SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Jonathan Tjarkshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2013-01-02T14:28:13-06:00https://dallas.sbnation.com/authors/jonathan-tjarks/rss2013-01-02T14:28:13-06:002013-01-02T14:28:13-06:00An early look at the Cowboys draft options
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<p>Early mock drafts have Dallas looking for help on the offensive and defensive lines.</p> <p>With the NFL regular season over and bowl season quickly winding down, mock draft season is upon us again.</p>
<p>Over at Blogging The Boys, One.Cool.Customer gives a (far too early) look at <a href="http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013/1/2/3827316/dallas-cowboys-mock-draft-ten-options-for-the-18th-pick">which players the Cowboys could be choosing from in April</a>:</p>
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<p>We know that as a predictor of which players are going to which teams, mock drafts aren't particularly accurate. But for those of us who enjoy talking about the draft, mock drafts can still be a lot of fun regardless, as they can give us a general sense for where a player fits on the draft boards. The early mocks have Dallas looking at eight linemen (with three Jonathans in the mix), a safety and a QB.</p>
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<p>The linemen are neatly divided into four on the defensive side -- Jessie Williams (Alabama), John Jenkins (Georgia), Shelden Richardson (Missouri) and Johnathan Hankins (Ohio State) -- and four on offense -- Jonathan Cooper (UNC), Chance Warmack (Alabama), Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) and Lane Johnson (Oklahoma).</p>
<p>If Jerry Jones will just stay at No. 18 and pick an interior linemen, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> will be choosing from a fairly impressive group. However, as any Dallas fan knows, Jerry loves to make a splash with skill players and deal down for more picks, two draft strategies which haven't exactly worked out over the last decade.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2013/1/2/3828622/nfl-draft-2013-dallas-cowboys-rumorsJonathan Tjarks2013-01-02T13:36:01-06:002013-01-02T13:36:01-06:00Vince Carter can still dunk a basketball
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<p>The Mavs swingman turned back the clock nearly a decade with three vicious assaults at the rim in their win over the Wizards on New Year's Day.</p> <p>Ever since he came to Dallas in the year after the Mavs won a championship, Vince Carter has slipped off the radar for many NBA fans.</p>
<p>And while he's reportedly been a great locker room presence for the Mavs, he can still drive fans crazy with his often baffling shot selection.</p>
<p>However, every once in a while, he reminds everyone of why he was once known as "Half Man, Half Amazing". He had a vintage Vince in Toronto night on New Year's Day, including three monstrous dunks (see video at 14:58 and 4:30):</p>
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<p>For my money, the most impressive is the third, where he soars through the defense and slams the ball through the net with authority that few guys, even today, can match.</p>
<p>Maybe the most underrated part of his game is his 6'11 wingspan, which has allowed him to remain a credible NBA player at the age of 36, when most athletic guards have long since left the league.</p>
<p>And in a season where nothing has gone right, Vince has provided some of the few highlights.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2013/1/2/3828460/vince-carter-dunks-wizardsJonathan Tjarks2013-01-01T15:35:48-06:002013-01-01T15:35:48-06:00NFL power rankings: Cowboys end year on down note
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<p>Another 8-8 season has Dallas in the middle of the pack in SB Nation's NFL power rankings.</p> <p>Under Jerry Jones' watch, a franchise that was once the envy of the NFL has become the definition of mediocrity, a reality that has been overshadowed by the blinding media spotlight under which it plays.</p>
<p>Dallas has won one playoff game in the last 15 years, and after another disappointing face-plant in a do-or-die Week 17 game against an NFC East rival, the Cowboys will finish the season at 8-8 for the second consecutive season.</p>
<p>As a result, they're <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/1/1/3824414/nfl-power-rankings-2013-broncos-seahawks">right in the middle of the final batch of power rankings from SB Nation</a>:</p>
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<p>18. <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> (LW: 14, 8-8): They call him Big Game Tony Romo.</p>
