Dallas @ Memphis GameThread, Jan 4, 2009 3:00 PM CST

Trying something new with Singleton and Bass in the game at the same time has not helped at all. Singleton is a nice player and all but he is getting way too much playing time. Dirk needed to play more tonight for us to win.

by kumizi on Jan 4, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

I felt Dirk sat out too much of the 2nd and 4th

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

yep

completely agree. carlisle took him out each time he got hot.

by kumizi on Jan 4, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

This does not look good

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:07 PM CST reply actions

If Darius Miles now plays the final 30 seconds I'm gonna scream

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:08 PM CST reply actions

The human victory cigar.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

Foul. Again.

by ptrck on Jan 4, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions

So much for Green's

impending playing time.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

*pending

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

some game this season he will randomly start again.

www.mavsmoneyball.com

by Wes Cox on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Memphis shoots 93% from the line tonight. Unreal

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

We're in the bonus

Get to the line!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

50 bucks

it doesn’t happen and we go down in a flurry of bricked jumpshots.

At least Josh got me two threes for my fantasy team…

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, we never get to the line whenever I hope for it to happen

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Looks like dirk is getting the calls....on the wrong end

by DOH on Jan 4, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

The Referee Grizzlies are playing well tonight

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions

Hakim Warrick - superstar

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions

Nothing is working today ...

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions

well, the video feed is working again ^-^

by DOH on Jan 4, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions

Looks like we started out slow one too many times

Not getting away with it today

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions

overdue?

by DOH on Jan 4, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

That's just great

by ptrck on Jan 4, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions

Haha 5-man substitution!

by ptrck on Jan 4, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions

Lack of effort ... Lack of energy ... That's bad

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:15 PM CST reply actions

Dirk certainly cooled off

Josh heated up for half a quarter…Damp got owned by Gasol

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:15 PM CST reply actions

Dirk

only played 34 minutes.

when bass and singleton are going 4-14, that is simply inexcusable. Memphis didnt have to take Dirk out of the game. Carlisle did it for them.

by kumizi on Jan 4, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

but the biggest problem was defense

and it will probably remain the whole season.

by DOH on Jan 4, 2009 5:16 PM CST reply actions

And by the way ...

Dirk took only 3 shots on the 4th quarter after making 11 of his 18 before … He should be used more

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:17 PM CST reply actions

Josh Howard

out of the 48 minutes in this game tonight, he actually tried for about 5 minutes. Dude is a cancer worse than TO imo. We need to get rid of him for whatever we can get at this point.

by kumizi on Jan 4, 2009 5:17 PM CST reply actions

The problem is trading him

And seeing him become Kobe Bryant somewhere else … like Harris

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Clippers again ... Looks like we played them 10 times

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:17 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, I'm sick of them already

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

The problems today were.

1. Carlisle’s rotations.
2. No defense.
3. Refs.

Also we are starting slow every game.

by bruce182 on Jan 4, 2009 5:18 PM CST reply actions

AAAAAAH WTF!!!

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM CST reply actions

I'm cracking up here

It’s exactly what you didn’t want!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

WORST NIGHT OF THE YEAR (so far)

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

How many games he has to play to count on the cap?

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

I thought I read 10

And he has to actually play, not just be listed as active

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

The irony is that Paul Allen is also paying Steve Francis salary

He should call Stern and claim co-ownership of that franchise

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

It seems like...

Francis is always getting paid by a team that he doesn’t play for.

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

Well

only five days in.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly.

by bruce182 on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

The Grizzlies

are fuckfaggots.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

The epitome

of douchebaggery assholeness.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

Mayo with the icing

He hit some timely threes…he has five tonight

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:20 PM CST reply actions

THE APOCALYPSE

was that TWO FREE THROWS from Sagana?

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, that was a really weird game

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

102 - 82 ... Fantastic

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, that score looks really horrible

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

turned into a blowout

by ptrck on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

I hope we at least wake up after that

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

The problems remain the same

Bipolar defense and no easy baskets

by ptrck on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM CST reply actions

I think we had a couple of easy ones in the first quarter

But that’s about it

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

This team....

SUCKS! Is this the most boring team to watch in DFW sports?

by Slick-ish24 on Jan 4, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions

Well...

they’re basically the only team to watch these days.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

I know..

It’s depressing.. I mean what is that effort? Losing to 20 at Memphis? I understand losing but how embarassing for them to just give up.

by Slick-ish24 on Jan 4, 2009 5:27 PM CST up reply actions

I know we lost to bad record team ...

