Dallas Mavericks

ESPNDallas.com will compare the Mavericks and Clippers in five facets -- other than money -- that could play a role in Chris Paul's free agency decision in a one-per-day series: owners/front office, coaches, co-stars, supporting casts and franchise tradition. We'll focus on Dwight Howard next week. There’s one reason why Chris Paul might consider leaving millions of dollars on the table to say farewell to a 56-win team with a lot of young talent.

I didn't think I would ever say this, but the barely six foot guard with suspect knees is more important than the athletic center who is a former defensive player of the year. Nevermind the fact that point guard has become one of the most important positions in the NBA, or that Chris Paul is one of the best ever at managing an offense and getting the ball to players in just the right position. Ignore Dwight Howard's less than polished back-to-the-basket post game and terrible free throw shooting. No, the most important distinction between the two is leadership. Chris Paul has it. Dwight Howard does not. This isn't to say that Howard can't be a valuable piece on a championship team. He's obviously talented and a game changing player. But given what I've seen from him the last couple of years, I wouldn't want him without Chris Paul around to keep him focused. This isn't to say Paul is without faults. He'll increasingly become a defensive liability as he ages, and his demeanor can turn off the wrong teammates, not to mention those mystery box knees (Will they hold up? Will they explode when he pivots? Can he get the number to Kobe Bryant's mad scientist orthopedic surgeon?). But Howard seems to be a less-focused Shaquille O'Neal, and without Paul's vocal leadership D12 could derail a talented team simply by not being focused all season long. I'm hoping the Mavericks understand their priorities. Sign the quarterback first, then go after the superstar diva wide receiver.I didn't think I would ever say this, but the barely six foot guard with suspect knees is more important than the athletic center who is a former defensive player of the year. Nevermind the fact that point guard has become one of the most important positions in the NBA, or that Chris Paul is one of the best ever at managing an offense and getting the ball to players in just the right position. Ignore Dwight Howard's less than polished back-to-the-basket post game and terrible free throw shooting. No, the most important distinction between the two is leadership. Chris Paul has it. Dwight Howard does not. This isn't to say that Howard can't be a valuable piece on a championship team. He's obviously talented and a game changing player. But given what I've seen from him the last couple of years, I wouldn't want him without Chris Paul around to keep him focused. This isn't to say Paul is without faults. He'll increasingly become a defensive liability as he ages, and his demeanor can turn off the wrong teammates, not to mention those mystery box knees (Will they hold up? Will they explode when he pivots? Can he get the number to Kobe Bryant's mad scientist orthopedic surgeon?). But Howard seems to be a less-focused Shaquille O'Neal, and without Paul's vocal leadership D12 could derail a talented team simply by not being focused all season long. I'm hoping the Mavericks understand their priorities. Sign the quarterback first, then go after the superstar diva wide receiver.

According to a CBS story by Ken Berger, Dwight Howard is no lock to return to the Lakers and is intrigued by Houston and Dallas--though, according to that story, more towards Houston. As in any case, with such rumors, it's hard to know what this means, if anything. Dallas and Houston have both been publicly linked with Dwight for so long that "multiple sources" might just be conventional wisdom. But the Mavericks and Houston can afford it and each has a star to pair with Dwight, and so on and so forth. Here are the things that are true: Dwight signed with the Lakers with the dream of being the star in constellation Laker town. He'd win a couple of titles with Kobe, Pau and Nash and then glide into being the Lakers star on Kobe's retirement. Circumstances last year made it look like just Kobe and Dwight and then Kobe's injury gave Dwight a sobering glimpse into a potential future in which he's stuck on a terrible team that can't improve.... And that is a heavy thing to have to weigh. From a logical perspective, the Rockets are a better bet than the Mavericks; their star is younger and they have more assets. And, of course, the smart money is still on him choosing to be prince of Lakerland. People tend to. But neither logic, nor smart money always have their day.

The Mavericks aren’t in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, so we have to find something to fill the time this spring. Might as well keep up with the players from the Mavs’ title team who are scattered throughout the postseason. We planned to have updates as long as Mavs championship alums were alive in the playoffs, but frankly, Ian Mahinmi alone doesn't merit it. Ian Mahinmi is the last member of the Mavericks’ championship team left standing in these playoffs.

Ok friends, time to get your prediction hats off the shelf and securely on your heads. The Indiana Pacers are up on the New York Knicks 3 games to 2. Do they put it away tonight in Indy, or do the Knicks have a little fight left in 'em? This isn't about who you WANT to win anymore, because that was obviously Indiana (based on your comments). This is about who, back to the wall, you see taking this series. The Knicks got a lucky break with George Hill's concussion, and he's a game-time decision tonight. Jason Kidd, rest his soul, has been a disaster this series. Carmelo Anthony has had moments of 'Melo-ness... and mellow-ness (see what I did there?) Tyler Hansbrough is still the worst. I have nothing of value to add about him except that he's the worst. So who will be the sacrificial lamb facing Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals? Or do we prefer a David/Goliath reference? That seems more hopeful, anyway... We'll chat about the West tomorrow. Poll Is this dumb? Please stop asking me asinine questions about the playoffs and let me wallow. I am desperate for basketball discourse. Carry on. 0 votes | Results

Today, Mark Cuban posted on his Facebook (not sure about Twitter because I don't have one) this: His caption said: "In case Mavs fans are wondering where my focus is this summer #MFFL" This is why I love Cuban and why I will continue to be a MFFL until the day Dirk retires. After that, we'll see... Here's hoping some good free agents come to Dallas! I'm so excited that both Dirk AND Cuban will be on the recruiting team this year... Today, Mark Cuban posted on his Facebook (not sure about Twitter because I don't have one) this: His caption said: "In case Mavs fans are wondering where my focus is this summer #MFFL" This is why I love Cuban and why I will continue to be a MFFL until the day Dirk retires. After that, we'll see... Here's hoping some good free agents come to Dallas! I'm so excited that both Dirk AND Cuban will be on the recruiting team this year...

Earl K. Sneed reports from the NBA combine in Chicago as the Mavs gear up for the 2013 NBA draft.

Earl K. Sneed reports from the NBA combine in Chicago as the Mavs gear up for the 2013 NBA draft.

Earl K. Sneed reports from the NBA combine in Chicago as the Mavs gear up for the 2013 NBA draft.

In the likely event that the Mavericks have to go to Plan B to find a point guard, Jarrett Jack’s name should be at or near the top of the list. There are a lot of things to like about Jack. He’s got a deadly midrange jumper and an effective floater, the kind of shots that come in bunches for guards who run pick-and-pops with Dirk Nowitzki. He doesn’t commit many turnovers. He possesses the kind of mental and physical toughness Rick Carlisle wants from his point guards.