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Here come the "stoner" jokes.

Sports_Fan_19 | 05/15/08, 07:30 AM

Carlisle to Howard- Where do you get your weed?

I've got more, I'll space them out threw out the day

Hank Hill | 05/15/08, 07:45 AM

That photo goes to show that SI is deliberately framing Ric to be Jim Carey's double.

Ejaculator | 05/15/08, 08:23 AM

Howard probably had the Munchies anyway. This way he could save his Twinkies.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 08:58 AM

There's a faint resemblance to Jim Carrey at best. However, if you put Mark, Don, and Rick all together, they could look like brothers - the 3 White-Boy Amigos.
Anyway, back to the topic - it looks as if Rick is doing all he can to establish a good repoire with the key players, which means that he is aiming high (no pun intended!). It is impressive that Rick is putting in this effort to spend time with the players so soon. That means that the Mavs will play hard for him, and things are looking good for the Mavs next year.
- JL

Jay L. | 05/15/08, 08:59 AM

Damn.... must be some good weed. I see Howard being his favorite pet.

Se7en - Bringing sexy back | 05/15/08, 10:00 AM

Howard is done in dallas. Cuban isn't a man with too much patience. Besides a change of scenary might not be too bad. Talk to ATL for a sign and trade Josh Smith for Howard, and other pieces to make it work. Smith never seemed happy to play for Woodson.

ESPN | 05/15/08, 10:06 AM

Dallas has done all they're going to do with this roster. Asking them to do better, is asking them to do something they aren't capable of doing. Hopefully someone will realize before it's too late, that to be an elite team in this league, you Must have a center.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 12:08 PM

They met at his Josh's house and then were seen at Dunkin Donuts and then Burger King and Taco Bell

jobless | 05/15/08, 12:28 PM

Oh Hllwd. Center, center , center. I'm getting really centered about this center subject. Centrally speaking, what is the status of J.O'Neal? I think he was trying to hold Indiana hostage over his contract and would they trade that trouble to Dallas for Damp? That seems really far fetched but the Indiana contact is there. Otherwise, what center is out there, you don't think Dirk will play that position, or is that your point?

pencilneckgeek | 05/15/08, 01:14 PM

First of all O'Neal isn't worth the risk. Knees seldom get well. They get better. It would take Dirk out of his comfort zone, and you would still need another big to fill the position. You're right--there aren't a lot of centers out therebut Cuban has deep pockets and is going to have to make the effort if he wants to win. The Lakers got Gasol because they were willing to say to Hell with the salary cap. Cuban is going to have to do the same thing. Otherwise nothing is ever going to happen for this team. It's insane to do the same thing over and over, and expect different results.
A team without a post presence, becomes nothing but jumpshooters on offense. We know how that turns out. And on the defensive end they become susceptible to cutters and slashers. The Warriors proved that last year. Carlisle will do no better than Avery.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 01:51 PM

Money does not "buy" championships! Look at the pitiful Knicks. Dallas needs to gut the team, start over and build through the draft. The current team will always be a bridesmaid but never the bride.

CelticHater | 05/15/08, 02:26 PM

Dallas has done all they're going to do with this roster. Asking them to do better, is asking them to do something they aren't capable of doing. Hopefully someone will realize before it's too late, that to be an elite team in this league, you Must have a center.
Hllywd | 05/15/08, 12:08 PM
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Pretty much says it all. If I had to bet what was really said in this meeting it would be, "So Howard, we are looking at trading you. I just want you to know that."
Seriously, Howard has to be at the top of the trade list and as Hllywd said, they can't go any further with the same team on the court regardless of the coach.

TheDude | 05/15/08, 02:34 PM

Duncan is not a center by his definition and the Spurs do have rings to prove that a traditional center is not needed. He a post up presence, true, but not a center. My point is, these teams are trying to adapt (Dallas too) without the (Shaq of Hakeem) center, Damp won't score and can't if they won't pass the ball to him. Dirk tried to post up this year with little success, but he just isn't good enough to make a difference with that part of the scheme, Tyson C. isn't a post up presence but West makes up for that with the mid-range J. So... I'm still trying to find truth in this centerless world.

pencilneckgeek | 05/15/08, 02:49 PM

If you read the original post, I also used the term post presence. Certainly noone one will argue that Duncan is definitely a post presence at both ends of the floor. Dampier should be coming of the bench to give a real center some rest. He cannot be anyones go to guy. With a game in the balance, who would you want with the ball, Dampier or Dirk. That's why the ball doesn't go inside.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 03:36 PM

Josh Howard was a fluke all star.

TuroksDad | 05/15/08, 03:44 PM

Money does not "buy" championships! Look at the pitiful Knicks. Dallas needs to gut the team, start over and build through the draft. The current team will always be a bridesmaid but never the bride.
CelticHater | 05/15/08, 02:26 PM

Bad example. The Knicks spent money for garbage. On the other hand, look what the Lakers got. Jerry Buss was the only owner that was willing to go over the salary cap. Until some of these executives begin watching basketball instead of the bottom line, the fans will be cheated. No championship team has ever lost money. You do what you have to do to win. The rest will take care of itself.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 03:46 PM

Breaking up this team would be stupid. All they need is to add the right pieces. Read some of my posts from months ago. I said long ago, Kidd wasn't going to help, and Dallas would be a 1st round knockout.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 05/15/08, 03:49 PM

You make a good point with Duncan but he does tend to sit quite a bit lower in the post than Dirk when he was trying to play more of a center this year. I haven't been as down on Damp as others but I do agree he is making WAY too much money.
The key difference between Dirk and others such as Duncan really is that they have people around them who can shoot. It makes them better. To be honest, if Howard had come up big this year with improvent then we would be looking at a whole different team. He should be a David West type of player. He should often be out scoring Dirk and always right in the mix. One key player can take pressure off of everyone and make the entire team much better. I think this was Cuban's thinking in getting Kidd but he didn't realize how bad Kidd's shooting would be.
Personally I would have everyone up for grabs except Dirk. If you get the right offer then even Dirk is a possible trade. Oh, Bass would be a keeper. He was the highlight of the brief playoff season for Dallas. Bass is coming around.

TheDude | 05/15/08, 04:08 PM

Hllywd-
I'm not sure the right pieces will be put together without moving some of the other pieces out. That is the problem. In order for good pieces to come in someone has to go.

TheDude | 05/15/08, 04:10 PM