But we need to start playing the good ones again … The team is playing really down to the competition. Looks like since the 2 – 7 start we only played 4 or 5 good teams … That is good to the record. But I think it’s enough.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:27 PM CST reply actions

Dunno

we’ve looked lethargic since that comeback.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

That's a good point

Maybe they’ve used up a whole season’s worth of adrenaline with that game

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions

It will be really close in the playoff race

I still hope for Houston to drop off. I don’t wish injuries on any team, but they are the one least likely to stay healthy. Utah will get better again than they currently play.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:29 PM CST reply actions

About Utah

You think so? Boozer has to have surgery and who knows how long it’ll take before he can actually play

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

Paul Millsap

isn’t a bad replacement.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah ...

Actually he is looking better than Boozer.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

Millsap is back from injury?

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

He has 17 pts and 18 boards the other night …

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

Troy Murphy is becoming a beast. I don’t know how, but he’s just pulling in boards like nobody’s business.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, okay

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't mention, but it was against the lakers i think

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Well, they have a good chance to win the NW division which would make them safe

Blazers and Nuggets will try to prevent it, but in the end I don’t really see it.

Hollinger’s playoff machine is predicting a really close race http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds

San Antonio is only getting better. The Blazers schedule is getting far easier after this week until about April. It will be really close between three or four teams again, with one legitimate playoff contender looking in from the outside.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

The Mavs just might be the one

That is outside looking in

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

That's sad, but is true ...

But I think we’ll make a good trade before the season is over, and that will put us in.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

Don't get your hopes high

that Cuban will hit. He’s made a couple of great midseason trades in the past (got us Juwan Howard and then the year after that, NVE and LaFrentz) and then there was the Kidd trade…

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

Well ...

I’ll not enter on the matter of the Kidd trade, I still think it was good, Kidd is much better to what we do … But lots of teams will be trying to clean space to 2010, we have a good chance to do a good trade. I hope we don’t bring Earl Watson as our savior …

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions

Or Wally World

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

That would make my head explode in like a second

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Oh geez

That guy can’t even make open shots anymore

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Don't even mention his name again ...

For god! :) … I hope we find a way to get Gerald Wallace. He would be a difference maker to us …

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

The thing was

we didn’t need the Kidd trade. Devin was doing well and we were doing well.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

We probably should have just gotten rid of Avery

And kept Devin.

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

That was the right thing to do ...

We needed to get rid of Avery first, and if that didn’t work go to the next … But Kidd is playing very well … And Harris would not produce like he is now in any other team.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, Devin won't get his shots here

Like he is in New Jersey, since he is not the first option

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

That is my fear with those Trade Josh rants ...

The moment he is traded he starts to drop 40 points all the way as the first option on other team.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

Just look at his production when Dirk is out

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:54 PM CST up reply actions

And Right now he is playing really BAD

Without passion and all that … Something to prove that, look at what Sefko wrote a little time ago …

Early in the second quarter, the Mavericks had the ball on offense and were setting up a play.

Rick Carlisle told Josh Howard to move out higher on the right wing. Howard moved maybe a half-step.

Moments later, J.J. Barea got caught in no-man’s land and had to get rid of the ball. He threw it to the upper right wing — right where Howard was supposed to be stationed but never got to.

As the ball sailed out of bounds, Carlisle turned and shook his head.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Is it a position thing with him

Would Josh be better at the 2 rather than the 3?

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe

But he came out of the injury playing the 2 … And got basicaly 3 boards in 6 games … He played only one good game since coming back, and it was with Dirk out. I don’t know what to make of this guy. Also, watching him play, we can see how he is not interested in the game … It’s just me, or you see that too?

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

It's hard to say with Josh

Part of me is still willing to give him a chance, yet another part is frustrated with him. There are games where he plays like vintage Josh, but then other games he just shoots and shoots and makes stupid mistakes.

When the Magic had Trevor Ariza, I always said that he was like Josh Howard lite…now Ariza is more like Josh than Josh is.

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

Good point ...

And the problem is that he is not “young” anymore, he will be 29 at the end of the year … I wish we could see the good josh, but all we are seeing now is the bad one …

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

look at the brilliant shitstorm that is the lower third of the West.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

I suggest trying to stop giving up games to teams from that region ;-)

Grizzlies, Clippers, …

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

Good point.

by jonthefon on Jan 4, 2009 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

I really don't know what team to have out of the playoffs ...

No, really … Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Denver, Portland, Houston and the Mavs. This will be a crazy race. Because of that, I just hope we win, ugly or not all the games we can.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

My guesses are Phoenix and Houston

And us, maybe…but who the hell knows. Anything can happen. Look what happened last season when Dirk got hurt and we ended up making it (and losing in the first round).

