January Player of the Month – Ledaryl McMillian, Golden State Warriors – 37.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
January Rookie of the Month – Matt Reid, Orlando Magic – 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
Our first Hell Week for the season with quite a few away from Texas which will test us. First up is a trip to the nation’s capital and we got out to a 14 point lead near the end of the third term behind Captain Jack’s stellar 37 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists but right at the end of the quarter Nashon Smith severely sprained his ankle and did not return. That opened the gates for the Wizards as they rattled off a 40-27 last term to steal the win from our hands 132-129. Rowan Taylor was outstanding with 27 points while DeShaun Worley took full advantage of Nashon’s absence with 26 points and 10 assists.
Dallas Mavericks 29-8
We don’t let a losing streak happen as we take care of the Neon comfortably in the desert 120-104 as they still have Andre Drummond starting at C at 36 years old. T-Mac was the one to do the damage with 20 points and 15 rebounds while Earl added 28 points on great shooting. Isaac Holdan started at PG for the injured Nashon but had a stinker, going 0/4 for 2 points and 6 assists. Luckily we had Ryan Robinson helping out with 12 points off the bench. Mike Joseph led the way for Nevada with 21 points and 7 assists.
Dallas Mavericks 30-8
It’s a home game against Brooklyn and we stymie them with our defence as Dave Coulter turned the ball over eleven times as we rout the Nets 128-95. Jeff Cunningham put his hand up for the first time in a while with 19 points and 10 rebounds as Nashon played 25 minutes to ease him back into the squad but still added 14 points (7/8 FG) and 8 assists for his trouble. Lars Ray was the best for Brooklyn with 21 points but they were well and truly outclassed.
Dallas Mavericks 31-8
Camah Williams had 35 points while Adarrial Faye added 22 points but that’s all the Wolves had as we eke out a 128-122 win at home. Earl top scored with 25 points but it was Jack (18 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds) and Mike Lingle (18 points, 7 rebounds filling in for T-Mac) who got us over the line against a very good Minnesota team. I wouldn’t be surprised that if we made it to the WCF we would face the Wolves.
Dallas Mavericks 32-8
Wow, I did not expect this showing by the Nets. Lars Ray had 36 points, Chris Canal added 26 while the team shot 56% FG, 63% 3P and 93% from the line as they blast us completely, winning 128-98 as we leave Brooklyn with our tails between our legs. To make matters worse we shot 38% from the field but I’m putting this down to fatigue as we are still in the midst of an extended Hell Week.
Dallas Mavericks 32-9
Who would have thought that the Nuggets were 35-13 at the moment? I guess they have some elite talent like Jehiel DeSantis, Jason London, hell their whole starting five is filled with great guys. That talent didn’t stop us from racking up 51 points in the first quarter to cruise to a 126-106 victory. Earl Oliver had 32 points and battled Jason London all night long, but London got the best of him with 41 points of his own. We might have won here tonight but Denver are a real threat to us.
Dallas Mavericks 33-9
Jamil Fleming had 21 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds while Jared Arenas added 25 points and 10 rebounds but we got the statistic where it counts – a 114-109 win against Philadelphia. Earl Oliver is currently on a tear and added 24 points tonight, ably assisted by Jeff’s 18 points and 9 rebounds. Nashon didn’t play tonight as his ankle is still bothering him and we don’t want to risk him before the playoffs. He should be 100% in about a week.
Dallas Mavericks 34-9
A 44-30 second quarter made our home game against Seattle extremely comfortable as we took out the Sonics 145-104. Jack was electric with 30 points in 33 minutes while Isaac Holdan added 20 points in 18 minutes off the bench. It was a great game for the team as the starters could have the night off and our bench guys were given an extended run. Marlo Graham had 23 points on 27 shots in the loss.
Dallas Mavericks 35-9
Jack was again the star with 26 points and 7 rebounds (and eight turnovers) as we again take care of business, beating Cleveland 119-103. Mike Lingle was another standout with 12 points and 10 rebounds as T-Mac was in foul trouble. Rookie Ryan Obrien had 21 points to lead the Cavs but their star centre, Art Stevenson, failed with only 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks 36-9
T-Mac took Carl Farmer to school with 23 points and 12 rebounds (to Farmer’s 7 points and 5 fouls) as we destroy the Denver threat 128-101 to send a message to the league. Isaac Holdan is loving the extended minutes and tonight had 13 points. Jason London led the way for the Nuggets with 26 points but when their starting PF and C were in foul trouble all night it’s going to be an easy ride.
