October 20, 200322 yr espn.com DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks bulked up an already strong offense Monday, acquiring All-Star forward Antoine Walker from the Boston Celtics in a five-player trade. Antoine Walker and Raef LaFrentz Walker and LaFrentz can still battle, after they switch uniforms. The Celtics agreed to take center Raef LaFrentz and the four years remaining on a $69 million, five-year contract signed before last season. The Celtics also get Jiri Welsch and Chris Mills, players the Mavericks got in an offseason trade that also brought Antawn Jamison from Golden State, and Dallas' first-round pick in 2004. The Mavericks will get guard Tony Delk from Boston. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed the deal to The Associated Press, saying it was pending league approval. "It's not every day that a 27-year-old All-Star becomes available," said Donnie Nelson, Dallas' president of basketball operations. "We feel we've got one of the most versatile coaches in the league. To add a player of Antoine's ability just gives [coach Don Nelson]more options to work with." Nelson struck the deal with Danny Ainge, who became Boston's head of basketball operations in May. The two are close friends, with Nelson having been an assistant to Ainge in Phoenix. Between his jobs with the Suns and Celtics, Ainge was a TV analyst and he said on the air he did not like Walker's game. Since joining Boston, he's said he had no intention of trading Walker. Now Walker, a three-time All-Star who averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds last season, goes from playing alongside one high scorer in Paul Pierce to being joined by four: Dallas' nucleus of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley, plus Jamison, who was added in August. The Mavericks, the NBA's highest-scoring team the last two years, have now upgraded a roster that won 60 games and reached the Western Conference finals last season. It also counters the changes made by fellow Western Conference opponents San Antonio, Sacramento and the Lakers. Walker has size (6 feet 9, 245 pounds) but can run the offense. His dribbling and passing skills make him the prototype "point forward" coveted by Don Nelson. Walker led the Celtics in assists the last three seasons, and he and Pierce combined to average nearly half of Boston's points during that span. "We see Antoine as a triple-double guy," said Donnie Nelson, the coach's son and an assistant coach. "I know in some form or fashion at the end of the game you're going to see the Big Three and Antoine Squared." Donnie Nelson said Nowitzki will get more minutes at center. Shawn Bradley and Danny Fortson, also acquired in the Golden State trade, will help man the position. Eduardo Najera could play there, too. Delk will be a backup swingman, with Travis Best still the primary relief for Nash. Nelson said Delk may be able to provide some of the intangibles lost when Nick Van Exel was sent to Golden State. "He's not afraid, he's tough and experienced," Nelson said, referring to Delk. "He's got a knack for making big shots and big plays." LaFrentz was acquired from Denver at the trade deadline two seasons ago, then re-signed last summer. He was mostly a disappointment last season, averaging just 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. The Mavericks had coveted Welsch in their trade with the Warriors but were willing to give up on the project to upgrade their roster now. The 6-foot-7 swingman from the Czech Republic was a first-round pick last season but saw limited time as a rookie with Golden State. The oft-injured Mills was seen as a trading chip from the time Dallas acquired him. The forward played only 112 games the last four seasons but has a big contract that expires after this year, which will help the Celtics clear room under the salary cap. He hasn't played this preseason. wow
October 20, 200322 yr holy sheeot. Lakers (even with Kobe): meet the new Western Conference champs. Nash, Nowitski, Jamison, Walker, Van Exel > Kobe, Shaq, Malone, and Payton easily
October 20, 200322 yr Author Van Exel is in Golden State but Tony Delk and Mike Finley aint too shabby
October 20, 200322 yr yeah.... still no center for the mavs. and just who the hell is going to defend the likes of shaq, duncan and garnett? dirk? I dont think so. Please. The Mavs now have 3 power forwards on their roster. They have no center and they have no small forward. They will have one of their power forwards maning each of these spots. They will score but what does that get you in the playoffs? Boys and girls...here is a hint. Defense wins playoff games. Not jump shooting. Evidenced by your last 5 NBA Champions especially...and then just go back in the annals of NBA history and find so many more. Next.
October 20, 200322 yr i think the Mavs can end up outscoring teams....I.E. Lakers...now if the Spurs end up winning, so be it. But I do see the Lakers getting knocked off by em.
October 20, 200322 yr people have said the mavs will outscore their opponents for about 3 years now. it has not occured in the playoffs. if Shaq is healthy, the Lakers are the favorites, followed closely by the Spurs. The Mavs, T-Wolves and Kings are on the next tier.
October 20, 200322 yr The Mavs can score as much as they want but where in the hell is The Guy who can defend AND shoot!? Their's a reason people talk about Shaq and Duncan over Wallace and an earlier Mutumbo because their not one dimensional. Jordan was able to shoot and defend. Shaq is able to do so. Duncan, yeah. Does anybody notice a trend? Until THe Mavs add that piece, they have about as much chance of Josh Clinton not being blamed for another Marlins loss. None.
October 20, 200322 yr the MAVS can get all da players they want but when they lose to the HEAT in da finals it'll be all for naught :thumbup
October 20, 200322 yr please. you homers are something else. there is no way in hell the miami heat make it to the finals.
October 20, 200322 yr there is no way in hell the miami heat make it to the finals. you sound like a t ypical baseball analyst talking crap about the marlins before the season. apparently the 5-1 miami heat record without their star player in the preseason doesnt turn any heads. sure preseason doesnt mean much, but to do that well w/o Caron Butler says something about a 'team' homers?....psht!
