New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

The Players That Made the Mavericks Champions

Since the start of the season this Dallas team was the odds on favourites for the title and after a 26-1 start to the campaign it was starting to become a formality. The playoffs were even easier, going 16-3 with plenty of blowouts for the crowd to get involved. Here are the guys that made it happen –

#4 SG Jason Allen (Kansas), 6’3”, 195lbs, five years pro
Stats – 81 games, 19 starts, 12.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks
Playoff Stats – 18 games, 0 starts, 5.3 minutes, 3.5 points, 0.6 assists, 0.7 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.1 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

A dynamic defender, Allen was the tough as nails guy who would shut down opposing guards. His numbers fell off a cliff after Tate McKenzie got the starting SG gig but he still brought it everyday in training.

#33 SF Lavor Freeman (Missouri), 6’10”, 195lbs, thirteen years pro
Stats – 24 games, 0 starts, 8.2 minutes, 3.5 points, 0.6 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks
Playoff Stats – DNP
Acquired by – Trade

Coming over with Kresimir Balas from Washington, Freeman played the elder statesman of the team. After being with six teams he knew a thing or two about what it’s like being on the road and he really tutored Balas as they formed a bond in the trade.

#6 SG Lamoni Daniels (North Carolina State), 6’6”, 223lbs, eight years pro
Stats – 37 games, 1 start, 8.9 minutes, 5.0 points, 0.6 assists, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks
Playoff Stats – DNP
Acquired by – Free Agency

Another training body that plays his best in practice, Daniels did everything he could to slow down the Buzzsaw. In fact, McMillian went on record in saying that his great playoff drive had a lot to do with Daniels never giving up behind the scenes.

#25 PG Isaac Holdan (Massachusetts), 6’0”, 167lbs, eleven years pro
Stats – 36 games, 0 starts, 6.0 minutes, 3.4 points, 1.8 assists, 0.6 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats – 12 games, 0 starts, 5.3 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.1 assists, 0.8 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.0 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

After being with the Mavericks for four years now, Holdan knows how this team is run. It seems that nothing happens unless Holdan is in on it or knows about it, he is that ingrained with the club. His minutes were greatly cut with the addition of Ledaryl McMillian and Tate McKenzie but he took it all in his stride to get his second championship ring.

#17 SF Corry Hackworth (Longwood), 6’10”, 195lbs, fifteen years pro
Stats – 41 games, 3 starts, 9.0 minutes, 3.0 points, 0.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats – 18 games, 0 starts, 8.1 minutes, 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.3 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.1 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

A real nice ending to Hackworth’s story. He has been a fantastic player throughout his career but he could never get over the top to a title. But finally, at age 34, he has done it. A string bean through and through, he never let his size get him down to become one of the best rebounding SFs in his prime.

#31 PF Brandon Anderer (USC), 6’8”, 233lbs, twelve years pro
Stats – 70 games, 0 starts, 11.6 minutes, 6.9 points, 0.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats – 1 game, 0 starts, 6.0 minutes, 3.0 points, 0.0 assists, 1.0 rebound, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

One of General Manager Yaxley MacMillan’s first draft choices when he came to Dallas, Anderer was thought to be a bust at number seven. He bounced around the league before settling in New York and playing well. He never gave up on the thought of winning a title, and took a drastic pay cut to make his way onto this Dallas side where his gamble paid off.

#50 C Kresimir Balas (Croatia), 6’11”, 264lbs, rookie season
Stats – 30 games, 12 starts, 16.4 minutes, 6.6 points, 0.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 0.3 steals, 0.2 blocks
Playoff Stats – 18 games, 0 starts, 4.0 minutes, 2.0 points, 0.1 assists, 0.3 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks
Acquired by – Draft

After being sent down to the D-League for some court time he raced back into the pros. He started a dozen games and played really well (apart from some rookie mistakes) but was sent down the depth chart during the playoffs when the rotation became tighter. It looks like he will have a great future on his hands if he can keep working on his game and trying to get better.

