Mavs Donuts: J-Ho And The Matrix Get Cozy

It’s Mavs Friday Morning Donuts, starting with old rivals Josh Howard and Shawn Marion getting to know one another … but let's also deal with Magic, Isiah and homophobia, Cowboys and cookies and George W. Bush vs. LeBron James ... oh,and the Mavs Dancers wuz robbed!

    DONUT 1: “Today was a beginning and we got a long road ahead of us,'' coach Rick Carlisle said on Thursday after his two less-than-100-percent wings worked together for the first time all fall. “We got to figure out a formula when that group does finally get on the floor in real games. Today was constructive.''

   The Matrix’ calf has limited him and J-Ho’s ankle has limited him. Marion says he wants to play tonight in the final preseason game in Houston. No word yet on Howard.

    But there is a word from the guy who matters most …

    DONUT 2: “They look good,’’ said Dirk Nowitzki. “They move well. They need to work on their timing and wind, but they're moving good. We need everybody if we're going to have success. … We're definitely long on the perimeter. Defensively we'll be able to switch a lot. And we're a pretty good rebounding team. I like where we're headed."

     DONUT 3: The NY Times is offended because somebody gave Manu some cookies. But, you see …

     DONUT 4: Those were not simple cookies, my friends. They were chocolate alfajores from a pretty cool little place in Austin called Buenos Aires Cafe. They are an Argentine dessert. Argentine’s are crazy for them and they are very difficult to find in the US.

     I knew that.

     DONUT 5: DallasBasketball.com T-shirts, anyone? At the Oct. 27 opener against the Wizards, you will see folks wearing them. (Especially the “DallasBasketball.com classic’’ and “The UberMan.’’

     Wouldn’t you like to see those same folks see you wearing one?

     DONUT 6: LeBron James wants to “dunk on George W. Bush’s ass.’’

     DONUT 7: It’s Isiah vs. Magic (and Bird, and Jordan, and everybody) because of a book. What’s being overlooked here, though, is the fake machismo that bubbles up when a jock is “accused’’ of being gay.

    I’ve got news for Magic: In 1991, when few knew much about HIV, Isiah Thomas wasn’t the only person around who wondered out loud if Magic Johnson must be gay.

    Really, once you've beaten HIV, shouldn't you be able to overcome homophobia?

    DONUT 8: The Mavs tipoff tonight in Houston at 7:30. The pregame junk begins on Channel 21 at 7, and the game can also be heard on 103.3 ESPN Radio.

    DONUT 9: And what will be the Mavs’ approach here? Full dress-rehearsal, sounds like.

   “We’re trying to win the game,’’ Carlisle said. “There’s one left before the regular season and I’m sure Houston will be trying to win it as well, so it will be a good test for us.’’

    DONUT 10: The Russian guy who is rolling toward buying the Nets? He’s Mikhail Prokhorov, but when he met the other owners he asked them to call him “Mike.’’

    He seems less Russian that way, eh? 

    DONUT 11: The Cowboys-Falcons game is the Fox topper, so you get Troy Aikman. … but he’s joined by Thom Brennaman because Joe Buck is off doing baseball.

    Joe Buck will not be missed.

   DONUT 12: Here’s my FISH on FOOTBALL Top-10 Takes over at Blogging The Boys.

   DONUT 13: The Dallas Mavs Dancers wuz robbed!