11/25/07 Dallas Mavericks

Wait and See
By Albert Nguyen

The Dallas Mavericks have elected to enter the new season with basically their core intact. Jason Terry, the center of trade talks throughout the summer, have been moved to the bench where he will be the first offensive option as the team's 6th man. Will this particular approach be successful in the end? We will not find out until April comes rolling around. However, in the mean time, the Mavericks have come out and managed to win nine games before earning their fourth loss this season compared to zero wins a year ago and nobody inside the Dallas braintrust feel that they are playing close to their potential, which is encouraging.

The 2006/07 NBA MVP, Dirk Nowitzki, seems to be somewhat off with his shot in the first 13 games, which includes an astounding 12% drop in his free throw percentage from a year ago. After being front and center in Dallas's epic collapses the last two years in the playoffs and playing for his country again this past summer, you can't help but wonder if Dirk is emotionally and physically drained at this point. A lot was made about his trip to the Australian Outback where he literally shut out the rest of the world, but there is nothing on earth that can make him forget about what has happened to him, each time he steps back onto an NBA court. Although, Dirk is not playing up to the standards we are all accustomed to so far this season, we have fortunately seen other players step up in his stead:

Devin Harris
He is unquestionably playing the best basketball of his professional career. It is funny what happens when talented young players get more playing time in this league. After being named the starting point guard for the Mavericks, Devin is averaging career highs in minutes (31.6), points (16.0), assists (5.3), and rebounds (3.2).

Brandon Bass
What a pleasant surprise. Basketball experts always point out the fact that it takes big guys a longer time to figure out the NBA game and being only 22 years old, he is well on his way to becoming a solid professional for a long time. Scoring 9.8 points and grabbing 5.6 rebounds a game, Bass may potentially be the answer to the Mavericks' long-time search for a complimentary backup for Dirk.

Jason Terry
The first thing out of his mouth when asked about Coach Johnson's decision to utilize him as the team's 6th man is the National Championship he helped Arizona win in 1997 playing the same role. JET seems to always say the right things and you can't help but agree with him thus far this year. Career highs in field goal, three point, and free throw percentages, makes Terry a lethal weapon off the bench taking full advantage of playing against the opponent's second team.

Despite the fact that the Mavericks are only a few games into the season, the team has managed to come out victorious in some pretty big statement games. Dallas is 1-0 against the Warriors, the team who knocked them out in the first round a year ago; 1-0 against the Spurs, the defending champions; and 2-0 against the Rockets, the other inner-state rival.

As stated earlier, fans will not know if this particular core of players have what it takes to win it all in the end, but it is definitely too early to tell. Let's wait and see what happens.

Copyright © 2007
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com

08/01/07 Dallas Cowboys

Exciting Times
By Albert Nguyen

New regime. New outlook. But, does that mean there will be a new outcome in Big D for 2008? In addition to returning almost every starter from last year's playoff team, the Dallas Cowboys signed key free agents Ken Hamlin, Leonard Davis, and Brad Johnson in the off-season. However, the biggest change in Valley Ranch is not from a player, but from a coach; the absence of Bill Parcells. Wade Phillips steps in as the new coach bringing in a new attitude welcomed by many closely involved within the organization. We have all heard about Wade Phillips's laid back approach to the game of football and his willingness to be more attentive towards the skills and strengths of certain marquee players.

Terrell Owens's numbers are expected to improve. Demarcus Ware's numbers are expected to improve. Julius Jones's numbers are expected to improve. All of these parts make up the reason for why Cowboys fans throughout the country are chomping at the bit for the new season to begin. It is hard to believe that it has already been ten seasons since Jerry Jones has tasted a playoff victory. Although they managed to clinch a playoff berth a year ago, there were obvious shortcomings in the personel--especially in the offensive line, which led to the benching of Drew Bledsoe and at safety, because of Roy Williams's inability to cover the deep ball. Therefore, it was not a shock when the Cowboys went after Leonard Davis and Ken Hamlin in the summer to patch up these holes.

Projected Starters
Offense
QB: Tony Romo-Tale of two cities last year, which side will prevail?
RB: Julius Jones-Increased role in the offense under Wade Phillips.
WR: Terrell Owens-Led the league in TD receptions, looking for more.
WR: Terry Glenn-Solid veteran who does his job week in and week out.
TE: Jason Witten-One of the best tight ends in the NFL.
LT: Flozell Adams-Experienced, a pro bowl tackle when healthy.
LG: Kyle Kosier-The weakest link in an above average offensive line.
C: Andre Gurode-Inked a new deal because of solid play last year.
RG: Leonard Davis-Has great size, but also has great expectations.
RT: Marc Columbo-Nothing special, extremely hard worker.

