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Dallas Mavericks

LeBron > Dirk. LeBron = Dirk? LeBron + Dirk!

By Richie Whitt Mon., May 17 2010 at 7:45 AM

Categories: Dallas Mavericks

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Granted, he's a better player. Better defender. Better passer.

Yeah, a better player.

But after last week's second-round playoff flameout by the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James isn't a more accomplished player than our own Dirk Nowitzki.

Consider:

Both have MVPs. Both have led teams to the best record in the league. Both have played - and lost - in one NBA Finals. Both are chastised for their lack of leadership and belittled for their void of jewelry.

Both, at this point, are on the short list of "best players to have never won a championship."

The real question: Do the Dallas Mavericks have a realistic chance of acquiring LeBron James?

I think so. And Sports Illustrated agrees.

Rarely do I join Facebook groups, but over the weekend I did click-up for LeBron James, Youro Next Dallas Maverick. Because, after all, it can't hurt.

On July 1 James will become the most attractive free agent in the history of professional sports. Yes, his Cavaliers can offer a maximum contract of around six years, $125 million, more than any other team. The smart money - and the gambling sites that are installing Cleveland as the heavy favorite and the Mavericks as a 40-1 longshot in the superstar sweepstakes - says LeBron stays put.

But I think it's way more likely that, if LeBron leaves, he'll do it via a sign-and-trade. The Cavaliers will seek something in return for the departure of King James, right? And, don't look now, your Mavericks have something indeed.

A winning foundation. Another superstar in his prime in Nowitzki. The enticing, valuable expiring contract of Erick Dampier and Caron Butler. The Dallas Cowboys (who just so happen to be LeBron's favorite team). Jason Kidd (one of LeBron's best friends). And an ambitious, creative owner in Mark Cuban.

Not saying LeBron James, Dallas Maverick is going to happen.

But I am saying that it's not impossible.

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basketball, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, Mark Cuban