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<p>From a national perspective, it's no surprise the big story of the game was Romo, who has a disturbing habit of playing his worst games on national TV -- i.e. against high-quality competition.</p>
<p>But, as anyone who has been watching Dallas all season knows, for all of his flaws, it's hard to pin too much of the blame on what's going in Dallas on the Cowboys' high-profile QB.</p>
<p>After all, the Cowboys have been mediocre since long before before Romo came into the picture, and if their history of drafting under Jerry Jones is any indication, they'll be mediocre long after he leaves.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2013/1/1/3825508/nfl-power-rankings-2012-cowboysJonathan Tjarks2013-01-01T12:42:49-06:002013-01-01T12:42:49-06:00Heart of Dallas Bowl halftime: OSU dominating
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<p>Playing in a virtual home game at the old Cotton Bowl, the Cowboys raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead over the Boilermakers.</p> <p>Even though Oklahoma State won only one more game in 2012 than Purdue, the Heart of Dallas Bowl was expected to be one of the more one-sided games of the bowl season.</p>
<p>That's been the case through the first half in Dallas, as the Cowboys are up 28-0 headed into halftime. The total yards battle is nearly even, but the Boilermakers dug themselves a huge hole thanks to a number of early mistakes.</p>
<p>Two Purdue turnovers and a missed field goal gave Oklahoma State a short field three times and the Cowboys wasted little time turning those miscues into points.</p>
<p>Oklahoma State QB <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77041/clint-chelf" class="sbn-auto-link">Clint Chelf</a> has been nearly perfect, completing 13/17 passes for 123 yards and 2 TDs.</p>
<p>Most of Purdue's offensive success has come on the ground, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135184/akeem-shavers" class="sbn-auto-link">Akeem Shavers</a> rushing for 69 yards on 7 carries. If they were going to have any chance of winning on New Year's Day, they were going to have to play from ahead and use their ground game to keep Oklahoma State's explosive offense off the field.</p>
<p>The Boilermakers don't look capable of playing from behind, which could make the second half a fitting end of a season for a 6-6 team that fired its head coach after the regular season.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3824924/heart-of-dallas-bowl-score-updateJonathan Tjarks2012-12-28T07:30:06-06:002012-12-28T07:30:06-06:00Time to panic in Dallas?
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<p>A conversation about where the Mavs should go from here. </p> <p><b>Jonathan Tjarks:</b> <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> came back on Sunday, but it didn't make a big difference, as the Mavs were run out of the gym by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> in an uncompetitive 129-91 rout. Couple that with a heart-breaking OT loss to Oklahoma City last night and the Mavs are now at 12-17 and in 12th place in the West. The situation isn't all that surprising given how long they played without their only All-Star, but it still feels like making the playoffs is going to be an uphill battle. Is it time to panic in Dallas? Or can Dirk carry them back into the top 8? How do you see the rest of the season playing out?</p>
<p><b>Willie Funk: </b>I don't know if panic is the right word at this point. Given the roster Donnie Nelson put together during the offseason and draft, it's hard to be excited about the future -- immediate or long term. This isn't a playoff team with or without Dirk. He is an all time great offensive player, but he's not LeBron James. He's not lifting this team to the playoffs during the toughest part of the team's schedule. Carlisle doesn't play the right players, but manages the game well enough that the team won't totally fall apart. Realistically I see the Mavs mustering enough wins to drop themselves to the bottom of next year's lottery. It's time to start thinking ahead. The question is, what can be done to fix things?</p>
<p><b>Tjarks: </b>So I see we're going straight through the stages of grief to "acceptance", which, after watching Dallas "play" Miami and San Antonio, is fair enough. The first thing to do is take inventory on this roster: what assets do the Mavs have? As far as I can see, it's Dirk -- a PF who (if healthy) should play at an All-Star level indefinitely but is a liability on defense, Marion -- a starting-level SF with maybe 1-2 years left and Mayo -- a starting level SG who can be a 2nd/3rd option on an elite team that can hide his defense. Every other veteran is a rapidly depreciating asset or is Darren Collison. Among the young players, you have two real assets -- <span>Brandan Wright</span> (who will be a UFA at the end of the season) and Bernard James. Jared Cunningham might be a combo guard off the bench in a few years. At first glance, unless you're dealing Dirk, nothing else on this roster is getting you much. Or am I missing something?</p>
