"Words eye view"

I like Mark Cuban, he receives a A from me as an owner.  The Mavs have never won a championship however the franchise has been quite successful on the court and and in attendance.  The Mavs paint a picture of success unlike other NBA expansion teams.  Beginning in 1980 owner Donald Carter and partner Norm Sonju were to build the Mavs into a highly successful and competitive team.  Drafting wisely and trading for players Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper and Detlef Schrempf led those early Mavs teams to victory and into the playoffs year after year.  If not for the success of Magic Johnson and the Lakers the Mavs might have won maybe one or two championships.  The team begin to flounder in the '90s, they failed to reach the playoffs from 1991 through 2000.  Drug problems, off-court problems and numerous coaching changes contributed to the poor showing.  Ross Perot Jr. was owner of the team during this period and perhaps his other business interests keep him from devoting the attention his basketball team required.  The Mavs returned to prominence in the 2000s due to new owner Mark Cuban an influx of quality players and new coach Don Nelson.  Cuban became a vocal, dynamic and energetic owner. 

 

Now for the side of Mark Cuban that receives a D or incomplete is his sometimes brash behavior and public comments.  He's feuded with David Stern over officiating and the game in general unlike any owner past or present.  His impetuous behavior has caused him to suffer numerous fines by the NBA over the years.  You might say Redskins owner Dan Snyder and the late George Steinbrenner of the Yankees fought with their players, coaches and managers.  Maybe it occurred I just don't remember any of those owners picking a fight with an opposition player or anyone in the media.  In other words "don't write a check your body can't cash" when it comes to playing the game!  He mentioned he thought Ron Artest had problems with the triangle offense, his comments might not have fired up Ron but may have stoked the Laker team.  Cuban is us (only more money), he's never played the game especially at the NBA level.  How can he be considered competent to judge how and if Artest is functioning properly in the triangle?  Cuban has also chosen to weigh in on on Phil Jackson's pending retirement, he said he'd be happy for his team to retire Jackson.  The statement was made when his team was clearly ahead of the Lakers in the standings, not now however.  After his team was badly beaten by the Lakers TNT's Chris Webber was to remark "how soft the Mavs were."  Naturally another comment would be forthcoming Mr. Cuban "Chris Webber never had an original thought in his life."