Morning Donuts: (Roster) Turnovers, Freshly-Baked

   Welcome to DallasBasketball.com, where we turn over the roster (Devean George, we hardly knew ye!), turn phrases that become part of the NBA vernacular (yes, “The KVH Expiring,’’ “Artificial Expirings,’’ “The Stack Chip’’ and “The Summer of Nuclear Winter’’ are our babies) and turn gooey dough into delicious Donuts. …

     Thursday Morning Donuts! (P.S.: Gosh, I’m barely to the airport and I see the wonks have already taken over the place! ... Guys ... you can take my life, but you can't take my Donuts!)

     DONUT 1: So did the Mavs do a deal worthy of passing on Shaq, Jefferson and Carter?

     The best of that lot, for the Mavs’ needs, is Jefferson. He’s going to make $14.2 million. We’re predicting Shawn Marion’s new contract will start at $7 million or so.

    Are RJ and Shawn comparable talents? I would say so.

     So the better question is:
      If RJ makes $14.2 mil and Marion is paid $7 mil, is Jefferson justifiably TWICE as good?
      The answer doesn’t just come on the court; it also comes in the bookkeeping.

     DONUT 2: ESPN Insider (which usually isn’t all that “inside,’’ but rather a regurgitation of what’s been in that morning’s papers across the land) offers up Chad Ford’s rankings of how the NBA teams have done this summer.

    This summer? We’re one day into being able to sign people and we’re already doing the rankings?

     DONUT 3: Is the Mavs roster getting too old?

     I don’t know. Let’s ask the Spurs’ roster.

     DONUT 4: Some camp kid dunked on LeBron. LeBron had his Nike babysitters confiscate the video evidence.

      DONUT 5: What’s the big deal?

      I once dunked on LeBron.

      Unfortunately for you doubters, Nike also stole my video tape.

     DONUT 6: From Elliott Teaford of the L.A. Daily News who says Ron Artest will wear uniform No. 37 in honor of the number of weeks that the late Michael Jackson's album "Thriller" was No. 1 on the charts.

     I’m thinking of wearing uniform No. 0, in honor of the late Karl Malden, and the number of times he was featured in People’s “Sexiest Man of the Year’’ issue.

     DONUT 7: From Bob Kravitz of The Indianapolis Star: "In Indiana, and in many other parts of the NBA-watching world, it's the giant white elephant in the middle of the room. Is Pacers president Larry Bird specifically trying to build a team dominated by white players? It's an uncomfortable question to ask in these politically correct days, but how do you ignore a roster that includes Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Josh McRoberts, Travis Diener, Jeff Foster and now, first-round pick Tyler Hansbrough?’’

     DONUT 8: I have my homerish leanings, my booster-clubbishness, my Washing Donnie's Truckness. But check this out from Charlotte, where the local paper was saying the ‘Cats are playoff-bound. … but is now backing off that. … until they sign B-Bass. … at which point the playoff train will roll again.

     DONUT 9:  I know Sefko knows more about Quinton Ross than I do, so if Eddie says he can play. …

     But I’ll meant to bet Eddie a beer a few days ago, when he broke the story, that Ross’ greatest value here is hidden. Like. … he plays in place of a present Mav who is on the out. … or he’s signing a contract that has a special feature at the end of it, if you know what I mean.

     Eddie got the Ross scoop. I deserve the Ross beer.

     DONUT 10: She was mad because McNair was “seeing someone else'? Um, yeah. Among other possible paramours, he was seeing ... his wife.

     DONUT 11: David Lee picked the wrong summer to make $12 mil a year his asking price.

     DONUT 12: OK, it's time. NOW I’m going to go lay on a beach. … be back in a few minutes. … or maybe a few hours. ... or maybe ...

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