What If Dirk Played For The Milwaukee Bucks?

Jason McIntyre who is a fantastic writer for The Big Lead posted a question on Twitter yesterday afternoon about if people remembered that Dirk Nowitzki got traded on draft day. As a Milwaukee Bucks fan, I sure as hell do, the Bucks traded Nowitzki away for Robert 'Tractor' Traylor, that's like dealing Kate Upton for Kristie Alley. My buddy Bails pointed out that the Mavs were the only team who went overseas to scout Dirk so this trade was pretty much inevitable, but here is my question… why the hell didn't the Bucks scout Dirk? If you think about Dirk is perfect for Milwaukee. He is German and Milwaukee is a German-based city. The man would have had a beer named after him by the third year plus so many more endorsements from the Brew City.




Whenever we talk about these what-if situations, people always wonder if a player would be the same if he played elsewhere. My answer would be yes for Nowitzki because I truly believe he is a top 20 player of all time right now, and will climb up that ladder if the Mavs win the NBA Finals. I think a majority of the NBA teams could have drafted Dirk, and he would have been a great player. I believe 1998 was the last year that the Bucks picked in the lottery for a long time because Ray Allen hit his stride, Sam Cassell was brought in, and Glenn 'Big Dog' Robinson had already been in his prime at the time of drafting him. Nowitzki would not have any pressure in Milwaukee, and been allowed to grow in the first couple years. Let's also remember the Bucks missed out on Paul Pierce who was drafted a spot below Dirk, got to love the Bucks in the NBA Draft! 


If the Bucks kept Dirk, they would have easily been in the NBA Finals. The 2001 team that should have been in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first place if it wasn't for David Stern playing the role of Vince McMahon guaranteeing the Philadelphia 76ers and Allen Iverson would be playing the Lake Show. It was a screw job, and everyone who watches basketball knows that. Sorry my rant is over about that, but Dirk would have played the four with a monster lineup that would have been the best team in the Eastern Conference. 


That team would have had Cassell-Allen-Big Dog-Nowitzki-Tragic Johnson with Tim Thomas coming off the bench as a vital sixth man. The other question I have, would Ray-Ray have played in Milwaukee for another 10 years? The naïve side of me that has purple jersey hanging in my childhood bedroom would like to think that could have been a possibility. To me, Dirk would have been the first basketball superstar the city of Milwaukee has seen in over 30 years. They had some great players in the 80s and in the 90s but no one at the level of Dirk. I do hope that Brandon Jennings or Andrew Bogut becomes that guy for a franchise that seems to be stuck in neutral.


The other side of this would be what if Dallas never got Dirk? I still think they find their superstar somewhere down the road because with Mark Cuban's money, they really were able to afford anyone. They might have kept Steve Nash and paired him up with another player. It's fun to play these sorts of games and wonder what if sometimes. Because these dreams will never be realities, rather just a wish that something better would have happened for your team. 

 
-Charlie.

Lights Out In Los Angeles?

I am really trying to remember the last time I remember a seven-game series in any sport that has been more polarizing than the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.  I mean I am stunned.  I thought it would be good series, and put my ass out there saying this would be the best series out of the four.  Now, the Mavs have the Lakers on the brink of getting bounced from the Western Conference Semifinals. Even though I am struggling this Saturday morning to find the words to talk about this series, I am going to do the best I can.  

Before we talk about the Lakers struggles, Dirk Nowitzki is playing out of his mind. There is no question who is the best player on the court in this series. It seems like no shot is impossible for Dirk right now. Last night watching the game with my friends, I think we thought every shot Dirk took down the stretch was going in. Funny thing, Dirk didn't miss. I have ragged on Dirk for his playoff misfortunes in the past couple of years, and I need to give a ton of credit when it's due.  

The Lakers are a mess.  Right now, they look like the model-thin hot girl who is celebrating her 21st birthday weekend.... Just a drunken mess. They have no team concept whatsoever. The Lake Show turned into the Shit Show. My friends and I could not believe that Kobe Bryant didn't touch the ball nearly enough in the final three minutes last night as Dallas went on a 17-5 run to close out Game 3. The crazy thing about it is Bryant didn't give up like he is sometimes known to do, rather every other player tried to get theirs. For example, Pau Gasol tried backing down Dirk then tried to hit him with a Dirk-like fade away, clank. Lamar Odom sized up a defender, and attempted to isolate with Kobe's hands failing in the air also a clank. This team's chemistry is destroyed.  

