Tough Night in Chicago

The Mavericks were in Chicago last night for a game against the Bulls.  I had no idea the Bulls were that good.  Defensively, they made the Mavs look foolish at many points in the game, between blocked shots, passes thrown to no one in particular, and shot clock violations.  But the most alarming thing about this game had nothing to do with the Bulls.

I think Dirk was moving worse last night than he had looked in the previous two games.  It is a little frightening that no one has said just how badly sprained his knee really is, and I'm wondering how much longer we'll have to wait before he is at full speed.  I believe it was Reggie Miller who said that he'd rather have Dirk at 70% than most guys at 100%.  And if we are talking about the playoffs, I agree.  But we are talking somewhat meaningless games in January.  The Mavs are going to make the playoffs, there is no question in my mind about that, and no one else should question it either.  Even badly hurt, they are still better than most other teams in the West, as they showed on Wednesday night against the Lakers.  I just think that if we are going to get beyond the first round (and the projected return of Caron Butler) then Dirk needs to be 100% in April.

However, there is the rumor of help coming from a source I wouldn't have been able to predict at the start of the season.  ESPN was reporting yesterday that another European wonder (perhaps a little past his prime) would be joining the Mavs very soon.  No, not Sasha Pavlovic, but none other than Peja Stojakovic.  I admit I had to look up how to spell his name.  He has not played much this year with an injured knee, but if I were playing for the Toronto Raptors, I think I would find a reason not to play as well.  I can recall in the past watching him and feeling a sense of dread every time he got the ball, because let's face it, the man can shoot.  As long as he can make it up and down the court, I think he will be a contributor.

And finally, it seems that Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey is not happening after all, and TNT last night was insinuating that perhaps Mark Cuban might be interested in bringing him to Dallas instead.  I must confess, I think Melo is a great player, and I think he will be a good contributor no matter where he goes.  But he is The Man in Denver, and he is going to want to be The Man anywhere he goes.  But if he comes to Dallas, he is not The Man, he is just a man among Men.  And I don't think the Mavs add anything by trading for him, and who knows what they would have to give up?  I'm not willing to trade Dirk, or Jet Terry, or Tyson Chandler, and I don't think Denver wants Pavlovic, or Stevenson, or Peja in return.  Who would you give up for Melo?  Where do you see him going?