Is Dallas a contender now?

I think it maybe to earlier to say but I really think this trade makes the Mavs a better team. I have loved Josh Howard during his years with the Mavs, but his inability to stay healthy has really hurt the team. Constantly in and out of the line-up kept the Mavs from finding a consistent mesh as a team. Caron Butler brings a lot to the table the Howard could no longer provide. No question he is a very capable scorer and J-Kidd makes everyone around him better, even if he is 50 years old. Butler is also a better defender and has had some experience in clutch situations. Excited about what he brings to the team. Brendan Haywood is a little bit of a unknown. To me he looks like a younger version of Erik Dampier. Which can be a good thing and a bad thing. He does seem to be a little more mobile and maybe a little more offensively gifted. But what the Mavs need is another tough defender and rebounder to help against the likes of the Nuggets and Lakers. I truly believe he can do that. Deshawn Stevenson is a wild card for sure. I have never liked the guy. He seems to do more talking than actually playing. Very, very streaky shooter. And he is a hot head that could cost us a ticked off Kobe or Melo in the playoffs. If he accepts his role as a defender and spot duty guy then it might work. This trade has also allowed Jason Terry to return to coming off the bench. That is a lightning rod that greatly helps the Mavericks. But if the Mavs are going to go far in the playoffs the will need more than just Terry off the bench. The health of Dampier will be important to watch. J.J. Barea has been in a slump but can also be a big lift off the bench. Since this trade the Mavs have beaten the Lakers at home and came back from double digit deficeit at Atlanta. The pieces are there, lets just see if the Mavs can have them all fit.

Lack of Fanhood?

So when this blog started I assumed I post following every Jayhawk game. That has not gone so well. The last time I did a major post about KU they lost the next day to Tennessee. Well they had not lost since that game until yesterday when they were embarrassed by Oklahoma State. They were beat in every aspect of the game. Frustrating game would be putting it mildly. Although that is only two losses on the year, the Jayhawks have two very tough games to finish the season. Wednesday night they will have the 6th ranked K-state Wildcats coming to Phog Allen. Huge game, also Sherron Collins' senior night. Simply cannot lose that game. Then we will finish out the regular season visiting Missouri. After watching the debacle against OK-state one gets a little more nervous about both those games. If Kansas manages to lose both and K-state wins their last game, then they would be tied in the Big 12 standings. Not sure about anyone else but the only thing I want to share with K-state is our foot up there ass.
I do not think it is time to panic at all. Yes KU got exposed in some areas. Perimeter defense was dreadful. We did not capitalize on tournovers. We were out rebounded by a much smaller team. Our team leader (Collins) laid a big giant turd in the first half. But all are things we can improve on and learn from. Important to remember that in 08 KU lost at Ok-State then didn't lose again the whole year enroute to the national championship. Although pre-mature Kansas is capable of such a run. Bill Self is one of the best coaches in the country and he will get this team to learn from yesterday and be ready for the last home game of the season. Let's not entertain any ideas to the contrary.
And in case anyone cares I think Syracuse should be ranked #1. If Kentucky is #1 then there needs to be an investigation into why everyone is all over all their jock straps. Its been weird to be ranked #1 for most of the season and be considered the second best team.

It's been awhile

It has been to long since I have shared my glorious thoughts with.... nobody reads this anyways, so with myself I guess. Several times over the last couple of months I have had ideas and thoughts to share but never got around to it. Big surprise there. So I guess I am just writing this to let the poor neglected Force Field know I have not forgotten and I will try to be more consistent in my posting. I have plenty of time where I am in my office pretending to work. Golden blog time wasted. I am actually inspired to commit right here and right now, to post something everyday. I will most certainly regret this later, but whatever. Let's see how long this lasts.