Defense
DE: Marcus Spears-Much better than his one recorded sack in 2006.
DT: Jason Ferguson-Huge clog in the middle, draws double teams.
DE: Chris Canty-Started all 16 games a year ago.
OLB: Demarcus Ware-Never has had a double digit sack season.
ILB: Akin Ayodele-Needs to start this year like he ended last year.
ILB: Bradie James-Is much quicker and slimmer from a year ago.
OLB: Greg Ellis-Can be the difference maker in the Cowboys' 3-4.
FS: Ken Hamlin-Is he the answer to Dallas's passing defense?
SS: Roy Williams-Must play closer to the line to be effective.
CB: Terrence Newman-Talented but no interceptions to show for.
CB: Anthony Henry-Great cornerback when mentally prepared.

The big question marks in 2007/08 are depth at defensive tackle (there is no one behind Ferguson) and Romo's ability to duplicate his amazing run he had during his first six games after taking over the starting quarterback position. If Tony Romo is able to come close to the high level of play that earned him a pro bowl selection, Dallas should expect to win more than just one playoff game with Wade Phillips at the helm.

Copyright © 2007
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com

07/24/07 Dallas Mavericks

No Storybook Endings in Dallas
By Albert Nguyen

Two years. Two playoff meltdowns. Two tragic endings.

It's been a pretty rough time for the Dallas Mavericks nation to say the least. There are obvious holes and glaring weaknesses that the Mavericks must address; outside shooting, a legitimate low post threat, point guard play, and back court defense to name a few. Even though they shattered the previous franchise record with 67 regular season wins in their 2006/07 campaign, many of you know that the success of this team should not be graded by how well they do in the regular season but how they finish in the playoffs.

A first round defeat is always tough to swallow no matter how you spin it, but being the #1 seed makes it historical and embarrassing. Winning 67 games was and still is fools gold for Dallas, because it gives the organization the false impression that the team does not have much left to do and are not far off from finally winning that elusive first title. However, with the improvement of the teams in the Western Conference--again, Dallas should look more closely with what is going on around them.

• San Antonio Spurs - Re-signed all of their veteran pieces for another run and Parker looks like he has reached a whole new level after his NBA Finals MVP performance. And oh yeah, they still have the best coach/player 1-2 punch in the game with Popovich and Duncan.
  
• Phoenix Suns - Added a more than capable Grant Hill for basically nothing to an already stacked roster full of talent. They have at least eight players that can start on any other NBA team.
  
• Houston Rockets - Vastly improved their bench this off season, which was their biggest flaw from last year. They still managed to win 52 games with injuries to both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming in 2007. No doubt, they will be better this year.
• Utah Jazz - Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are riding high after their splendid playoffs catapulting them into stardom, they might even end up being better than Stockton and Malone.
  
• Denver Nuggets - Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony will have a training camp and a full year to play together which gives them a lot more opportunities to coexist.

Not to mention the bottom teams of the Western Conference improving, Portland and Seattle picking one and two in this year's NBA draft respectively have put them back on the basketball map. Greg Oden is a solid pick and will be a legitimate center in this league averaging a double double, but watch out for Kevin Durant. Once his body catches up with his skills, he is going to be an offensive machine, just look at Team USA's scrimmage this past weekend for evidence.

It gives me a sick feeling in my stomach watching other teams improve while Dallas stands pat and ultimately does nothing. Sure, the re-signings of Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George should not be taken lightly but they were already on the team from last year. Looking at the big picture, if the summer ends with Dallas only making lateral moves, then I don't see how it can not be considered as a failure especially considering the fact that it is widely known there are big name superstars on the trading block.

For the Mavericks, the core of players have been together for a few years now, which means they all know one another well and have good chemistry on the court, so it won't be surprising if Dallas has another 60-win season. However, when it comes to playoff time, the NBA is built around superstars and superstars receiving superstar treatment. Unless the Mavericks add another legitimate superstar to team up with Dirk, I see another season that will fall short of expectations in 2008.

Copyright © 2007
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com

11/02/06: Dallas Mavericks

Unfinished Business
By Albert Nguyen

Last season ended in heartbreak--there is no sugarcoating this fact. But, the question is can blame really be put on one single player or coach or play?

