Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Dallas Mavericks could lose status if they lose Kidd

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July 4

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"Loads of people wonder why the Mavericks are putting so much emphasis on re-signing Jason Kidd. It's a fair question. The answer, besides the fact that the 36-year-old point guard clearly can still play after a rock-solid showing last season, is status. And relevance, especially since it's the New York Knicks that the Mavericks are trying to one-up in the chase for Kidd. Think of it this way: If you're the quarterback of the football team and you ask the popular cheerleader to the prom, but she goes with the president of the chess club, how would you feel? That's what losing Kidd to New York would be like. Maybe the Mavericks aren't big men on the NBA campus. But as far away as they ..."

Knicks go longer on offer to bring Jason Kidd to Madison Square Garden

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July 4

New York Daily News

"Jason Kidd will have to decide whether playing at Madison Square Garden is worth forfeiting $12million. That is approximately the difference in the three-year offers Kidd received from the Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. A person close to the veteran point guard confirmed that the Knicks presented Kidd with a three-year contract worth approximately $18 million Saturday. The Mavs offered Kidd a three-year contract worth between $25million and $30million. Kidd could take at least one more week to make a decision. Signings do not become official until this coming Wednesday. Mavs owner Mark Cuban is optimistic that Kidd will re-sign with Dallas. The Knicks, who entertained Kidd on Wednesday, ..."

Kidd Staying Put

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July 3

Hoopsworld.com

"In this week's section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around the NBA … Kidd Staying Put: An informed source has told HOOPSWORLD that Jason Kidd intends to return to the Dallas Mavericks for a three-year, $24 million contract. Kidd has indicated to the Mavericks and New York Knicks that he'll mull over their respective offers over the weekend. The Knicks are said to be offering Jason a guaranteed three years at the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) which works out to be approximately $18.1 million. Barring a surprising change of events, Kidd is expected to notify the Dallas on Monday that he'll take their offer which would start at approximately $7.25 million for the ..."

Dallas Mavericks may be close to a big addition

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July 3

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks are on the verge of their first big free-agent strike of the summer - emphasis on "big." Marcin Gortat, the 6-11 center who helped Orlando reach the NBA Finals last season, has been offered a contract by the Mavericks, multiple sources said Thursday. Gortat was expected to visit Dallas before the weekend, and the sources said that the only thing that would prevent him from becoming a Maverick is if the Magic match the offer, which is believed to be for the full mid-level exception - about $5.5 million. Free-agent agreements in principle can be reached anytime, but the actual contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday. Because Gortat is a restricted free agent, Orlando ..."

Dallas Mavericks make offer to free-agent center Gortat

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July 2

Dallas Morning News

"The Dallas Mavericks have made an offer to Marcin Gortat, the 6-11 center from Poland who has become one of the hottest free agents in the NBA."

Don't expect free-agency moves to give Mavs elite status back

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July 2

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"I have a feeling that my complaint about the NBA's free-agency system is not as significant or likely to be heard as loudly as Mavericks fans' disappointment with the process. Personally, I don't like the fact that the doors opened for free agents Wednesday, but no player can officially sign until next Wednesday. Does it really take the league office that long to figure out salary cap issues as they relate to contracts? Give me the NHL, which throws open the free-agency doors and starts swinging. Detroit's Marian Hossa? Boom, Chicago signs him for 12 years. Vancouver defenseman Mattias Ohlund? Bang, put him in a Lightning sweater for seven seasons. But I think the toe-dipping, ..."

Dallas Mavericks making pitch to former SMU, Kimball star

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July 2

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks may not strike it rich in free agency, but they are becoming quite adept at adding quality role players. After scoring with Brandon Bass and James Singleton in recent summers, the Mavericks started this year's free-agent season by making a strong pitch to Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball High School standout. Ross has been in the league for five years, the first four with the Los Angeles Clippers and last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 6-6 guard has been a part-time starter throughout most of his career. While owner Mark Cuban was wining and dining Jason Kidd in New York during the first hours after free agency opened, coach Rick Carlisle and president of ..."

