betED.com - The View from the Couch - by Gavin McDougald!
May 24th, 2006 - Just between friends
On June 24th, 1998, the Dallas Mavericks acquired the draft rights to Dirk Nowitzki and on the very same day, they traded for an underachiever named Steve Nash.
Eight years later, both players have made it to the Western Conference finals ? except they are playing against one another.
In 2004, Maverick owner Mark Cuban let his team leader and personal friend go after Nash?s old team, the Phoenix Suns offered what looked to be an insane, five-year, $65-million contract. Coming to maturity when Nash would be 35 years-old, even a billionaire like Cuban had to balk at those dollars, saying when he did so, ?I felt sick to my stomach.?
It was a business decision. Nash's scoring average had dipped. The Sacramento Kings had just beaten Dallas like a drum in the playoffs, and Nash had been badly outplayed by Mike Bibby.
To move forward the ultimate sacrifice had to be made. In a billionaire?s case that means not matching a $65-million payout.
It turns out it that agonizing choice was the right decision ? for both teams.
Two years of hindsight later, at first glance, the Suns look to have got the better part of the deal. Nash has been the league's MVP the past two seasons. He's the reason the Suns are in the position they are today.
But what about Dallas?
Same answer.
The Mavericks decided to let Nash go because they were concerned about his health. Cuban wrote at the time, ?That kamikaze spirit and approach to the game is Steve's greatness weakness.?
They turned the page. Now they are reaping the benefits. Previously it was the cohort show in Dallas. ?Nash to Nowitzki? became on of the commonest phrases on SportsCenter. Once his deliverer was gone however, Nowitzki was left to his own devices to carry the team. His eighth season has easily been his best. A different player from even a year ago, he is a far more efficient and clearly more determined as a competitor.
Shaking and baking past arch-nemesis and now comparator Tim Duncan, he led his team over the Spurs in one of the best playoff series ever. His confidence at an all-time high, this year he?s managed to carry the Mavericks nearly all the way to the NBA championship.
Only one little, or rather diminutive, impediment is left.
His ex-team mate and friend, Steve Nash.
However, Cuban?s fragile predictions appear to have finally come true. Nash?s style of play has caught up to him after two tough 7-gamers against both LA teams. If you look at the sidelines, any time he?s not on the court he looks down and nearly out. Suffering from a nearly un-pronounceable condition, (spondylolisthesis), he will almost certainly require off-season surgery.
Can he hang on for another round? Even another game?
To fill his void at point, Dallas added 23-year-old Devin Harris and 25-year-old Marquis Daniels. While neither is as good, exciting or are potential NBA candidates, both are great defenders and they will be seeing a lot of Steve Nash over the next few games. Or rather, he will be seeing a lot of them.
It was a great run for Phoenix ? and a great run for Dallas.
But in the Mavericks case, due to a trade two years ago, their run continues.
Mavericks in 6.
As for the other series with the east division?s reputation, this is clearly the less compelling. Well, for me anyway. If I was forced to chose, (which I am), Miami?s two-man game of Shaq and Dwayne Wade averaged 28 points each per game against Detroit during the regular season. If they even get a little bit of help from the bit players, they should finally prevail over Detroit?s defense.
Miami in 5.
Cheers - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Remember to drop us a line at rants@betED.com to voice your opinion on one of McDougald's articles or on anything else you read at betED.com!
May 24th, 2006 - Just between friends
On June 24th, 1998, the Dallas Mavericks acquired the draft rights to Dirk Nowitzki and on the very same day, they traded for an underachiever named Steve Nash.
Eight years later, both players have made it to the Western Conference finals ? except they are playing against one another.
In 2004, Maverick owner Mark Cuban let his team leader and personal friend go after Nash?s old team, the Phoenix Suns offered what looked to be an insane, five-year, $65-million contract. Coming to maturity when Nash would be 35 years-old, even a billionaire like Cuban had to balk at those dollars, saying when he did so, ?I felt sick to my stomach.?
It was a business decision. Nash's scoring average had dipped. The Sacramento Kings had just beaten Dallas like a drum in the playoffs, and Nash had been badly outplayed by Mike Bibby.
To move forward the ultimate sacrifice had to be made. In a billionaire?s case that means not matching a $65-million payout.
It turns out it that agonizing choice was the right decision ? for both teams.
Two years of hindsight later, at first glance, the Suns look to have got the better part of the deal. Nash has been the league's MVP the past two seasons. He's the reason the Suns are in the position they are today.
But what about Dallas?
Same answer.
The Mavericks decided to let Nash go because they were concerned about his health. Cuban wrote at the time, ?That kamikaze spirit and approach to the game is Steve's greatness weakness.?
They turned the page. Now they are reaping the benefits. Previously it was the cohort show in Dallas. ?Nash to Nowitzki? became on of the commonest phrases on SportsCenter. Once his deliverer was gone however, Nowitzki was left to his own devices to carry the team. His eighth season has easily been his best. A different player from even a year ago, he is a far more efficient and clearly more determined as a competitor.
Shaking and baking past arch-nemesis and now comparator Tim Duncan, he led his team over the Spurs in one of the best playoff series ever. His confidence at an all-time high, this year he?s managed to carry the Mavericks nearly all the way to the NBA championship.
Only one little, or rather diminutive, impediment is left.
His ex-team mate and friend, Steve Nash.
However, Cuban?s fragile predictions appear to have finally come true. Nash?s style of play has caught up to him after two tough 7-gamers against both LA teams. If you look at the sidelines, any time he?s not on the court he looks down and nearly out. Suffering from a nearly un-pronounceable condition, (spondylolisthesis), he will almost certainly require off-season surgery.
Can he hang on for another round? Even another game?
To fill his void at point, Dallas added 23-year-old Devin Harris and 25-year-old Marquis Daniels. While neither is as good, exciting or are potential NBA candidates, both are great defenders and they will be seeing a lot of Steve Nash over the next few games. Or rather, he will be seeing a lot of them.
It was a great run for Phoenix ? and a great run for Dallas.
But in the Mavericks case, due to a trade two years ago, their run continues.
Mavericks in 6.
As for the other series with the east division?s reputation, this is clearly the less compelling. Well, for me anyway. If I was forced to chose, (which I am), Miami?s two-man game of Shaq and Dwayne Wade averaged 28 points each per game against Detroit during the regular season. If they even get a little bit of help from the bit players, they should finally prevail over Detroit?s defense.
Miami in 5.
Cheers - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Remember to drop us a line at rants@betED.com to voice your opinion on one of McDougald's articles or on anything else you read at betED.com!
