Avery is History: Galloway is a Genius

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Avery Johnson is history. Randy Galloway called it before Game 5. Now the Mavs are in the hunt for a new head coach, and the entire team is in need a serious changes. Mavs fans have been living in a dream world if they think the aging bench of the Mavs will ever help them reach the Finals again.

Reality check time. Firing Avery was probably a rash move on the part of Mark Cuban. But if Avery was really as hard to get along with as Randy Galloway would have us believe, then this was perfect timing.

The next question, then is: who’s safe on the team and who’s on the chopping block? I’m guessing the majority of the team is on the block, each waiting his turn to get the axe.

Who knew that Randy Galloway knew anything about basketball? After all, he doesn’t know jack about blogs. He thinks the only true professional is the newspaper writer (i.e. the old guys getting put out of business by successful bloggers). But that’s another story. On this, we give him credit. Bask in it, old man.

Avery Johnson’s Last Mavs Game?

Randy Galloway predicted yesterday that tonight would be Avery’s last game with the Mavs. That’s assuming the Mavs lose, of course, and that Avery is the problem in Mark Cuban’s eyes. There has been obvious tension between coach and owner this year, as the Mavericks failed to perform to expectations for the second year in a row.

Now we’re hearing more praise for the great Don Nelson, who left when the Mavs were flying high, and thus earned himself some ungrateful jeers. These days, the story is a little different. Now we’re seeing Don Nelson’s years in Dallas as the Golden Years, where he built a championship team that Avery and Cuban thwarted and dismantled.

Look for more coverage on the crumbling Mavs at MavsUpdate.com later today.

Mavs Lose Game 4: Elimination Eminent

In a rough Game 4, Dallas was outcoached and outplayed. Well, maybe just outplayed. Does any real coaching go into handing Chris Paul the ball and watching him score? In a surprising twist, Jason Kidd was ejected from the game due to a flagrant foul. Just minutes later in the fourth quarter, a fan was ejected for talking trash to Chris Paul as he came flying into the stands under the basket.

The New Orleans Hornets have a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs, and Game 5 will be played back in New Orleans. Disappointed Mavs fans will likely blame the Kidd ejection for the loss, but that would be short-sighted. The Mavs lost because Chris Paul is unstoppable and because they take too many outside shots without getting to the rim for offensive rebounds.

Kidd’s flagrant foul and ejection was just the nail in the coffin. Dallas was already outmatched. At the current level of play, New Orleans is simply a better team. Dallas fans don’t have much to hope for as this series returns to New Orleans for a potential playoff ending game for Dallas.

Cowboys Not Looking to Draft a Wide Receiver

Listening to ESPN Radio in DFW today, a Cowboys’ spokesperson admitted that Dallas is more interested in a seasoned wide receiver than a rookie. They believe their team is in position to be a Super Bowl contender and can’t afford the typical two year wait for a receiver to mature.

Who ARE the Cowboys looking to draft? Assuming they stay in the 20s of the 1st Round, expect a running back and a corner back. Those are the spots most needed, although drafting the overall best player available is a definite possibility as well. With the Cowboys looking at Roy Williams in Detroit and Arizona’s Anquan Boldin, any and every bargaining chip would and should be considered.

Is Pacman Jones Worth Having?

That’s the million dollar question at Valley Ranch this offseason. With the trade complete, Dallas awaits Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision on reinstatement. As Randy Galloway pointed out today, the contract deal is a no-brainer. There is no guaranteed money in Jones’ new contract and Dallas only gave up a 4th round pick to get him. If he pans out like Jerry hopes, Pacman will be a steal. If he doesn’t, he’ll cost the Cowboys next to nothing? Or will he? Read more

The Lakers Are Still Superior

In a disappointing fourth quarter, the Lakers pull off a win against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite leading most of the 2nd half, Dallas allowed a Kobe-less Laker squad close a 12 point gap and eventually take the lead with Kobe back on the court.

This Dallas team doesn’t want it bad enough. They seem to run out of gas when the game is on the line. You can’t be disappointed with the outcome of this season if the Mavs don’t do everything they can to win. Right now, they don’t deserve a playoff spot.