Mavs offer Kidd three-year deal

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July 1

ESPN.com

"The Dallas Mavericks opened the free-agent period early Wednesday by letting guard Jason Kidd know that they are prepared to sign him to a three-year deal, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations. The specifics to be determined in those talks center on the money, with the Mavericks believed to be proposing a deal in the $21 million to $25 million range for the 36-year-old guard, and Kidd said to be seeking more. Kidd also attended his scheduled Wednesday meeting at Madison Square Garden with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni, who works with Kidd as an assistant coach with Team USA. Kidd has legitimate interest in the Knicks given his strong ties ..."

Jason Kidd holds three-hour meeting with Knicks at Madison Square Garden

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July 1

New York Daily News

"Jason Kidd met for three hours with Knicks officials early Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Kidd, the veteran free agent point guard, gave Dallas the first crack at talking to him when he met with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban just after midnight. The Knicks feel they have a good chance to sign Kidd. However, the Mavs can offer him more money than the Knicks. Kidd greeted reporters but declined to comment."

Mark Cuban set to talk with Jason Kidd before Knicks' meeting

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July 1

New York Daily News

"By the time the Knicks take Jason Kidd on a grand tour of Madison Square Garden Wednesday, Mark Cuban will have already made an offer to keep the veteran point guard in Dallas. Cuban, the Mavs owner, confirmed to The News in an e-mail Tuesday that he planned to meet with Kidd at 12:01 a.m., the official start of the free agent recruiting period. It is believed that the Mavs will offer Kidd a contract starting at $8 million per over two years with an option for a third. Unless the Knicks negotiate a sign-and-trade with Kidd and Dallas, the club can offer him only its mid-level exception starting at approximately $5.8 million. Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni are hoping ..."

George exercises player option to return to Mavs

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July 1

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks were informed Tuesday that swingman Devean George has exercised his player option for the 2009-10 season, his agent said.George, 6-8, has been injury plagued for most of his three seasons with the Mavericks but also has enjoyed stretches of solid play as a backup and starter. He signed a two-year deal before last season and is scheduled to make $1.6 million next season. Agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed George's intentions.While taking the option year keeps George on the roster, it's no guarantee he will be with the team in September when training camp opens. His contract ends after next season, which makes him an attractive trade chip that could be added into any deal to make ..."

Cuban to meet with Kidd

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July 1

ESPN.com

"The Mavericks might not be ready to give up on the Jason Kidd experiment in Dallas. Team owner Mark Cuban announced via his Twitter feed Tuesday afternoon that he was "getting ready to fly up to NYC for [a] Free Agent meeting at 12:01 [a.m.]." Sources with knowledge of Cuban's plans confirmed to ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the meeting is scheduled with Kidd at the first allowable minute of 2009 NBA free agency. Cuban's pitch will precede a Kidd meeting with the Knicks in New York, according to the New York Daily News. Although the unrestricted free agent has indicated in the past that he would give Dallas the first chance to re-sign him, the 35-year-old Kidd likely has other suitors. The ..."

Nowitzki's ex-girlfriend extradited to Missouri

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July 1

Dallas Morning News

"Cristal Taylor, the incarcerated ex-fiancée of Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, has been extradited from Texas to Missouri - and is a step closer to gaining at least temporary freedom. Cristal Taylor ... booked into a St. Charles County (Mo.) jail Tuesday. On Monday, she posted $50,000 bail in Beaumont and was transferred to suburban St. Louis. She was booked Tuesday morning into St. Charles County jail, according to a clerk at the county's department of corrections. Taylor's St. Louis-based attorney, Matthew Fry, said her bail in St. Charles County was set at $25,000, cash only. Fry said Taylor has a Monday morning hearing during which a judge could authorize a lower bail amount. Taylor ..."

