My Mock Draft

2014 NBA Mock Draft

1		Andrew Wiggins, F, Kansas Cleveland Cavaliers
2		Joel Embiid, C, Kansas Milwaukee Bucks
3		Jabari Parker, F, Duke Philadelphia Sixers
4		Dante Exum, PG,   Orlando Magic
5		Noah Vonleh, FC, Indiana Utah Jazz
6		Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona Boston Celtics
7		Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky Los Angeles Lakers
8		Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State Sacramento Kings
9		Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State Charlotte Hornets from Detroit Pistons
10		Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan Philadelphia Sixers from New Orleans Pelicans
11		Dario Saric, SF, KK Cibona (Croatia) Denver Nuggets
12		Doug McDermott, F, Creighton Orlando Magic from New York Knicks via DEN
13		James Young, SG, Kentucky Minnesota Timberwolves
14		Zach Lavine, SG, UCLA Phoenix Suns
15		P.J. Hairston, SG, Texas Legends Atlanta Hawks
16		Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse Chicago Bulls from Charlotte Hornets
17		Rodney Hood, F, Duke Boston Celtics from Brooklyn Nets
18		Adreian Payne, C, Michigan State Phoenix Suns from Washington Wizards
19		Cleanthony Early, F, Wichita State Chicago Bulls
20		Elfrid Payton, G, Louisiana-Lafayette Toronto Raptors
21		Jusuf Nurkic, F, KK Cedevita (Croatia) Oklahoma City Thunder from Dallas Mavericks via LAL to HOU
22		Jerami Grant, F, Syracuse Memphis Grizzlies
23		T.J. Warren, F, North Carolina State Utah Jazz from Golden State Warriors
24		K.J. McDaniels, GF, Clemson Charlotte Hornets from Portland Trail Blazers
25		Clint Capela, PF, Chalon-Sur-Saone (France) Houston Rockets
26		Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut Miami Heat
27		Kristaps Porzingis, FC, Cajasol Banca Civica (Spain) Phoenix Suns from Indiana Pacers
28		Kyle Anderson, PF, UCLA Los Angeles Clippers
29		C.J. Wilcox, SG, Washington Oklahoma City Thunder
30		Mitch McGary, C, Michigan San Antonio Spurs

Conference Finals Predictions

West
Thunder in 7
This is a tough series to call but I'm leaning toward OKC for a few reasons. First of all they have the MVP along with one of the other 10 best players in the game. That can overcome a lot. Their athleticism can give the Spurs fits, as it did in the 2012 WCF and in their sweep of this year's season series. Assuming Ibaka is healthy I give the Thunder's individual brilliance the slight edge over the Spurs machine, even though the coaching matchup is scary.

East
Heat in 6
This series is a lot easier to call. Although the Pacers have upped their play as of late it is still difficult to trust them, especially against the best player in the world. They still can present some matchup problems with their size if Hibbert is properly engaged, but I'm not convinced they can beat Miami 4 times.

Update: Due to Ibaka being out, give me Spurs in 7.

Mavs Free Agency Preview

Free Agents Currently on the Roster

Dirk Nowitzki
There is no doubt that the Big German won't be going anywhere, the only question is how much money will he get. I would expect that contract in line with what Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett have gotten of around 3 years for 30-35 million. That would serve both parties well giving the Mavs ample room to surround Dirk with the necessary pieces this team needs to be a contender.

Shawn Marion
This is where it gets tricky. The Matrix has been so important to this team in his tenure here and is a huge key on the defensive end. However age has started to take his toll and the Mavs will probably be leery on giving too much of a long term deal. If Marion wants to take significantly less to stay in Dallas that is great, but if not he might move on to a championship contender.

Vince Carter
Carter has remade his game to become a key role player and gives the Mavs 2nd unit a tremendous scoring punch. He likes it in Dallas and I would expect him to return on a probable 2 year deal at around the 3 million per year mark he has been at.