Dirk's missed free throws.
The terrible officiating.
Wade's legendary performance.
Avery Johnson's inability to adjust in games 3-6.
Josh Howard's "timeout".
Even David Hasselhoff chants from the Miami hopefuls.

There were so many factors that led to the Maverick's ultimate demise in the Finals. However, everyone closely tied to the organization feels strongly on the basis that it was Dallas who lost the championship and not Miami who won it. This can easily be picked up by the moves, or lack there of, Dallas had made during the offseason. Maybe the signings of Devean George and Greg Buckner are enough to put the Mavericks over the top. Maybe the continuing growth of the core players (Nowitzki, Howard, Terry, Harris) will finally put Dallas into the basketball promised land. We will soon find out.

Copyright © 2006
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com

09/07/05: Dallas Cowboys

Is the Third Time the Charm?
By Albert Nguyen

Year number three of the Bill Parcells era in Dallas is about to begin and unfortunately for Cowboys fans, it doesn’t come without a handful of questions that need to be answered in order for America’s team to climb back into respectability in the NFL. The reality of it is that the glory years of the 90s are long gone and it has forced the team into currently employing a youth movement, especially in the defense where up to four or five rookies are expected to make a considerable impact this season.

The off-season’s notable acquisitions of free agents Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn at cornerback, Jason Ferguson at defensive tackle, Marco Rivera at right guard, and Drew Bledsoe at quarterback are all expected to start or play significant roles at their respective positions and is proof that Jerry Jones is now more than willing to open up his wallet and pay for the coveted players on the market that he has decided not to go after in years past. Most widely discussed during the summer has been the Cowboys switch from the 4-3 defense to the 3-4 defensive alignment, which was the scheme that propelled Parcells to two Super Bowl victories during his tenure with the Giants. The new look defense will still be starring All-Pro Safety, Roy Williams, and other familiar names such as Terrence Newman, Dat Nguyen, and others; however, this group of guys will also be surrounded with a number of young, inexperienced players that are looking to make their own niches in the NFL. The most talented of this rookie class are first round draft picks Demarcus Ware (Troy) and Marcus Spears (LSU), and will be initially depended greatly upon by the Cowboys’ coaching staff more so than the usual rookie coming into the NFL.

If these two rookies along with Chris Canty (Virginia) and Kevin Burnett (Tennessee) can successfully make the transition into the professional ranks, then this defense has the potential to be very good. If the defense can use their superior athletic ability and raw talent to play as a collective unit, then they are more than capable of being even better than their defense in 2003, which ranked #1 overall. If reuniting with Head Coach Bill Parcells helps Bledsoe regain close to the form he had when teaming with Parcells earlier in his career, then the fans in Dallas are in for a real treat and should expect some exciting games this season. If star running back Julius Jones can stay healthy for a full season, then 1,500 yards on the ground is not asking too much from this star in the making who has all the necessary tools to become one of the game’s elite backs for many years to come. If their ever aging offensive line which includes rookie right tackle, Rob Petitti, can perform together as a whole, then as many as three players could be sent to the Pro Bowl this year giving Dallas one of the best lines in the business. If Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn can sustain an injury-free campaign being the number one and two options for Bledsoe at 33 and 31 years old respectively, then this quartet of wide receivers, which includes up and coming Patrick Crayton and newly signed Peerless Price, should be considered as the best group of receivers in the entire league.

The number of “if’s” is more than enough to keep Parcells and the rest of the coaches busy throughout the season and to keep the media from predicting a tremendously successful year for this version’s Cowboys. However, there has never been a coach as good as Big Bill when it comes to motivating players and meticulously preparing them to play every Sunday. This year, he has been provided with enough talent and the roster is filled with the “Parcells Guys” that people are so enamored with to make a real run for it, so betting against this team may play out to become a huge mistake.

Copyright © 2005
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com

01/31/05: Dallas Mavericks

So far, So...
By Albert Nguyen

The midway point in the NBA season consequently brings forth countless questions and answers to each franchise and their respective front offices, players, and fans. For the Dallas Mavericks, such questions include:

1. Should ownership have re-signed MVP candidate and beloved all-star point guard, Steve Nash, this past off-season rather then letting him go and join with the surprising and high scoring 36-10 Phoenix Suns?
2. Can Erick Dampier improve his play and be the "true" center that Dallas has desperately needed for many years to reach their championship aspirations living up to his 70-million-dollar deal he signed this summer?
3. Will lingering injuries be an on-going problem for the two second-year standouts, plaguing the rest of Josh Howard's and Marquis Daniels's seasons and ultimately their potentially great careers?