Cristal Taylor posts bail in Beaumont, transfers to jail in Missouri

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"Cristal Taylor, the ex-girlfriend of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, was booked into a St. Charles County jail in Missouri this morning, according to a clerk at the county's department of corrections. Taylor, who has been in custody in Jefferson County since May 13, posted $50,000 bail and was transferred Monday to face a probation violation in Missouri, a Jefferson County jail official said. A St. Charles County clerk said her bail was set at $10,000."

Kidd is big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' first order of business will be to take care of their own when the free-agency period opens at 11 p.m. today. Jason Kidd's status isn't the only one that could get sticky. Brandon Bass, who blossomed into a capable backup power forward and center last season, will draw attention from several teams, his agent said Monday. While Bass falls into the second tier of free agents, losing him would force the Mavericks to rely more heavily on James Singleton - also an unrestricted free agent - and perhaps pursue a big man on the open market or through a trade. "Brandon likes Dallas and appreciates the Mavericks," agent Tony Dutt said. "He will certainly look at that, but he will ..."

Nuggets' Martin says 'Everything's Fine' between him, Cuban

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"Decked out in a slick vest and tailored trousers, Kenyon Martin spent Monday night in Dallas chatting and glad-handing with friends and fans at his inaugural reception for his charity foundation. It was a side of Martin fans almost never get to see. What most of them remember are the issues Martin - a Bryan Adams High School graduate who plays for the Denver Nuggets - had with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in the playoffs. Martin said the two have since buried the hatchet after Cuban and Martin's mother had words - and an ensuing controversy - after a playoff game at American Airlines Center. "He reached out to me," Martin said. "I didn't reach out to him. "But he reached out, and I'll ..."

Kidd the big fish, but Dallas Mavericks view Bass as a keeper, too

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' first order of business will be to take care of their own when the free-agency period opens at 11 p.m. today. Jason Kidd's status isn't the only one that could get sticky. Brandon Bass, who blossomed into a capable backup power forward and center last season, will draw attention from several teams, his agent said Monday. While Bass falls into the second tier of free agents, losing him would force the Mavericks to rely more heavily on James Singleton - also an unrestricted free agent - and perhaps pursue a big man on the open market or through a trade. "Brandon likes Dallas and appreciates the Mavericks," agent Tony Dutt said. "He will certainly look at that, but he will ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Kidd expected to have plenty of suitors

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June 28

Dallas Morning News

"There will be a new bad guy to deal with when the Mavericks open their pursuit of re-signing Jason Kidd on Wednesday. The New York Knicks are expected to join the ranks of serious competitors for Kidd's services for two reasons. First, it is widely known that Kidd has an affinity for New York. He still has a home there and enjoys the area. He played for New Jersey for 6 ½ seasons before being traded to Dallas in 2008. Secondly, the Knicks are going to start stockpiling assets to help lure LeBron James next summer. Having Kidd as their point guard, even at age 37 in 2010, would be a nice selling point. Wednesday is when teams officially can begin talking to free agents, and Kidd is ..."

Dallas Mavericks' first-round pick glad OKC only a quick stop

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June 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Being an NBA first-round draft pick is a glorious moment for any player. It's no different for Roddy Beaubois, a new Dallas Maverick. In fact, the 6-foot-2 point guard got a double shot of thrills with the events late in the first round of Thursday's draft. "I've waited for this moment a long time," Beaubois said Friday at American Airlines Center. "When they called my name, I was way happy because I waited so long. "But when they told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really like this team and this city. I really appreciate this." So are we to assume Oklahoma City, which drafted Beaubois for the Mavericks, wasn't high on his wish list? "No," he quickly said. Not ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Carlisle compares point guard to Celtics' Rondo

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June 27

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks aren't expecting the second coming of Tony Parker with their acquisition of French point guard Rodrigue Beaubois. They'll settle for a reasonable facsimile of Boris Diaw. Beaubois, a 6-2 point guard with great quickness and leaping ability, was acquired Thursday night by the Mavericks from Oklahoma City in a swap of picks taken one after another late in the first round of the NBA draft. The Mavericks originally took Ohio State center B.J. Mullens with the 24th overall pick, but when the Thunder took Beaubois with the 25th pick, they exchanged the picks, with the Mavericks picking up a future second-rounder from the Thunder. Beaubois, who worked out for the Mavericks a ..."