October 20, 200322 yr there is no way in hell the miami heat make it to the finals. you sound like a t ypical baseball analyst talking crap about the marlins before the season. apparently the 5-1 miami heat record without their star player in the preseason doesnt turn any heads. sure preseason doesnt mean much, but to do that well w/o Caron Butler says something about a 'team' homers?....psht! The Marlins is a totally different story. The Heat unlike The Marlins did not have A Western Conference that any top 8 team their could wipe the floor with The Heat. The Heats new star player was a guy who wasn't even the top guy on The Clippers. Until they actually have somewhat of a presence downlow, they don't stand a chance.
October 20, 200322 yr preseason means nothing to the NBA. the eastern conference is weak. Period. Nothing will change that this year. You are giving homer speak. Look at the Spurs...Duncan is playing not even 25 minutes a night. Pop has rested his starters just about every game. The Lakers are without Shaq. kobe who knows. Preseason means nothing. Period.
October 20, 200322 yr I'm always a believer, i'll still be rooting one things for sure, they'll be MUCH better than last year
October 21, 200322 yr No center means the Mavs may outscore most teams and get the most wins and gt the #1 seed but no way do they get by Duncan and the spurs or Shaq and the lakers in the playoffs
October 21, 200322 yr Big deal. They still have no low post game. No one to give them those tough points in the paint or pull down rebounds. They still have mediocore at best defense and rebounding. So they'll score 100 each game and give up 105. We've seen this in sports before and it rarely works. Won't be any different this time. Too many guys who need the ball in their hands. Not enough balls to go around. And no one willing to do the little things that really make a difference in a game. They'd be better off with Najera starting.
October 21, 200322 yr *MIAMI HEAT UPDATE* Heat 99 Spurs 98 Lamar Odom- 31 pts Eddie Joens - 23 pts So does that mean THe Warriors are going to be better than The Lakers this year due to the fact that they beat The Fakes?
October 22, 200322 yr espn.com DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks bulked up an already strong offense Monday, acquiring All-Star forward Antoine Walker from the Boston Celtics in a five-player trade. Antoine Walker and Raef LaFrentz Walker and LaFrentz can still battle, after they switch uniforms. The Celtics agreed to take center Raef LaFrentz and the four years remaining on a $69 million, five-year contract signed before last season. The Celtics also get Jiri Welsch and Chris Mills, players the Mavericks got in an offseason trade that also brought Antawn Jamison from Golden State, and Dallas' first-round pick in 2004. The Mavericks will get guard Tony Delk from Boston. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed the deal to The Associated Press, saying it was pending league approval. "It's not every day that a 27-year-old All-Star becomes available," said Donnie Nelson, Dallas' president of basketball operations. "We feel we've got one of the most versatile coaches in the league. To add a player of Antoine's ability just gives [coach Don Nelson] more options to work with." Nelson struck the deal with Danny Ainge, who became Boston's head of basketball operations in May. The two are close friends, with Nelson having been an assistant to Ainge in Phoenix. Between his jobs with the Suns and Celtics, Ainge was a TV analyst and he said on the air he did not like Walker's game. Since joining Boston, he's said he had no intention of trading Walker. Now Walker, a three-time All-Star who averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds last season, goes from playing alongside one high scorer in Paul Pierce to being joined by four: Dallas' nucleus of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley, plus Jamison, who was added in August. The Mavericks, the NBA's highest-scoring team the last two years, have now upgraded a roster that won 60 games and reached the Western Conference finals last season. It also counters the changes made by fellow Western Conference opponents San Antonio, Sacramento and the Lakers. Walker has size (6 feet 9, 245 pounds) but can run the offense. His dribbling and passing skills make him the prototype "point forward" coveted by Don Nelson. Walker led the Celtics in assists the last three seasons, and he and Pierce combined to average nearly half of Boston's points during that span. "We see Antoine as a triple-double guy," said Donnie Nelson, the coach's son and an assistant coach. "I know in some form or fashion at the end of the game you're going to see the Big Three and Antoine Squared." Donnie Nelson said Nowitzki will get more minutes at center. Shawn Bradley and Danny Fortson, also acquired in the Golden State trade, will help man the position. Eduardo Najera could play there, too. Delk will be a backup swingman, with Travis Best still the primary relief for Nash. Nelson said Delk may be able to provide some of the intangibles lost when Nick Van Exel was sent to Golden State. "He's not afraid, he's tough and experienced," Nelson said, referring to Delk. "He's got a knack for making big shots and big plays." LaFrentz was acquired from Denver at the trade deadline two seasons ago, then re-signed last summer. He was mostly a disappointment last season, averaging just 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. The Mavericks had coveted Welsch in their trade with the Warriors but were willing to give up on the project to upgrade their roster now. The 6-foot-7 swingman from the Czech Republic was a first-round pick last season but saw limited time as a rookie with Golden State. The oft-injured Mills was seen as a trading chip from the time Dallas acquired him. The forward played only 112 games the last four seasons but has a big contract that expires after this year, which will help the Celtics clear room under the salary cap. He hasn't played this preseason. wow antoine walker is one of the most overated players in the nba. The Kings will win the West. If only the warriors could win 40 games *sigh*
October 22, 200322 yr Ok..What are Celtics thinking?Oh Well.... Heat better their chances to make playoffs by another dumb move by Celtics.
October 24, 200322 yr Wow. The Mavericks continue to get worse. I love it! The Mavericks have about as much defense as the Packers do now! The Lakers, Wolves, and Spurs will beat the living piss out of the 1 Dimensional Mavs. Shaq, Malone, Payton, and Kobe Duncan, Rasho, Ginbobli, Mercer, Parker Garnett, Olowakandi, Szczerbiak, Sprewell, Cassell, Hudson Those 15 guys have gotta be lickin their chops! The Mavs will lose games 120-125. Hahaha!
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