Devin Harris
Harris initially signed a 3 year deal in the offseason, only for that to be scuttled when toe surgery was needed. I could see both parties returning to that 3 year range for around 9 or 10 million for Harris to return, as long as another teams doesn't blow Harris away with a deal.

DeJuan Blair
Blair was a valuable piece as an energy guy off the bench, especially in the playoffs. However I doubt the Mavs would be willing to go too crazy on a deal for Blair as they look to upgrade at the center position defensively, where Blair's lack of size in an issue.

Bernard James
In two years "Sarge" hasn't shown much more than being a decent end of the bench big. He could return on a minimum salary but don't look for much of an expansion of his role.

Free Agent Targets

Marcin Gortat
Gortat, of course signed an offer sheet with the Mavs in 2009 only for Orlando to surprisingly match the offer. Since then Gortat has only gotten better and has been a key contributer to the Wizards postseason success this year. I would expect Washington to go all out to keep him, but if not the Mavs should be ready to pounce on one of the league's most underrated bigs.

Luol Deng
Probably the Mavs' most realistic free agent target, Deng would be a great replacement for Marion, giving the team a lift on both ends of the court and a great locker fit as well. The question will be is how much you can commit to a guy with a lot of miles racked up already in his career.

Emeka Okafor
Okafor missed the entire 2014 season with a herniated disk in his neck. If he his fully recovered however, he can be a real presence on the defensive end just like another big man the Mavs took a chance on coming off an injury, Tyson Chandler.

Trevor Ariza
Another Wizard veteran, Ariza has had a great year in the nation's capital and is another effective two-way player. If Deng doesn't work out Ariza would not be a bad way to go to fill the perimeter defensive stopper role.

Kyle Lowry
This one is likely a long shot as odds are he will stay north of the border, but Lowry blossomed this year into one of the game's best point guards. He obviously would a tremendous help not just on offense, but on defense as well as he rates as one of league's best defensive point guards.

As for Lance Stephenson, the Mavs apparently are not interested and I don't blame him as he seems to be a bad fit chemistry wise both on and off the court.

Mavs Exit Interviews Highlghts

Dirk Nowitzki
“We’ll find a good way where I feel respected for what I did and where we still have enough money left for us to get great players in here. Cubes has been great to me, has been loyal to me for a long, long time. I’m sure we’re going to find a great solution for everybody.”

Shawn Marion
"This is a great city, the fans here are amazing, even media guys are awesome. It's a great environment here. Mark and Donnie have built an amazing franchise here. It's like a family here. I'm going to weigh my options out and see what it's going to take for me to get another championship ring. I would love to add to the ring I have. I'm going to retire here, regardless. I'm going to be a Dallas local here in the coming years. I'm going to make this my home."

Vince Carter
“I just had a nice conversation with Donnie (Nelson), just in passing. I think the feeling is mutual on both ends. That’s the goal, to work it out.”

Jose Calderon
"At the end of the day, we're right there, we're close. We were in a seventh game with maybe the best team in the NBA. You're always going to add a couple of pieces, but it's just believing in the system and believing in what you want to do. You keep the core together, usually every year it's going to get better."

Devin Harris
"My initial reaction is to come back. If everything goes like it's supposed to, I'll be back."

Samuel Dalembert
On playing with Dirk: "It's great. Before I even came here, I talked to Elton [Brand] and he told me that you're going to see how it really goes (with shooting). It's an honor, a privilege. Not just as player, the the type of guy he is. Usually guys like him, you can't talk to them. You can really relate to him, talk to him. He's always doing what is best for the team. It's an honor, and he's a class guy."

Rick Carlisle
“With a group of a lot of new guys, guys came together in relatively short order and we had a very positive run. You know, I thought the last month of the season was a lot of big games just to qualify for the playoffs and put ourselves in a position to compete hard in this series. And you know, the last game was disappointing, but I just love the way the team battled all year long. So, we’ll work to try to keep the team together the best that we can, and from there we’ll try to make the team better any other way that we see fit.”