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions

I also thought of Phoenix

But I don’t know, they are in trouble but still winning … I don’t know what will happen when they are set … But I think we have a good chance … We are a good team.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

Phoenix was really lucky to pull off the Richardson deal

That’s the kind of player they needed, a better wing defender who can hit threes and is more athletic. I would have sworn they would never find a taker for Diaw’s ugly contract. Guess what, His Errness and Larry “I hate all my players” Brown were still around. Nash doesn’t seem happy with the current system, but he is too loyal to become a real problem for them.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

I think Nash will head to New York in 2010

And you’re right, J-Rich was the kind of guy they needed.

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:54 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, the future "core" of the Suns is funny

Beginning in the summer of 2010, here are their players under contract:

Dragic
Richardson (2011)/Barbosa
Tucker/Dudley
Amundson
Lopez

On the other hand, the Mavs don’t look all that promising either.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

Those are the guys you build a franchise around…

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

If they had used their picks and not sold them ...

They would be champions by now …

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

I saw somewhere that we have only Dirk and Jet under contract beyond 2010 ...

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

I think Dirk can opt out and be a free agent

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions

That is our hope

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah ...

If they got the Diaw contract, why not get Stack, George and Wright for Wallace :P

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

The West is crazy man, you can't control it ...

Josh would say that … But really, this will be a crazy race at the end. All the teams will be winning more than 50 games.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

You think it'll be like last year?

Right now several teams are very close together…where were we before today’s game? Fifth or sixth?

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Fifth ... We were 1 and 1/2 game out of the second place

This year will be like the last again … I think the 9th team will have 50 wins

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

We are now sixth

Tied with Portland at 20-13 and they have yet to play

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hmm ...

Yeah, Norsktroll I’m sorry, but the Lakers has to win tonight

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

I can't support that they have to :)

But they very very likely will. Yet as I said, after Jan 7 (Detroit) the Blazers strength of schedule goes in the cellar, after a very tough start. Martell Webster will come back. Unless Roy really breaks down, it would be quite a surprise (and disappointment) for Portland to miss the playoffs again.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, and did I mention we still have that Raef LaFrentz contract mentioned somewhere in this thread as a trade chip?

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

Your team is really well managed ...

But, what will Portland do when comes the time to all those players that are still under rookie contracts to get extensions? Who will be traded?

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

No one?

Like with Cuban, Money is not really an issue with Paul Allen. They will have Bird Rights for all these players (Roy, LaMarcus, Oden, …), so they can go over the salary cap to re-sign them. Rather playing time. A few guys might become too good to keep from going elsewhere. We will see before this trade deadline or in the offseason if they consolidate.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

Is Outlaw still the whipping boy over at Blazer's Edge

He’s been playing well recently

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

A Blazers play that will blossom as soon as he gets out

Is Sergio Rodriguez. When he goes to a fast pace team, he will be like Calderon or something like that. If he goes to the Knicks and play with D’Antoni he would be a 20 / 10 player.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

Most quick players profit from D’Antoni’s system :) Yeah, Sergio would fit there quite well albeit he still can’t really shoot from outside which would help there.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

Channing Frye seems to be in the doghouse at the moment. Issue of the ~~day~~ month seems to be “we need a banger as our backup PF” (think Brandon Bass, Millsap, …). Sounds like a nice problem to have, but it can get hotly debated.

Travis is what he is. Some amazing plays, some borderline asinine ones that make people scream for his head. A player who is so athletic but in love with his jump shot has that effect. So small forward is another position that would lend itself to an upgrade (Wallace, Josh, Butler, Turkoglu, all kinds of names get thrown around). And then the point guard, although Blake is playing very consistent.

Pritchard is talking about “letting the cake bake” right now, kind of a wait and see approach. But he would pounce at the right deal.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

Man ...

Don’t even mention it … If you could bring Millsap and Wallace to your team … You could win a nba championship for 14 years in a row.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

An athletic player in love with his jump shot

I think the Mavs have someone like that on their team too

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

Couldn't agree more ...

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

But that player is a good perimeter defender

And has a better shot selection. Travis hits a surprising number of his crazy shots, but they remain crazy.

by Norsktroll on Jan 4, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions

And that is to a point ...

That I hate when Josh makes a jump shot, because I know other is to come soon.

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions

lol ...

And the economic crisis? Paul Allen is now very poor and all, he lost like 2 billions … And has only 50 now … :P

by hugommorais on Jan 4, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

I think you guys will make it

I had predicted (incorrectly, I’m sure) that it would be Denver who won’t due to trading Camby way, but now that they have Billups and Nene is playing like a different player, that doesn’t seem to be the case (as of right now, anyway)

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 6:04 PM CST up reply actions