French point guard says Dallas is where he wanted to play

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June 27

Dallas Morning News

"Being an NBA first-round draft pick is a glorious moment for any player. It was no different for new Maverick Roddy Beaubois. In fact, the 6-2 point guard got a double shot of thrills with the events late in the first round of Thursday's draft."I've waited for this moment a long time," Beaubois said Friday at American Airlines Center. "When they called my name, I was way happy because I waited so long."But when they told me I was supposed to go to Dallas, I was happier because I really like this team and this city. I really appreciate this."So are we to assume Oklahoma City, which drafted Beaubois for the Mavericks, wasn't high on his wish list."No," he quickly said.Not that there's ..."

Saint Joseph's Nivins waits a while but gets call from Mavericks

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June 26

Philadelphia Daily News

"Ahmad Nivins had to wait nearly 4 1/2 hours to hear his name called in last night's NBA draft. And he actually did not get to hear it called, as ESPN was in a commercial break when Dallas took the Saint Joseph's senior with the 56th pick, 5 minutes before midnight."They came back on and they were talking about something else, maybe a trade, and I saw my name at the bottom," Nivins said from his home in Jersey City, N.J. "I was actually on the phone with someone. I said, 'They picked me.' I dropped my phone. My phone is all messed up. It's freezing as I'm getting all these messages. From there, it's just been mayhem at the house."After averaging 19.2 points and 11.8 rebounds last season, ..."

Stackhouse to the Bucks?

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June 25

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Keep an eye on swingman Jerry Stackhouse of the Dallas Mavericks as the hours tick down to Thursday night's college draft. The Mavericks are talking up Stackhouse and his favorable contract as trade bait and the Bucks are said to be one of the teams that are listening. Stackhouse's contract is worth $7 million next season but it can be bought out for $2 million which mean a considerable savings for any team that might want to trade for him and go that route. It's very similar to the contract of Bruce Bowen who was obtained by the Bucks in the trade for Richard Jefferson. Bowen is to make $4 million next season but only half of that deal is guaranteed. If the Bucks are confident that they ..."

San Antonio Spurs just got better; the Dallas Mavericks didn't

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June 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

columnist Randy Galloway

"Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars — just don't do these kinds of deals: The San Antonio Spurs, about as small-market as you can get on the pro sports landscape, gave up "nothing" and added a $29 million, major front-court piece this week in Richard Jefferson. For the Mavs' loyal fan base, sweating through the summer's first heat wave, a logical and loud response was, "Where the bleep were we?" Mark Cuban, I have been notified, answered the Jefferson steal by tweet (OK, the first time I ever Twitter, shoot me). "Winning the summer is not the ultimate goal in the NBA" was his catty comeback. Thanks, Mark, except you left your rear end hanging out there in the left lane of I-35. The Spurs' ..."

Dallas Mavericks trade down with Blazers, add 2nd-round choice

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June 25

Dallas Morning News

"During his pre-NBA draft media session, Pittsburgh big man DeJuan Blair couldn't contain his excitement, saying that "For me, June 25th is bigger than Christmas." At least it's fun for somebody. NBA presidents and general managers don't share that opinion. Most of them are prepared for the proverbial lump of coal in their summertime stockings. The Mavericks even figured they coulddown a couple of spots in the draft and their lump of coal would be the same. That's why they took advantage of the situation and traded down Wednesday, shipping their 22nd pick overall to Portland for the Blazers' pick, which is 24th. The Mavericks picked up a second-round pick (56th overall) in tonight's ..."

