Dirk Nowitzki’s problem with Avery Johnson, Ben Gordon isn’t holding out, and Starbury to San Antonio?
Ben Gordon, Dime #15Who’s to blame for what went wrong during the Avery Johnson era in Dallas? Dirk Nowitzki didn’t come right out and put everything on his former coach, but he didn’t exactly take the brunt himself. “Avery had a really strong will and a strong head of what should go on out there, and I think he controlled the game a lot and really wanted a lot of post-ups,” Nowitzki told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday. “I don’t think there was enough movement going on to where people were just sitting on our stuff when they were scouting us, especially in the playoffs.” New coach Rick Carlisle promises more running and motion-style offense to take advantage of Dirk, Jason Kidd and Josh Howard’s games, but the key with this group is going to be their ability to get defensive stops. Would you put the majority of the blame for the Mavs’ underachievement on Dirk, Avery, the front office for not bringing in the right pieces, or somebody/something else? … Despite not having a contract, Ben Gordon says he’s gonna be at Chicago’s training camp when two-a-days start tomorrow. ”We’ve been talking here and there,” Gordon said. ”But from where I stand, I think both sides are far apart. It is what it is. I can’t say I’m discouraged or surprised.” By all accounts, it looks like BG will just go ahead and take the $6.4 million one-year qualifying offer so he can get on the market unrestricted next year. He’s already made it clear he doesn’t wanna go to Europe, the Bulls’ final multi-year offer (six years, $59 million) doesn’t match what he’s looking for, and while a sign-and-trade could happen, it seems very unlikely at this point. On one hand, the Bulls will be happy to just get it over with and have Gordon sign for one year; but on the other hand that means they’ll go into this year with BG, already a gunner, in a contract year with $70 million dancing in his head … Of all the places Stephon Marbury could end up, wouldn’t San Antonio be up there with the least likely? But according to the New York Daily News, the Spurs — looking for an insurance policy during Manu Ginobili’s rehab from ankle surgery — might be in the mix for Steph if/when the Knicks buy him out. Could Steph really buy into the Spurs’ “No one is bigger than the team” philosophy and take a backseat to Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu and Gregg Popovich? Last year we were doing an interview with Duncan when the subject of playing with Gilbert Arenas came up. TD thought Gilbert could fit right in with San Antonio because Gilbert wants to win and that’s how the Spurs win. Is Marbury in that same boat? And can he play the two while Parker plays the point? … Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been increasingly ridiculous with his statements about the media’s coverage of LeBron’s 2010 free agency — the “It’s an insult to the entire Midwest” thing being the latest — but he’s the one signing the checks and has to be realistic in admitting there’s not much about his franchise that’s making it crucial for LeBron to stay. Says team GM Danny Ferry said in a recent interview, “Our roster is not perfect, but there’s not one team in this league that can say that their roster is perfect. But I do like the guys in the locker room. I like the guys over in the coaches’ office right now. I’m very comfortable walking into the season with this group of people feeling like this could be a very good team and a very successful season.” Having LeBron alone is enough to get the Cavs to the brink of a championship, but can they get over the hump with the likes of Mo Williams, Big Z and Big Ben shouldering a heavy load? … Shawn Kemp’s latest comeback attempt has ended before it really began. After a couple of practices and preseason games with Premiata Montegranaro (Italy), Kemp had flown back to Houston to check on his home following Hurricane Ike, and after he stayed gone too long, the team cut him. Kemp said he’s not done … We’re out like Avery …
September 29th, 2008 at 4:52 am
dillinger says:
Ben Gordon doesn’t deserve 70 million anyway. Let him play the season out and then we’ll see.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:54 am
ya boy says:
Maybe Kemp can play for my lakers.Sigh,a man can wish huh?