 The Lakers are like this long time cruise liner that used to be very luxurious, but has suddenly become old with holes. Those holes are Derek Fisher, Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Pau Gasol turning into Charmin again. This ship is sinking fast, and Kobe Bryant cannot save it. I don't think Kobe can no longer carry his team to victory.  He just doesn't seem to have the ability to do it anymore. It's crazy to say that, but I think the exorbitant amount of games has finally caught up to Mr. Bryant. 

A part of me wants to see the Lakers win Game 4 and then the possibility win Game 5 making this a series again. But the other part of me who hates dynasties wants to see this team just quit and give up get blasted by twenty plus tomorrow afternoon. Sunday, very well could end the latest era in the NBA. 

-Charlie.

NBA Semifinals Predictions

The NBA Playoffs have been terrific so far.  Every series had one or two nail biters, we have a Cinderella team, and a couple great series to look forward to in the upcoming weeks. I myself misfired on the Portland-Dallas series, Orlando-Atlanta series, and of course, Memphis-San Antonio. I thought the Grizzles would give them a series, but I didn't expect them to win the series.  

Eastern Conference  

1.) Chicago versus 5.) Atlanta- I am personally surprised to see the Hawks playing in the second round, and hopefully, they will give a better effort this season compared to past years.  Not having Kirk Heinrich will definitely hurt them because the guy has been a catalyst on offense, but he is just another body to guard Derrick Rose on defense. I think the Hawks' big men could make a difference, but Rose will once again be too good to stop on a nightly basis.  Chicago in six. 

2.) Miami versus 3.) Boston- Some please explain to me how Boston can look completely dead in the last two months of the NBA season, and now look like an entirely different team?  I feel like Ashton Kutcher should come out of hiding and tell me I have been Punk'd.  So many interesting story lines in this series, whether it's LeBron vs. Boston, Chris Bosh v. Kevin Garnett, old crown vs. new royalty. Remember how Michael Jordan took down Detroit finally after two unsuccessful tries?  That's what LeBron needs to do with Boston to take that next step, or this season is a complete failure plus we have to reevaluate LeBron's ceiling in the NBA. I expect a knock down drag out fight in each game with LeBron finally coming up big in a clutch moment.  Miami in seven 

Western Conference 

4.) Oklahoma City versus 8.) Memphis - The Grizzlies and Thunder find themselves in a new position, the second round. Zach Randolph will have to find ways to score against the twin towers of Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka.  I think this has to be Russell Westbrook series for the Thunder to win. In my opinion, Kevin Durant will not have much success against Tony Allen who is a top notch defender, and Westbrook will be forced to put this team on his back for at least a couple games.  This will be a very competitive, exciting series.  Oklahoma City in six 

2.) Los Angeles versus 3.) Dallas- The Lakers seemed to find their swagger in games five and six  against New Orleans, and Dallas did the same thing against Portland. It's unreal we haven't seen a Kobe Bryant vs. Dirk Nowitzki series, and I can guarantee we will have one game where both of the guys will just go absolutely bananas trading buckets with each other.  I will also tell you Pau Gasol is going to have a hell of a time with Tyson Chandler, same goes for Andrew Bynum.  Shawn Marion will need to find his old defensive self because the Mavs might be some trouble with who is guarding Kobe.  Even though Boston-Miami has a chance to be great, I think this will be the best series of them all. Los Angeles in seven. 

First game starts at noon tomorrow, should be special.

-Charlie.

Brandon Roy Responds

Wow. It's been a while. As you can see, the noose of the spring semester is tightening for most of us, including yours truly, but I'll take some time to talk about what happened last night in Portland.

After the Portland TrailBlazers dropped Game 3 to the Dallas Mavericks in Oregon, the frustration of star guard Brandon Roy was obvious and almost boiling over. The three-time all-star and former rookie of the year, played just eight minutes Wednesday night and was beginning to question where he fit in with Nate McMillan's squad.


What a difference Game 4 made for Mr. Roy.



