Commissioner Stern holds court

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Commissioner Stern holds court

Thursday evening, Commissioner David J. Stern addressed the world with his "State of the NBA" address, saying that there's no better time to be a fan of the game of basketball. The Inside Report breaks down what the league's head man had to say.

Since 1984, Commissioner Stern has governed the highest level of basketball, growing the game globally and bringing its fan base closer than it has ever gotten to the league's superstars. With the game's most-storied rivalry on display in the NBA Finals, the Draft just three weeks away and free-agency looming, Stern says the sport has reached a new high.

"This is about as good a time as any to be an NBA fan," Stern said when he addressed the media before Game 1 of the Finals.

On the agenda for the league's fourth commissioner were the usual hot topics -- the summer of free agency, financial concerns for each franchise and the entertainment value of games. But Stern made it clear to the Association's worldwide audience that when it comes to cost-efficient entertainment, no one does it as well as the Dallas Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban.

"Our teams have been working hard to have family nights that include not only tickets but hot dogs, soda and the like. And we're working very hard to make our games affordable to groups. I know in Dallas, that's a $2 ticket, sometimes a $5 ticket -- certainly a $10 ticket. We have (affordable ticket prices) all over the NBA."

After giving the Mavericks' front office a shout-out, Stern went on to reassure fans in their various hometowns that pending free agents will not be collectively meeting and consulting with each other in what has been rumored as a "free-agent summit."

"There is no free-agent summit...Our players talk to each other all the time," the commissioner explained. "They were talking to each other on Team USA (national team). They talk to each other when they have their meeting -- I think they have a meeting every year around our draft. I've been assured at the highest level that there is no summit. But I would expect our players to talk to one another and we don't have a problem with that. If some kind of tampering is implicated, I will have a later and different view. But we're not expecting that."

And while media members and the league's faithful followers await July 1 and the start of the free-agent frenzy, Stern has his eyes on the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current agreement between the Board of Governors and Players Association -- which introduced the current salary cap and revenue sharing plan -- runs to an end in the summer of 2011.

"I would say it's No. 1 on our agenda," Stern said. "I'm not sure we'll get it done this summer, but we have until July 1, 2011. It's going to be a very high priority."

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.

Mavericks Mock Draft #1

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Mavericks Mock Draft #1 (04/03/10)

With the 2010 NBA Draft just three weeks away, the Inside Report goes scouring through the most trusted mock drafts across the internet for insight into what direction the Dallas Mavericks may be looking to go with the 50th overall selection.

Sitting 20 picks into the second round, the Mavericks are scouting the college ranks and the international basketball circuit for a difference-maker. But for a squad loaded with talent -- from future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd to first-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois -- what hole do the Mavs look to fill?

"The good thing is that we've got some good, young, exciting pieces -- coupled with the experience of Dirk and Jason," president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson said. "We feel like with a couple of additions, we'll be right back in the thick of things next year."

But after sending one second-round pick (the 57th overall selection) to Indiana on Wednesday -- a task the front office had to do either this summer or next year -- the Mavericks only have the No. 50 pick to add a newcomer.

DraftExpress.com has the Mavericks going after a big man, specifically Derrick Caracter out of UTEP. The 6-9, 265-pounder is capable of playing both the power forward and center positions, averaging 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds during his junior season.

Caracter, an interior post presence noted for his skill level, is highly-regarded for his ability to score in an array of ways. Despite his big frame, Caracter is noted for his great "finesse game," showcasing that he is capable of scoring with both hands around the basket. He is also said to be a great offensive rebounder. All of which could be used to bolster the Mavs' front line.

"There are certain things that everybody is looking for -- strength, athleticism, length, shooting ability, the ability to drive the ball. We're going to be looking for all those elements that would enhance our core group," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.


Those attributes also fit Miami senior Dwayne Collins, who Hoopsworld.com has on Dallas' radar.

Like Caracter, Collins spent his collegiate days playing at the power forward and center positions. At 6-foot-8, a muscular Collins was a load in the paint for college opponents. Though he would naturally be considered too undersized to play the five spot -- weighing in at 232 pounds -- his wingspan is said to be 7'3", giving Collins the ability to match up against bigger, stronger and taller players.

Averaging 12.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 29 games played in the 2009-10 season, Collins showed an ability to play with his back to the basket. The 22-year-old also shot an extraordinary 60.4 percent from the field during his senior year, making him a more than adequate, young contributor for a veteran Mavericks' frontcourt.

"Anything we can do to improve the team -- to improve the elements to enhance our entire situation -- we're going to do it," Carlisle said.

And improving the team is what the Mavericks will be out to do when they use their one and only pick in the draft on June 24.

The "Mavericks Mock Draft" series continues every Thursday leading up to the NBA Draft. For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.