Dallas Mavericks 37-9
Our last game before the All Star break was a really, really easy win over Minnesota, in Minnesota. We won every quarter by at least nine points to take the game 137-114. Nashon Smith seems to be back to 100% with 20 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals as we shot 60% from the field. Enrique Mendez had 31 points but was let down by his running mate as Camah Williams only had 9 points in the loss.
Dallas Mavericks 38-9
It’s All Star weekend time and we kick things off with Terrance Kickert from Brooklyn winning the Slam Dunk Contest, beating out Memphis’ Nathaniel Harris pretty easily. The big news is that we had three contestants for the Long Distance Shootout as Nashon Smith, Ryan Robinson and Earl Oliver were all invited in on the fun. Too bad none of them made it to the final as Portland’s Tiburcio Tommasini led from start to finish to beat Minnesota’s Enrique Mendez and his teammate Tobe Slaughter.
The Rookie/Sophomore game was defence optional affir as the second year guys rattled off a 158-140 win as Jehiel DeSantis, Jarron Campbell and Andrew Brown combined for 87 points, 23 assists and 11 rebounds with Campbell winning the MVP award, but it was a toss up between the three. Chris Horvath should be disappointed with his team’s performance as he recorded an 18 point, 13 assist and 13 rebounds triple double, his first of his career in a losing effort. Ryan Obrien had 38 points to lead the game but favourite for Rookie of the Year Matt Reid didn’t play some reason.
The All Star game was a great affair with the usual showing off in the first half but after that it was like both teams were going for the title. There were 25 lead changes and nine ties in the game but ultimately it was the East who hit their shots when it counted as they took the game 141-133. Memphis’ Cort Majishun was named All Star MVP with 28 points on 11/14 shooting in only 16 minutes which is simply phenomenal with this kind of talent around. Jamil Fleming added 19 points and 8 rebounds for the victors as they had six players in double figures. Enrique Mendez led the way for the West with 30 points while our own Terry McKenzie started at PF for 20 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Jaymes Kincaid had a really strange game, playing 15 minutes for 0 points on 0/5 shooting and 10 assists. T-Mac was our only participant in the game which I found strange as either Jack or Earl should have been picked.
Western Conference All Star Starters
Ledaryl McMillian, Golden State Warriors
Mike Bickerstaf, Oklahoma City Thunder
Enrique Mendez, Minnesota Timberwolves
Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks
Jimmy Forrest, Portland Trailblazers
Teams with most participants – Portland (Jimmy Forrest, Tiburcio Tommasini) and Denver (Jason London, Schuyler Vanderwerken) with two.
Teams represented – Ten (Portland, Denver, Minnesota, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Golden State, Houston, Sacramento, Milwaukee and Seattle).
Eastern Conference All Star Starters
Jamil Fleming, Philadelphia 76ers
Varlam Chavchavadze, Boston Celtics
Darrell Hampton, Chicago Bulls
Michael McQuay, Atlanta Hawks
Jerry Benton, New Orleans Hornets
Teams with most participants – Atlanta (Michael McQuay, Chris Jones) and Boston (Varlam Chavchavadze, Raul Lopez) with two.
Teams represented – Ten (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Memphis, Washington, Detroit, Indiana, and Toronto).
I know we are sitting pretty on top of the league and the team is clicking really nicely but I really don’t think that pick from New York is going to help a ‘win now’ team like us. And honestly, I love pulling off blockbusters. So I ring Derrick Stowers, the General Manager of the Golden State Warriors.
“Hi Derrick, how’s things?”
“Not bad Yaxley, you’re doing pretty well with yourself out there in Dallas.” He responds.
I’m not a huge fan of mindless pleasantries so I get to the point.
“I want the Buzzsaw.”
Derrick’s tone of voice changes instantly, he is like a mother lion with her cub. “I know you have a load of talent in your team, but Ledaryl is a two time MVP and still only 28 years old. Please don’t undervalue him as I have no patience for pipe dreams, you will have to pay his price.”