Dallas Mavericks looking for right deal

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June 24

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks had no choice Tuesday but to stress patience - to themselves and their fans. Rival San Antonio used a pair of contracts similar in nature to Jerry Stackhouse's to acquire Richard Jefferson from Milwaukee. So why couldn't the Mavericks pull off such a deal? It wasn't for lack of effort. They had what president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson called a "fairly active" Monday and Tuesday. And they will continue to try to use Stackhouse's contract as the primary chip in trade talks that they are confident will still pay off in the long run. "There's a chance we could do something around the draft and probably an equal chance we would just carry it into July when a lot of ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Nowitzki talks about relationship with ex-fiancée

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June 23

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki said in a German publication that he still wants to have a family, but "it will not be easy to win my heart" after his relationship with former fiancée Cristal Taylor ended with a rocky, emotional split. Nowitzki spoke openly about his romance with Taylor for the first time to Bild Magazine. He covered many aspects of their time together, including how they met and their wedding plans, in a question-and-answer format. According to the article, published on Bild's Web site Monday evening and due on newsstands today in Germany, Nowitzki has started to feel better about his private life recently. "In the beginning, I was very down and disappointed, sad and furious," Nowitzki ..."

Make-or-break time for Dallas Mavericks' Nelson

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June 22

Dallas Morning News

columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor

"For some reason, we don't spend much time talking about Donnie Nelson and the job he does as the man in charge of basketball operations. It could be because owner Mark Cuban has such a strong presence and is so involved with the club - think Jerry Jones - that we figure he's making the all the basketball decisions, anyway. Or it could be that the Mavs have been so consistently good in the last decade that we've assigned all of the blame or credit to the coaches, especially since Don Nelson laid the foundation and Avery Johnson took it to greater heights until he became an egomaniac. Well, this is Donnie Nelson's time in the spotlight. This is the off-season Nelson either makes enough ..."

A Varejao-Cuban conspiracy? It would be quite a Maverick act

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June 21

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Maybe Anderson Varejao was talking to a Cuban guy named Mark? The Dallas Mavericks -- and Cavaliers' forward Varejao through a source -- are denying that Varejao has talked twice with Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban over the past month, let alone that they talked contract. Since any contact before the July 1 free agency kickoff date would constitute tampering on the part of the Mavericks, the initial report caused quite a stir around the NBA. Two firm denials should put this story to rest, right? I mean how does this kind of scandalous rumor mongering get started? "I've had two conversations with Mark Cuban this month and he offered me a three-year deal worth $11 million [about $19 ..."

A lot of local sports talk, but not a lot of sense

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June 21

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Three things. Three voices. This morning, let's break down a trifecta of comments heard from prominent figures in our local jock kingdom: Mark Cuban was asked on local ESPN radio, the day after the LA Lakers won the NBA title, if it's true he could have traded Dirk head-up for Kobe two years ago. Yes, came the answer. At least, Cuban was "80 percent" sure the LALs would have done the deal, but it was the Mavs' owner who had no interest in pursuing it. So, national dot-coms picked up the comment, and Cuban was immediately labeled an idiot in other precincts, not to mention here. Got to admit, I've taken my shots at Cuban, but unfortunately, this time I agreed with him in NOT doing the deal. ..."

With 22nd pick, Dallas Mavericks may take point guard

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June 21

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks aren't married to their pick in Thursday's draft, the 22nd overall selection. It's just that they can't find anyone to grant them a divorce. Not yet, anyway. The reality of the great financial meltdown of 2009 is that NBA draft picks after the first dozen or so cost a lot more than they are worth. "Teams don't want to take on lower-end draft picks," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "They just cost money. It's not like they'll give us a player for 22. They don't want 22 or 20-whatever." That could always change, of course. But for now, the Mavericks are plotting their draft night as if they will be staying put. Even though there are teams in the lottery looking to dump ..."

Source close to Anderson Varejao says reports Cavs forward talked to Mavs owner are false

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June 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Anderson Varejao is a man of international mystery this week. On Wednesday, a Brazilian blog released an interview with Varejao discussing a wide range of topics -- from the Cavaliers' season to the Los Angeles Lakers winning the title to his upcom- ing free agency. The last topic is where it got sticky, though, and was getting re action every where from Cleveland to Dallas to Mi ami. In the inter view, with the blog NBA Web Sportiva, Varejao is quoted in Portuguese as saying: "I've had two conversations with [Dallas Mavericks owner] Mark Cuban this month and he offered me a three-year deal worth $11 million [about $19 million U.S.]. But I told him that I would like to remain in ..."

