[eric palmerParticipant]

I’ve read a few times on this site, and many times on ESPN boards and such that before this year, Cuban had tried "buying" a championship, and that this year he actually succeeded in "buying" one.

I don’t think you can neccessarily say Cuban "bought" a championship team though. Yes, they do have a high payroll, but if you look at how this team was built, it was through a bunch of very well planned out trades, signings, and excellent scouting, and NOT just aimlessly throwing money at their problems (with the exception of the Erick Dampier signing)

examples:

JJ Barea-Undrafted FA out of Northeastern, and I can’t imagine too many other teams had their eye on him considering he’s a very VERY generously listed 6’0". Reason-Needed a penetrating guard.

Caron Butler/Brendan Haywood-Both brought in last year in exchange for Josh Howard’s expiring contract. Reason-Needed a legit second option to Dirk, and needed a big that didn’t suck.

DeShawn Stevenson-Also part of that J-Ho trade, and one of the most important "salary throw-ins" I can remeber. Reason-Salary throw-in, I don’t think even the Mavs thought he would ever be even half the player he was this year after those years with his balky back.

Jason Kidd- Midseason trade for Devin Harris and friends. Fan reaction was 50/50 on whether Kidd (at 35/36) was worth dealing Harris (who was in his early 20’s). They think it looks smart now though I bet. Reason-Needed better floor leadership/experience.

Jason Terry- Brought over in a deal from ATL for Antoine Walker(!), also received ATL’s 1st round pick. Reason-Needed a player to replace the departed Steve Nash.

Shawn Marion- 4 team S&T, with Dallas only surrendering Jerry Stackhouse’s expiring contract. Reason-Needed to add defensive toughness and versatility.

and probably the two biggest pieces for Dallas’ championship…

Tyson Chandler- Traded Erick Dampier’s non-gauranteed expiring contract (and the Mavs two most expensive pointless contracts in Matt Carroll-3yr/4.4 mil/year and Eddie Najera-2yr/3mil/year). The deal was looked at as a disappointment at first, as the Mavs had hopes, however unrealistic they may have been, of S&T-ing for any one of LeBron, Wade, Joe Johnson, Al Jefferson, Iguodala, Bosh, etc but had to "settle" for the biggest reason the Mavs made the jump from Contender to Champ.

Dirk Nowitzki- Originally drafted by the Bucks, but traded to the Mavs (along with Pat Garrity, who Dallas flipped on draft night for some 3rd string PG from the Suns who would eventually be a 2-time MVP) for the late Robert "Tractor" Traylor in one of the most lopsided Draft night trades in NBA history.

—-

Smaller moves that proved to be helpful this year, and could be in the future in some cases.

Rodrigue Beaubois- Originally drafted by OKC, traded to Dallas on draft night in exchange for the immortal B.J Mullins. Roddy has shown flashes of at least being a nice insta-offense player off the bench, with potential for more, while Mullins has shown he…can look goofy on the bench in his warmups for the Thunder.

Ian Mahinmi- Signed for the Bi-Annual Exception, gave valuable minutes in Game 6, and has a lot of potential with his soft touch and great athleticism.

Peja Stojakovic- Floundered in the Finals, but in the right matchups (Lakers, occasionally against OKC), he was one of the most important Mavs, if only for the spacing he created just by being on the court and having to be guarded tightly on the perimeter.

Corey Brewer- Signed a 3yr/2.5 mil per year deal after being released by the Knicks. Sparked a Game 1 comeback against the Lakers with his hustle and defense.

This team wasn’t like the Knicks a few years back, where Isiah just threw out crazy contracts to all sorts of players with no real plan in place as to how they would fit together. Every piece on this Mavs team was put in place with a specific goal or purpose in mind.

The Mavs haven’t even really had a chance to "buy" a championship IMO, as they have never actually signed a big name player during Cuban’s tenure, and have had to do all of their work through trades basically.

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 they had a smaller payroll then the Lakers so what does that mean?

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 they had a smaller payroll then the Lakers so what does that mean?

[boxn1Participant]

Every team that has won or competed for a championship has a high payroll. The last to do it without being over or near the cap was the Pistons in 04′,and they are the exception, not the rule.Chicago,Memphis,Miami,Portland are there now in payroll with OKC soon to follow. But the teams that win championships or compete usually are highly profitable

[boxn1Participant]

Every team that has won or competed for a championship has a high payroll. The last to do it without being over or near the cap was the Pistons in 04′,and they are the exception, not the rule.Chicago,Memphis,Miami,Portland are there now in payroll with OKC soon to follow. But the teams that win championships or compete usually are highly profitable

[HobbyOGParticipant]

The only team that “BUYS” Championships are the New York Yankees..I’m a Laker fan but I give Dallas the credit they deserve, they played good team basketball and won..They had a bunch of people on thier roster that people gave up on (Tyson Chandler, JJ,Peja) and a point guard who is like 50. Give them the credit they deserve..

[HobbyOGParticipant]

The only team that “BUYS” Championships are the New York Yankees..I’m a Laker fan but I give Dallas the credit they deserve, they played good team basketball and won..They had a bunch of people on thier roster that people gave up on (Tyson Chandler, JJ,Peja) and a point guard who is like 50. Give them the credit they deserve..

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