Donnie Nelson
“Obviously, you know, Dirk’s not going anywhere. He’s built this franchise and he’s been with us since Day 1. Certainly, there’s a negotiation that’s going to take place, but he loves this city and he wants to call it his home. We certainly reciprocate those feelings, and our hope is that we’ll get something done that’s not only in Dirk’s best interest but also affects the flexibility of the future of the Mavericks.

NBA Playoffs 2nd Round Predictions

West
Spurs in 6
Thunder in 7

East
Heat in 5
Wizards in 6

Spurs 119 Mavericks 96: WCQF Game 7 Review

                 UNLUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
Mavs run out of gas as the Spurs dominate their way to the second round.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Nowitzki, 22
Rebounds: Nowitzki, 9
Assists: Calderon, Carter, 4
+-: James, +6
Spurs
Points: Parker, 32
Rebounds: Duncan, 8
Assists: Diaw, Ginobili, 5
+-: Ginobili, +32

Game Ball
Tony Parker
32 pts., 11-19 FG, 10-13 FT

X-Factor
Danny Green
16 pts., 5-7 FG, 4-6 3PT

Play of the Game
Manu Ginobili's three to end the third quarter that put the Spurs up 26 as they coasted to victory.

Stat of the Game
The Spurs shot 57% from the field for the game, and spent most of the first half near 70%.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: B
Marion: C-
Dalembert: C
Ellis: D+
Calderon: D+
Carter: C
Harris: B+
Blair: B+
Crowder: C

Additional Note
The loss was only the second all-time loss in a game 7 for the Mavs (1988 WCF vs. LAL), and first for Dirk who had won his first four game sevens.
The closest Dallas got in the second half was 14 points in the third quarter.
Parker, Duncan and Ginobili combined for 67 points on only 34 field goal attempts.
The Mavs starting backcourt of Calderon and Ellis was only 5-19 from the field for 16 points.

Quote of Note
 "I cannot say in words what Dirk Nowitzki means to this franchise, to this team, and even to me, personally."
Rick Carlisle

Tweet of the Game

Carlisle post "Disappointed not dismayed. "Hit by a tidal wave today" "Proud of how team battled all year"
— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) May 4, 2014

                                              <30>

Mavericks at Spurs: WCQF Game 7 Preview

Dallas Mavericks at. San Antonio Spurs
Game 7 Western Conference Quarterfinals (series tied 3-3)
May 4, 2:30 at the AT&T Center
TV: ABC
Line: Spurs by 6 1/2

Series Results and Schedule
Game 1 at San Antonio
Spurs 90 Mavs 85
Game 2 at San Antonio
Mavs 113 Spurs 92
Game 3 at Dallas
Mavs 109 Spurs 98
Game 4 at Dallas
Spurs 93 Mavs 89
Game 5 at San Antonio
Spurs 109 Mavs 103
Game 6 at Dallas
Mavs 113 Spurs 111
Game 7 at San Antonio

May 4, 2:30

Team Playoffs Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 5th (111.4)
Defense: 11th (109.7)
Spurs
Offense: 6th (109.7)
Defense: 12th (111.4)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Spurs
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Tim Duncan
C: Tiago Splitter

Team Playoff Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 21.8
RPG: Dalembert, 8.8
APG: Calderon, 4.5
PER: Blair, 28.0
Spurs
PPG: Parker, 17.8
RPG: Splitter, 10.2
APG: Parker, 4.8
PER: Splitter, 24.2

Mavs Game 7 History (4-1)
1988 WCF: Lakers 117 Mavs 102 at LA
2003 WCQF: Mavs 107 Blazers 95 at Dallas
2003 WCSF: Mavs 112 Kings 99 at Dallas
2005 WCQF: Mavs 116 Rockets 76 at Dallas
2006 WCSF: Mavs 119 Spurs 111 (OT) at SA

