By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
Hollywood mogul Sam Goldwyn once said that a verbal deal “isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.’’
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Mavs fans who recall the team’s braintrust promising to keep the existing core group together now know what Goldwyn meant – but we can’t imagine Dallas followers being too disturbed by any organizational change of direction that could net Shaquille O’Neal and more.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban and staff have, every summer, made by-rote phone calls to the Lakers regarding the availability of Shaq. But last week, such a phone call blossomed from a summer habit to a focal point that could alter basketball history.
“Shaq leaving the Lakers would shift the balance of power in the league,’’ says Cuban, desirous of having that shift make American Airlines Center the basketball axis of the world.
Arguably the most colorful, quotable, competent player on the planet?
Arguably the most colorful, quotable, competent coach on the planet?
Arguably the most colorful, quotable, competent owner on the planet?
All on the same team? There’s your balance-of-power shift.
But all of this would come with an almost alarming change in the Mavs culture. It would shift the balance of power in the organization, too.
If you hold the Mavs to their pledge to attempt to march on with Dirk Nowitzki/Steve Nash/Michael Finley as the on-court centerpieces, prepare to feel the sting of Goldwyn’s words. In fact, by the time all the dust settles, be prepared for not only the names of O’Neal and Tracy McGrady to be tossed about, but also the name of Phil Jackson.
Cuban drastically changed this franchise’s culture four years ago, changed it for the better. He did so with headline-grabbing moves, with controversial moves, with arguably dangerous moves.
When it comes to having the guts and the imagination to make a big deal,’’ says Mavs exec Donnie Nelson, “nobody is better than Mark.’’
Now, he can do it again.
O’Neal’s $27 million salary for 2004-05 is likely a swallow-able pill for Cuban, especially because his club would give up matching salary to steal the disgruntled Shaq from the Lakers. We’re not nearly as certain about his willingness to possibly have to eat the Orlando contract of the injured Grant Hill in order to acquire McGrady from the Magic.
But a willingness to change gears? A willingness to part with employees (players and coaches) with whom he is close, if it betters the club? We have no doubt of Cuban’s thoughts there.
Would Dallas have to give up Nowitzki to bring Shaq to Dallas? We don’t know.
Would Dallas bite down hard and then do it to bring Shaq to Dallas? We do know that.
Let’s go to Denver and visit with Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe for an education on the subject. Says Kiki, a disciple of Cuban: “For (the Nuggets) to get to the championship level, there will be a big, risky move that will have people scratching their heads.’’
A big, risky move. Or moves, depending on how realistic McGrady is being when he says, “We talk all the time about it. Me and the Big Fella are trying to get to Dallas together now."
One day after making that comment this weekend, McGrady was quoted again, saying he could not talk about him leaving, "until it's official . . . after the draft. "I can't let my tricks out of the bag. I don't have any comment."
That makes it sound as if a McGrady move is done. If rumors that have him heading to Houston are accurate, then the Mac-’N’-Shaq dream might be dead. … leaving the Mavs fantasizing about a way to team The Diesel with The UberMan.
Obviously, Dallas would like to pull this off without losing Nowitzki; the teaming of dual stars is the point. Cuban is doing his best to make it clear that he also wants to make something work while retaining Nellie. Says the owner: “No interest in hiring Phil. He is a great coach. We have a better coach."
There are a variety of packages Dallas could make available to LA. The issue: How many other clubs have the financial wherewithal and the available talent to join the Mavs in the Shaq Sweepstates, and will their packages push the Mavs beyond offering, say, Antawn Jamison and Josh Howard as the foundation of their offer.
A cautionary note: Go back and chart Shaq’s eight years in LA, and you find statements just as outrageous as this trade requests flying out of his mouth on a twice-montly basis. In other words, it’s entirely possible that this is O’Neal blowing smoke, trying to get more money, attempting to leverage his way into choosing LA’s next coach, or just angling to one-up his teammate/rival Kobe Bryant. But ignore all the other sidebar issues for a moment: Add Shaq to the Mavs (regardless of whether Dirk must leave to get it done, regardless of McGrady’s involvement, regardless of whether Jackson suddenly decides he wants a piece of this action) and you drastically change. … well, everything.
And that’s a promise that IS worth the paper its written on.