Can the Mavs find their guy in the 2nd Round?

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Can the Mavs find their guy in the 2nd Round?

A two-day stint of wheeling and dealing brought the Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Rodrigue Beaubois in last year's NBA Draft. Now, with the Mavericks completely out of the first round, is the organization content with staying pat in search of a second-round steal?

No one knew for certain what the Mavericks had up their sleeves when they moved down just a day before the 2009 Draft, sending the 22nd selection to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the No. 24 spot, the 56th pick and the worst of Portland's second-round picks this year.

"(The trade) will give us added flexibility for the future," president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson said after making the deal.

The Mavs certainly had a plan.

After selecting center B.J. Mullens with the 24th selection, Dallas acquired Beaubois from the Oklahoma City Thunder, once the I-35 rival picked the French point guard on behalf of the Mavericks with the No. 25 pick. The transaction also brought back a future second-round pick Dallas' way, but it was Beaubois who was on the Mavs' radar the whole time. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle broke down the team's thinking:

"We had targeted Beaubois as the guy that we wanted. He is a player that has dynamic athleticism. He has an unbelievable wingspan. He's a 6-2 guy with a 6-10 wingspan and high energy. And with the season being as long as it is, guys that can provide energy are really important."


The former French League product brought his coach's forecast to fruition, appearing in 56 regular-season games and starting 16 times en route to averaging 7.1 points and 1.0 assists. Beaubois also showed glimpses of greatness, including his 40-point explosion against Golden State on March 27, setting a career-high and justifying the moves that the Mavericks' front office made to bring in the young guard.

"(Beaubois) is going to be a guy that is going to be an important player for this franchise," Carlisle said.

A year after acquiring one budding star, the Mavericks prepare to look for yet another diamond in the rough. However, as things currently stand, 49 selections will pass by before the Mavericks even get the opportunity to call up their next gem.

With just the 50th pick, after sending the 57th spot to Indiana, the Mavs will be looking to add young, untapped talent into the fold. But scouting unheralded players in the second round is a science.

"There are certain things that everybody is looking for -- strength, athleticism, length, shooting ability, the ability to drive the ball. We're going to be looking for all those elements that would enhance our core group," Carlisle said.

Past history also says that if a chance to move up presents itself, the Mavs will take full advantage of the opportunity.

"Anything we can do to improve the team -- to improve the elements to enhance our entire situation -- we're going to do it," Carlisle said.

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.

Ramping up for the Draft and free agency

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Ramping up for the Draft and free agency

June is an interesting month for every NBA team.

Only two squads are playing in the Finals. Meanwhile, 28 other organizations are sitting at home in front of the tube like everyone else -- with their minds on the upcoming Draft and the most-discussed summer of free agency in league history. All are hoping to hoist up the Larry O'Brien trophy around this same time next year. The Dallas Mavericks are no different.

After the Mavericks' first-round playoff exit in six games to the San Antonio Spurs, the team immediately turned its attention to a busy and hectic summer. From making a push to bring in a top-tier free agent to re-signing in-house free-agents-to-be, the Mavs' front office figures to be very active in the coming months.

"We're working on a lot of things...We have a lot of things in the works," president of basketball operations and GM Donnie Nelson simply would say in regard to the organization's summer plans.

But Nelson and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban have made it clear that they are willing to do whatever it takes to build a title contender in Big D. With a competitive spirit, Cuban and Nelson are actively exploring all options to help the Mavs reach their ultimate goal.

"Both Mark and management are determined to do whatever we have to do," Nelson said.

And while the Mavericks are sure to put on their best full-court press to attract a big-name free agent, they're also not overlooking the Draft, which sits a little over three weeks away.


With no first-round pick, the organization is hopeful that they can find two steals in the second round. Armed with the 50th and 57th selections, the Mavericks are looking for young, talented players capable of stepping in and contributing -- players that can line up alongside future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, while also building a bond with first-year standout Rodrigue Beaubois and four-year guard J.J. Barea.

"The good thing is that we've got some good, young, exciting pieces -- coupled with the experience of Dirk and Jason (Kidd). We feel like with a couple of additions, we'll be right back in the thick of things next year," Nelson said.

But drafting in the second round can best be described as a "crapshoot," often times leading teams to select players that are looked at as projects with potential. With a veteran core and emerging youth in the backcourt, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle understands that the team is not looking to re-tool. Instead, the coach would like to bring in players with upside that can be a part of the team's future plans, while also lending a helping hand during a championship run next year.

"We've got to understand that this is something that's not going to happen over night," Carlisle said. "There's going to be growing pains, there's going to be ups and downs, but we're going to be steadfast in how we approach it."

With that said, the Mavericks have circled June 24 (the night of the NBA Draft) and July 1 (the start of free agency) on their calender.

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.