Rome wasn’t built in a day. And the Mavs weren’t built through the draft.
As I reminded the other day, the last impact player the Mavs drafted was probably Josh Howard. All the sudden that was way back in 2003.
Rather than get a high return off of low draft picks, the Mavs used their picks like chum in the water for bigger, better deals.
The Mavs this year have the 21st overall pick and – should they keep it – Sports Illustrated’s Mock Draft has them taking Washington center Robert Upshaw. He’s a 7-foot rim protector that could help fill the void if the Mavs aren’t able to retain Tyson Chandler or acquire DeAndre Jordan, but he’s also a knucklehead who was kicked off the Huskies’ team twice in three years.
Another intriguing name will visit American Airlines Center this week: Louisville’s Montrezl Harrell.
After watching him in college, he has limited skills. Can jump out of the gym with flamboyant finishes around the rim. But at 6-foot-7 he doesn’t do much else. His outside shot is suspect beyond 12 feet and he’s not a good defender, merely a violent shot-blocker.
In losing to the Rockets, the Mavs certainly missed a gritty, energetic big man along the lines of D’Juan Blair. I just don’t think Harrell is that guy.
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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 lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
