http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0601/1561616.html

It says "Malone told The Dallas Morning News the Mavericks are one of the leading contenders for his services next season."

It would be sad to see Malone not play in Utah next season but I really don't see the Mavs as title contenders. If he wants to win a championship go to the Spurs, Lakers, or Kings.

What Dallas needs is a defensive stopper and defensive-minded guys (Bruce Bowen, Ben Wallace-types).

Last thing they is to add more scoring, esp. one who's almost 40-y/o.

As the Mavs have shown these past several seasons, you can't outscore someone on a regular basis and win your way to a title without at least an average defense.

Much like the Texas Rangers, who frequently score 7-8 runs a game, and still manage to lose by 2-3 runs.

And the Mavs don't even have an average defense to begin with.

What the Mavs need to do is trade either Finley or Nash, and get defensive players

Malone wants to be on a contender AND start... he can't get that with the Spurs or the Kings so I'd say the Mavs would be a good fit for him.

Originally posted by IggyWH
Malone wants to be on a contender AND start... he can't get that with the Spurs or the Kings so I'd say the Mavs would be a good fit for him.

Yeah but wouldn't he be playing small forward for the Mavs or would Dirk play small forward?

Anyway why couldn't he start for the Spurs? David Robinson did and Malone can do more than he can.

I hope he stays with Jazz so he can finish his career with the team he started.

They ask Robinson to do the dirty work, not score. They got Timmy for that and Malone won't be cool with that. I also didn't say he'd be a good fit for the Mavs, I said the Mavs would be a good fit for him... there's a difference.

Originally posted by IggyWH
They ask Robinson to do the dirty work, not score. They got Timmy for that and Malone won't be cool with that. I also didn't say he'd be a good fit for the Mavs, I said the Mavs would be a good fit for him... there's a difference.

I don't know.

I just see the Spurs as the best fit for him out of the teams he said he'd like to go to. There aren't many other teams in the league that will take Malone and if he wants to be the featured scorer he has to realize that he is 40+ years old and that most teams have people that can score.

real nice fit for both and cuban could care less about the cash

Originally posted by pwaldo
I don't know.

I just see the Spurs as the best fit for him out of the teams he said he'd like to go to. There aren't many other teams in the league that will take Malone and if he wants to be the featured scorer he has to realize that he is 40+ years old and that most teams have people that can score.

True, but he's out to beat Wilt's scoring record so he'll go somewhere where he'll get the ball a good amount.

Sure, I can see Malone going to the Spurs. Not a bad choice, b/c teams normally double-team Duncan.

But, I don't see where he is useful to the Mavs.

Mavs need defense; Malone is not continuing his career by being defensive-minded. He has said he wants Kareem's scoring record; and you don't get that by focusing on defense.

Last thing Mavs need is more offense. That would be like giving bigger boobs to Rebecca Romijn. She's gorgeous enough. Anything more and she becomes Anna Nicole Smith, aka, the lady Moby ****

And where would Malone play? I mean hell if they moved David Robinson who was still great to the 5 for Timmy, they sure as heck aren't going to move Timmy to a 5 so Malone can play the 4. Malone can't play a 5 nor a 3 so Spurs = no fit.

The Mavs on the otherhand could plug in Malone. Dirk can play the 5 like he has before with Malone playing the 4. They'd use Dirk the same way as they do now... sort of like how a lot of Eastern Conference teams use their Centers, although Dirk would actually shoot.

...and like I said before, the Mavs would be a good fit for Malone. It's no secret that the Mavs are a fun & gun team. What better of a team for Malone to go to so he can score? I did not say though that Malone would be a good fit for the Mavs but they could go with Malone if they really wanted to.

well, with Robinson retiring at the end of the season, Duncan moves to center, and Malone to power forward.

I don't see how Malone is signed by the Mavs??

Nowitzki gets 25+ points; Finley gets 22+; Nash almost 20. Van Exel about 15....not enough shots for Malone.

Like I said they moved one of the leagues best at the time to put Timmy there... they're definitely not moving Timmy to the 5 for an old guy like Malone. They're going to have enough on their hands trying to aquire Kidd. They want someone who can create their own shots... not someone who's going to clog up things inside for Timmy.

the mavs need to address defense and toughness inside instead of malone, he will only hinder the play of guys like van exel and lafrentz who would not benefit from another scorer wanting 15-20 shots. the last thing they need is scoring.

Originally posted by IggyWH
Like I said they moved one of the leagues best at the time to put Timmy there... they're definitely not moving Timmy to the 5 for an old guy like Malone. They're going to have enough on their hands trying to aquire Kidd. They want someone who can create their own shots... not someone who's going to clog up things inside for Timmy.

Well it looks like they aren't going after Kidd but if they can get him he would be a MUCH better fit than Malone.

I didn't say the Spurs should sign him but that it would be the best fit for him to play. If he goes to the Mavs he won't win a championship and they already have a TON of people who can score.

Well, I'd take my chances with Tony Parker over Jason Kidd.

Much younger, and less costly, for now

Originally posted by RedMania
the mavs need to address defense and toughness inside instead of malone, he will only hinder the play of guys like van exel and lafrentz who would not benefit from another scorer wanting 15-20 shots. the last thing they need is scoring.

For 1... I really don't think they need to address defense. If Dirk wouldn't have got hurt, I believe they would have beat the Spurs in the series.

For 2... I understand what you're saying, but I've been talking about the issue using Malones POV. If you wanted to break Wilt's record and need to go somewhere you can score, why not the most offensive team in the NBA? Perfect fit as far as Malone's concerned.

Originally posted by IggyWH
For 1... I really don't think they need to address defense. If Dirk wouldn't have got hurt, I believe they would have beat the Spurs in the series.

For 2... I understand what you're saying, but I've been talking about the issue using Malones POV. If you wanted to break Wilt's record and need to go somewhere you can score, why not the most offensive team in the NBA? Perfect fit as far as Malone's concerned.

Yeah and if Webber didn't get hurt then the Mavs would have been eliminated anyway. Most people didn't pick the Mavs to get out of the first round.

Next year the West will be even tougher and you'll have the Lakers, Spurs, Kings, and the rest to compete against the Mavs.

If Malone wants to break the scoring record then going there isn't bad but if he wants to win a championship then I don't think that's the place. Now the question becomes what does Malone want more. The record or the ring.

I think he will be a Laker.