Fine-ally Flopping is Frowned Upon

As a loyal Dallas Mavericks fan, I am tremendously excited for the NBA season to start no matter what happens each offseason. However, the brand new anti-flopping rule change made by the NBA league office may be what I enjoy watching the most over the course of this year.

Flopping/floppers absolutely drive me insane, which you already know if you read my post titled: One Thing I Hate About You. The offenders are countless, from superstars to scrubs, and it seems that the longer the league does nothing, the more normal these pathetic acts of deception become. I applaud sites like ESPN's TrueHoop blog for their "stop the flop" campaign. Also, I applaud players like Rasheed Wallace, who honestly, openly and unforgivingly speaks against it the instant it happens. Now Wallace is a personal fan of mine because he continues to call out floppers even though he probably received over half of his league record 317 (and counting) technicals for these kind of statements. In my book, every effort that applies pressure to the league office was helpful and as a result, we basketball fans have some forward progress.

Now, I claim to be a pure fan of the game of basketball first, and a completely biased Mavericks fan second. So, since the sanctity of the game is my top priority, I can only believe that this change in policy will only benefit the future of basketball. As far as the actual rule goes, this is how the league office has outlined and defined this fantastic new feature:

Players will receive a warning the first time, then be fined $5,000 for a second violation. Fines increase to $10,000 for a third offense, $15,000 for a fourth and $30,000 the fifth time. Six or more could lead to an additional fine and/or a suspension.

Violation 1: Warning
Violation 2: $5,000 fine
Violation 3: $10,000 fine
Violation 4: $15,000 fine
Violation 5: $30,000 fine
Violation 6: Suspension

The NBA defines flopping as, "any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player...The primary factor in determining whether a player committed a flop is whether his physical reaction to contact with another player is inconsistent with what would reasonably be expected given the force or direction of the contact."

Source: NBA.com

Unfortunately, there are still some issues with this system, like the fact that all penalties are determined after games, when in fact a well-timed flop could change the outcome of a game. Also, who decides, and how closely will they monitor, each game? So many questions, so little answers.

I don't expect this tiny rule book addition to rid the game of flopping entirely, or of superstars overzealously "selling" all contact, but I do believe it is a step in the right direction. As frustrating as it is to watch some of these flops, even a baby step in the right direction could be monumental in the long run.

In case you still aren't on board with this new rule, just watch the video below that was uploaded to YouTube by user: DN83Productions. A compilation of called flops that shame the beautiful game of basketball.

Wave Goodbye to the Glory Daze

Dallas Mavericks fans everywhere, myself included, rejoiced at the news of the new CBA. Finally, we can watch our reigning champs hang the banner, flaunt their rings, and defend their ever-so-deserving NBA title.

And then...

Well, then...free agency happened.

Caron Butler was the first to go. Caron Butler, the Mavs second leading scorer during the 2011 season. He tore his patellar tendon after 49 games and watched the Mavs win the championship without his help the entire playoffs. Apparently, he doesn't feel like owes the Mavs anything. Off he goes to L.A. in attempt to chase a second ring with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to help him along the way. Butler will be missed. His perimeter defense was stellar, his twenty points per game lifted a significant weight off of Dirk's shoulders, and his overall toughness is feared around the league.

Tyson Chandler was the next. Undoubtedly the best center the Dallas Mavericks have ever had. Without his defense, intensity, and hustle the Mavericks would never have made it past Portland. Though he brought the defense and energy, he still didn't "bring the championship" to Dallas. He was just a more significant piece than others on their roster. With money on his mind, he's off to New York. Sixty million over four years. Wow.

DeSean Stevenson signed with the New Jersey Nets in a one year deal worth around 2.5 million. Not a bad payday for him, especially since the Nets will most likely miss the playoffs. More money and more time off for the previously deemed, "token crazy guy." Though he was vital to the playoff run I truly believe his role is easily replaceable. Therefore, his absence won't necessarily be missed or even noticed.




Speaking of valuable contributors who won't necessarily be missed...Peja Stojakovic decided to retire a champion. Hard to blame him, he will always be known as a sniper that could bury threes from anywhere on the hardwood. He was, and is, a class act that showed up to work every day with the knowledge of his role, and the drive to fulfill it.