<p><b>Funk:</b> The only thing you're missing is Mayo opting out after this year and demanding money a third option who struggles to create his own shot doesn't deserve. The roster is pretty much devoid of moveable assets. No talent, no expiring contracts. It all makes me wish we'd moved Roddy B before Carlisle ruined him. But this brings us to the next problem -- the cycle of mediocrity the Mavs are moving towards. With Dallas likely finishing around 10 in the west, you're looking at a pick between 10 and 14, not exactly a position that'll get you real help from a pick or trade. Furthermore, I can't say I have a lot of faith in the team's talent evaluators after this last draft and Carlisle is one of the worst in the business at developing talent given his preference for consistent mediocrity. I almost feel too negative, so I'd welcome a more optimistic take.</p>
<p><b>Tjarks:</b> Yea, that's a very pessimistic and plausible scenario. Double ouchies! I'll try to bring some sunshine: I think, even if Dallas has to overpay Mayo, they aren't that far away from being a 50-win outfit. They're just a quality starting PG and C away from having a good starting 5! PG you can take care of in the draft, as long as Carlisle drops his "I refuse to deal with young player's mistakes" bit. Look how many quality young PG's are in the NBA right now -- it's the most plentiful position in most drafts. This year, I think Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse) and Trey Burke (Michigan) can all walk in and start on an NBA team, ala Damian Lillard. Center is where it gets tricky. Looking around the NBA, there will probably be two starting-quality centers available this off-season -- Sam Dalembert and <span>Tiago Splitter</span>. That's the most plausible path back towards respectability my opinion. Medium-term, with Dirk, Mayo and a quality young PG, you're fishing for another <span>Tyson Chandler</span>.</p>
<p><b>Funk:</b> I pretty much agree actually, but it all comes down to whether one of those guys is available when the Mavs go on the clock. Smart and Carter-Williams aren't great shooters, but great distributors -- really not a bad fit with the projected lineup in Dallas. On the other hand, I'm wary of most free agent centers. Outside of <span>Omer Asik</span>, the backup center who can't get minutes is that person for a reason. Tiago Splitter is not a starter in the association, point blank. And the scary thing is how huge a blow a big contract for a guy like him would be after overpaying Mayo. The team can't afford to do another Shawn Bradley-Evan Eschmeyer-Eric Dampier-Brendan Haywood mega deal.</p>
<p><b>Tjarks:</b> The Asik situation isn't that uncommon. You can't play two centers at the same time in the modern NBA, so guys can get stuck as backups. Same thing happened to Gortat in Orlando. I think you are selling Splitter short: look at his per minute averages, he's skilled enough to finish around the rim and hes big and athletic enough to be passable defensively. That's a solid two way center. Agree with you on Dalembert -- he's valuable only for his athleticism, so that's a bad long term contract as he goes deeper into his 30's. One thing Dallas needs to do with the rest of this season is see what they have in James and Wright. Giving Kaman and Brand minutes is only going to get you beat and they'll be worse next year, not better.</p>
<p><b>Funk: </b>Playing Elton Brand over Wright doesn't make much sense. Another brilliant personnel move by Carlisle. As for center situation, Gortat and Asik are exceptions to the rule. Most Jason Collins types have that role because they're about as nice as Jason Collins. In terms of player evaluation, I'm very much partial to what my eyes see over advanced statistics. You could see that Asik could play in Chicago and it's fairly apparent Splitter can't. Regardless, the Mavs need a big man who can protect the rim and get boards with any conceivable lineup they'll be trotting out this year or next. Kaman's clearly not the answer and, sadly, Tyson Chandlers aren't exactly an abundant commodity. At this point, Dallas fans hope for the present and future are pinned to the creativity of a front office that's been fairly inept of late.</p>