#53 C Andy Babul (Sacramento State), 6’9”, 292lbs, twelve years pro
Stats – 2 games, 0 starts, 3.0 minutes, 0.5 points, 0.0 assists, 0.5 rebounds, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks
Playoff Stats – 18 games, 0 starts, 9.9 minutes, 2.6 points, 0.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.6 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

A late, late, late addition to the team, Babul only came aboard when the Mavericks had clinched the home court advantage. Coach Kevin Garnett wanted a savvy bench big who didn’t care about minutes but when he got them would produce and that was Andy Babul. He probably won’t be back on the team next season but playing 20 games to get a ring is damn good work if you can get it.

#30 PF Anthony Davis (Kentucky), 6’10”, 222lbs, nineteen years pro
Stats – 81 games, 11 starts, 20.3 minutes, 7.5 points, 1.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.3 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 0 starts, 20.2 minutes, 7.3 points, 1.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

You know the deal about Anthony Davis – top 30 all time in scoring, top 20 in rebounding, number three in steals and number one in blocks makes his a guaranteed selection for the Hall of Fame. Now he has even more ammunition with the addition of his sixth championship ring which puts him in a category that only has a few members. He says he will go around one more season as well, so who knows if he will add to it?

#8 SG Earl Oliver (Kentucky), 6’5”, 210lbs, fourteen years pro
Stats – 82 games, 3 starts, 17.9 minutes, 10.8 points, 1.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.3 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 0 starts, 19.7 minutes, 9.5 points, 1.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Acquired by – Trade

Another old Kentuckian, Oliver knows what he can do and what he can’t. He can score, he can’t defend. So bringing him off the bench at this stage of his career for a quick 20 minute game is perfect to score some much need points. He is also a MASSIVE expiring contract which will help keep the Mavericks’ salary in check.

#44 C Tyson Joyner (Wake Forest), 6’11”, 264lbs, ten years pro
Stats – 78 games, 62 starts, 26.3 minutes, 7.4 points, 1.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 19 starts, 29.4 minutes, 6.9 points, 1.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks
Acquired by – Trade

Another guy who knows what he can and can’t do, this time he can defend and he can’t do most other things. That doesn’t sound too exciting but after taking care of Denver’s Schuyler Vanderwerken and Miami’s Eryk Charnowski no-one is laughing at him now.

#23 PG Tate McKenzie (Syracuse), 5’11”, 178lbs, twelve years pro
Stats – 80 games, 62 starts, 28.5 minutes, 10.0 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 19 starts, 31.8 minutes, 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.1 blocks
Acquired by – Free Agency

After a bit of a fuss at the start of the season when he wasn’t starting, he couldn’t have been happier with being in Dallas. His teammates were pretty happy as well with the addition passing on the team now Jack Dawkins and Ledaryl McMillian could go about their business in running teams into the ground. His defence is out of this world as well and even though he has a tiny frame he didn’t let anyone push him around on the court.

#43 PF Terry McKenzie (UCLA), 6’10”, 256lbs, six years pro
Stats – 79 games, 79 starts, 33.0 minutes, 18.1 points, 1.2 assists, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 19 starts, 33.7 minutes, 18.8 points, 1.1 assists, 9.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.6 blocks
Acquired by – Trade

He may be the third superstar on this team but when he wants to he can bring it, shown by his 40 point, 12 rebound performance in the title clinching game this post-season. He is known as the clutch man of the team as whenever Dallas needs a basket they go to this guy. He playoff numbers were up from the season, just showing how much he wanted a championship.

#3 PG Ledaryl McMillian (Fresno State), 6’0”, 179lbs, nine years pro
Stats – 79 games, 79 starts, 37.3 minutes, 28.1 points, 6.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 0.5 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 19 starts, 38.3 minutes, 29.2 points, 5.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks
Acquired by – Trade

Buzzsaw by name, buzzsaw by nature as he tore opposing point guards to shreds all throughout the playoffs. And it’s not like they were chumps, going through Nashon Smith, Reggie Dobbins, Jehiel DeSantis and finally Kenneth Long to take home his first ring to go along with his three MVP awards. At only 29 years old he has just reached his prime so look out for another title in his sights.