September 29th, 2008 at 4:57 am
yo says:
unless stephon is willing to take a veteran’s minimum salary, I really don’t see him playing in san antonio. and i’m not even sure if he would fit. I’d like to see what stoudamire can do as a backup 2. stephon isn’t really that great of an 3 point shooter, although it would be interesting what pop would try doing with marbury on the roster. I can imagine tony, marbury, bowen, kurt thomas and manu being on the floor in one of popovich’s lineup experiments during the regular season.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:04 am
solomon says:
2nd? hahaha…
well, there’s no perfect locker room, indeed, but for a payroll that huge, it’s relatively flawed…
and i can’t wait when pop yanks steph out of the game after forcing a 1-on-4 fastbreak… the look on steph’s face outta be priceless…
we’re out like a shawn kemp comeback
September 29th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Coop says:
I don’t think Dirk did anything but tell the truth- they struggled in the playoffs often due to an obvious offensive set and lack of defensive intensity. A lot of that falls on the coach. Johnson is a novice in that regard, lets not forget.
I like Cuban but personally i think he fucked up by wetting himself and trading for Kidd. Should have struck with the glue (Dirk, Howard and Devin) and concentrated on the bench (replacing Stack, trading Terry)
September 29th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Jason Thompson says:
post the new Kings jersey already
September 29th, 2008 at 6:21 am
KBY says:
the new Kings jerseys?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62124712@N00/sets/72157607538367726/show/
there’s a video up on the nba kings site as well
[quote]I like Cuban but personally i think he fucked up by wetting himself and trading for Kidd. Should have struck with the glue (Dirk, Howard and Devin) and concentrated on the bench (replacing Stack, trading Terry)[/quote]
Couldn’t agree more
September 29th, 2008 at 6:44 am
YOUNGFED says:
1.) The problem with the Mavs is the don’t play any D. How much offense do they think they need to win.
2.) Ben Jordan oops I mean Gordon is gonna get his money. Too many teams need scoring in the east. Plus dude is nice.
3.) The Cavs manager is just mad cause he knows the Lebron show has ended in Clevland.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:56 am
schoops says:
Here’s a question… how much do the Bulls let Gordon thrive? They know he’s in a contract year, know the contract he wants, an probably havea good idea what he’ll need to get it. So do they limit his minutes during the season thus to force down his value? Or do they not play him that much because they know he is going to bolt, and thus won’t be in their long term plans? BG needs to wise up and realize 59$ Mil is a lot for a two guard who’s only 6ft3 with only scoring skills.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Coop says:
Honestly I think the Bulls were planning on limiting him anyway, which is one of the reasons he’s not happy; he knows there are too many guards there. I think they’ll experiment with Kirk at the 2 for stretches.
And Fed, I don’t think he’s going to get more than 10mil per, and I’m not certain he’ll even get that; no-one is going to be splashing the cash they’ve saved on Gordon when they could get in on the Bronny/Wade/Bosh sweepstakes. I think he could end up looking at 7 or 8 mil.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:15 am
sans says:
Hey, Jason Thompson, was a that ish on YouTube his HS resume…if you are the real Jason Thompson–stop acting like Fred Jones. You’re better than that even if you don’t realize it.
Dirk was lying–talking about Avery only wanted post-ups, but only got jumpers from everywhere. Dirk needs to get in the paint and earn his money. If he was posting people up, pulling some Dream ish out, he’d have rings. Yes, plural.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:23 am
sans says:
@ KBY…Beno Udrih has one funny ass bowl cut. And does Jason Thompson look like the only person out of him, Francisco, and Beno that is comfortable with popping their jersey? So, funny, in HS you get a T for that now…
…and it’s been a long summer balling with people. So much cheap shhh on courts today. Can’t wait to catch kids using cheap tricks and hit em with my whistle. I like the hand clap box-out some people do, using their elbow to chicken wing your hand so you can’t get up and grab a board; it’s real cheap, but the first time someone did that too me, I was like: “hey!…that’s not a bad idea.”
Warming up to ref basketball is akin to listing everything you hate about a certain subject, then enforcing that it doesn’t happen in front of you.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
MSkittle says:
The media is to blame for Dallas’ “failures”… For overhyping them every year! What an overrated squad! All they have is a bunch of perimeter players (Dirk, JT, Josh Howard) and are a soft, jump shooting team. You cant win like that.
