Full-Court Press

Gana Diop locked up for next season

The Mavericks exercised the team option on center DeSagana Diop today, locking him up for next season for $2.15 million.

It will be a big year for the 7-footer and former eighth overall pick by Cleveland in 2001 since he can become a free agent after next season. Gana has vowed to improve his offensive game this summer to help the Mavs establish the low-post scoring threat they sorely lacked in the first-round loss to Golden State.

"This game is all about confidence," Gana said. "I've got to work on my offense and get stronger."

Diop completed his second season with the Mavs averaging 2.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 18.3 minutes. He lost his starting job early in the season to Erick Dampier, but started the final four games against the up-tempo Warriors.

-- Jeff

Where does Dirk rank?

Wow, there are some heated comments being thrown around regarding Dirk's abilities and his place among the game's best. So let's hear your rankings of the 10 best players in the NBA.

The candidates:

Steve Nash
Tim Duncan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Dirk Nowitzki
Dwyane Wade
Amare Stoudemire
Kevin Garnett
Gilbert Arenas
Chris Bosh
Tracy McGady
Yao Ming

Have at it.

Dirk MVP

On the day Dirk earned his third consecutive selection to the All-NBA first team, it looks like he'll get his first MVP, too.

Looks like Dirk will be presented the award on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see just how he handles it after the unimaginable playoff disaster. He'll be gracious as always, just hard to see it as a happy moment still so close to the sudden end of the season.

-- Jeff

Dirk a first-teamer; Nash unanimous

The NBA announced its All-NBA teams today...Dirk, for the third straight season is on the first team. And it's his seventh straight season as an All-NBA team member (there's a first, second and third team)...

The interesting thing is Steve Nash was a unanimous choice for the first team, getting 129 of a possible 129 first-place votes. He also led with the highest point total. Dirk got 125 first-place votes and Kobe Bryant got 128.

Some are wondering if Nash's point total means he's the likely MVP, too, when most signs have pointed to Dirk winning the thing whenever the NBA finally decides to announce the award (most thought it would be this week, but it will be at least next week now).

Anyway, the point total doesn't mean a whole lot because the All-NBA teams are voted on by position. So don't read too much into that.

Some other interesting tid-bits are that the five first-teamers: Dirk, Nash, Kobe, Amare Stoudemire and Tim Duncan are all Western Conference guys.

Stoudemire and Nash are the first teammates on the first team since 2003 when Kobe and Shaq did it. Speaking of Shaq, this is his first All-NBA team omission since his rookie season in 1993.

-- Jeff

Vincent very popular

Mavs assistant Sam Vincent is a very popular fellow at the moment.

Not only have Charlotte and Seattle contacted Vincent about their head coaching gigs, but now add Orlando to that mix. This is pretty interesting considering Vincent just finished his first season with the Mavs, which was his first on an NBA bench.

Now, the former NBA point guard has extensive head coaching experience overseas and with the Ft. Worth Flyers of the D-League, but to get this much attention to become an NBA boss is interesting.

Of course, Avery didn't exactly have a world of experience either when he took over the Mavs, although he seemed to be prepping for his head coaching career from the day he played his first game.

If Vincent leaves, you could have a pretty good overhaul of the Mavs' staff. No. 1 assistant Del Harris might be on his way out. A holdover from the Don Nelson days, Harris' contract is expiring and there's a feeling that he might not be back.

Harris, who turns 70 next month, could be on his way to Milwaukee as an assistant. It just makes sense since his son, Larry, is the GM and head coach Larry Krystkowiak, 42, promoted to head coach on March 14 after the Bucks fired Terry Stotts, could use a veteran hand.

Should be interesting.

-- Jeff

Sonics contact Vincent

Mavericks assistant Sam Vincent has been contacted by the Seattle SuperSonics about their head coaching vacancy. He is the first known candidate to surface since the team fired Bob Hill on April 24.

Vincent is also one of eight candidates to have interviewed for the Charlotte Bobcats' job. The Sonics are also seeking a general manager.

The former point guard joined Avery Johnson’s staff this season after a stint with the Fort Worth Flyers in the NBA Development League. Vincent also has extensive international head coaching experience.

Del Harris, the Mavs No. 1 assistant and a holdover from Don Nelson’s staff, could also appear on some candidate lists. His contract is expiring, but Harris, who turns 70 on June 18, has not divulged his plans.

-- Jeff

Would you trade Dirk?

That's our poll question of the moment on the Mavs page. Knee-jerk? Yeah, but it's not like people aren't talking about it. So go vote.

Magic bashes Dirk

Magic Johnson, the greatest point guard of all time, was wowed by Steve Nash's first-half performance in Game 2 against the Spurs, and had this to say during TNT's halftime show:

"This is the difference between Dirk and Steve Nash. And this is why Steve Nash has won the MVP the last two years. At eight minutes to go, it was a one-point game. This man took the game over, had seven points, six assists in the last eight minutes to take it to a seven-point lead for the Phoenix Suns. ...

That’s what a leader does, that’s what an MVP is supposed to do. Dirk, learn from your best friend because he’s taken this game over, something you didn’t do in the last series."

Ouch.

Later, Charles Barkley had this gem about the Nets: "New Jersey needs a halfcourt offense like a fat man need cake."

Mmmmm, cake.

-- Garza, Mavs Lite

Who you rooting for Mavs fans?

OK, for those of you still with us and staying up to watch the West playoffs, I want to know who you're rooting for.

One side is the one-time Mavs backcourt. You pulling for Stevie and his Suns or Finley and the Spurs? And is that really the West finals?

On the other: Do you want to see Nellie advance even though the G-Staters knocked out the Mavs or would you feel better watching Utah send the Warriors packing?

Either way, we've got some good ball being played out West. Who cares what's going on out East.

-- Art

High comedy

Hey, the Spurs have a sense of humor after all.

From Spurs beat man Johnny Ludden: "I looked at it last night. I looked at it today. I'm not going to make the cut of the Top 50 (Beautiful People) again."
-- Tony Parker, about the knot on his head that resulted from his collision with Steve Nash

"He was fine when he got hit. He's French. He just stays down a little longer."
-- Tim Duncan, on said collision

-- garza, mavs lite