J.J. Barea got his big contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will reportedly make just shy of twenty million over the next four years in Minnesota. It's a bit more difficult to be upset with Barea, though. He was a hard worker that steadily improved for five straight years in Dallas. When all was said and done, he had clearly paid his dues, and earned his right to be considered a World Champion Maverick. I, as most Mavs fans do, wish him the best of luck.


Six free-agents. Five of them gone. There's only one left. Don't worry Dallas, Brian "the Custodian" Cardinal is here to stay! Cardinal resigned with Dallas proving his worth yet again as a class act, blue collar worker, and a loyal teammate. For 1.4 million he is staying around for at least one more year to take charges, bury three pointers, and mop the floor with his pesky defense.

Fortunately, the Mavericks first championship run was unforgettable. The five departing free agents will be missed, perhaps blamed, and even hated by some Mavs fans. However, the banner hanging from the American Airlines Center rafters will remind us to be thankful for their contributions, their work ethic, and the priceless memories of 2011.

Crazy guys

The 2011 World Champion Dallas Mavericks were an incredulous combination of players, personalities, and mentalities.

DeSean Stevenson was their token crazy guy. Without his stellar perimeter defense, his efficient outside shot, and his Abraham Lincoln neck tattoo the Mavs didn't stand a chance in 2011.

Still don't believe me? Do you remember watching Ron Artest take over game seven of the 2010 finals?

What's that? You don't know anyone named Ron Artest?

Oh yeah, he's the guy that changed his name to Metta World Peace. And yes, he also happens to be the same guy that started the "Palace Brawl" between typical Pistons fans and idiotic Pacer players. Hmm...

Anyways, Ron Artest was crucial to the Los Angeles Lakers last title run. He was a defensive force, a rebounding machine, and most importantly, a complete moron. With one minute and two seconds remaining in regulation of a tied-up game seven, Artest squared up and drilled a three-point shot right over Ray Allen's outstretched hand.

Everyone knew the ball would end up in Kobe's hands. It didn't matter that he was struggling the whole night. A player like Kobe has earned the right to take each and every important shot for the rest of his career. Everyone in the building knew that...except Artest.

Artest's magic didn't end there. Among the first things he said at the end of the game was, "I'd like to thank my doctor - my psychiatrist. She really helped me relax a lot...and she helped me hit that last shot."

Okay, so that's two crazy guys with one ring each. The craziest NBA player of all time, has 5.

You should already know who this is before having to read it.

Dennis Rodman - the absolute craziest counterpart to the absolute greatest player the game has ever seen. Rodman's resume is far more impressive  than the previous two crazies.

• 5 NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls (1989-1990, 1996-1998) 
• 7 time rebounding champion (1992-1998)
• 2 time defensive player of the year (1990-1991)
• Member of the Hall of Fame

Need I say more?

Yes, but not about his playing.

Dennis was quite the menace, provoking just as much camera time off the court as he did on the court. His atrocious cross-dressing, hair dying, body piercing, tattoo sporting lifestyle became a national water-cooler discussion topic.

To be honest, I am not sure he ever finished an entire game without taking his shirt off on the court, initiating a fight with the other team, or kicking a cameraman.

Ok, the cameraman thing only happened once. But come on Dennis! Really? Kicking the cameraman?

Three token crazy guys. 

Each shared the court with a different NBA legend.

Together, they achieved greatness.

Jalen "The Jackass" Rose

Less than nine hours after being sentenced for a DUI, Jalen Rose picked up a speeding ticket for driving fourty-six miles-per-hour in a twenty-five mile-per-hour zone.

Wow! Wait...What???

The first part alone is pretty bad, but guess what? It gets worse. Rose was ticketed in front of a POLICE station in Detroit.

That's right...Jalen "The Jackass" Rose was driving twenty one (21) miles over the speed limit in front of a police station on his way home from being sentenced to 20 days in jail for his previously recorded DUI citation!!!

The case of Jalen Rose is a mystery that never ceases to amaze me. He actually gets paychecks from ESPN for stammering predictions,  offering awful analysis, looking like a bum, and sounding like an ignoramus. Unless he's actually been paying his speeding tickets, he has plenty of dough from working, too.

Jalen Rose is just another example of a punk kid that made it to the big leagues because of his athletic ability ALONE. No class, no character, and no respect.

ESPY-ownage!

It had been just over a month since they won the NBA Championship, and since then, they have been basking in the championship glory at party after party. So, all they really came to do was enjoy themselves...at yet another awesome party...the ESPY's.

