2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[F Gump]

I fear that it is so.  That is why I read a lot into Cuban's statements.  And my reference to the new regime is not about their decision process, its about Cuban's decision process and what the new regime represents (an attempt by Cuban to improve the ability to sign free agents).

Yeah, I think the Mavs stayed in the same place as always.

Personally, I figure the Mavs will never be very good at negotiating as long as Cuban wants to put himself front and center in the negotiating process. He thinks he's a great deal-maker and he thinks he knows how to attract deals; but he just doesn't have the people skills to understand the sales dance, and how to navigate it. For example, if he had ANY feel, he'd know the decision-maker NEVER can be up front, and his team would NEVER let the other side go around the front man to get his bottom line. But he doesn't get it -- and he has talked to media about how hard it is to do deals, because the other side always has to ask someone for permission, then they come back and ask for a bit more - never understanding that that's how the expert sales game is played.

Anyone who watches Shark Tank with any regularity sees his ability to land deals comes from having the deepest pockets where he can money whip any deal and overpay. Not from skilled negotiating. Just like how the Mavs have been operating, interestingly (and not surprisingly) - when the Mavs overpay they get the deal. Otherwise, not so much.