Cavs can’t go too far with that squad.
No way can Marbury fit in with the Spurs.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:25 am
jimmhumm says:
The cavs have hughes and rose and Kurt-H. If Ben Gordon leaves they will be fine. He’s being a baby. 10 Million a year isn’t enough for you? Come on. That kid overseas is only getting 1 milli. The economy is babd but a mill is still a mill.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Coop says:
They weren’t over-hyped; they got to the Finals (which they should have and could have won) and then won 67 games. That’s just good basketball, son, not hype.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
N B says:
I blame Avery. He did not use the teams talents correctly. When he had Devin, he wanted him to pass more. When he had Kidd, he wanted him to shoot and slash more. Why did he agree to the trade in the first place? Also, he was pushing J-Ho and Terry to be the leaders of the team, when he should have been pushing Dirk. That is recipe for team dissention. Also, to whoever said Dallas needs to play more defense needs to check the numbers, they were in the top ten last year in both defensive feild goal percentage and points.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Prof. TX says:
Gordon is being ridiculous. What can $70M buy you that $59M can’t? The difference could be that it lets the team buy another decent roleplayer with that $11M.
Ask Garnett about his Minnesota days, maybe he can tell you what it’s like when a few players take up the whole salary and don’t leave enough to hire any help.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:58 am
pimpdaddy says:
yo dime, why is it taking so long to read/watch ANYTHING about the dunk contest at lennox square this weekend…y’all hyped the shit outta this event then act like it never even happened…what’s up with that fellas? hep a brutha out…
September 29th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Brown says:
I have to wonder what Ben Gordon’s agent says to John Paxson in trying to justify Ben’s demands.
Agent: “Ben deserves $11 million a year, he’s a good perimeter shooter”
Paxson: “And……”
Agent: “……………………”
One-trick ponies don’t deserve the kind of money he’s asking for. He needs to wake up and take that $59 mill or he might end up like Bonzi Wells playing for peanuts next year.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
one66soul says:
Goodlooking on the headsup for the SlamDunk contest Saturday @ Lenox Mall.
T-Dubbs got hops.
5-0 went out like a suckah.
Marvin Williams had 3 po’ ho’s with him….lmao….If i was in the nba I would have the best dime pieces ever….
September 29th, 2008 at 9:32 am
karizmatic says:
Dirk is just trying to make excuses for his soft game. Avery wanted too many post ups? Isn’t that what a seven foot power forward should do? What kind of scouting do they do for that? Double teaming? Well then learn how to pass to the open man out of the post Dirk! The problem is you can’t win in the playoffs without a good post game and good defense. Since Dirk doesn’t want to play in the post and nobody on the team wants to play defense the Mavs had neither. The Mavs had more success with Avery than anyone else. How does Dirk explain that? It’s because Avery knew what he was doing. The fact of the matter is that the team was soft and at some point stopped listening. You know how it goes it’s obvious Dirk wasn’t happy that he was being asked to play the role of a “traditional” power forward and therefore Avery could not get the necessary production out of the team. Dirk is a great talent but he is a whiner and a crybaby, and that’s why he’s a consistent LOSER. http://dimemag.com/2008/09/the-loser-list-dirk-nowitzki/#more-3369
September 29th, 2008 at 9:33 am
dukesman2000 says:
Dirk Nowitzki cannot talk that mess around die hard basketball heads. The problem with the Mavs was definitely Dirk “Tin Man” Nowitzki. Avery can coach but he can’t coach heart.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Celts Fan says:
Explain to me why BG wouldn’t take the 6 yr., $59M deal. That’s the best he’s getting. YOU DON’T TURN DOWN SET FOR LIFE MONEY IN YOUR FIRST BIG DEAL. Just take the $$$. You won’t get more!