<p><b>Tjarks:</b> It really all does come back to Tyson Chandler. There's no reason Dallas couldn't have the same team New York does now and be a title contender for the next few years instead of what we have today. Perhaps this team will serve as a warning for coveting two birds in the bush (<span>Deron Williams</span> + <span>Dwight Howard</span>) rather than valuing the one in hand. Here's the scariest question of all: at what point do you have to start thinking about moving Dirk and starting over? The worst place to be in the NBA is running along "the mediocrity treadmill" -- fluctuating from the 7-11 spots in the standings, not good enough to be a playoff threat and not bad enough to get elite talent in the draft. As you've been pointing out, that's exactly where this thing seems headed.</p>
<p><b>Funk:</b> I don't see Dirk going anywhere. All logic aside, I just don't feel like they'll move the only recognizable Mav in franchise history. From a GM's perspective he's a one franchise dude. Hypothetically, it'd be interesting to see what he'd fetch in a trade. He's a hundred years old and his body's started showing signs of age, but his game is one that will ate as well as anyone's in the game as a 7' jump shooter. To trade him, you'd have to get a lot in return -- a decent veteran, some young talent and a relatively high first round pick -- but at his age I just don't see it happening. It's far more likely the team elects to supplement the current roster and try to rebuild around Dirk for one last go at it.</p>
<p><b>Tjarks:</b> I agree that's what they're going to <i>try</i> to do. They just don't have many options and they don't have a lot of time to left to rebuild around him. Realistically, I think you're looking at next year's trade deadline. If things haven't turned around at that point, it might be time to begin the post-Dirk era. Oh well. At least we'll always have 2011.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/12/28/3810614/nba-rumors-dallas-mavericksJonathan Tjarks2012-12-27T08:00:11-06:002012-12-27T08:00:11-06:00Oklahoma City Thunder preview: Passing the torch
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<p>Two years after the Mavs defeated the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the two franchises have headed in opposite directions.</p> <p><i>Eddie Maisonet, III covers the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> for <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Kansas City</a> and is the managing editor of The Sports Fan Journal. You can <a href="https://twitter.com/edthesportsfan" target="_blank">follow him on Twitter @edthesportsfan.</a></i></p>
<p><b>The Thunder don't seem to have missed a beat after dealing <span>James Harden</span>. How has that happened or is this an issue that won't rear its head until the playoffs? </b><i><br></i><i></i></p>
<p>The evolution that's taken place in this team in the wake of James Harden leaving has been a coach's dream. The things that Harden specifically brought to the table (three-point shooting, ball-handling, distribution, getting to the line) have been picked up by the other members of the team. <span>Russell Westbrook's</span> been playing as a ... wait for it ... point guard. <span>Kevin Martin</span>, <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> and <span>Serge Ibaka</span> have been shooting it well, and <span>Kevin Durant's</span> been doing everything else.</p>
<p>Will things be different in the playoffs? Who knows. James Harden is a star, and when you lose a star you miss him. However, this team might be better served with more versatility in its ranks. <br><br><b>Kevin Durant's statistics (FG%, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) have improved across the board this season. Is that just his natural progression as a player or did he change his mindset coming into the season?</b><br><i></i></p>
<p>One of the biggest things I've noticed is that he's playing much closer to the rim this season. I figure that comes from his time on the Olympic team playing power forward in London and <span>Scott Brooks</span> integrating what he likes into the team sets. Also I think it goes back to your first question on the after-effects of Harden taking his talents to Houston. Durant's just doing more. He's making his case for MVP a tough one to dispute.</p>
<p><b>Where would you rank Russell Westbrook among the league's PG's? What can someone like Darren Collison, one of the smaller PG's in the NBA, do to slow him down?</b></p>
<p>If basketball purists and casual basketball fans don't want to get their proverbial panties in a bunch, then I'd say that Westbrook's been the best "PG" in the league thus far. Sure, things didn't go well in game one of the season where he went entirely in the wrong direction versus the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a>, but you know what ... shit happens. Folks have wanted Westbrook to be less selfish and distribute the ball more, and he's done exactly that. His assist rate is higher than its ever been in his entire career and the team is scoring at an all-time high. <br><br>Personally, I think what Scott Brooks is asking Westbrook to do is a heavy burden, and its something that Russ is finding a way to perform quite well on a nightly basis. Be our leading distributor and a lead scorer, on this team? Its a hell of an effort by Russ. <span style="line-height: 8.999999046325684px;"> </span>As far as <span>Darren Collison's</span> concerned ... well, he's gotta pray. That, and just back up off of Westbrook and hope that the pull-up free-throw elbow jumper isn't falling.</p>
