Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

It seems that we have been down this road before. The Dallas Mavericks show us so much potential in reaching the playoffs, and then lay a big fat egg once they are there.

So what should they do to fix it? Who should we as fans blame? Who is gonna be here next year?

Lets start with the blame game. Everyone named Dirk or Roddy can sit down. Everyone else, well, you all get to take some of the blame.

Lets start with the roster and head coach:

Rick Carlisle - I am on board with your philosophy and coaching, but benching Roddy B in favor of Jason Terry cost us the series. Play the young man often.

Jason Kidd - Totally got outplayed by not only Tony Parker, but also George Hill. His age is catching up, and now past him. He is good, but not for a championship team

Jason Terry - Where did his shot go. If you find it call 214-go mavs immediately. He was a non factor

Caron Butler - Great in game 5, and pretty good in game 6. Games 1-4, not a lot. The toughness he was supposed to bring on defense sure would have been nice to see against Ginobli.

JJ Barea - I can stand this dude. He thinks he has to take the game over every time he is in the game. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Shawn Marion - Never got going in the regular season or playoffs. I think he is out of gas.

Erick Dampier - The only good thing about him, is the Mavericks can use his contract this summer to upgrade the roster.

Brendon Haywood - Was good to even great at times, but Tim Duncan did what he wanted. But solid overall.

Eduardo Najera - Hustle player who has developed an outside shot, but just got over matched down low.

DeShawn Stevenson - I thought Carlisle would put him on Ginobli, but he very rarely got off the bench. Not really his fault

Matt Carroll - Has the best job in basketball. Getting 4 million a year to sit on the pine.

Dirk and Roddy B - played as best as they could, but got no help.

So what do you do?

A lot of the players that failed in the playoffs have no trade value and contracts so big that nobody else wants them either. Dirk and Roddy are not going anywhere. I would keep Haywood, and then after that, I could care less.

So what do they go after?

With Dampier's expiring non guaranteed contract, Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban have some flexibility. Are they able to turn that into Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade, or Joe Johnson, who knows? But I would not bet against them.

This team is the oldest team in the league and the only team in NBA history to lose in the first round of the playoffs as a number1 and number 2 seed.

The biggest question is, do you keep the team together and win 50 games again and lose in first round again, or do you rebuild?
Just look at the western conference. Oklahoma City is only getting better, Portland and Houston are getting healthy, and Phoenix, Denver, LA Lakers,Utah, and San Antonio are not going anywhere.

My response: get the same company that blew up Texas Stadium over to Mavericks Headquarters. While Dirk is in Germany and Roddy B in France, blow it up.

I just don't know if that is the road they will choose.
As a long standing Maverick's fan, I can take it if we stink for a season or two if I know we are moving in the right direction. Right now, we are stuck in the mud. Changes need to be made, and soon. Dirk's window is closing, and if the upper management doesn't upgrade the youth and talent on this roster, Dirk may just go to another team. As loyal as he is, he wants a championship, and in sports, that is the bottom line.

Whether you like it or not, let me hear from you at john@bigbadsportsdaddy.com

Thanks.