Last season was definitely a forgettable one for most Mavericks fans across the country, thus, the summer offered management the opportunity to fix what ultimately went wrong, resulting in only six of the fifteen players from last year retaining a spot on the Mavericks roster entering the 04-05 season. Although Steve Nash may have been the most popular player on the team, Mark Cuban and others decided that it was time for Nash to leave the organization and for the team to strive towards a different direction in terms of personnel and playing style. The Dallas Mavericks are now a bigger and more athletic team with the acquisitions of Erick Dampier, Calvin Booth, Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Terry, Alan Henderson, Devin Harris, DJ Mbenga, Pavel Podkolzin, and the recent addition of Darrell Armstrong via trade providing coach Don Nelson with the most "conventional" roster since he's been a part of the team. The team has clearly been built around emerging superstar, Dirk Nowitzki, providing him with the necessary tools to blossom and take it to the next level in this league. Many believed that the loss of Nash was going to hinder Dirk's improvement as a player, feeling that the seven footer from Germany was incapable of excelling without his running mate. However, this has arguably been his best year so far in the NBA taking his all-around game which includes offense, defense, and rebounding to new heights. The synopsis of Erick Dampier's play in the first half of the season have been somewhat of a disappointment averaging just 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds in 27 minutes a game and it is quite evident that he must step up in order for the Mavericks to be taken seriously in the playoffs and be considered as a real contender for the O-Brien Trophy. After 42 games into the season, Marquis Daniels have missed fifteen of them because of his severely sprained ankle and Josh Howard have missed six due to various injuries including his on-going back problems. It would be wise for the Dallas coaches to allow these very talented and gifted young guns to completely heal and be ready heading into the playoffs before throwing them back on the court which can be jeopardizing the rest of their bright careers. Although, it is apparent that there are a considerable amount of questions to be figured out, the first half of the season have also vindicated and administered many answers as well for the Mavericks and their fans:

1. Dirk Nowitzki can and will take his game to the next level and lead his ball club in times of need.
2. Jason Terry is more than capable of running Don Nelson's complex offensive system and being the on-court general for the squad as witnessed in his NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award.
3. Jerry Stackhouse has been a very pleasant addition to the team and the current front-runner for 6th Man of the Year award in the NBA plays for the Mavericks once again this year.
4. Devin Harris has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited time on the court and will be a key cog in many years to come for the Dallas Mavericks franchise.

As shown in his 53-point outing against Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center, Dirk Nowitzki will and at times just simply take over and carry his teammates on his back, parallel and reminiscent of his games for the German National Team. Because of the drastic changes in the lineup and the loss of Nellie's long-time quarterback, it was widely forecasted and predicted that it was going to take a lot of time for the team to develop good on-court chemistry and to gel together as a unit. Dallas has exceeded expectations up to this point in the season due partly because of the improving play and the effectiveness of Jason Terry running the point. At the start of the season, Terry had lost his starting job to rookie, Devin Harris, and was set to accept his duties as a role player coming off the bench. However, after 18 games since being inserted into the lineup as a starter in the game against Atlanta, the Terry and the Mavericks have flourished and hold a 13-5 record averaging almost 106 points a game. With the Antawn Jamison departure, there was a huge offensive void left behind, and it was extremely vital for the Mavericks to replace him with someone capable of instant offense off the bench. Jerry Stackhouse has filled that vacancy quite nicely pouring in fifteen points a game for his ball club. As their swing players continue to get healthy, Stackhouse's minutes will decline but he is the type of the player that can light it up on any given night. Rookie point guard Devin Harris, began the season as the starter but was quickly pulled by Nellie because the offense was not being ran as smoothly as he would have liked. Harris gives the Mavericks a very talented and quick player at the one position, who can apply full court pressure on the opposing team's guards. This defensive pressure is a welcomed asset the coaches have never had the luxury to have before with Steve Nash. Harris has been used sparingly in limited minutes after being benched; however, when the coaches do decide to call his number, he has given them plenty of energy and quality play. No team ever wants to peak too soon in the season; therefore, it is not how you begin the marathon, but how you finish it. Let's see what questions and answers arise in the second half of the year for the Dallas Mavericks.

Copyright © 2005
Email: alnguyen84@gmail.com