Nowitzki files for paternity test

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June 20

Dallas Morning News

"Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's attorney has filed a petition seeking a paternity test from his ex-girlfriend, Cristal Taylor, and sole custody of her yet-to-be-born child if tests prove he is the father. The petition was filed last Friday in the Dallas County courthouse and obtained by The Dallas Morning News. And a former housemate of Taylor's told The News that Taylor gave birth to three children who are now teenagers, none of whom she raised. Meanwhile, ESPN.com reported that agents from Beaumont's FBI field office obtained recordings of allegedly threatening phone calls Taylor made from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility to Robert Hart, Nowitzki's attorney. Taylor, ..."

Taylor accused of making threats

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June 19

ESPN.com

"FBI agents in Texas have seized recordings of threatening jailhouse phone calls made by Crista Ann Taylor, the ex girlfriend of Dallas Mavericks All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki, to the player's attorney, two sources with knowledge of the investigation said. The sources told ESPN that agents from the FBI's Beaumont field office last week obtained recordings of phone calls Taylor made from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility. Taylor's prison phone calls allegedly contained threats as well as demands for money from Nowitzki, whom she has referred to in numerous media interviews as her former fiancé, and many of Taylor's phone calls were made to the offices of Nowitzki's Dallas-based ..."

Latest NBA rumor: Blazers targeting Turkoglu, Kidd?

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June 19

Oregonian

"Nothing better to usher us into the weekend than a big, juicy rumor. From Yahoo! Sports and Adrian Wojnarowski: For all the Portland Trail Blazers' usual misdirection plays about moving up in the draft, few say they're sincere in climbing into the lottery. Ultimately, it's thought that the Blazers are trying to clear cap space - perhaps as much as $10 million - and multiple league executives think Portland is determined to sign Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu.For now, the Blazers are trying to find a taker for point guard Sergio Rodriguez and his $1.6 million salary. They're interested in Dallas Mavericks free agent Jason Kidd, too. The Mavericks want to keep Kidd, who will probably ..."

Nowitzki wants sole custody

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June 19

ESPN.com

"Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has filed for sole custody of his ex-girlfriend's unborn baby, if it's proven he is the father, according to a petition filed last week in a Dallas County courthouse. The Beaumont Enterprise first reported the story on Thursday. Crystal Taylor was arrested May 6 at Nowitzki's Dallas home on a warrant out of Jefferson County on a theft of services charge. She was served with Nowitzki's petition to adjudicate parentage at the Jefferson County jail Monday, according to the Enterprise. Neither Nowitzki nor Taylor are identified by name in the court documents. The petitioner is identified as "D.N.," a resident of Dallas County and Taylor as "C.T.'' ..."

Donnie Nelson majority owner of Texas D-League team

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June 19

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Donnie Nelson's mission as president of basketball operations requires that he explore all avenues to improve the Mavericks. Starting in 2010, he can do some of that work virtually in his back yard. The NBA Development League announced on Thursday that Nelson has purchased the majority interest in a franchise that will relocate from Colorado to Frisco. Nelson and partner Evan Wyly, a Dallas native and chairman of Green Mountain Energy, have formed Texas D-League Management, LLC, which will operate the franchise. Nelson said the pair will operate as a tandem, although Nelson is the principal owner. The team will be called Texas, with the nickname to be chosen by a fan contest, and will play ..."

Disdain for chain of command links area pro teams

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June 17

Dallas Morning News

"If the government had given me a bailout, too, the money would be gone by Christmas, I'd have nothing to show for it but gout and auditors would be circling, circling, circling. I couldn't be trusted with an ice cream truck if you spotted me the inventory and a Little League schedule. But it strikes even me funny that a couple of owners in this town don't understand chain of command. It goes like this: You hire a general manager. Preferably just one. The GM hires a coach or manager, the coach or manager hires his staff and the staff does all the work. The top-to-bottom order keeps everyone accountable to the next person up the ladder. It fosters team play, loyalty and, most importantly, ..."