Notes
In four career game sevens Dirk is 4-0, and has averaged 28 points and 14.8 rebounds per game including 37 and 15 against the Spurs in 2006. The Spurs under Gregg Popovich are 2-2 in game sevens with the two losses coming against the Mavs and in last year's Finals. In his last two games DeJuan Blair has scored 22 points, grabbed 25 rebounds and has 6 steals in 45 minutes. Vince Carter has 41 points in the last two games and is 14-22 from the field and 9-13 on threes. He had 37 points in the first four games and was 13-34 from the field and 4-12 on threes. Jose Calderon broke his nose during Game 6 but will play in Game 7 and probably won't need to wear a mask.

Mavericks 113 Spurs 111: WCQF Game 6 Review

                 THIS ONE GOES TO SEVEN
Ellis and Blair spark a 37 point fourth quarter to help force Game 7.

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Ellis, 29
Rebounds: Blair, 14
Assists: Calderon, 6
+-: Carter, +13
Spurs
Points: Parker, 22
Rebounds: Duncan, 9
Assists: Parker, 6
+-: Leonard, +7

Game Ball
Monta Ellis
29 pts., 11-22 FG, 3-6 3PT

X-Factor
DeJuan Blair
10 pts., 14 rbs., 4 stl.

Goat
Manu Ginobili
6 pts., 1-8 FG, 0-5 3PT

Play of the Game
Monta Ellis'  drive and finish and one with 3:21 that doubled the Mavs lead from 3 to 6.

Stat of the Game
In the three games the Spurs have shot under 50% they have won. In the 3 games they have shot 50% or better they have lost.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: A-
Marion: B
Dalembert: B+
Ellis: A+
Calderon: A
Blair: A+
Carter: A-
Harris: A-
Crowder: B+

Additonal Notes
The Mavs forced their first game 7 when trailing a series 3-2 since the 1988 Western Conference Finals vs. the Lakers.
Dirk scored 22 points on 11-20 shooting, the 18th time the scored 20+ in 22 career elimination games.
With the great play from Blair, Brandan Wright was a DNP-CD for the first time in the series.
Danny Green scored 17 points for the Spurs on 7-7 shooting, equaling his point total for the first five games of the series.
The Mavs scored 34 points in the first quarter and 37 in the fourth, after scoring only 42 in the middle two quarters.

Quote of Note
"I like Game 7s on their floor. I'm 1-0."
Devin Harris on playing Game 7 in San Antonio

Tweet of the Game

Will never write off a Rick Carlisle team again.
— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) May 3, 2014

Next Up
It's a do-or-die Game 7 at the A&T Center  Sunday at 2:30, for the right to meet Portland in the next round.

Dirk in Playoff Elimination Games

2001 WCQF vs. Utah
Game 3 (Mavs 94 Jazz 91)
33 pts., 10 rbs., 9-19 FG, 13-14 FT
Game 4 (Mavs 107 Jazz 77)
33 pts., 10 rbs., 10-19 FG, 5-10 3PT, 8-9 FT
Game 5 (Mavs 84 Jazz 83)
18 pts., 4 rbs., 10-10 FT, 2-4 3PT

2001 WCSF vs. San Antonio
Game 4 (Mavs 112 Spurs 108)
30 pts., 9 rbs., 11-18 FG, 8-8 FT
Game 5 (Spurs 105 Mavs 87)
42 pts., 18 rbs., 6 stl., 14-24 FG, 14-18 FT