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vince breyfogle is the better than lbron and dirk any way
d wade and shaq wone a championship kobe and gasol won a champion ship dirk and lebron never lose another game in there lives
dirk and lebron have 2 options clippers have enough to sign both of them and lebron and cavs could do sign and trade and send lebron to dallas with dirk and kidd for butler and dampire and rb
ray allen and joe jonson r also free agents no just d wade
lebron already changing number because not wanting to live in mj shadow do u really think he wants to go to chicago. Dirk and lebron in dallas
i dont even live in dallas i hate the cowboys with a pashion but i think lebron will go to dallas because lebron allready changed his number because he didnt want to live in mj shadow do u really think he will go to chicago and he done with clevland so eiather lebron and dirk to dallas or the worl ends
i'm not sure I agree with what you wrote, but I like the way you put your arguement across in your thoughts. Just started following your feed.
Lebron and Dirk together would be a waste of time and money.Both players are great talents and superstars but neither one is the guy to lead a team to a title they just dont have 'IT' the know how and will to lead win and never give up.Now if you paired them with a really good player who does have it (Nash,Billups someone of that caliber)and can get them to realize what it takes then you could have the makings of something awesome.And no it wont be Kidd because Lebron aint going to Dallas.
okyyyy
Let me also make clear that I don't think LeBron will happen in Dallas, for these reasons: 1) There are few teams where he can improve upon his situation over Cleveland, so makes sense for him to stay there. 2) If he desperately wants to leave, I don't think his top priority is winning a title - it's marketing himself. Hate to say that, but that's my feeling. NY, Chicago and LA are the only places that make sense in that regard. In my posts, I merely stated why I think Dallas would make some sense for both LeBron and Cleveland. And finally, tell me this - how much worse is Cleveland if they lose LeBron and replace him with Butler and a top free agent? It doesn't even need to be D-Wade - what about Joe Johnson? My argument is that they'd remain top 3 in the East, especially if they shipped LeBron out west.
I love the mavs but people are kidding themselves if they think Lebron could end up here in dallas. Going from the Cavs to the Mavs is basically a lateral move that doesn't put him in any better of a position to win a championship than staying in Cleveland. Also i don't see the financials being a big motivator for lebron , endorsements is where he makes his real money....the Cavs ability to pay him a max contract certainly doesn't hurt their chances of him staying, but i doubt at this point it's truly about a few million for a guy who's on his way to becoming a billionaire. I say this as a born and raised texan who loves it here in dallas, if Lebron wants to truly place his stamp on the NBA and go down as one of the greatest players of all time the road is through NY.
Stay classy Dallas. When you host the Super Bowl next year, all the world will see what little to nothing you have to offer. Such will be akin to a heaping pile of shit served upon a gold encrusted platter.
Dear "Rather live in Vietnam than Dallas," Cleveland's no fucking Shangri-La either. Sincerely, "Happy In Dallas"
@thepussythathatesdallasbutreadsthelocalblog Then why are you so interested in the Dallas sports scene? And yes, it must suck to be a beer bellied redneck. But I'm sure they're happy enough with themselves to not poke people in other cities with a stick via the internet. Now go get your fucking shinebox, chickenshit.
The entry directly above serves to illustrate the ramblings of certified moron.
honestly "the bulls have the best chance of getting lebron cause he wants to win" dallas has had a 50 win season the last 111 years if im not mistaken the bulls.. hmmm maybe 2 in the last 11.. dallas is ready and hungry now.. LEBRON WELCOME!!
@DamnP1 I do not reside in Dallas. Please return to your shack as so you do not fall behind in your monthly moonshine production. It sure sucks to be a beer bellied Redneck right?
LBJ could want to go to LA... these reports on ESPN are mostly opinions with slight truth. THe mavericks would have the best duo in the nba. pau gasol has never been able to guard dirk anyway and kobe against lebron, i mean lebron is still 24. I think kidd is a good 3 point shooter but we need to do what the spurs have done in starting george hill, but in our case inserting beaubois into our starting lineup. either we release kidd or barea im guessing barea, hes good in all but kidd is relativley cheap and we still nedd kidds experience come playoff time. we would have to trade either terry butler or marion i think marion was good but lebron would take his place so a possible marion and dampier trade for another role player such as a big and a role player. but in seperate deals getting role players like marquis daniels AKA "the bug" or our buddy brandon bass back. in order to get LBJ we would need to cut players and players salaries. dirk and lebron is good enough.. listen to our starting lineup.. 1.BEAUBOIS 2.Butler 3. LEbron 4. DIRK! 5. Haywood coming off bench jason terry, jason kidd, ,marquis daniels, brandon bass, stevenson, najera, and carrol that is a team that can very well keep up with the lakers and could very well bring a title to dallas in 2011!!!!!!
@thedipshitthatwouldratherliveinvietnam If you hate it here so much, LEAVE! You come off as some northern born douche that misses the way leaves change colors in the fall. Do you miss your mommy too? Get the fuck outta my town, and enjoy Vietnam. Fuckhead.
Is Gortat available still? Maybe you can trade Dampier for him, since he's such a valuable commodity. Hell, screw Lebron, why don't you guys just go ahead and get Kobe or Wade? You have just as much a chance of getting those probably.
I don't know why some of you are dismissing this like there's no way it can happen. If LBJ parts ways with Cleveland, Dallas is an unbelievable option. Think about it, if he were to leave Cleveland for his own reasons, is he really going to just leave that franchise in the dirt where it will probably just move to Seattle after a couple of years, possibly killing basketball in his home state forever? Dallas is one of the deepest teams in the league, and can offer valuable trade chips. And Dallas is going to be willing to give up ANYONE not named Dirk. Damp and Butler's valuable expiring contracts, Roddy, Barea, whoever they want can go to the Cavs and make them a respectable team in the east. Also, Dallas is the most viable Western conference option. Cleveland is going to want to jump all over that if they are able to keep LBJ out of the East and get a really solid haul of good players, if LeBron is definitely leaving. Dallas is one of the few places LBJ can join a superstar that complements him. If he joins Wade, they'll have two slashers with poor jump shooting. Dirk is the PERFECT complement though, he is a great shooter with size. How do you defend an LBJ-Dirk pick and roll???? It would be flawless, plus you have good role players like Terry, Kidd, Haywood. LeBron also is going to make the most money via a sign-and-trade if he doesn't stay in Cleveland, and out of any team in the league he will make the MOST money in Texas (NO STATE INCOME TAX!) My best bet would be he is staying in Cleveland, but Dallas has lots to offer and I think we will bring in a very solid free agent, even if his name isn't LeBron.
