June 23, 2004

Shaq as a Mav? Thanks, but no thanks.: why I don't want Shaq in Dallas

The rumor mill is moving at an excrutiatingly quick pace. What would it take to get Shaq in Dallas? It should be every fan's dream come true, right? Getting one of the most dominant players in NBA history to fill the position that your team has struggled with year after year, a position so vital to succeeding in the Western Conference. Guaranteed playoff runs. Instant contendors. Who wouldn't love it? Well, I don't. There are two major reasons I don't want Shaq in Dallas: 1) It'll totally change the style of Mavericks basketball. For those that love quick games, the Mavericks have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NBA for a few seasons now. High-octane energy, running the court, great shooting, and little defense. Having been to the American Airline Center a fair share of times during my tenure in Dallas, the energy really is electric when the Mavs are on a roll, something that is all but guaranteed a few times a game. Bring in Shaq - who, let's face it, is no Charlie Hustle - and all of the sudden the crux of your offense rests on passing it to the middle, a slow back-up, possibly a pass to the arc again, pass it back in, back up some more, and layup/dunk. Maybe a missed free throw for gravy. *yawn* 2) If it happens, and the Mavericks do go on to win the big one, it'll feel cheap. I've watched the triumverate of Nowitzki, Nash, and Finley grow and mature together. Dirk and Nash get along like dorm roommates. Add in some great role players over the years (Raja Bell, Adrian Griffin, and this year, the surprise emergence of Marquis Daniels and Josh Howard) and this team is a pretty tight bunch. I've laughed with them during their victories and cried with them during their defeats. It truly feels like My Team. But I heard on the radio this evening that the Lakers have already said that any deal for Shaq will have to involve Dirk, and then some. Granted, this hasn't been the most successful core of players in NBA history. Hell, the farthest they've gotten is the Conference Finals, and were it not for C-Webb's injury, they may not even have made it there. But I bet it'd be tough to come up with five NBA threesomes that have been as entertaining to watch. Buying Shaq seems like the (expensively) cheap way out. Not having lived in a city that's won a championship (I wasn't quite in Dallas during the Stars Cup victory, although I lived fairly close), I can't imagine how much fun it is for fans. But I can imagine that the difference between seeing the team that you've rooted for for years finally emerge victorious and spending a bunch of money to get a trophy or two is pretty wide. Now, don't get me wrong. I've got plenty of respect for Shaq's skills. He absolutely belongs in the HOF and will retire as one of the most successful and dominant players in NBA history. If he does wind up in Dallas, I'll still root for the team. If they win a championship, you're damn right I'll be cheering my ass off and hi-fiving my friends. I'll still go to games and scream at the refs with 26,000 other fans. It just won't be as fun.

posted by Ufez Jones to commentary at 08:05 PM - 0 comments