“I understand Derrick, so let’s get to it.”
I obviously put the Knicks’ pick on the table as well as Nashon who will fill in nicely at PG for the Warriors but they want more. After what seems like a full day (and twice Derrick left the table vowing he would never come back) we bang out a deal in what will rock the foundation of today’s NBA.
Dallas trade:
C Jeff Cunningham
PG Nashon Smith
SG Tom Phillips
2030 1st round pick (NYK)
Golden State trade:
PG Ledaryl McMillian
C Corey Barnes
Winner – Both surprisingly. Even though the Mavericks get their man and pick up a decent centre in the process the Warriors didn’t leave the table empty handed. Smith is a fantastic point guard and more importantly one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, Cunningham is a dynamite scorer who was put on the back burner in Dallas while Phillips has all the signs of being a top 10-15 SG in the league someday. That leaves a pretty much guaranteed top three pick in this year’s draft that will bolster GSW’s squad even more. The Warriors have three new starters as Tom Phillips has been given his chance to show his stuff after being down in the D-League for the season so far.
I agree completely, even though I got my man crush Derrick didn’t back down. After doing the deal I’m a little anxious that I did the right thing but I believe a combo a Ledaryl/Earl/Jack/T-Mac will be better than what we had. Corey Barnes is starting at C but Mike Lingle will play substantial minutes there to start off.
Our first game with the Buzzsaw was a underwhelming 102-93 win over Boston as it was Corey Barnes who did the damage, going off for 24 points, 17 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks to steal the thunder. Ledaryl had a rough night, shooting 4/15 for 10 points and 12 assists as Earl had 25 points and 9 rebounds. Varlam Chavchavadze was the high man in the game with 26 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds as Raul Lopez went 9/24 for 19 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Dallas Mavericks 39-9
The Buzzsaw revs up in our 108-81 win over Philly with 25 points and 5 assists as T-Mac added 23 points and 12 rebounds. Earl Oliver sprained his wrist and will be out for a while as Ryan Robinson took his spot in the game with 12 points in 10 minutes. John Kelly might have been the highest scorer for the Sixers but he went 6/17 as they shot 36% form the field.
Dallas Mavericks 40-9
The trade deadline is coming up and already there has been some massive deals, not including ours.
Portland trade:
C Jimmy Forrest
Memphis trade:
PF Marcus Randle
Winner – Memphis. Randle has had it tough since he moved to Memphis but he could turn things around with a bonafide MVP level SF just like he did in Dallas with Kevin Durant. Having Tiburcio Tommasini handling the scoring it could open Randle up to do everything else like he did with the Mavericks. The reason Memphis wins this is because Cort Majishun has been carrying this team single handedly so having a fantastic scorer like Forrest will take some of the load of Majishun to really becoming a top three point guard instead of worrying about everything.
Philadelphia trade:
SG BB Henderson
PG Kyrie Irving
C Ben Chambers
Houston trade:
SF Jamaal Lewis
2030 2nd round pick
Winner – Philadelphia. This kind of stupidity from the Rockets should be outlawed as Lewis is so much more talented than the three traded players it’s just not funny. Irving and Chambers were both released so it’s a Lewis for Henderson deal which is horrible for Houston. The Sixers are now championship contenders with this deal and strangely enough all of their starters’ first names begin with the letter J (Jamil Fleming, John Kelly, Jamaal Lewis, Jared Arenas and Justin Robinson).
Isaac Holdan is filling in at SG for the injured Earl Oliver while Mike Lingle is taking over at C for the banged up Corey Barnes in our away game against Boston and for only the fourth time this season we were held to less than 100 points. We still won, 91-85, as the Celtics shot 34% from the field. The Buzzsaw is starting to get going again, this time with 31 points while T-Mac added 17 points and 15 rebounds to help out. Gabriel Estevez had 23 points and 8 rebounds (and 9/19 foul shooting) but they just shot really, really badly as a team.