The Blazers were down by as much as 23 points in the third quarter after missing their first 15 shots of the second half, and the game seemed all but over. Then, as fate would have it, Roy got going. After having just six points on 1-3 shooting in the first three quarters, he shot 8-10 in the fourth, racking up 18 points in the process. The Blazers as a team shot 75 percent from the field in the fourth, completing one of the greatest playoff comebacks of all-time. The 18 point deficit to start the fourth is good enough to be tied for second on the all-time playoff comeback list.

Roy put da team on his back.

The Mavericks have a pretty strong history of playoff nightmares, and this will haunt Dirk and the boys at the very least until Monday when Game 5 takes place in Dallas. ESPN's Chris Mullin said it best, they need to get a win to get this loss behind them. Unfortunately for the Mavs, the Blazers now have a guy that can close at the end of these of games in Brandon Roy.

You have to feel great for Roy. He's been hampered by possible career-ending knee problems for the last year after being rushed back for the playoffs last year after that emergency arthroscopic knee surgery. Roy did not play well in the 2010 post-season and that carried into this season. Roy missed some significant time this year and that was the reason why many questioned if such a bright star had burned out far too early.

Hopefully after last night, a guy with as much talent as Roy will start to get back on track. It'd be a shame to have a guy that is so unassuming and humble go to waste.

-Mitsy

NBA Western Conference First Round Predictions

On Saturday, the NBA Playoffs begins. I am pretty excited to say the least. Someone who is not...my dad. He would probably make some snarky comment about the NBA like 'well now they will actually start to play.' I hope he watches in the upcoming months because I feel the playoffs will be very special. The worst thing about having a successful playoffs this year is there will be lockout for the upcoming season. Trust me, I have already ordered Fox Soccer Channel for next year to enjoy a new sport. Let's get it on with the picks.

1.) San Antonio v. 8.) Memphis- I believe the Grizzlies are going to give the Spurs some trouble in this series. Zach Randolph has played like an All-NBA player, and has the ability to wear down Tim Duncan throughout a seven game series. But the matchup between Mike Conley versus Tony Parker because the Frenchman can break him down and embarrass Conley. Also the Manu Ginobili injury could be the biggest unknown storyline if he is out for more than one game. Parker will be the difference maker for the Spurs.  San Antonio in five  

4.) Oklahoma City v. 5.) Denver- For me, this is the most exciting series of the first round.  Oklahoma City with the best young talent in the NBA mixed with the And-1 streetball feel of the Nuggets, consider me sold.  Kevin Durant came on strong in the final three weeks, and Kendrick Perkins added more than anyone of us really understand.  The Nuggets played tremendously after the Carmelo Anthony trade, and they have a new feel to their team. The Nuggs have a ton of difference makers, but do they have the one guy who can put the team on his back? I don't think so.  Close, fun series, the Thunder take in six.  

3.) Dallas v. 6.) Portland- This is the popular upset pick right now.  It is like an NCAA Tournament First Round game where everyone is riding the mid-major completely forgetting about the powerhouse. Dirk Nowitzki has played great all year, but we all know that one player cannot win a series. In my opinion, I would let Dirk go off for 40 a game, and cut off everyone else.  Tyson Chandler has been great for the Mavs, but Marcus Camby is like the older version of him therefore they cancel each other out.  Also  don't be surprised if Dirk's defense gets exposed once again by LaMarcus Aldridge.  Rip City in six.   

2.) Los Angeles Lakers v. 7.) New Orleans- See this what I hate about the NBA. We get these series with very public teams playing opponents that I could give two shits about meaning we have to endure all four or five games they play against each others. I am still wondering how the Hornets found themselves into the playoffs. With David West out, Pau Gasol will have a monster playoff series propelling them to an easy series. I will give the Hornets a pity win because I am nice. Lake Show in five. 

-Charlie. 

Jason Kidd Re-Signs 3 Year Contract with Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks announced that they have re-signed their free agent point guard Jason Kidd on Saturday. Kidd agreed to a three-year contract worth more than $25 million.

The nine-time All-Star Jason Kidd could finish his career where it started in 1994—with the Mavericks. The No. 2 pick out of California returned to Dallas in a trade last year with New Jersey, where he made two trips to the NBA finals with the Nets. Kidd, now 37, has averaged 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 9.2 assists in 15 NBA seasons.