Monday Morning Donuts: Mavs Notes, Cowboys Spit

Mission Accomplished! (Except For All The Other Missions To Come)

Mike Fisher -- DB.com

   OK, Mavs Donuts: Gambling on the team plane, voting for non-Mavs in the All-Star Game, Chris Bosh rumors, rooting against the Lakers ... It’s time to make the Donuts!

   DONUT 1: Before we get to the assortment of Chris Bosh rumors below, let's peak inside CB's head a bit. When he speaks specifically about Toronto, and free agency, and the future, he is very careful, thoughtful and business-like. But ask him a question about basketball.... and the truth oozes out.

   Example: Sunday's home loss to Boston, and Chris' comments about a specific play as he was trying to lead his Raptors to a comeback.

    In context, that's a rather scathing remark. ... and, I think, a glimpse into something we've known since last summer: Chris Bosh does not want to be in Toronto.

   DONUT 2: Chauncey Billups has thoughts on team-plane gambling. My guess is that he’s taking this position because as a savvy veteran, he cleans up in card games against the dopey kids on the Nuggets.

   DONUT 3: Letters. … we get letters. …

 Hey Fish! You da man. … Love your website. My wife reads it, too … And Mavs Magazine on 103.3 ESPN!
    Anyway, was writing to plug my man Deron Williams from The Colony. Dirk may be the all-time basketball hero of Dallas, but DWill could be the best-ever homegrown talent. Is he better than Chris Bosh? He's right up there with Nash and Paul as the most dynamic point guards of the West, for sure. Regardless, how about dropping a plug for your readers to punch Williams on their all-star ballots? The people in TC would appreciate it, and we're looking forward to him playing in the February fandango. Deron's a real hometown hero around here, and a big reason why we love our basketball.
   Thanks!
    David

   It’s a compelling point. Assuming Mavs guards aren’t to make it … should we want to celebrate the local kids in the local game? Should we be pushing for Mavs players as well as Bosh and Deron?

   DONUT 4: Portland is now 22-4 at home against the Lakers in their last 26 meetings. What does this mean to you, Dear MFFL?

   You should really, really want the Blazers to capture the West’s No. 4 seed.

   DONUT 5: So how much would this division change if the Rockets somehow procured the services of Raptor free-agent-to-be Chris Bosh?

    That would be a major story, of course. But. …

   DONUT 6: Then there’s word that Houston’s also involved in talks to acquire Caron Butler.

   Does that mean Houston is “active’’? Or does it just mean that somebody in Houston is leaking “look-how-active-we-are!’’ propaganda?

   DONUT 7:  One more issue here, and it's so predictable that I can barely stand to even give it its own Donut: No deal involving Bosh can happen without a New York tabloid saying something about it. ... and without the Lakers being involved in the rumor.

   DONUT 8: A weekend tweet from the Nets’ Chris Douglas-Roberts:

   “I think we just traded for my college teammate Shawne Williams. Uh ohhhhhhh. Memphis callaboooooo!’’

   Well, Chris, yes you are trading for Shawne.  But don’t bother reserving a locker stall for him. Because, kid, you’re not really “getting’’ Shawne.’’ You’re getting an education in how the NBA is a business.

   DONUT 9: Now, Craig James has been a friend of mine for 20 years. But all things considered, his decision to consider running for Senator in Texas seems to be ill-timed.

    I mean, he’s certainly not going to get many votes out in West Texas, eh?

   DONUT 10: A Lesson In Why Teams Lose (And Outsiders Rarely Know 'Til It's Too Late): The reason Minny is trying to trade Al Jefferson (for Danny Granger or whomever) is this:

   Minnesota also has chemistry issues between Jefferson and forward Kevin Love. “There’s some jealous stuff that’s playing out,” one league source said.

   DONUT 11: As of this weekend, the West had 11 teams over .500, while the East had only six. Steve Perrin of Clips Nation says that the League should retool the playoff brackets: “At some level it's totally illogical NOT to have the best 16 teams playing in the postseason."

   DONUT 12: As the Cowboys were putting the finishing touches on their home win over the Eagles – a first-round victory and Dallas’ first postseason win in 13 years -- Jerry Jones reached over to suite-mate George W. Bush and they exchanged high-fives. I think they did so in front of a huge banner that read, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.''