Dallas Mavericks 41-9
Tiburcio Tommasini had 36 points and 10 rebounds but we finished with the win, outrunning the Blazers 122-111 behind the Buzzsaw’s 26 points and 8 assists. Seven Maverick players were in double figures as Mike Lingle and Corry Hackworth combined for 22 points in 29 minutes off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks 42-9
In a fantastic battle between two of the best SFs in the world, Jack got his revenge on the much more publicized Enrique Mendez, going 11/19 from the field, 7/9 from three and 10/10 from the line with 39 points as we take out the Wolves 123-112. Mendez didn’t embarrass himself, going 12/15 from the field (but 1/6 from the line) for 26 points but eventually fouled out trying to guard our captain. Camah Williams was pretty bad with 11 points and 6 fouls as he and Ledaryl cancelled each other out.
Dallas Mavericks 43-9
It’s amazing having the Buzzsaw (25 points, 8 assists) on our squad but Corey Barnes has been a great find and tonight combined with T-Mac for 26 points and 25 rebounds as we beat up Memphis 105-86. Jimmy Forrest was below his best with 14 points and 7 rebounds as Cort Majishun only scored 7 points but dished out 13 assists.
Dallas Mavericks 44-9
Our last game of February was one of the easiest games we have played all month as we blast the Raptors to kingdom come 138-97 as we shoot 63% from the field. Captain Jack led the way with 29 points while T-Mac and Buzzsaw combined to shoot 18/21 for 44 points as everyone had a least one bucket on the whole team. Matias Perez (who was one of my draftees) was Toronto’s only shining light with 24 points and 8 assists.
Dallas Mavericks 45-9
We’re on a 13 game winning streak and are well and truly leading the pack with a five game lead over Portland and a nine game lead over third placed Denver. Phoenix have taken over in last place at 19-37. Honestly, I thought we would have had a bigger lead with the way we have been playing.
New Orleans and Philadelphia are tied for first place in the East with 22 losses apiece while Chicago are sitting in the final playoff spot with a winning percentage of 45% which really does suck. Orlando are all alone at the bottom of the conference at 13-41.
Dallas Top Points
Ledaryl McMillian – 30.0*
Earl Oliver – 22.0
Jack Dawkins – 21.1
Dallas Top Assists
Ledaryl McMillian – 7.1*
Jack Dawkins – 6.7
Isaac Holdan – 3.8
Dallas Top Rebounds
Terry McKenzie – 9.4
Corey Barnes – 8.6*
Jack Dawkins – 5.6
*Includes Golden State numbers.
If you’re interested in knowing how all the pieces of the massive trade are going in their new digs, here is a run down of their stats –
Ledary McMillian – 7 games, 21.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks
Corey Barnes – 7 games, 11.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 block
Nashon Smith – 8 games, 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.6 blocks
Jeff Cunningham – 6 games, 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks
Tom Phillips – 8 games, 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.0 blocks (his first game was a 12 point, 9 rebound, 6 assist outing and then got shunted to the bench for some reason).
League Leaders
Points – Ledaryl McMillian (DAL) – 30.0
Assists – DeShaun Worley (WAS) – 11.5
Rebounds – Bryce Metcalf (CHA) – 10.8
Blocks – Jerry Benton (NOH) – 2.5
Steals – Jason Collins (OKC) – 2.8
Efficiency – Ledaryl McMillian (DAL) – 27.8
Rookie Leaders
Points – Chris Horvath (GSW) – 15.7
Assists – Carl Abrams (UTA) – 3.7
Rebounds – Matt Reid (ORL) – 6.7
Blocks – Matt Reid (ORL) – 1.5
Steals – Matt Reid (ORL) – 0.8
Efficiency – Matt Reid (ORL) – 13.8
Third Round of NBA Draft Prospects
1. (2) PF Ishmael Faye (Virginia Tech), Freshman, 6’10”, 252lbs
2. (1) PF Reggie Smith (Kent State), Sophomore, 6’8”, 252lbs
3. (3) C Diego Acosta (Argentina), 19 years old, 6’9”, 245lbs
4. (NR) SG Kenyatta Harvey (Purdue), Freshman, 6’7”, 214lbs
5. (NR) C Darryl Abrams (Pittsburgh), Sophomore, 6’9”, 272lbs
Thoughts – It seems that a Faye/Smith top two is in the books barring a completely brain fade but don’t sleep on Harvey who could easily be a top three draftee if he does well in the combine.