Same song, different verse.
The Mavs are hoping that what didn’t work with Deron Williams and Dwight Howard somehow lures Carmelo Anthony to Dallas.
So, what’s the pitch?
No, it’s not Southfork and the Sixth Floor Museum and AT&T Stadium and all those topless bars. Rather, the sales pitch the Mavs – in the form of owner Mark Cuban, star Dirk Nowitzki, GM Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle – will deliver to Anthony this afternoon goes something like this:
*Carlisle: He’s an elite coach, having pushed and check Gregg Popovich’s Spurs to a Game 7 in this year’s playoffs. If Carmelo really wants to win, he should value playing for a coach with a ring and a pedigree.
*Nowitzki: Rarely is a future Hall of Famer willing to take a $10 million pay cut and to step aside as the No. 1 offensive option, but that’s what Dirk would do to land Anthony in Dallas. Surely Carmelo appreciates that.
*Chandler: The acquisition of Tyson Chandler not only bolsters Dallas’ defense, it gives them a friend that Carmelo is already comfortable with.
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*Offense: Few teams in the NBA could match the offensive trio of Nowitzki-Anthony-Monta Ellis. It’d be fun to watch, and certainly fun to play in.
*Winning: Anthony's only been to the playoffs twice in his 11-year career. The Mavs have only missed the post-season once this millennium.
Will the pitch work? Who knows? History says don’t count on it.
By the Fourth of July, Anthony will have heard the pitches of the Rockets, Bulls and Mavs, and will know that he can make about $44 million over the life a contract from the Knicks.
So, as we’ve done impatiently – and unsuccessfully – over the last three summers … We wait.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
