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.

Offseason Wishlist - Run, Caron, run

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Offseason Wishlist - Run, Caron, run

Playing in just 27 regular-season games with the Dallas Mavericks, Caron Butler completed a crash course in transition basketball. The eight-year veteran learned that in order to be effective in Dallas' run-and-gun offense, he simply has to run. Point guard Jason Kidd will do the rest.

After the seven-player trade that brought Butler to Big D from the Washington Wizards on Feb. 13, the traditional small forward had to make an adjustment to playing at the shooting guard spot. More importantly, Butler had to learn that playing alongside Kidd means running the length of the court and creating fast-break offense.

"We're a running team," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We have Jason Kidd. We are always better when we don't call plays or don't have to call plays."

Playing with little to no practice time with his new lead guard and teammates, Butler was forced to adjust on the fly upon his arrival in Dallas. But Kidd made the adjustment seemingly seamless, helping Butler along by creating easy scoring opportunities for the swingman in transition. The result was a 13-game winning streak for the Mavs from Feb. 17 to March 10, leading the two-time All-Star to say this:

"We're just playing basketball -- it's like pickup game style. We're just getting the ball to the floor general (Kidd), just getting to spots and he's finding us."

Though Butler's scoring average with the Mavs slipped to 15.2 points per game, after averaging 16.9 points in his 47 games for Washington, he slowly became more comfortable as the playoffs approached.

"My teammates just told me to be myself," Butler explained. "Don't try to do too much, just be myself."

"With a talent like that, you want him being aggressive -- make or miss," Kidd said of Butler's early struggles.

The former Connecticut standout then broke through in the postseason, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals in the Mavs' first-round series defeat in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. No. 4 says it is just a preview of what he will do nightly next season.

"I hit a nice stride in the playoffs, and I was finding out what was expected of me and what my role was. I look forward to seeing what's going to happen next year," Butler said.

With some level of familiarity with Kidd and his new surroundings, albeit just 33 games worth, Butler now sees the Mavericks competing for a title next season.

"Over here in Dallas, the goal is to win a championship," Butler said. "We're building something, and we're getting adjusted to each other and acquitted with each other on the fly. It's still a work in progress, but we're definitely doing a good job on the fly."

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.

Offseason Wishlist - A dominant Dampier

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Offseason Wishlist - A dominant Dampier

Nagging injuries plagued Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier this season, limiting his impact in the interior. With those injuries now in the 7-footer's rearview mirror, No. 25 vows to come into next season ready to make up for lost time.

When the 2009-10 season began, Dampier seemed on pace to set new career marks. Dampier recorded three double-doubles within the Mavericks' first seven games, including a 14-point, 20-rebound night against the Houston Rockets, in a 121-103 win on Nov. 10.

"(Dampier) was great. He was not only a presence around the basket, he was a force. The numbers are monster numbers," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said after the big man's domination inside.

The performance came after Dampier was left off of the ballot for Western Conference All-Star voting. It prompted Dampier's teammate Jason Terry to say this:

"It was disappointing not to see him on that ballot, but I promise if he continues to work hard and do the things that he's doing for this team, then he will be an All-Star."

But an illness slowed Dampier later in the month of November. And in the second half of the season, it was an open dislocated right middle finger and a left knee effusion that sidelined the former Mississippi State standout.

Now, after undergoing a successful minor arthroscopic procedure to clean out debris in his left knee on May 11, Dampier is expected to make a full recovery. That gives the man in the middle much encouragement that the he can return to the form that he displayed in the early going this season.

"I think the biggest goal in mind is the championship," Dampier said. "So, I'm just going to go out there and play the way that I've been playing and try to help us win games."

Appearing in 55 games and starting 47 times, the 14-year veteran averaged 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. But his spot as the team's first-string five man is now a shared responsibility, after the Mavericks picked up fellow 7-footer Brendan Haywood in a seven-player trade with Washington on Feb. 13.

The two big bodies split the load, with Carlisle utilizing each player depending on the matchup with the opposition's post players.

"I've talked to both (Dampier) and Haywood about starting," Carlisle said. "Hey, they're a team...We have a lot of options. It's one of the things that you can view as a downside, because there are tough decisions sometimes. But I don't mind it. I like having a lot of good players and a lot of guys that are capable."

The healthy competition doesn't bother Dampier either, after completing his sixth season with the Mavs. Instead, he is looking at how he can help the team contend for a championship. For Dampier, that starts with concentrating on rebounding and anchoring the Dallas defense.

"We just have to make up our minds to go out there and get the job done," Dampier said. "We know what we have to do. It's going to be a team effort, and we just have to go out there and stop guys and get rebounds.

"We feel like if we go out there and play the way we've been playing -- play hard, get stops, get rebounds -- we're capable of beating anybody."

Meanwhile, the coach is hopeful that Dampier can return to the dominance that he flashed glimpses of early in 2009.

"We need him," Carlisle said. "He's obviously a big part of our team."

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.

Offseason Wishlist - Eddie the enforcer

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Offseason Wishlist - Eddie the enforcer

Heart and hustle. Those are two attributes the Dallas Mavericks knew they were going to get from big man Eduardo Najera when the team brought him back to Big D. He later proved that he provides much more.

When the Mavericks sent along forwards Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Najera on Jan. 11, they knew that they were going to get a fan favorite back in return -- known for his energetic play on the court.

"My game hasn't changed...(My hustle) is what has kept me in the league and that's what I'm going to keep on doing," Najera said.

But the native of Chihuahua, Mexico showed that he is much more than just a high-energy guy, developing into the team's defensive enforcer inside. Throughout the regular season and the Mavericks' first-round playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs, Najera didn't shy away from delivering a hard foul when needed. The 6-8, 235-pounder also patrolled the painted area, forcing offensive fouls and rejecting shot attempts.

"(Najera) plays one way and that's full speed ahead," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a guy that contest everything on the court, and guys like that you always want to have as many as you can on your team."

Najera spent his first four seasons with the Mavs, after a Draft Day deal in 2000 brought the former Oklahoma standout into the fold. In his first stint with the organization, Najera suited up in 208 regular-season games (34 starts) and 39 postseason matchups, averaging 4.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in his 17.4 minutes of game action.

"Najera is a veteran guy," point guard Jason Kidd said of his teammate. "He's been here before and he understands what it takes to win."

But when his all-out play caused nagging injuries and put his career in question, No. 14 developed new aspects of his game. The 10-year veteran returned to the Mavericks with the ability to stretch the court, thanks to his refined shooting from behind the 3-point arch. In his 33 appearances in a Dallas uniform this season, Najera connected on 34 percent of his shots from long range.

"Najera came in, hit some threes and was solid defensively," Carlisle said when breaking down the forward's role this season.

Often undersized against some of the NBA's 7-foot post powers, Najera also gave the Mavs a reliable backup at the five spot. In addition to starting three games for the team's "small ball" lineup, he also relieved centers Brendan Haywood and Erick Dampier by securing the interior for the squad's second unit.

"Starting, playing, it doesn't really matter to me," Najera said. "I'm like a kid...If I get any kind of time on the basketball court, I love it. Especially here in this building (the American Airlines Center), you feel the energy of the people. I'm just very excited."

And after spending time in the cellar of the standings during his time with New Jersey, Najera admits that he is now willing to do whatever it takes to help the Mavs contend for a championship.

"It's amazing how you can see the difference between a New Jersey Nets' team, just in their attitude. And you come in here and everybody is having a lot of fun," Najera said. "Winning has a big role in that...When I left, I still came back and kept a home here. I'm just happy, happy to be back."

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.