West can't tread water in Lakers' wake

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June 16

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"A couple of words come to mind when analyzing the NBA playoffs, which by the way only lasted 58 days this year. Carnage would be one. Depressing would be another, if you are in Denver, Portland or pretty much anywhere in Texas. Other than a second-round sweat against Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers steamrolled the Western Conference, then took care of the East's best in short order in the NBA Finals. The Lakers went 16-7 in their playoff run, never lost two in a row and, if you go back to the start of the 2008-09 season, never lost three in a row. That's called carving up the competition. It wasn't the 15-1 record the Lakers had in the 2001 playoffs. By no means are these Lakers ..."

Ex-Dallas Maverick assistant Harris found the court was his calling

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June 14

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"The NBA history books will show that Del Harris' coaching career started at Earlham College in Indiana. Those books won't have any details of the real beginning, however. It was 1959 and Harris had just graduated after being an honorable mention All-American at Milligan College. He was ready to begin his life's pursuit. As a preacher. Basketball was over, the young fellow figured. Time to get real and go to seminary. And then, he got a call from his main professor. "I had gotten married, and my wife was a year younger than I was," Harris recalls. "My professor said he didn't think a three-year college education was going to do my wife any good. So he said to come back and let her ..."

Del Harris found his calling, leaves a legacy

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June 14

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The NBA history books will show that Del Harris' coaching career started at Earlham College in Indiana. Those books won't have any details of the real beginning, however. It was 1959 and Harris had just graduated after being an honorable mention All-American at Milligan College in northeastern Tennessee. He was ready to begin his life's pursuit. As a preacher. Basketball was over, he figured. Time to get real and go to seminary. But then he got a call from his main professor. "I had gotten married and my wife was a year younger than I was," Harris recalled. "My professor said he didn't think a three-year college education was going to do my wife any good. So he said to come back and let ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Singleton seeks to bulk up

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June 13

Dallas Morning News

"As James Singleton took mostly unsuccessful cuts in the batting cage Friday in preparation for tonight's Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game, his whiffs were overshadowed by something else - pumped-up pecs. The Mavericks forward has spent the last month ferociously attacking the weight room. And it shows. His bench press has jumped from 265 to 305 (four repetitions). "I had to get stronger," Singleton said. "So I've put on 10 pounds of muscle already. I'm up to 240." So the obvious question is whether fans in Dallas will see that extra bulk. Singleton is a free agent, and while both he and the Mavericks want him here, he takes nothing for granted. "It's the NBA - the National ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Barea has summer to rehab shoulder injury

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June 12

Dallas Morning News

"With his left arm suspended at an angle in a sling that isn't the least bit comfortable when it comes to sleeping, eating or almost anything else, J.J. Barea has a tough time zeroing in on basketball. Oh, he still thinks about when his next appearance on a basketball court will be. He's holding out hope that in late August, he can play for the Puerto Rican national team in the FIBA Americas tournament, the qualifier for the 2010 World Championships. Before that, there are a lot of intermediate steps: getting out of that confounded sling next week, starting rehabilitation, then rebuilding strength in the surgically repaired shoulder before finally starting basketball drills. "It's going ..."

Don't expect Kidd to be a point of no return for Dallas Mavericks

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June 11

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"One of the biggest fears for Mavericks fans this off-season is seeing a repeat of 2004. That was the summer of major reconstruction in which Steve Nash walked out the door for nothing in return. To quell your concern that Jason Kidd is heading to a similar fate, we are here to provide some literary Xanax for your stress. It's not going to happen. This time around, one of the NBA's top point guards is not going to leave the organization without some compensation. More likely, he won't move at all. The same cannot be said of Jerry Stackhouse, who probably has played his last game as a Maverick. But more on that in a moment. Of all the issues facing owner Mark Cuban, president of ..."

