No, really, I'm serious. First of all he'd come in demanding respect by his past merits, not his current self. Him and Damp probably won't work. Also I think I remember something about him playing on a team that beat Dallas in some huge games or something. Not quite sure bout that last one there.

somebody can teach him how to shoot free throws.

Seems to me that Nash did not seem to try that hard to rehab the back with the Mavs but on a new team became reborn so that problem hardly seems to be mentioned any more, and a fantastic reliable producer. Seems that Finley did not seem to try to follow direction re changing roles as needed with the Mavs but upon reaching a new team reframed their ideas and followed direction perfectly to give them assistance as he can. Seems that Diop languished elsewhere and bloomed with the Mavs but maybe truly the fit is not deeply good for the Mavs at his higher levels of performance and responsibility/role and may be wavering again once reaching higher levels and may be fantastic with some other team situation without that wall. Seems that Bass was terrible with their last team and dynamite with this team - not saying Bass might not fit even better elsewhere and so on with a lot of players, it is not a sure thing. Seems that Shaq changed in his playing between Lakers and Heat in a positive way but now they are saying he may be aging too much but is it really that it is not a good fit for what they need from him at this time. He has publicly said something about not being able to step up completely that he is older and the team needs to help, the younger players need to step up but they dont seem ready to do it as much as needed at this time. We know that Diop steps up great in starting position when chips are down and Damp is out, he has proven that and may have outgrown his just a bit of support role here. With the Mavs, it is a different situation to the Heat, they are not mostly washed up and Shaq  would not be needed to carry almost everything all the time, and you would not expect that really from a veteran player - even such a famous one. It may be a great fit to have a Shaq willing to play a supporting role as a team member to his strengths, and he does have them for sure. I loved to comment and follow all the Mavs trade possibilities in various ways when they seemed they really needed help especially these last few years. But they are doing fine and my comments probably are getting as much a distraction for them as this thinking process is getting for me as I start to realize just how very very complicated the situation must be - and I know I am just hitting the very tiny tip of the iceberg of the true reality. Donnie doesnt sleep anyways looking for leads so I know that noone will miss my sabbatical from active duty as I realize the Mavs really dont need my help anymore and it is just distracting me in what I need to learn and do that is more complex in my life. Thoughts in passing, no question the great impact of Devin, of obtaining a high pick at pg and developing him, I realize there is a critical and delicate balance in a Mavs team but as things change or plans for change happen I would think that you could not go terribly wrong keeping that in mind and perhaps tucking in one or more development league qualified pg players with exceptional potential in there somewhere not hurting if they are taller or could play more than one position either. Also in browsing other teams/drafts/boards/ seems to me there are some exceptional pf and or sfs out there too it would be also something to consider could there be room for something more there as well - although for winning it all, I wonder, is it true what folks say that the strong center is the key, or exceptional pg is the key or both or something else and now I wont distract you or me any more - good luck and I mean that! although, methinks the Mavs will do just fine! whatever they decide to do, :-) thank you for your time and very entertaining and interesting learning/discussion forum. GO MAVS! GO MAVS TILL Y'ALL ARE DONE! AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN! JUST KEEP ON GOIN LIKE THAT LITTLE PINK BUNNY NO ONE CAN EVER STOP! YEEEHAAAAAW!!!!!!

that is so hard to read.