Mavs41

Next year I want this team to take a whole new approach under Avery Johnson. I think he will do this in having a more business/workman like approach to every game. This means having players who play CONSISTANT DEFENSE and passion to play it. If that means playing more like the Spurs/Pistons then so be it. Not trying to always have the most exciting style of basketball. This team is in a dire need of having stability but AJ will bring that. Bring in and/or move out players who don't fit that mold. Every year this team loses because of playing soft and no passion.

I want Don Nelson to make a decison one way or another. I'm tired of him in and out of the organization. I'm tired of him on every talk show and then going to Hawaii. He needs to do everyone a favor a RETIRE for good! Instead of being called the "Godfather" and getting special treatment. He left Mark Cuban and the Mavs in a tough situaton. This team needs to be AJ's and not have any lingering Don Nelson effects. He's getting paid so that should be good enough for him.

Dirk has to realize what it takes to lead a franchise. He must next year play with even more passion and intensity. His sub-par performance in the playoffs this year should motivate him. He can't call out players and then not produce the most. Hopefully this off-season he will take that final step that other great one's have taken. At the moment this is his team he must realize that and take it to heart.

It's time for the younger players to play the majority of the minutes. I want Devin Harris starting next year. He plays defense and shows potential to be a stud PG. Get Marquise Daniels back into the rotation of this team work with him in the off-season. Josh Howard should be a vital part of this team next year. His energy and passion to play defense should result in him getting more offensive plays. He has a chance to be an all-star and his abilities should be used to the max. Project players Mbenga and Podkolzine need to be given limited minutes next year. The Mavs need to know if these players have what it takes. This summer they need to working non-stop on their skills to make an impact on the team.

I think it's time for older players like Finley to take a lesser role. I have backed Finley for the longest. But in the playoffs this year he just couldn't produce like they needed him to. His skills are deciling into being an inconsistant jump shooter. He doesn't play solid defense and the team can't have that. They MUST this off-season either ask him to take a lesser role or seek a trade for him. Jerry Stackhouse needs to be the 6th man again next year. He impressed me dramatically with the heart and passion he showed in the playoffs. He always made an impact in the game on both sides of the ball. One of the only players who showed leadership and a fearless attitude that is needed in the playoffs. Jason Terry should either needs to moved back to the SG postion or the backup role. He's just not a pure PG as he dribbles entirely too much running down the shot clock. His ability is to drive the lane or be a spot up shooter. Hopefully the Mavs will have a talk with him on how he best serves this team. Alan Henderson needs to be back on this team. He's the type of role player that it takes to win championships . He always came in with energy and passion to do whatever was needed. KVH probably needs to be traded for whatever the team can get. I think he can easily be replaced especially for the money he is making.

Finally, Shawn Bradley. This guy MUST be traded he is still the image of the Mavs. He represents what's been wrong with the Mavs for years now. He is the biggest waste of height in the history of the NBA. He plays with no passion and no focus at all. I don't care what the Mavs get for him just move him from the organization!

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Dallas Mavericks Off-Season Moves List

1) Start Devin Harris at point guard.

2) Start Jerry Stackhouse at shooting guard.

3) Make Jason Terry the sixth man.

4) Sign/trade for athletic center.

Michael Finley was the true heart of the Mavericks.

6-23-05 -- The day the albatrose Shawn Bradley was taken from around the neck of the Dallas Mavericks.