Out with Booth, in with Manning... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/ap/20010731/ap-mavericks-manning.html Manning agrees to sign with Mavericks July 31, 2001 DALLAS (AP) -- Free agent Danny Manning has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, team owner Mark Cuban told The Dallas Morning News. Manning, a 13-year pro, played for the Utah Jazz last season. The 6-foot-10 center-forward was a backup for the Jazz, averaging 7.4 points in 16 minutes a game. He will have a similar role in Dallas. The Jazz had hoped to re-sign Manning, but Kevin O'Connor, Utah's vice president for basketball operations, said Manning was close to signing with Dallas. The Deseret News in Salt Lake City, citing a Jazz source, said Manning's signing with the Mavericks was ``imminent.'' Cuban told the Dallas Morning News in a story on the newspaper's Web site late Tuesday afternoon that Manning was expected to sign the deal Thursday. No financial terms were given. Cuban could not immediately be reached by the AP. Manning, who helped Kansas to the NCAA title in 1988, was scheduled to make $1.32 million from Utah next season. ------------------ My doctor says I am bipolar. I am going to get a second opinion. I have never had intimate desires for polar bears.
I think Manning is a nice pick up by the Mavs. Manning is always one of those guys who I wonder how good he could have been if he would have been healthy. I think he could have been a perennial all-star, but it's just my opinion.
I agree that Manning is a great pickup for the Mavs. They have enough talent already to win games; what they needed was a calming veteran influence in the lockerroom. Manning gives them that. In addition, Manning can fill a similar role to the one he filled last year in Utah. He can come in for 10-15 mpg, hit a few elbow jumpers, show some finesse in the paint, and occasionally do a pump-fake drive to the bucket. But his most valuable asset will be his leadership and experience. He can take Juwan Howard (who reminds me a little of a young Danny Manning) under his wing and help him to further improve his game. All-around, Manning is a genius pickup. ------------------