On the C’s title celebration, I’d love to see PJ and Sam and anyone else not in the L at time having to stand by the team in those generic NBA unis that Craig Hodges had to wear back in the day when he defended the 3pt title at AS Weekend when he wasn’t on a team. There’s funny, then there’s, “I’m not in the league anymore, but look, I used to be; look at the uni!” awkwardness. Come on Stern, make it happen…
September 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Coop says:
Why would you want Nowitski to post up when a) thats not his strength and b) thats not what got them 67 wins or a finals appearance.
Some of you Americans just like bashing Euros I think. Inferiority complex?
September 29th, 2008 at 10:14 am
isotope says:
Many teams in the League would have killed to have the kind of seasons the Mavs had the past couple of years. So i wouldnt really call it a disappointment, bust, or under-achieving.
But I do think a good chunk of the blame should be on Avery, but its not like he had so much experience coming in. This was his first head coaching job and i’m sure if he could do it over he’d do somethings differently. I never really felt he had control of the team. Its like he was a figure-head with HOF coaches Don Nelson and Del Harris as his assistants. And lets not even talk about Cuban.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Tom S. says:
Dan Gilbert’s (who grew up in Detroit) upset with the typical East Coast attitude that “why would anyone want to live in a Midwest city?” and it comes out in all these LeBron in NYC rumors. I love living in the Midwest. Quality of life is better, it’s more affordable, and the people are much nicer. And contrary to belief of East Coasters, there’s plenty to do.
How can you say there’s nothing crucial about the Cavs that would make LeBron stay? They are definitely trying to win, as evidence by their payroll being second only to the Knicks. They built a world-class practice facility (which is much closer to LeBron’s mansion than the old one).
September 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Bruce says:
u can’t put marbury, a selfish player on a team that has no selfish players. san antonio is about winning, marbury couldn’t take a backseat in minny behind k.g. so what makes u think he can b the fourth fiddle behind
September 29th, 2008 at 10:47 am
SteveNash says:
German shooting at a black man… YEA I SAID IT!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Ansonious says:
First off the mavs do have a sweet squad, their not over hyped, and think back a few seasons ago when they were dominating every team in their path(only to lose to the red hot warriors.) That I will say was Dirks chance to be a monster in the paint especially against the warriors instead they just get crushed and said goodbye to a championship. No matter what the hornets are the team to beat this year in my eyes cp3 is going to get his trust that. As for the Stephon issue that would be lame as hell, another thing all of you crackheads don’t think he wouldn’t mesh on the spurs yall are crazy, you don’t think the spurs organization hasn’t already told Steph his role with the team would be, and what he’s expected to do. Come on I hate the spurs but one thing I’ve realized through out the years they don’t have players dissing the way they handle the team. Adding Steph would make it possible for Manu to get his starting job(which he deserves,) rather than the best guy on the bench role he’s been playing for the past I don’t know how many years. I for one hope this is just another rumor. I’m out like Ben Gordons pay day peace!
September 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
sans says:
Anyone want to put money on Gordon suing his agent next year at this time, when all he gets is $8M a year offers?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
BxBaller says:
Cleveland is not a championship contender, so why does everyone keep saying that. As far as the Bulls go, wouldn’t make sense to have a perimeter scorer like Gordon to complement Rose. Are they that happy with Hinrich?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
YOUNGFED says:
BREAKINGS NEWS: Investigators say former NBA star KJ misused grants
Once again the FED gotta before Dime. Keep it Hot
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ieMX7c8yWevfZZAPQw3AhQjxeUVgD93EPAKG4
September 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
yallallreadyknow says:
why is ben gordon turning down $60 million? does this bum really think he’s worth more?
he can’t even crack the starting lineup in chicago
September 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
peter says:
I’m sick of all this Ben Gordon talk. Everywhere I go, all I read is Ben Gordon this/that… he has a whole tonne of talent, but hasn’t done much to make Chicago that much better. there’s no justification to pay him $70M.
