MavsFanForLife

11 Straight Wins

I would have to say the Mavericks got the best bargain before the trade deadline of any team. We seem to have picked up three guys that are dedicated to winning. Of course we lost the first game after the big trade but that was against a good team, but since then, they’ve won 11 straight, gunning for more as the rest of the season is not nearly as difficult as the beginning.

The Lakers have lost 3 straight so grabbing that top seed is not impossible, with the Nuggets not far behind as well.

With Terry out, we seem to have enough talent to pick up the slack, especially Beaubois putting up some great numbers in the last 3 games.

Also I must admit, Shawn Marion seems he’ll do anything to get a ring and thinks the Mavericks have that chance. He could easily be that 20 plus points and 10 rebound player but plays conservatively to win, making his teamates better as well in the process.

Von Who?

The Mavericks have signed Von Wafer to a 10 day contract. I’m not really sure what they expect out of 10 days but his numbers aren’t horrible. I’m always sort of baffled on these types of acquisitions in the middle of the season for teams.

Wafer has played for 5 years, averaging around 13 mins a game in 109 games, 11 of those were in the starting lineup and close to 6 points a game. He last played for the Rockets in 2008-2009.

Everyone Chant, Haywood, Haywood, Haywood….

Dallas, I think we found our new big man in the middle to replace Dampier. Haywood had a great night last night against the Pacers, grabbing 20 rebounds along with 13 points.

Since the trade, we lost to OKC but I actually fear that team more than say, the Spurs nowadays. But since that loss after the big trade, we’ve now won 4 straight games.

Now only if we can get Kidd to shoot the ball as much as he likes to pass, we can start getting a further lead in our conference to secure a better playoff spot.

I would like to ask my friend Daniel to not go out and purchase any Haywood or Butler jersey’s because everytime he does, it seems the player starts to suck or gets traded.

A Few Losses, Big Trade, Goodbye Josh Howard

So I’ve been lacking in the updates. So the Mavericks had a few losses, actually losing like 5 of their last 7games. But now, a big 7 player trade occurred right before the All-Star weekend where the Mavs sent Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton and Quinton Ross to the Wizards for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson.

I really like this trade and I think we got the better players out of the deal, especially with the ailing Josh Howard who’s been injured prone for the past two seasons, who seems to not care as much nowadays about his playing ability. I did like Drew Gooden but I figured he was picked up at the beginning of the season for this exact reasoning, to trade or deal in a multi-player trade.

Caron Butler brings on a healthy starter for the Mavericks, who averages what Josh did for us before injuries started sidelining him. Haywood was the leading rebounder for the Wizards, so I already think that’s a plus. He can likely replace Dampier as our starting center, putting up good numbers and even better numbers than Dampier. He also played at UNC during college, that’s always a plus for me since that’s my college team.

So let’s hope these guys can help the Mavericks for the remainder of the season, stay healthy and give us the needed boost and confidence in the playoffs this season. Perhaps with these additions, the Mavs are the new team to beat.

That’s How You Do It

128-78, winning by 50 in New York. The biggest win in franchise history. Almost giving the Knick their worst loss ever, although it was their worst at Madison Square Garden. Doing it all without Kidd and Dampier.

I forgive you Mavericks for losing against the Sixers when you come out winning in such style.

Eduardo Najera Is Back

So Eduardo Najera is back after a trade involving Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams. I can see why this was made, it saves the Mavs some money (around 4.7 million) and releases a player off the roster that really just did nothing for the team anyways.

Supposedly Shawne Williams was benched due to his unprofessional attitude. Cuban put it as “put out to pasture” earlier this year.

As for Humphries, he has potential and was good but being a PF on a team with enough PF’s, he just couldn’t get the playing time he deserves. I’m sure the Nets will use and utilize his skills.

So Najera might not be the same player we knew before but hopefully he brings his great attitude and enthusiasm to the team.

Cuban Files Protest Over OT Loss To Rockets

Mark Cuban has filed a protest with the NBA over their OT loss to the Rockets.

Basically Dampier was fouled, but the officials also said he threw an elbow on his way down in which a technical foul was called against him, his second of the game which is an automatic ejection.

If you review the play, it’s clear Dampier did not throw an elbow to cause harm. The officials could have taken back the technical thrown his way but didn’t after several on court reviews themselves.

Cuban is protesting this as a misapplication of the official rules and wants the last 1:01 of the game replayed with Houston up 110-104.

I actually couldn’t agree more and don’t blame Cuban for submitting the 10k it costs to protest such a call that could make or break a game. It might only be 1:01 left in the game but Dampier should have been allowed to make his free throws which potentially could make the score 110-106 with the Mavs getting the ball back after the flagrant foul was made against Dampier.

Without Nowitzki, Expect Anything

Well, Nowitzki collided with Landry of the Rockets early in the game, sending them both out of the game. Nowitzki made one of his free throws having to do it left handed as he banged up his right elbow, requiring stitches.

Landry wasn’t as lucky, losing several teeth when Nowitzki’s elbow hit him when fouled.

But the Rockets squeezed by barely. Up by 10 or so points late in the game with what looked to become a closeout after knocking our star out of the game, the Mavs pulled it together and tied it at 100, but then lost all such momentum in OT as the Rockets pulled away 116-108.

From the fans standpoint, most were not pleased with the officiating in the end of the game but expect anything when Dirk is out, like Little Jose being our leading scorer.

After the Nowitzki and Landry collision, the Rockets went on an 18-5 run if that tells you anything. That’s how this Rockets team has to beat the Mavericks, take out the star.

Nowitzki is questionable for Sunday nights game against the Cavs, but at least it’s not a serious injury that is taking him out for weeks or the season.

Josh Howard Sidelined.. Again!

Josh Howard has been sidelined once again. He probably came back too soon, but according to reports, he’s going to be out indefinitely at this point while he nurses and recovers from his sore ankle.

Howard missed the first 8 games of the season, played the last 3 where he had a good first game comeback but didn’t really produce much since that one game.

The Mavericks are playing the Timberwolves tonight who are 1-8 this season. It should be an easy road win for the Mavs. Then it’s off to Piston Land and then the Bucks for a 3 game road trip, then they host the Spurs at home.

Mavs Must Win

The Mavericks must win against the Rockets tonight when they host them at home. They must also win against the Spurs Wednesday night if they want to see how they’ll stand in their division in what will likely be another tight Southwest battle between the Texas teams that usually dominate the playoff picture.

It’s too bad they aren’t starting off playing the Rockets in Houston, Jason Terry usually does very well in the Rockets home turf.

The Rockets are off to a good start despite not having Yao. Ariza and Brooks are both picking up the slack, averaging 18 PPG plus for each. The Ariza pickup for Houston was a good choice so far.

As for the Spurs, I’m not as worried since the Mavs have sort of keeping them in check for the past couple of seasons, sending them off packing in the first round of the playoffs last season in just 5 games but they were Ginobililess.

But with Manu Ginobili coming back strong, with a recent 36 point game against the Raptors while Duncan was out, they feared this game but with supporting cast members Jefferson and Hill each scoring over 20 points, they’re lucky the Raptors play poor defense overall.

What the Mavs need to do is stop Ariza and Brooks to beat the Rockets. If they keep up with their strong 4th quarters they’ve been having, they should win this game if they step up their defense in the process.

As for the Spurs, stop Ginobili, especially if Duncan is out again. He’s their top scorer coming off the bench as their 6th man. If Parker is out as well, this should help the Mavs with a win away on the road in Spurland.

But these two games are crucial for the Mavs and their division standing since they lost to the Hornets.