2002 WCSF vs. Sacramento
Game 5 (Kings 114 Mavs 101)
32 pts., 12 rbs., 13-25 FG, 3-5 3PT

2003 WCQF vs. Portland
Game 7 (Mavs 107 Blazers 95)
31 pts., 11 rbs., 12-21 FG, 6-6 FT

2003 WCSF vs. Sacramento
Game 7 (Mavs 112 Kings 99)
30 pts., 19 rbs., 12-20 FG, 3-4 3PT

2004 WCQF vs. Sacramento
Game 5 (Kings 119 Mavs 118)
31 pts., 14 rbs., 4 blk., 11-23 FG, 7-7 FT

2005 WCQF vs. Houston
Game 7 (Mavs 116 Rockets 76)
14 pts., 14 rbs., 3 blk.

2005 WCSF vs. Phoenix
Game 6 (Suns 130 Mavs 126, OT)
28 pts., 13 rbs. 6 ast.

2006 WCSF vs. San Antonio)
Game 7 (Mavs 119 Spurs 111, OT)
37 pts., 15 rbs., 11-20 FG, 15-16 FT

2006 NBA Finals vs. Miami
Game 6 (Heat 95 Mavs 92)
29 pts., 15 rbs., 10-22 FG, 8-8 FT

2007 WCQF vs. Golden St.
Game 5 (Mavs 118 Warriors 112)
30 pts., 12 rbs., 7-15 FG, 14-15 FT
Game 6 (Warriors 111 Mavs 86)
8 pts., 10 rbs., 4-4 FT

2008 WCQF vs. New Orleans
Game 5 (Hornets 99 Mavs 94)
22 pts., 13 rbs., 6 ast.

2009 WCSF vs. Denver
Game 4 (Mavs 119 Nuggets 117)
44 pts., 13 rbs., 14-25 FG, 16-17 FT
Game 5 (Nuggets 124 Mavs 110)
32 pts., 10 rbs., 7 ast., 9-17 FG, 12-12 FT

2010 WCQF vs. San Antonio
Game 5 (Mavs 103 Spurs 81)
15 pts., 9 rbs., 7-14 FG
Game 6 (Spurs 97 Mavs 87)
33 pts., 5 rbs., 4 ast., 13-21 FG

2012 WCQF vs. Oklahoma City
Game 4 (Thunder 103 Mavs 97)
34 pts., 5 rbs., 4 ast., 13-13 FT

21 career games (11-10 record)
28.9 PPG
11.5 RPG

Mavericks vs. Spurs: WCQF Game 6 Preview

Dallas Mavericks  vs. San Antonio Spurs
Game 6 Western Conference Quarterfinals (Spurs lead 3-2)
May 2, 7:00 at the AAC
TV: Ch, 21, ESPN
Line: Spurs by 3


Series Results and Schedule
Game 1 at San Antonio
Spurs 90 Mavs 85
Game 2 at San Antonio
Mavs 113 Spurs 92
Game 3 at Dallas
Mavs 109 Spurs 98
Game 4 at Dallas
Spurs 93 Mavs 89
Game 5 at San Antonio
Spurs 109 Mavs 103
Game 6 at Dallas
May 2, 7:00
Game 7 at San Antonio*
May 4, TBA

Team Playoffs Rankings
Mavs
Offense: 5th (110.1)
Defense: 9th (108.6)
Spurs
Offense: 8th (108.6)
Defense: 12th (110.1)

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
Spurs
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Tim Duncan
C: Tiago Splitter

Team Playoff Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Ellis, 20.4
RPG: Dalembert, 9.8
APG: Harris, 4.4
PER: Blair, 35.3
Spurs
PPG: Ginobili, 19.6
RPG: Splitter, 10.6
APG: Parker, 4.6
PER: Ginobili, 24.4

Notes
The Mavs are 1-6 in Game 6s when they trail a series 3-2. Their only win was over the Lakers in the 1988 Western Conference Finals, a series they would lose in 7 games. Game 5 was Dirk's 17th career playoff game with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds, and his first since 5-9-09 against Denver. Shawn Marion was 8-10 from the field in Game 2, but is only 11-38 in the other 4 games of the series. Tiago Splitter has recorded a double-double in 3 consecutive games and has 4 double-digit rebounding games in the series.