<p><b><i></i>Kevin Martin seems to have a second wind in Oklahoma City. Do you think he'll leave in the off-season or is at the point in his career where he would be willing to take less money to stay on a contender?</b><br><i></i></p>
<p>As of right now, I say that he stays as for another year or two at least. The man is 29, in the prime of his career, and his previously most talented teammates are Ron Artest and <span>Brad Miller</span>. I think he'll probably want to stay in OKC if the Thunder will have him. The bigger question is what Sam Presti's long-term goals are. Technically, he could package Martin and all those draft picks for another star player. Or, he could let Martin walk altogether and get some room back on the payroll. If there's a homerun to be hit by Presti, I think he'll go for it. Otherwise, I see Martin staying for a few more years at around $10 million/year.</p>
<p><b>Who do you think is the biggest threat to the Thunder's chances of making it back to the NBA Finals?</b><br><i></i></p>
<p><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> and <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a>. Both have the size and the ability to shoot proficiently from the three-point line to bother Oklahoma City. I'll say the Spurs too, just out of sheer respect.</p>
<p><b><span>Perry Jones III</span> has been on the radar of Dallas basketball fans since his days at Duncanville and then Baylor. Do you think he'll be able to carve out a spot in the rotation next season as a second-year player?</b><br><i></i></p>
<p>I believe eventually PJ3 will step into a role that was previously held by a former Thunder player in <span>Jeff Green</span>. A flexible forward who could play the 3 and the 4 (maybe the 5?) and create real match-up problems for everybody. Can you imagine a lineup with KD, Ibaka and PJ3? Yikes. I don't know if he'll get a ton of minutes in that role now, because KD and Ibaka aren't coming off the floor anytime soon, but with more teams rolling out small lineups I could see PJ3 subbing for <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> and creating a different lineup dynamic.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/12/27/3805286/nba-2012-preview-oklahoma-city-thunderJonathan Tjarks2012-12-26T12:38:42-06:002012-12-26T12:38:42-06:002012 Holiday Bowl: Getting to know UCLA
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<p>Baylor's opponent on Thursday appears to be headed in the right direction after a long stretch of mediocrity. </p> <p><b>Who They Are: </b>UCLA is a 9-4 team from the Pac-12 that is currently ranked No. 17 team in the country. Due to a quirk in scheduling, they are coming off two consecutive losses to Stanford, one in the regular season and one in the Pac-12 Championship Game. While the Air Raid offense has become all the rage in both the Pac-12 and the Big 12, the Bruins are one of the rare teams whose offense is built around the run game, headlined by do-everything senior RB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38186/johnathan-franklin">Johnathan Franklin</a>.</p>
<p><b>Who They Played:</b> UCLA made quick work of two Texas-area teams (Rice and Houston) in non-conference play and they defeated Nebraska in a 36-30 home win. They got off to a slow start in conference play, losing to Oregon State at home and getting blown out at Cal, before reeling off five straight wins to win the Pac-12 South Championship, most notably a 38-28 victory over archrival USC, who has dominated the cross-town rivalry for most of the last decade.</p>
<p><b>Who To Watch:</b> The Bruins certainly got their money's worth from their scholarship check to Franklin, who had an eye-popping usage total this season: 1,700 rushing yards and 13 TD's on 6.3 yards per carry, 32 receptions for 310 yards and 2 receiving TD's. At 5'11 195 with a 4.4 40, Franklin lacks the ideal size of a starting NFL RB, so <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1631945">he's currently projected to be a mid-round pick</a> and a probably 3rd-down back at the next level.</p>