The ESPY award ceremony is among one of the most unique events in current sporting culture. Each year they pack a prime time venue, this year's was at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, with elite athletes from the major sports played in the U.S. and the fans vote as to which teams, performances, or players were the best.

The World Champion Dallas Mavericks showed up to the ESPY awards with smooth smiles and humble hearts. For a veteran squad like the Mavericks, the hard-earned Larry O'Brien trophy was undoubtedly enough for them. I don't even think they would have cared if they had to stay in those chairs with their legs crammed into the seat in front of them the whole night. They truly could have gone home from the ESPY's empty-handed without being disappointed.

However, the fans had different plans.
 
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, Jose Juan Barea, Brian Cardinal, and of course, Mark Cuban, were all in attendance.

Since they did a lot of winning last night, I figured I could highlight their awards, and point out why the other nominees didn't stand a chance.

The Dallas Mavericks won the award for best team. They won this award over the following championship teams:

• Auburn Tigers - Alabama doesn't ever really win
• Boston Bruins - No one likes hockey
• Green Bay Packers - Surely 2nd place in the voting
• San Fransisco Giants - Baseball is boring
• Texas A&M Women Basketball - No one knew they had won...

When you really think about it, the Mavs had a handful of future hall of fame players on their roster, many of them hadn't been called "young" in years, and other teams didn't even want to take chances by signing the others.

The Mavericks defined the word resiliency in their victorious playoff run with stunning comeback after stunning comeback. This team just had too much heart, too much chemistry, and the strongest desire to win it all.

Apparently it isn't just me that thinks they earned this one.

On to the team MVP.

Dirk did his thing by taking home two individual awards. Here's a quick look at what he won, why he had he hands full, and who else was nominated. (By who else was nominated I mean...the people who lost)

Best male athlete: Dirk Nowtizki, Dallas Mavericks

• Aaron Rodgers - Quarterback of the World Champion Green Bay Packers.
• Rafael Nadal - Tennis stud-and-a-half.
• Jimmy Johnson - He drives a car...meaning he isn't actually an athlete. That was a no-brainer.

Best NBA player: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

• Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers - Swept in the 2nd round...I repeat...swept.
• Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder - Led NBA in scoring and backpack wearing.
• LeBron James, Miami Heat - Got spanked in the finals and humiliated in the fourth quarters.
• Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls - 2011 NBA MVP-also the only one who wasn't eliminated by Dirk.

I will admit...I was a little surprised on both of these. Not because I don't feel that Dirk deserved them, but because the national media never takes the time to recognize him as the elite NBA player he truly is. Dallas fans see Dirk daze and confuse his defensive opponents night in and night out with unpredictable moves and a silky smooth shooting stroke. The issue is that his consistent performances are often overshadowed by the media hype around the Heat, Bulls, or Lakers.

Watching him accept these was like seeing the Mavs pull off two more upsets in the playoffs.

Then you look at his stat line and discover that he earned it fair and square. This is what I'm talking about, his 2011 playoff averages:


27.7 points per game
8.1 rebounds per game
49% from the field
46% from three point land
94% from the free throw line


Dirk being Dirk, is Dirk doin' work. See picture to the left for another example of how Dirk was doin' work.

So Dirk did his thing, The Mavs won best team, is that it? Nope!

Rick Carlisle wasn't even there and he got in the mix by winning best coach/manager. Here are the less-fortunate nominees:

• Jim Calhoun, Connecticut Basketball - OK, I admit, he did a pretty fantastic job. Unranked to Champions is a great story every time.
• Gene Chizik, Auburn Tigers - Cool last name.
• Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers - Probably finished 2nd in the voting.
• Dom Starsia, Virginia Lacrosse - Still don't know who this person is...

OK now that's gotta be it...But wait! There's more!

Seth Meyers even took the time to give Brian Cardinal a shout-out as his favorite NBA player, commenting on his toughness and unique (un-athletic) look. Can the mavs have their cake and eat it too? By now, I think we all know the answer to that one.

 One last thing...

I hate to point this out. But, the ESPY's were in Los Angeles and the Mavs/members of the Mavs were nominated for four awards, and they won all four. Thus, completing another sweep in L.A. I have good reason to believe that without Brian "the custodian" Cardinal, none of this sweeping would be possible.

OK...NOW that's all...check please!