Donuts: Tomorrow's Mavs News. ... Today!

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     DONUT 1: “The Miracle Worker’ is no longer in the running to be the head coach of the Detroit Pistons because, apparently, the Pistons didn’t want to pay the going rate for miracles. Bunch of cheap-ass Helen Kellers!

     DONUT 2: The DUST Chip. You might want to get yourself familiar with it. All it is is an example of some of the smartest NBA journalism on the planet. Kudos to our man David Lord, who:

     *Readers are half-joking deserves a Pulitzer.

     *ESPN Radio host Wally Lynn says has the respect and ear of NBA executives

     *The Dallas Morning News’ Tim MacMahon calls “ a salary-cap whiz.’’

     “The DUST Chip’’ is a complicated thing. But trust me, it’s about to enter the NBA vernacular. Don’t believe me? Guess where the Stackhouse/Marion trade was first invented? For that matter, guess which website invented the term “The Stack Chip’’?

     DONUT 3: I really like Brandon Bass as a player and as a guy. But The Summer of Nuclear Winter is slapping him cold in the face. He wants pay and play. … so he’s talking to Detroit? And his agent is pretending Orlando is offering big money? And somebody is pretending San Antonio is on the verge of signing him? And a rumor is floated that Charlotte’s ready to offer five years and $25 mil?

    Somebody is yanking Brandon Bass’ chain here, folks.

    Antonio McDyess is ahead of him in the pecking order, as was Boston-bound Rasheed Wallace. Chris Andersen is getting done in Denver. Glen Davis is up there, too. Oh, and Anderson Varejao. And then, somewhere after that, comes “The Animal.’’

    And if the big money doesn’t come, maybe he comes back to the Mavs.

     DONUT 4: Speaking of money. … the NBA salary cap has been set. (This is boring to you. But to David Lord, it’s like getting a new credit card in the mail.)

      DONUT 5: Marcin Gortat, as he prepares to grab the pen: “I think I’m ready to be a starting lineup guy…I’ll have to fight for that spot, but Dallas has all the pieces. Jason Kidd is a great point guard. Dirk Nowitzki is the best power forward in the game, and I just want to help them win.”

     Welcome to town, “Polish Hammer.’’

     DONUT 6: Or is it “Warlock’’?

     DONUT 7: Or is it “The Polish Jordan’’? Geez. Kid’s got more nicknames than he’s got years in the league.

     DONUT 8: As is the case with Brandon Bass’ agent, Matt Barnes’ guy is also trying to drum up business. Says Dallas is pursing Barnes. Funny thing: I was told very specifically this week that Dallas ISN’T especially in love with Barnes’ game … certainly not for any price above the vets-minimum. (Personally, I'd like Barnes on the cheap, but. ...)

     Huh. I wonder who’s right. … Matt’s agent, or me?

     DONUT 9: Ahman Nivins busts out the Summer League Diary. …

     DONUT 10: Follow us at twitter.com/fishsports ... If not for yourself, do it for the children.

     DONUT 11: Didn’t you used to be Lamar Odom?

     DONUT 12: Funny thing. A couple of days ago, DB.com wrote a story that mentioned Damp being at an Uptown saloon where he was intimating he wouldn’t be leaving Dallas anytime soon.

      Erick Dampier. … one of the reasons DallasBasketball.com is the place to get tomorrow’s Mavs news today!