#41 SF Jack Dawkins [CAPTAIN], (Fairfield), 6’9”, 245lbs, six years pro
Stats – 79 games, 79 starts, 37.3 minutes, 22.2 points, 5.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks
Playoff Stats – 19 games, 19 starts, 38.6 minutes, 23.7 points, 5.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Acquired by – Trade

He has played all but one game in a Dallas uniform and if it was up to the Mavericks fans that is the way he will stay as he is the face of this town after bringing two titles to the city. People flock to his outspoken love of the city and of basketball, which has brought in a huge wave of new supporters who get swept up in his enthusiasm. His play in the playoffs was fantastic, wiping away any trace of last season’s defeat.

Head Coach – Kevin Garnett, 53 years old, 14th year with Dallas, 9th as head coach, 5th championship
First Assistant – Luke Battier, 57 years old, 18th year coaching, 8th with Dallas, 4th championship
Second Assistant – Glendon Woni, 60 years old, 14th year coaching, 14th with Dallas, 5th championship
Third Assistant – Mike McDade, 42 years old, 8th year coaching, 8th with Dallas, 4th championship
General Manager – Yaxley MacMillan, 51 years old, 19th year managing, 12th with Dallas, 6th championship

[zike_42]

Mmm, bah, what’s that? Time for the lottery? Damn, it’s time to go back to work? But I don’t want to, I like celebrating the title. Fine.

16 – Atlanta (0)
15 – Sacramento (0)
14 – Houston (0)
13 – Phoenix (0)
12 – Milwaukee (0)
11 – Boston (0)
10 –Seattle (0)
9 – Detroit (0)
8 – Indiana (0)
7 – Chicago (0)
6 – Toronto (-1)

Finally some movement as Utah jumps.

5 – Charlotte (-2)

And there goes Nevada as well.

4 – Orlando (-3)

Massive drop from the league’s worst team.

3 – Los Angeles (-1)
2 – Nevada (+2)
1 – Utah (+5)

Great win for the Jazz as they will probably add Cliff Havens to the squad as they won’t want to double up on Mark Lyday and Nathaniel Jackson.

Awards time and there is a nice buzz around Ledaryl to take home the MVP award.

Most Valuable Player:
Enrique Mendez, Minnesota Timberwolves – 30.6 points, 4.0 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 2.1 blocks

Great back to back wins by the Argentinean after last year’s MVP.

Defensive Player of the Year:
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers – 3.4 points, 9.3 assists, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 3.2 blocks

As good as advertised, too bad he can’t score to save himself.

Sixth Man of the Year:
Tobe Slaughter, Portland Trailblazers – 24.0 points, 1.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.0 blocks

Not really fair as Slaughter started quite a few games but he is a quality player.

Rookie of the Year:
Magnus Carlsson, Golden State Warriors – 38.9 points, 0.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks

Also as good as advertised, too bad he can’t stay in front of anyone.

Coach of the Year:
Vinny Del Negro, San Diego Riders – 62-20 (.756)

I’m a little annoyed about this one as Coach Garnett was much better with a better record and actually won the title.

All NBA First Team:
Ledaryl McMillian, Dallas Mavericks
Magnus Carlsson, Golden State Warriors
Enrique Mendez, Minnesota Timberwolves
Murray Cornette, San Diego Riders
Rowan Taylor, Washington Wizards

All NBA Second Team:
Cort Majishun, Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Bickerstaf, Oklahoma City Thunder
Darrell Hampton, Detroit Pistons
Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks
Jimmy Forrest, Memphis Grizzlies

All NBA Third Team:
Jaymes Kincaid, Sacramento Kings
Tobe Slaughter, Portland Trailblazers
Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks
Julius Hobbs, New York Knicks
Eryk Charnowski, Miami Heat

Shows how good we were this year, three players for All NBA and an ex-Mav in the third team in Hobbs.

