After days of speculation that a huge trade involving the Dallas Mavericks would fall through because of a no-trade claus in a bench players contract, the Mavs finally have their man. That's right, Malik Allen is coming to Big D! Some may say that the Mavericks grossly overpaid for a guy who averages 5.4 ppg and 2.7 boards (They included guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop, forwards Maurice Ager, and Trenton Hassell, a retired Keith Van Horn and two first round picks in the trade) I, however, find the price to be just right, even if I've never actually seen Allen play. And I do mean never. Not even on Sportscenter. I mean, the knock against the Mavs the past few postseasons has been their lack of defensive toughness, and this is something that Allen aparently brings to the table that has the Dallas higher-ups salivating. "Yeww know, Maleek iz a prime-time deefender, juan of the best en tha leeeaaguee. Heel breeng a neuw deefensive mindset to hour teem," an obviously extatic Avery Johnson told the Dallas Morning News last night.
Some media outlets claim that this is a panic move by owner Mark Cuban in response to the Lakers getting Pau Gasol and the Phoenix Suns trading for Shaquille O'Neal last week, but if you ask me, this is just what the Mavs need in order to be contenders in the rough and tumble Western Conference. They dump the quick-like-a-cat, yet frail-like-a-grandmother Harris, as well as Diop, who, by all accounts, "Has a friendly face." I'm sorry, but friendly faces and pulled groins do not get you into the NBA Finals. All in all, this trade is just what the doctor ordered for the Mavericks. That is, assuming the doctor ordered, "2008 NBA Championship, please."
Also included in the trade to Dallas were Antoine Wright and Jason Kidd.
-Twigells
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4 comments:
Like the deal for the Mavs. While I enjoy Devin, I think Kidd is a better player at this point (that probably won't be the case in a couple years, but this is a move to win NOW). I like Diop too, but he's nothing more than a body in my opinion. Finally, Ager was never going to really contribute to this team in any meaningful way. This makes the Mavs better for this year and I hope that Kidd can provide us a jolt to win the West.
Austin, welcome back. I was afraid we lost you there for a second. I'm not a huge Mavs fan, but I like the trade too. If they weren't good enough to win last year or the year before, you've gotta shake things up a bit. Welcome to Texas, Malik!
I'm glad Cuban and the Little General did whatever was necessary to bring in a true game-changer like Malik "My Last Name Isn't Rose" Allen.
Are we going to get some NFL combine thoughts and analysis from the great minds at the Jig & Twig?
Perhaps a sample Wonderlic test from Darren McFadden, Jake Long, Chris Long, Howie Long, or Huey Long?
Come on, folks. You know what to do.
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