Westphal leaving Dallas Mavericks to become Kings coach

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June 10

Dallas Morning News

"Paul Westphal, a member of the Mavericks' organization the last two seasons, has been selected as the new coach of the Sacramento Kings. Maverick officials became aware of Westphal's new job Tuesday evening. He served as vice president of basketball operations, assisting president Donnie Nelson. In 2007-08, Westphal was on Avery Johnson's coaching staff. Westphal's appointment with the Kings eliminates the final year of his contract with the Mavericks. Formerly a head coach at Seattle and Phoenix, Westphal replaces Kenny Natt and is expected to be named officially today."

Despite poor economy, NBA will not eliminate luxury tax

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June 5

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Although several teams have taken a hit financially, NBA Commissioner David Stern said Thursday the league has no plans to eliminate the luxury tax until the economy recovers. With his team's player payroll projected to exceed $76 million, Hornets owner George Shinn could have to pay a luxury tax bill of more than $5 million next summer. The Hornets were one of the 12 teams that received loans from the league this spring. Since 2003, 17 of the league's 30 teams have borrowed $2 billion since the league began establishing a line of credit for loans used by teams. "There's a difference between choosing to and having a need to," Stern said at state of his league address before Thursday's ..."

NBA proves its worth as excellent entertainment

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June 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The NBA Finals start tonight. Lakers and Magic. I hate LA. Not the town. The team. Go O. Or-lan-do. I will be watching, however, not for a rooting interest — even if jock kingdom competition is really all about some form of a rooting interest. Did I mention I hate LA? But I really love the NBA. In past years, however, there have been indications, as my brother-in-law (Mr. College Basketball, along with the NFL and baseball) frequently reminded me that the NBA's national fan base was shrinking into NHL territory. You know this familiar knock. The people who actually care are at the game. Nobody else cares. Disclaimer: The NBA was not in that category. The decline in national TV numbers ..."

Nowitzki's father questions Taylor's motives

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June 3

Dallas Morning News

"Jörg Nowitzki, father of Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, questioned the motives of his son's ex-fiancee, Cristal Taylor, in a recent interview with the German newspaper Bunte. "What comes over daily from America from this woman is almost like blackmail," the 66-year-old Nowitzki said. Taylor was arrested at Dirk Nowitzki's home last month and remains jailed in Beaumont facing theft of service charges. Taylor's arrest hit Nowitzki harder than he has shown, his father said. "The whole thing has really affected him. He's more introverted, doesn't hop around like Boris Becker, but lets it eat away inside of him. But his mental strength is enormous," he said."

Woman traveled sordid path before involvement with Dirk

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May 31

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Even in jail, with her life in shambles and her hopes of marrying Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki apparently vaporized, Cristal Taylor exudes smarts and charisma. Her mother says that as a child, Cristal tested "borderline genius." The assertion is hard to doubt, even now, conversing with Taylor through glass via two-way speaker and seeing her in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. So what happened? Along life's path, she accrued felony convictions and an estimated two dozen aliases. But was that the Cristal Taylor who somehow entered Nowitzki's tightly guarded, multimillion-dollar world? Or had she truly changed, as she and her mother insist? Before her May 6 arrest in Nowitzki's $6 ..."

Is Nowitzki's ex reformed, or is this just a con?

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May 31

Dallas Morning News

"Even in jail, with her life in shambles and her hopes of marrying Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki apparently vaporized, Cristal Taylor exudes smarts and charisma. Her mother says that as a child, Cristal tested "borderline genius." The assertion is hard to doubt, even now, conversing with Taylor through glass via two-way speaker and seeing her in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. So what happened? Along life's path, she accrued felony convictions and an estimated two dozen aliases. But was that the Cristal Taylor who somehow entered Nowitzki's tightly guarded, multi-million-dollar world? Or had she truly changed, as she and her mother insist? Before her May 6 arrest in Nowitzki's $6 million ..."

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