<p><b>You Might Have Heard Of:</b> First-year head coach Jim Mora Jr., the scion of a football coaching family most memorable for Sr.'s "playoffs! playoffs?" rant that has appeared in numerous beer commercials. Mora has had relatively unsuccessful stints as a head man for the Seahawks and the Falcons, but he appears to have found a home at UCLA, where he has led the Bruins to their best season in seven years. A win on Thursday would give UCLA only their second 10-win season since 1998.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/baylor-bears/2012/12/26/3805042/2012-holiday-bowl-uclaJonathan Tjarks2012-12-20T08:01:19-06:002012-12-20T08:01:19-06:00Miami Heat preview: The day after tomorrow
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<p>Two years after the Mavs beat them in the NBA Finals, the Heat are on top of the league. Will anyone be able to knock them off their perch next June?</p> <p><i>Mnelik Belilgne is part of a great team of writers over at SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> blog <a href="http://www.hothothoops.com/">Hot Hot Hoops</a>. You can <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/imkilenm">follow him on Twitter @imkilenm.</a></i></p>
<p><b>After the craziness that was the last two years, is it nice for the Heat to be flying relatively under the national radar for once? </b></p>
<p>Yes and no. I'm not so sure they've flew under the radar but certainly a piece of their spotlight has been captured by the struggles of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>. After back to back losses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> and a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> team without Carmelo, the Heat took some media backlash. I would re-label it as "lacking motivation". After winning the title, the harsh expectations have been lifted and any under the radar flying has caused them to be a bit lethargic and less motivated RIGHT now.</p>
<p><b>LeBron, as usual, is putting up absolutely insane statistics. As someone who gets to watch him on a daily basis, what part of his game do you think is most underrated nationally?</b></p>
<p>I really don't think there's any aspect of LeBron's game that is underrated nationally but if you had to reach for something, I'd say his ability to make the "right" play down the stretch. I'm not on either side of the fence of the clutch argument, but I do feel that he's excellent at evaluating a situation late in games and making the right basketball play whether it be a pass, shot, drive, cut, steal, block or rotation. </p>
<p><b>Wade's statistics are down this year. Is that a part of the aging process, a change in his role on the team or a combination of both?</b></p>
<p>I wrote a piece (<a href="http://www.hothothoops.com/2012/12/13/3764276/wade-is-not-declining-or-struggling-but-guess-who-actually-is" target="_blank">http://www.hothothoops.com/<wbr></wbr>2012/12/13/3764276/wade-is-<wbr></wbr>not-declining-or-struggling-<wbr></wbr>but-guess-who-actually-is</a>) analyzing the statistical reasoning behind Wade's decrease in production and pointed to the fact his role has diminished. Wade is averaging 15.1 FGA this year, which is the lowest since his rookie year (13.1), despite shooting a career high 50.8% from FG's. In addition, his usage rate is the lowest it's been since his rookie year (28.3). So Wade has been very efficient, but not had the kind of shot attempts or possesions that he's used to. That's why his offensive statistics are down but I'd expect his usage and production to slowly increase as the season progresses. </p>
<p><b>It looks like <span>Joel Anthony</span> has been playing his way back into the rotation in the last few weeks. Miami committed to a super small-ball approach this season after their success in the Finals against Oklahoma City, is that being scaled back?</b></p>
<p>It looks like it. Heat fans were thrilled to see Joel Anthony back in rotation because he's there best rim protector. I think Spoelstra has also realized that Battier will not be able to withstand a 82 game season, guarding power forwards. The plan appears to be save the small ball for the playoffs and incorporate Haslem and Anthony more now. I think that's a smart plan. </p>
<p><b>Who do you think is the biggest threat to a possible repeat in the East and in the West?</b></p>
<p>In the East, the Knicks and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a>*. In the West, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> and Lakers*. I put an asterisk next to the Celtics and Lakers because age and health is a legitimate question for them. Those other 4 teams can do everything the Heat can do offensively and defensively, but are "bigger" in the frontcourt. I think the Knicks matchup very well with the Heat and pose the biggest threat, since they're more likely to run into New York at some point in the East. The Thunder, Clippers and Grizzlies would be a viable threat in the finals as well. Besides, a renewal of the Knicks/Heat rivalry would be great. </p>
<p><b>Is playing in Dallas still a big deal for the Miami players or has the Mavs descent into mediocrity turned it into just another game?</b></p>
