Spring Break
The Script: 'Team Hate'
Ben Gooding
Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: SPORTS
In Dallas, it's never too soon to freak out about the Mavericks.
And if ever there were a time to do so, it's right now.
This record of 2-4 does not even begin to tell how badly they are performing, and my friends and I have already started forming Team Hate.
If you are unfamiliar with Team Hate (which I assume you are), it's a time when Dallas Maverick fans should step back from the television and begin asking, "What's going on?"
While watching Dallas' pathetic performance last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers, our group decided that it was time to pull out Team Hate, and here is why.
The center position might as well be vacant. DeSagana Diop is earning more than $5 million to have butter fingers and look innocent on the sidelines. He's averaging 1.8 points a game, and for that kind of money he should be getting more on the boards. Not to mention, franchise owner Mark Cuban spent all remaining money he could have used to replace him, to re-sign him.
Center Erick 'Damp' Dampier is also in the same boat, but he's making about $6 million more.
The five position has been this team's weakness, and with these two on the floor, it will remain so. Those two players are soft and get punished in the paint or just straight up foul.
Next, forward Dirk Nowitzki and guard Jason Kidd met with new head coach Rick Carlisle this offseason to form the would-be Mavericks' offense, built around Kidd creating fast break plays and Dirk's unfettering jump shot.
So far, this team is only averaging about 98 points a game, when this time last season, they averaged 103. This shouldn't make sense, since former head coach Avery Johnson was instilling a defensive mindset in his team.
In addition, Dallas has only scored more than 100 points in two of its games - both losses.
Lastly, guard Gerald Green worked hard this offseason to turn athleticism into sheer talent. He can jump, dunk, and shoot lights out. This talent should not be averaging only 16 minutes a game.
The NBA season is a long one, so why not trade more minutes with forward Josh Howard? This would give Green the experience and Josh some rest.
Sunday's loss to Los Angeles was embarrassing. There is no reason the aging Marcus Camby should get so many points and rebounds. Baron Davis also had a field day, as the formerly winless Clippers rolled over the lost-looking Mavs.
I am hoping Team Hate will not have to be around for much of this season. Like most Mavs fans, we are sick of being disappointed, and demand excellence out of our team.
This record is inexcusable. With how the Western Conference looks and how the Mavericks are playing, they are praying to be a playoff-bubble team. We do not want the seventh or eighth seed in Dallas - We want a championship.
And if ever there were a time to do so, it's right now.
This record of 2-4 does not even begin to tell how badly they are performing, and my friends and I have already started forming Team Hate.
If you are unfamiliar with Team Hate (which I assume you are), it's a time when Dallas Maverick fans should step back from the television and begin asking, "What's going on?"
While watching Dallas' pathetic performance last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers, our group decided that it was time to pull out Team Hate, and here is why.
The center position might as well be vacant. DeSagana Diop is earning more than $5 million to have butter fingers and look innocent on the sidelines. He's averaging 1.8 points a game, and for that kind of money he should be getting more on the boards. Not to mention, franchise owner Mark Cuban spent all remaining money he could have used to replace him, to re-sign him.
Center Erick 'Damp' Dampier is also in the same boat, but he's making about $6 million more.
The five position has been this team's weakness, and with these two on the floor, it will remain so. Those two players are soft and get punished in the paint or just straight up foul.
Next, forward Dirk Nowitzki and guard Jason Kidd met with new head coach Rick Carlisle this offseason to form the would-be Mavericks' offense, built around Kidd creating fast break plays and Dirk's unfettering jump shot.
So far, this team is only averaging about 98 points a game, when this time last season, they averaged 103. This shouldn't make sense, since former head coach Avery Johnson was instilling a defensive mindset in his team.
In addition, Dallas has only scored more than 100 points in two of its games - both losses.
Lastly, guard Gerald Green worked hard this offseason to turn athleticism into sheer talent. He can jump, dunk, and shoot lights out. This talent should not be averaging only 16 minutes a game.
The NBA season is a long one, so why not trade more minutes with forward Josh Howard? This would give Green the experience and Josh some rest.
Sunday's loss to Los Angeles was embarrassing. There is no reason the aging Marcus Camby should get so many points and rebounds. Baron Davis also had a field day, as the formerly winless Clippers rolled over the lost-looking Mavs.
I am hoping Team Hate will not have to be around for much of this season. Like most Mavs fans, we are sick of being disappointed, and demand excellence out of our team.
This record is inexcusable. With how the Western Conference looks and how the Mavericks are playing, they are praying to be a playoff-bubble team. We do not want the seventh or eighth seed in Dallas - We want a championship.
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