“He’s a threat, OK?” Johnson said of Cuban after the Nets’ practice Monday night at SMU. “I know the guy. I think because of the success he’s had — and I know he got criticized a lot for quote-unquote having all those years where he didn’t win a championship — but he’s had some great success here that rivals any situation. So that’s a threat.” (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

ESPN even says that what makes Dallas even more of a threat is that Williams is had lots of success in the American Airlines Center. In ten career games he’s averaged 22.3 points on 50.3 shooting from the field. Not bad numbers at all. Deron’s also talked highly of the arena.

“I’ve always liked playing here,” he said. “This is one of my favorite arenas to play in, probably my favorite arena to play in. I just enjoy playing in it. I enjoy playing in front of my friends and family. It’s always good for them to get the chance to see me play.” (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

I never thought Deron would still be with the Nets when they make their move to Brooklyn. Now that we see what top level teams could be interested in his services then I think it’s even less likely that he makes it too Brooklyn in a Nets uniform.

The good thing he did last night though was not address the rumors.

“I’m just going to play out this season and look at my options after this season,” Williams said, repeating several variations of that statement during a five-minute session with the media. (Tim McMahon – ESPN Dallas)

Asked about playing the Suns Wednesday night, he said: “It’s a rivalry game. For me, I’ve always taken that matchup personally and it’s nothing different this time. As long as they’re Phoenix and we’re Dallas, it’s going to mean something special.”

Really, Phoenix? Why would Terry, who went to the University of Arizona where he won an NCAA championship, think of the Suns as a natural rival?

“When I came here, I was obviously chosen as the guy to replace Steve Nash somewhat,” Terry said. “So there’s always a little extra motivation when we play against them.”(Dallas Morning News)

Little far fetched to call the Suns a rivalry because of that but I can understand it. Terry wants to prove himself every time he plays Steve Nash. Can you blame him after the huge star Nash became after leaving Dallas?

Regardless what he considers a rival or not, I’ll be interested to see how Terry performs. Will he step his game up against what he considers to be his most hated opponents?

“This is rivalry week for me,” he said. “Playing against Phoenix and then you turn around the next night with San Antonio, expect big things from the Jet.”(Dallas Morning News)

Vince Carter made it through waivers and was signed by the Mavericks this evening to a three-year contract.

The deal starts at about $3 million, which was all the Mavericks had to offer under terms of the new collective-bargaining agreement. The final two years are partially guaranteed. (Eddie Sefko – The Dallas Morning News)

Vince may not be the star he once was but he can still be a valuable asset to a contender. In 2010-11 he averaged 13.5 points and 3.6 rebounds over 27:11 minutes per game.

So what does this mean? That the NBA Champions got deeper and are definitely reloading for another championship run.

In the last year of his contract, Rudy Fernandez has already seen what could be his only season with the Mavs cut short by the NBA lockout. And after Fernandez suffered a knee injury on Thursday while playing overseas with the Real Madrid basketball team, it looked as though his short stay in Dallas could get shorter.

But, despite fears that Fernandez’s injury could keep him out for a month, an MRI conducted Friday only revealed swelling in the knee, and the team’s official website reported that Fernandez is expected to miss seven days.

That means the Spanish guard should be ready in plenty of time for Dallas’ Christmas-day opening against the Heat. (Dallas Morning News)

I’d think after this injury Rudy will just shut it all down and rest up for the NBA season. If he’s out for about seven days that would bring him to December 3rd-4th. If NBA camps are going to open on the 12th of December then it really is best for him to just rest and make sure he’s all systems go.

With the league planning on 66 games in six months the schedule will get pretty rough at points. Every team is going to be scheduled at least one set of three games in three nights, with some teams getting three sets of those.

So yea, it’s in his best interest to rest and make sure that knee is good to go. I’m sure Mavericks brass has made some phone calls to Rudy’s people to discuss this. Don’t want to see a guy you traded a first round pick for go down early because of an injury suffered elsewhere.

“I’ve seen a lot of ring designs,” Terry said. “Whenever that day comes, whenever that day might be, it will be another great day. [Opening day] is the day you finally get your rings, and it’s the fans’ day. I was sick for them. You had [Nov. 1] circled on your calendar when the schedule came out. We were playing Chicago, opening night and [Derrick Rose(notes)] was coming to town.

“But it’s here and gone. We sorely regret it and wish we can get that day back.” (Marc Spears – Yahoo Sports)

This is the first time I kind of believe a player but at the same time I’m taking it with a grain of salt. He says its the fans day but in reality I’ve always thought of it as the players day. Like Terry said it’s the day they finally get their rings. The ring will be one of their most prized possessions from their playing days, something saying they were better then everyone else.

For the fans, it’s just our last chance to celebrate. So I have to ask, how is it our day? All it is, is our last chance to celebrate the fact that our team was the PRIOR years champion. Our one last chance to stick it to our rival opponent’s fans. So that is why I’m taking it with a grain of salt.

Whenever the NBA resumes, Dallas fans will get to rejoice and celebrate that championship one more time. But you know what there is a reason why Terry wants that day back. He knows that once that final celebration comes that they’ll probably be playing in front of a half empty arena. What kind of celebration is that?

For all you college basketball fans you may want to check out this video of Jeremy Lamb of UCONN going absolutely HAM on Columbia.

Patrick Courtney, a spokesman for commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday night, that the MLB will invite Nowitzki to throw out the first pitch during one of the three possible games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. (Evan Grant – SportsDay DFW)

Good move Bud!!! He’s a local hero after leading the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship he deserves the right to throw out the first pitch as another local team tries to bring home the cities second championship in a year.

I do have to say something I’ve always said, Selig you’re a moron. Even reversing course doesn’t change that you still are. You could have saved yourself some trouble and just made the decision from the beginning.

Holger Geschwindner, longtime personal coach and close friend to the Mavericks’ perennial all-star and MVP of the NBA Finals, said Tuesday that Nowitzki plans on waiting until January before striking any deal with a German or other European club.

“Dirk will wait until January,” Geschwindner said. “If the complete season will be canceled, he has to join a team to stay in shape.” (Dallas News)

I’m not a Mavericks fan but this is definitely the best decision Dirk could have made. Personally, I think too many NBA players, especially international players, burn themselves out to quickly. They play the NBA season, then go back to their countries and play in international tournaments all summer long. They never take off to let their body heal or even get a mental break.

Look at Dirk’s past season, he played longer then all but 23 other players, a complete NBA season all the way to the NBA Finals. After a very brief break he took off to Europe to try and help his native Germany qualify for the Olympics. That’s a lot of action and in strenuous situations.

I’d say this decision and the lockout are going to do wonders for Dirk. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come back stronger then ever when the NBA eventually starts back up.

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