series-ending Grizzlies-Clippers game 6.
The game was physical and the atmosphere was chippy - it was a crazy game.

So now the Clippers are done and Chris Paul has played his final game under his current contract. No doubt he'll opt to be a free agent instead of signing an extension. For those who didn't watch the game the physicality and chippiness of the game seems to have gotten into the heads of four players in particular - Griffin, Paul, Barnes, and Randolph.

1. Barnes is always angry so no surprises there.
2. Paul and Randolph were both ejected from the game in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter after each separately picking up two technical fouls.
3. Griffin had a disappointing series. Clippers apologists are going to say it was because of his high ankle sprain but I simply don't think Griffin has A-level superstar material.

Perhaps after two seasons with the Clips Chris Paul may see that Griffin doesn't have the right stuff...
We can only hope although Griffin does have the HUGE advantage of being a decade younger than Dirk

I really hated how the Lakers and Clips were bounced in the first round...
Fans tend to over-analyze every little event and interpret things with their own team bias. Because both the Lakers and Clips had a disappointing end of the season and because both big-name free agents had a disappointing last game (both Paul and Dwight were ejected in the close out game with two techs) they're probably going to look like easier targets than they actually are.
If we can't even convince Deron to come to Dallas what are our chances with either Paul or Dwight?

I really hope Donnie and Cubes can make some magic this offseason...

[Brovva Blaqq]

Paul, Howard and Josh Smith will be the three most interesting free agents and honestly, I see Dallas as the team that will end up with two of those players - a frontcourt of Howard, Dirk and Smith would be absolutely amazing.

Plus there are plenty of better than average PGs availiable, Nate Robinson, Jarrett Jack, Calderon, Billups, Mo Williams could be cheap additions, that fix the leak you had this season. Tony Allen would be a nice addition at the SG spot.

[EntropyPR]

I could see Billups signing in Dallas just because of Carlisle. We know he was instrumental in Oj coming to Dallas.

[No-Man]

I could see Billups signing in Dallas just because of Carlisle. We know he was instrumental in Oj coming to Dallas.

If Paul come, he'll come too.

But we need to get Dwight to get Chris too, Dwight is the first thing.

[SlobbaN]

I heard that Iggy is opting out of his 16 mil, coz he already has a verbal agreement to join Dallas. Horrible news, receipe for mediocrity.

[EntropyPR]

I heard that Iggy is opting out of his 16 mil, coz he already has a verbal agreement to join Dallas. Horrible news, receipe for mediocrity.

Source?

[Pointguard01]

I absolutely love Iggy. He's a perfect 3rd option, but we need a #1/#2 to go with Dirk. The problem with Iggy his entire career is that he has been a #1 or #2. As the 3rd option, he would be deadly and the guy is one of the best defenders in the league. I'd love to get him as our starting SF (in place of Marion).

Though, I wonder how much he would cost.

[Ironman7]

I absolutely love Iggy. He's a perfect 3rd option, but we need a #1/#2 to go with Dirk. The problem with Iggy his entire career is that he has been a #1 or #2. As the 3rd option, he would be deadly and the guy is one of the best defenders in the league. I'd love to get him as our starting SF (in place of Marion).

Though, I wonder how much he would cost.

I Would like Iggy as well, Like you said he is a great 3rd option. Will probably cost around 9 mil. (Just a ballpark figure). Hope we can get him.

[Raptorel]

This only works if the Mavs give up on Marion and get CP3. CP3 + Vince + Iggy + Dirk + one good defensive and mobile center could be pretty good.

[Johnny Firpo]

I don't think we get Paul, or Howard, i think we get both, or neither.

[EntropyPR]

LOl at Atlanta fans saying Horford has had a better career than Dirk.

[Imon]

LOl at Atlanta fans saying Horford has had a better career than Dirk.

You've got to be kidding me....
Who said such an idiotic thing?

Dirk is a first ballot HoF player.
Horford will enter the HoF ... as a tourist ... looking at Dirk's HoF portrait.