All Defence First Team:
Camah Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jamaal Lewis, Philadelphia 76ers
Carl Farmer, Denver Nuggets
Mark Lewis, New Orleans Hornets

All Defence Second Team:
Dave Coulter, New York Knicks
Kenneth Long, Miami Heat
Chris Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Marcus Randle, Portland Trailblazers
Eryk Charnowski, Miami Heat

All Rookie First Team:
Brant Jackson, Atlanta Hawks
Magnus Carlsson, Golden State Warriors
Lionel Guiden, Toronto Raptors
Ish Faye, Indiana Pacers
Charles Robinson, Milwaukee Bucks

All Rookie Second Team:
Brian Burks, Miami Heat
Oskar Carlsson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Peter Jones, Indiana Pacers
Reggie Smith, Golden State Warriors
Andre Walker, New Orleans Hornets

I get a visit from Mr Perry who is over the moon about getting another title, his second in only three years. He is about to get onto next season when I stop him.

“Sorry Mr Perry, but there is something I need to say. These twelve years I have been in Dallas have been so much fun and I’ll never forget them but I need a change. I’m 51 years old now and I feel like I need a new challenge. Yes Dallas has been great to me and my family and getting them from cellar dwellers to annual championship contenders has been the best thing in my life but right now it’s not challenging me so I have decided to leave Dallas to try and do the same thing with another team. It’s not what you want to hear but the team is in a great position with guys like Ledaryl and Jack and T-Mac so they will still be on top of the pile the next fews years and are already the favourites for next season so it’s not like I’m leaving you for dead. I would like to thank you for being there for me and the family and I hope you get someone who knows what they are doing after me.”

He sat there for at least 100 seconds before nodding, shaking my hand and leaving without saying a word.

The news got out fairly quickly to the media and I thought I would have heaps of teams after me but only two rang my phone – the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers. I tell them both I need to weigh up my options and I’ll call them back.

OK loyal readers, it’s your turn to pick which team I go to! Here are some pros and cons for each.

Brooklyn pros
-Quality talent with the likes of Lars Ray, Chris Canal, Jason Harriman and the free agent Leroy Nolan
-Owner Hewitt Wilkins is patient for a team to built
-Have never won a title which would make me a hero if I got one for them
-High fan support

Brooklyn cons
-Some truly horrible contracts that will not be moveable unless I bend over
-The best player on the team, Lars Ray, is a terrible defender
-The second best player on the team, Jason Harriman, has a terrible attitude
-No decent draft picks

Los Angeles pros
-Bonafide superstar, as in top five player in the league, in Michael Taylor
-Decent talent around him like Chris Jackson and Jared Arenas
-Decent trade chips
-Pick number three in the draft

Los Angeles cons
-It’s Los Angeles, like it or not
-Even though owner loves spending money on this team his patience is low
-Talent needs to be culled as too much overlay
-A lot of growing pains in the first year or two

[color="Red"]Which one will it be, Brooklyn or Los Angeles?[/color]

[PointGuard]

Brooklyn

[zike_42]

End of Year Report of the Rookie Six – Year Six

#17 PG Cort Majishun, Memphis Grizzlies – 20.1 points, 11.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks

Truly one of the best point guards in the league, there really isn’t much he can’t do well. Even though he has double digit numbers in three categories Majishun hasn’t recorded a triple double yet so maybe that is next. As usual, the Grizzlies need to get some help around him but at least they made the playoffs this time.

2025 - Rookie Game Starter
2025 - NBA All-Rookie 1st Team
2026 - Sophomore Game Starter
2029 - All-Star Game Reserve
2029 - All-Star Game MVP
2030 - All-Star Game Starter
2030 - All-Star Game MVP
2030 - NBA All-League 2nd Team

#41 SF Jack Dawkins, Dallas Mavericks – 22.2 points, 5.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks

Just coming off his second championship in three years, Jack has it all. And even though he took a step back from the spotlight a little with the addition of Ledaryl McMillian he is still one of the most all round players out there. At age 26, he has filled his potential fully and opposing teams have specific plays to slow him down.

