Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1246118.html
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Expect off-season changes for Dallas Mavericks
Posted on Mon, Mar. 09, 2009 / By DAVID MOORE
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Nearly a week has passed since Mark Cuban questioned his team’s effort and
threatened action.
His words will echo into an off-season that seems destined to unleash
significant change.
Cuban resists attempts to discuss the long-term implications of his
challenge. He insists the only reason he went public was to give his team a
kick in the butt. He will tell you the Mavericks either respond, or they don’
t.
But there is more at work here as the team prepares for a crucial, four-game
road trip.
Ever wonder why Cuban has gone to such lengths to avoid criticism of his
players in the past? Because that undercuts the Mavericks brand. Bash the
players, and fans have the right to ask why they should pay to watch your
product.
The Mavericks didn’t lose to Miami in the Finals. Cuban sold you on the idea
that they had the series stolen from them by the officials.
The Mavericks weren’t taken apart by New Orleans in the first round last
season because they weren’t good enough. The dismissal of coach Avery
Johnson let you know Johnson had mismanaged the wealth of talent he had been
given.
There are no more villains in the wings. Rick Carlisle hasn’t been around
long enough to be part of the problem. You can blame Donnie Nelson, but he
takes his personnel cues from the head coach and Cuban.
You can blame Cuban. But if the organization places blame on the person at
the top, it doesn’t exactly stir confidence that the team will improve or
get it right.
That leaves the players.
The Mavericks aren’t a championship contender. They aren’t a bad team, even
though a growing number of critics and disgruntled fans would lead you to
believe that’s the case.
The Mavericks are pretty good. The problem is, that doesn’t inspire passion.
You try to sell "pretty good" in this economy.
Cuban realizes there is no longer a buzz about his team. The longest
consecutive sellout streak in the NBA doesn’t mask the fact that the
turnstile count falls short of a full house on many nights and excitement in
his product has waned.
When Cuban called out his players, he sided with the fans. He gave them a
voice and validated their frustration, which explains why so many went up to
him during the San Antonio game and said thanks.
But don’t lose sight of who else is upset.
"It’s been a frustrating year, not only for him as an owner to watch, but as
players," forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "We don’t want to have the ups and
downs all the time. We don’t want to play well one night and not play well
the next.
"As a player who is used to winning with this organization, it hasn’t been
an outstanding, fun year. But you’ve got to make the best out of it."
What is the best this team can do? No reasonable person anticipates a long
playoff run.
I believe that’s why Cuban said what he did last week. He knows where this
season is headed. Making his comments now gives the players a chance to
redeem themselves, yet lets the fans know he won’t stand pat.
And don’t get too caught up in Cuban’s choice of the word "effort," which
is often a euphemism for lack of talent. I don’t care how hard the Mavericks
play the rest of the way. If the team fails to get out of the first round for
the third consecutive season, if it fails to even make the playoffs, how can
Cuban come back with the same group?
He can’t.
He can’t sell that.
That is the bottom line to his comments.
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