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The kid and KiddIt was Tweeted about twice -- Skin Wade and Bob Sturm -- about how two summers ago, the summer before the championship, the Dallas Mavericks were hot on Al Jefferson.
David Kahn and the Minnesota Timberwolves were attempting to unload the then 25-year-old power forward for pennies on the dollar. Mostly because Jefferson, although good, had flatlined a little and was due about $42 million over the next three seasons. He was an expensive player on a team that needed a facelift and had Kevin Love sitting on the bench.
After several weeks of the rumor mill churning and talks mounting, the Wolves made a move. They traded Jefferson to the Utah Jazz for two first-rounders and Kosta Koufos early July 13.
It should also be noted that the Mavericks had just thrown six years and $55 million at Brendan Haywood five days earlier. Already, they were looking to get younger and more athletic at center. Yes. It's odd.
Having missed out on their No. 1 target -- again, another missed opportunity by Mavericks management -- the Mavericks took door No. 2. It was Tyson Chandler. On July 13, 2010.
Maybe the Mavericks still win a title with Jefferson at center. Probably not. Jefferson, I think, is more of power forward. I also don't think he has the impact defensively that Chandler had in the title run. Jefferson's a fine player, no doubt. Just don't think he has the same impact.
While the Mavs smarted at missing out on Jefferson, they settled on the injury-prone Chandler hoping to get a good contract-year effort. We know what happened.
The question I have is this: Did the Mavericks completely luck out on Chandler? It blew my mind at the time -- and still does -- that they'd break the bank for Haywood only to turn around and seek out another center -- a starting center -- a week later. I sort of felt that the Chandler trade was just a Hail Mary: They had Erick Dampier's contract chip in their back pocket and they had to use it. Jefferson fell through. Chandler was the only viable option left. The Mavericks probably thought that Chandler would come off the bench and Haywood would start.
Further proof, I think, that the Mavericks won a title despite themselves.
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As much shit as I heaped on the Mavericks for their loss to the Clippers two days ago, I think last night's win in Utah was pretty impressive.
For one, Utah's not a bad team and the Mavericks were on the road playing back to back. It wasn't always pretty. There were some pretty horrific defensive gaffes and some insane turnovers, especially late. Dirk Nowitzki's still in a bad place (shooting two less free throws per game, shooting just 45 percent from the field and his rebounds continue to drop), Jason Terry's funk continues and Jason Kidd couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.
Enter: The Matrix. Shawn Marion is a guy I've lauded since last season. He's sneakily consistent. He fills up the box score, is the best consistent rebounder and can hit a shot. He scored 22 last night and was the saving grace as everyone else suffered in shooting purgatory.
Also, he's their best one-on-one defender (not saying a heck of a whole lot) and typically takes on everyone from Lebron James to Kobe Bryant. He's no spring chicken. He's about to be 34. Still, he brings it every game. Might not be 22 points a night or The Matrix of the Phoenix Suns, but I'll take him.
Roddy Beaubois had one of his games. A true game changer, Beaubois can rewrite an ending of any close game. He posted 17 points, two assists, two rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes last night. No matter how goofy he is, Roddy needs minutes. Too explosive not to consider. Especially if we want to give Kidd a few minutes rest.
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