2025 - Rookie Game Starter
2026 - Sophomore Game Starter
2026 - All-Star Game Reserve
2027 - All-Star Game Reserve
2027 - NBA All-League 2nd Team
2028 - All-Star Game Starter
2028 - NBA All-League 2nd Team
2030 - All-Star Game Reserve
2030 - NBA All-League 3rd Team

#43 PF Terry McKenzie, Dallas Mavericks – 18.1 points, 1.2 assists, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks

The oldest of the rookie six at 28 years old, McKenzie is well and truly in his prime. He was a key performer in the gaining his first championship and will be ready to go to go back to back. He may have Ledaryl McMIllian and Jack Dawkins on the squad but people stand up and take notice when he has 40 points and 12 rebounds to clinch the title.

2025 - Rookie Game Starter
2025 - NBA All-Rookie 1st Team
2026 - Sophomore Game Starter
2027 - NBA All-League 1st Team
2028 - All-Star Game Reserve
2028 - NBA All-League 1st Team
2029 - All-Star Game Starter
2029 - NBA All-League 2nd Team
2030 - NBA All-League 2nd Team

#13 SG Kenneth Long, Miami Heat – 20.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks

He finally got to play off the ball and delivered. It is his highest points total for a season and his great defence was rewarded with an All Defence second team nod. I still don’t think he is playing as well as he can and as crazy as it sounds, he probably needs a change of scenery.

2026 - Sophomore Game Starter
2027 - All-Star Game Reserve
2027 - All-Star Game MVP
2027 - NBA All-League 2nd Team
2028 - All-Star Game Reserve
2028 - NBA All-League 2nd Team
2028 - NBA All-Defense 2nd Team
2030 - All-Star Game Starter
2030 - NBA All-Defense 2nd Team

#45 C Art Stevenson, Cleveland Cavaliers – 16.3 points, 1.2 assists, 7.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals, 1.9 blocks

The addition of Oskar Carlsson and Jamil Fleming has done wonders for the Artisan, putting up his best numbers yet in a Cleveland uniform. He needs to increase his rebounding numbers but if he keeps going like this an All Star invitation might be on the cards in the future.

2025 - NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team

#4 SG Chris Jones, Phoenix Suns – 14.4 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks

First he gets out of Atlanta where they just weren’t using him right and he lands in the midst of a Phoenix side that is even worse. Furthermore, he is now having troubles with his coach about where to play. That adds up to a very underperforming and irritated Wizard. If only someone would play him as a SG instead of a PG things would go much smoother but he still has four more years left on his contract at the Suns.

2025 - Rookie Game Reserve
2025 - NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team
2026 - Sophomore Game Reserve
2029 - All-Star Game Reserve

[PointGuard]

zike...kudos on how you've continued to present the Rookie Six. Good read!

[zike_42]

zike...kudos on how you've continued to present the Rookie Six. Good read!

Thanks PG, it's a great way to stay involved in the league but I need to keep telling myself not to trade for all of the players.

[zike_42]

**Last Chance to vote on where I move on to. Brooklyn or Los Angeles, where will I go?**

[SkylineXC]

Being an LA fan I vote for the Lakers!

[AussieVilla]

It's Brooklyn for mine - sounds like exactly the sort of challenge you will thrive in!

[jcomey]

Brooklyn. East coast, get a natural rivalry with the Knicks you started with...since I see this as the last stop, you might as well head back.

I'd say LA, because it'd hit the biggest cities on both coasts...but I also think you should let the Mavs play their run out, and face them in the Finals, not have to go through them on the journey. Also, after living in LA for awhile, I can't stand the Lakers.

So, Brooklyn for me.