My sports soul has been in pain for years now. It’s been like watching the family dog’s health deteriorate–knowing the inevitable is coming . It doesn’t see or hear as well as it used to, maybe a limp is developing, and it spends more time sleeping than awake. Sure, there are still good moments from time to time; but you know, as a good owner, you’ll need to put it down soon while it still has some quality of life. Some dignity. You’re dreading that day.
That day has come for the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki. I’m writing this two days after the Mavs clinched their 15th playoff berth in 16 years. A team that was picked by some pundits to finish near the bottom of the west is still in contention for the 5th spot in the conference. Sounds like cause for celebration! But really, it’s just one of those “good moments” I’m referring to. “But Dirk is averaging 19 pts and 7 boards a game, with no signs of slowing down. He’s still the best player on his team. What in the world are you talking about?!” You’re absolutely right; but in my scenario, Dirk isn’t the aging dog, the “Dirk Championship Window in Dallas” is–and those are two very different things.
Nowitzki is the consummate pro, maintaining a level of fitness and focus into his late 30’s that is largely unseen in the league. He is already a sure-fire hall-of-famer and #8 on the all-time scorers list. At his current clip, he will surpass Wilt Chamberlain for the #5 spot in about 100 games. That’s 1.25 seasons, not counting the playoffs. Barring an injury, he will accomplish that before he retires–and Michael Jordan may not be safe at #4. He is 27th this year in points per game, and with 32 teams in the league, that means he is a guaranteed top scorer on at least 6 of them. So why can’t we win another championship with him? Why must he go?
Because in the NBA, one top 32 player is not enough to win. Even with two it’s no guarantee. You must have multiple scoring options with the right pieces around them. Jordan never won a ring without Pippen. Kobe never hung a banner without Shaq or Pau. LeBron James had no titles until he joined forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Even Dirk, in order to hoist the O’Brien 5 years ago, needed fellow hall-of-famer Jason Kidd and other key players. When you look at that list of top 32, the best teams, at least those in the west, have multiple players listed. Golden State has Curry and Thompson, San Antonio has Leonard and Aldridge, OKC has Durant and Westbrook. If you’re going to the finals, you’ll have to go through at least two of those teams. And of those six players, the oldest is Aldridge at 30–7 years younger that Dirk. Dallas doesn’t even have another player in the top 50.
Truth is, no matter how legendary and transcendent Dirk remains in the twilight of his career, the front office has not surrounded him with the kind of talent that translates into deep playoff runs. Dirk will be good enough to keep the Mavs playoff relevant as long as he laces them up; but even if they manage to scrape their way in, they’ll be eliminated by a real contender one or two rounds in. It’s literally a no-win scenario. Just good enough to make the playoffs, removing you from the lottery in the following draft, and not good enough to win a title. Not rebuilding and not contending. So how did Dallas find themselves in this situation? The answer is simple: neglecting the draft.
The three best teams in the west, Golden State, San Antonio, and OKC, have built their teams around their first round draft picks. All the guys named above, except Aldridge, were selected by their current team in the first round. Aldridge, who came to SA as a free agent, was still a 1st round pick by Portland. Heck, even Dirk was a first round pick (technically drafted by the Bucks, but the Mavs traded for him on draft day). Since the 2011 championship, they have either traded their 1st round pick on draft night or not had one because it was included in another trade. The exception is Justin Anderson, last year’s pick, who is currently a starter. Rudy Fernandez, Lamar Odom, Rajon Rondo…all players for whom Dallas gave up at least a first round pick. And why did they make those deals? Why did they mortgage the future? To keep the “Dirk Championship Window” open.
Well, that window is closed. It slammed on Mark Cuban’s and Donnie Nelson’s fingers years ago. All they have left is a loyal icon carrying the team and a group of veterans looking to get their careers back on track. If Dirk wants a realistic shot at another ring before he retires, if the Mavericks want to get back to being a real contender, the best thing for everyone is to trade him to a current contender for undeveloped talent and future first rounders. Dirk would have to sign off on it, because he has a no-trade clause in his contract. The time is now, while he’s still a top 32 player. It’s time for Mark Cuban to be a good owner, leave the fans with good memories, and put this dog down. There’s a puppy out there looking for a good home, and everyone loves a puppy.
DFW Sports Hub 