Posted on 2/14/2008 4:58:09 PM

NBA Betting - Mavericks Ready To Win Now With Kidd

By Eric Williams

Despite being just one game behind the New Orleans Hornets and Phoenix Suns in the BetUS.com Sportsbook for the best record in the western conference, the Dallas Mavericks, (35-17 SU, 21-28-3 ATS, 24-28 O/U), have finally realized that, as currently constructed, they are a few bricks short of a full load in the race for supremacy in the ultra-competitive western conference.

While the Mavericks have been featured in the BetUS.com Locker Room on several occasions this season, it has been clear for some time that something has been missing in Dallas – namely, a tough-minded veteran leader who knows how to lead his team to victory despite the often-hostile conditions that most NBA betting teams face at some point in the postseason.

After flaming out in the NBA championship two years ago by dropping four straight games to the Miami Heat despite owning a 2-0 series lead – and last season’s even more disturbing first round debacle against the Golden State Warriors despite owning the league’s best regular season record, the Mavericks have finally come to their senses about gifted forward Dirk Nowitzki.

While Nowitzki is as talented a seven-footer the league has ever seen and can shoot the ball with the best players on the planet, the fact of the matter is that Nowitzki is clearly not the team leader type – and never will be at this point in his career.

While I agree that Dallas needs a player that can truly lead this talented team to the promised land, I also think the Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban are banking far too much of their future on the prospect that Kidd can help them win a title now.

The Mavericks are reportedly going to give the Nets, young starting point guard Devin Harris, arguably the fastest player in the league, center DeSagana Diop, rookie shooting guard Maurice Ager, veteran swingman Devean George and veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, not to mention $3 million in cash and first-round draft picks I 2008 and 2010, all for a 35-year-old point guard and career backup, Malik Allen.

While Kidd is a fine player, I believe the Mavericks are mortgaging far too much of what could be a promising future just for the chance to win now – a chance that certainly isn’t guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination.

While Kidd’s presence may improve the Mavericks leadership problems, it still doesn’t cure their number one ailment in my mind – the lack of a quality low post player that can compete with San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan.

Point blank, Dallas still won’t have anyone who can stop Duncan – and with the Phoenix Suns having acquired behemoth center Shaquille O’Neal from the Miami Heat, Dallas could be in big trouble when they face their formidable foes from the desert.

Again, while acquiring Kidd will solve Dallas’ leadership problems, the move does absolutely nothing to ensure an appearance in their own conference finals, a guaranteed knock-down drag-out fight that will feature the Spurs, Suns, blossoming Utah Jazz, surprising New Orleans Hornets and retooled Los Angeles Lakers, who appear to be the catalysts for both, the Mavericks’ decision to go after Kidd as well as the Suns trade that brought them O’Neal.

Call me crazy, but Devin Harris, two first round picks, three million dollars in cash, one promising rookie and two veterans are unequivocally not worth Jason Kidd and Malik Allen.

Unless there is an NBA odds Finals appearance guaranteed with Kidd’s arrival, I say the Mavericks are grasping at straws – and will pay for their poor decision-making for years to come.

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