@Dirtyp1 I never said Wade would go to Cleveland. No FA wants to go to Clev. Personally I think LBJ stays...Players dont pick their teams based on what the city has to offer. (did shaq really like cleveland? doubt it..he wanted a ring.) All LBJ cares about is winning a title. And that will factor in to where he picks. I agree Chicago is a more likely scenario. But Lebron wants to further his own brand and not live in the shadow of another (MJ) LBJ is a huge cowboy fan, There is one aspect to think about...granted not a great one. But winning a title now is a bigger one. Playing along Dirk and Kidd...to anyone that does look appealing. Look im not saying it will happen. The likelyhood is somewhere in the 1-4% if that.
@Cody @DaBlade Why would ANY free agent want to go to ClE if LBJ isn't there??????? If you think Dwayne Wade is going to pick CLE over Miami, nevermind. You Mavs fans are so myopic. I've been here for 10 years, and as @RatherliveinVietnam said, there's nothing special about Dallas. He stays in CLE or goes to CHI. Give it up.
man, most of what you guys have no clue about what you're saying. Read Dallasbasketball.com for a correct layout of how it can all boil down. Bottom line: 1) No one can give LBJ more $$ than cleveland. 2) If he doesn't want to play in cleveland, other teams can sign him, but he'd be making less $. 3) If he wants to play elsewhere AND make more $$, the only way that can happen is by a sign and trade. 4) Dallas is best positioned to offer Cleveland the most in return for a sign and trade (Damp, Caron Butler, JJB, etc), without having to give up Kidd, Dirk, Roddy or any of the other "core" pieces. 5) Cleveland doesn't want to lose LBJ for nothing. If they can't have him, they want something in return...even if it is expiring cap room. That gives them $ for another free agent, like @DaBlade said.
And before you laugh at why Cleveland would even consider this deal, consider this: - Butler replaces LeBron, so Cavs replace the top SF with a guy who is still a top-5 SF (at least according to most rankings) - Frees Cleveland to pursue a true SG in free agency; can you say Dwayne Wade? - All of a sudden, this is Cleveland's line-up: Mo Williams, D-Wade, Butler, Jamison and Varejao with Anthony Parker making it a much deeper bench with West, Hickson, Moon, Gibson and Z. - Not saying this makes CLE any better, but it at least gives them a chance to compete at a similar level next season.
Two factors at work here - where does LeBron want to go and who would Cleveland deal with if a sign-and-trade were possible? The first question gives LeBron ALL the leverage. A bunch of teams cleared out cap space for the precise reason of not dealing directly with Cleveland. Why give up anything if you can sign him straight-up? The problem for LeBron is that not many of the clubs with massive cap space are on the verge of being legit title contenders. Which leads right back to the sign-and-trade scenario. In 2 seconds, the Mavs would trade Damp and Butler for LeBron. Again, it goes back to where LeBron wants to go. The Cavs would be forced to take back whatever "value" is offered - as in, better than nothing. Butler is better than dead meat, and the Cavs can at least cut Damp and try to salvage something out of the FA market. All moot, of course, if LeBron stays put or has another team preference. But if it happens this way, Roddy and Terry become your shooting guard tandem. I'd be willing to go to battle with Kidd (at managed minutes) at PG, Roddy at SG, LeBron at SF, Dirk at PF, Haywood at C, with Terry, Marion, Barea and backup C off the bench. More than workable.
@Mushmouth. Chicago is a better fit but it all depends on how Lebron leavs. If he walks and free to sign to another team...Then Chicago wins that...but if its via sign and trade...then Dallas has the edge. Chicago has nothing to offer for a sign and trade at this point. @Dityp1 Cleveland would rather get something for him than see him walk. It just comes down to how he leaves.
Somebody was telling me about how Mark Cuban can attract any big name Free Agent. My question is, Name one big name free agent in his prime that Mark Cuban has attracted? The answer is none. All of the little amenities that Mark made to attract free agents has yet to bring in one big name. The players do not care.
Yeah, Lebron is coming to Dallas. The center of the universe does not revolve around Dallas Texas people. Why do people who reside in Dallas have such an over inflated value in relation to their city? Bottom line- Dallas is really not that great of a place. Dallas is an ugly city with really very little to offer if you really think about it. Dallas and the surrounding burbs are nothing more than cement islands surrounded by some of the most unattractive scenery in all of the country.
@ Cody If the Lebron wants to win now his best chance is w/ the Bulls
Lebron leaving Cleveland, riiiiiiiight. He's not going to the Mavs, get over it. They can't afford him and why would the Cavs facilitate it? Well, I mean, this is the same Mavericks team that thought Marcin Gortat was going to be their savior. Might as well shoot low again Mavs fans.
@ Travis True...but the difference is that Mavs can win now. The Nets and Knicks are a few years away from being compettive. The Mavs offer Dirk, Kidd (who Lebron tried to recruit a few years back) and a big market to make money.
Isn't LeBron's favorite baseball team the Yankees? I guess the Nets and Knicks are in play too... Let's stop trying to drum up excitement when there is a 0.0000000000000000000000001% chance he'd consider Dallas...it just doesn't make sense
TheFansReadingComprehensionSucks
Personally I think Lebron is staying on Cleveland. Although seeing the "We are Lebron" video they created to persuade him to stay...I am not so sure. Mavs do have chips to offer. Damp and Butlers expiring contracts as well ad Roddy B....Suddenly Mavs have assests...Although its a low chance he will come...Doesn't hurt to pitch it and see what happens.
No way he's coming here. If he even hints at wanting to come to Dallas it's to drive his price up. If you have to trade Dirk, Dampier and Butler in order to make it happen, he's WAY better off staying in Cleveland.....why would he want to play with Social Security collecting Kidd, Jason Terry and the like? Without Dirk, LeBron coming to Dallas has ZERO chance of happening, and with Dirk, it's about 2%.