if given the option of signing ben gordon for $70M/5 to 6 years or letting him walk for absolutely nothing, i’d rather take the latter (thank you very much)
September 29th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Are you serious Coop…Dirk is the softest basketball player of all time. Dude is like the snuggle bear. The wizard of ozz can’t even give this guy heart what makes you think Avery could? It’s by no means a knock on foriegn players if he had half of what manu ginobli has he have just as many rings. Anyone that plays basketball knows it’s half mental if not more. Weve all been in the gym with guys that are soft. Get a little physical with them and all of a sudden they can’t make there jump shots and are calling fouls and whining. LOL
September 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
rodnets says:
marbury = locker poison spurs chemistry
NO WAY Spurs take that
September 29th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
ash says:
@big shot
you should go back and watch game 7 of the 06 series between dallas and san antonio. dirk did tim duncan like nobody’s business. watch april of last season, when dirk had a nasty high ankle sprain and played with one leg for the last month and got the mavs intot he finals.
Question? why would you want to post up when you are the best big man shooter of all time. is a 7 time all nba player, league mvp, getting 25ppg and 9rpg for the last 6 years? you post up and muscle players if thats only thing you can do ala dwight howard.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Coop says:
Well Bob,
I agree Dirk isn’t a physical player but that doesn’t make him weak. To be honest I’m not a fan of physical play for the sake of hampering someone’s game. I think that equates to weakness, and is a bit primitive for my liking.
Nevertheless, to call him the softest player ever is bullshit. Dirk getting bashed on this is simply a symptom of him getting MVP the other year, and being honest in the press. He might not be a leader but that doesn’t make him a weak individual.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Slow Day… Huh, Dime
September 29th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
BG dont derserve more than 8 mil a year. Maybe with some kind of bonus he could get a extra mil, but more than that is just a bad deal, dude aint that nice. Streaky shooter, small but not a PG, he should be happy he’s not in JJ Reddick’s position, ungrateful fool
September 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
You keep missing the point Coop. It’s not about Dirk being physical. BTW Larry Legend is the best Shooting big man of All time. It’s about having heart which has nothing to do with his style of play. If your in a big game or the game is on the line and you curl up into a little ball your soft plain and simple. It’s what wins championships and you could see it in players like Jordan, Duncan, Kobe…All have mutiple championships for a reason. They have something inside them that Dirk doesn’t that says there’s no “F”ing way I’m going to lose this game or series I don’t give a “S” who’s out there. Now if Dirk had that and still lost I’d respect him more…but when a guys 4 or 5 inches shorter than you are bullying you around it’s sad.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ian says:
i dont really think dirk is soft , the bashing going on here on him is not fair.
now marbury to the spurs it could work its like someone said the spurs prob already told him what they want from him. hell prob get those fuck u looks that pops sometimes gives manu and parker but itll work.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
chancepassenger says:
marbury in san anotnio kinda reminds me of the time rodman was there… ugh…
granted, pop has enough balls to just not play marbury and send him home…
September 29th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Coop says:
Bob,
you’re adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 7.
I agree he didnt play well in the GS series but he wasn’t the only one. Why focus on him? GS swamped everyone and Avery didnt counter it. You can have heart and not be an arrogant asshole a la Mr Bryant, Jordan etc. There are plenty of guys who heave heart who got their asses handed to them on the big stage, dude.
Adding leadership/heart/toughness to Dirk doesnt equal a championship, and i’m sure you know there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:15 am
frankie says:
Just gonna point out a couple posts today.
A.) YOUNGFED with three of the dumbest points I’ve ever seen him make (and there have been a lot).
B.) Thank you, ash. COULD Dirk learn how to be a good low post player? Yes. Is he already the most versatile scoring big in the League? Yes. WHY CHANGE A GREAT THING?!
Oh yea, and I’m a Dallas fan, but they’ve always overachieved. They’ve been playind D for the last couple years and haven’t gone anywhere. Why? The real answer is that outside of Dirk, the talent just hasn’t been there. Josh Howard was an All-Star one year…and other than that, they have a relatively washed up Jason Kidd. People bust on Nash’s defense, but it’s not like that was ever his thing. Watch Chris Paul and TP run all over Kidd this year and tell me that there’s more than one All-Star on that team.