<p>I don't think it's a big game for the Heat, not because of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> descent, but because of their change in personnel. Had Jason Kidd, <span>Jason Terry</span> and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> still been on the Mavericks, I think Miami players would still have that extra bit of motivation on Thursday. But with just Dirk and Marion left and 13 new players, it's not the same Mavericks team. That's part of the reason why I feel the Knicks pose a big threat to the Heat; Chandler and Kidd together, beat the Heat and will likely always remind them of that finals loss. </p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/12/20/3787526/nba-2012-preview-miami-heatJonathan Tjarks2012-12-19T15:06:46-06:002012-12-19T15:06:46-06:00Dirk scrimmages Mavs rookies, wasn't impressed
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The rehabilitating Dallas star returned to the court for the first time Wednesday, playing in a 2-on-2 game with Roddy B, Jae Crowder and Bernard James.</p> <p><span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> returned to the practice court for the first time this season on Wednesday, although there's still no word on when he'll be able to play in a game.</p>
<p>It wasn't a full practice for him, so he stayed afterwards for a game of 2-on-2 with some of the Mavs reserves:</p>
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<p>Dirk & Roddy vs. <span>Bernard James</span> and <span>Jae Crowder</span>. Dirk: "The quality of the games wasn't high, to be honest."</p>
— Earl K. Sneed (@EKS_MavsNBA) <a data-datetime="2012-12-19T20:20:12+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/EKS_MavsNBA/status/281494160282890241">December 19, 2012</a>
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<p>While Dirk was probably just being self-deprecating, it doesn't exactly ring out as an endorsement of some of the young players Dallas has managed to scrape together.</p>
<p>Like many, I once had high hopes for <span>Rodrigue Beaubois</span>, but he's regressed significantly as a player in his fourth season in the NBA and he'll likely be a non-roster invitee to training camp next season if he keeps it up.</p>
<p>Bernard James and Jae Crowder have shown flashes, but there's a reason they were second round picks last season.</p>
<p>Dirk needs to go on and get healthy so he can play people at his level.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/12/19/3785464/dirk-nowitzki-return-from-injuryJonathan Tjarks2012-12-19T13:56:53-06:002012-12-19T13:56:53-06:00Manny Diaz isn't going to FIU
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<figcaption>Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>So the coordinator of a historically bad defense full of future NFL players he didn't recruit <em>isn't</em> getting a promotion?</p> <p>While former Texas offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin <strike>grabbed one of the last life boats out of Bellmont</strike> took the Arkansas State job this off-season, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116750/manny-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">Manny Diaz</a>, his fellow highly-touted guru on the defensive side of the ball, <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/2012/12/11/3755758/coaching-rumors-texas-longhorns-bryan-harsin-manny-diaz-fiu-arkansas-state">withdrew his name from consideration for the open spot at Florida International on Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>For those of you not versed in the world of human resources speak, that means he wasn't getting the job. It's your classic face-saving routine designed to protect the reputation (and ego) of an applicant.</p>
<p>He has deep connections in the area -- his father was the mayor of Miami for most of the last decade -- and the pedigree for a job at a school like FIU, but his resume took a huge hit in 2012.</p>
<p>Despite having a plethora of NFL talent, Diaz's defense fell apart during the toughest part of the schedule, giving up at least 36 points to Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Baylor in four consecutive weeks.</p>
<p>Of course, not all of that can be pinned on the 38-year old defensive coordinator, as the Longhorns program showed cracks that go all the way up to head coach <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115256/mack-brown" class="sbn-auto-link">Mack Brown</a> this season.</p>
<p>For now, it appears that Diaz has hitched his star to Brown, as both need a strong 2013 campaign to wash away the taste of a disappointing 2012 campaign.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-longhorns/2012/12/19/3785196/manny-diaz-fiu-rumorsJonathan Tjarks