Donuts: Will Mavs 'Get Kicked In The Gortats'?

Mike Fisher -- DB.com

   DONUT 1: As you read this, we are sorting through some preview stuff for tonight’s game (7:30 tip, on Channel 21 and on 103.3 ESPN Radio). We’ll work in conjunction with the best Magic website out there, Third Quarter Collapse … The Mavs and Magic have their shootarounds this morning at the AAC, we’ll have complete coverage tonight, of course, and around noon today, we’ll preview the game that is in part about the Mavs not getting Kicked In The Gortats.

   DONUT 2: So Drew Gooden is the starting center.

   Right?

   “Drew Gooden and Erick Dampier are co-starters, for the moment,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said. “They're both going to be key guys for us. Both guys will be starters at certain times and the key thing is, regardless of who's starting, that they're working in lockstep with what we need from that position. I love both those guys. They're both pros and really good team guys. And they both want to win."

  Well, that’s more like it. I never quite understood the motivation for announcing before the opening of camp that Gooden had “beaten out’’ the incumbent for the starting 5 job. I figured Gooden might end up winning the job (and I still think that), but because there are some nights when Damp makes sense as the starter, why bother announcing otherwise?

    In fact, tonight provides just such a situation when Gooden and Damp might be “co-starters.’’ We know that Damp might be the preferred center when the Mavs oppose somebody “traditional’’ like Shaq. Well, what of opposing Dwight Howard? Is he traditional? And what about Marcin Gortat? Isn’t he traditional?

    To me, the Mavs should make the competition for the regular-season job at center last 82-plus games.

   DONUT 3: Jay Mariotti on AOL: "Did Jordan's absence hurt? I don't think it cost Chicago the Games, but having passed Pele three times in the media center hallway, always wearing a smile and a bounce in his step, I can say that the presence of the soccer icon helped Rio. 'It is very important to participate when your country needs you,' Pele said in one of the week's influential remarks. 'If I have to die for my country, I would die for my country. If I have to die for my sport, I would die for my sport. I feel very happy if I can help my country.' Jordan would die for a cigar or a golfing bet, but not for the city that built a statue for him."

   Yes, Jay, it wasn’t enough that Jordan played for Chicago. Now he must DIE for Chicago?

   DONUT 4: Thanks to everyone who is ordering one of our original-design T-shirts …  click into the DB.com Store to make your choice! … the DallasBasketball.com shirt, the “Fish for Lunch’’ classic, “The DUST Chip’’ shirt and the most popular, “The UberMan.’’

   DONUT 5: Chris Berman left off the disease and told us yesterday that it’s “Breast Awareness Month.’’ But really, around here, what month isn’t?

   DONUT 6: I’m getting ready for a visit to the State Fair of Texas by taking a Rosetta Stone course in how to speak “Carny.’’

   DONUT 7: ESPN is doing some stunt in which they attempt to set a record for mentioning the word "Favre.'' You mean it's possible for them to mention that more than they already have?
   DONUT 8: If you are among those betting on an eventual Odom-Kardashian divorce, statistics show there is about a 65 percent chance that you have no room to talk.

   DONUT 9: In previewing Cowboys-at-Broncos last week at Blogging The Boys, I engaged in a discussion in which I dismissed the altitude as an excuse for losing. And now? Seriously, the only important things that were “mile high’’ on Sunday in Denver were Tony Romo’s passes.

    DONUT 10: I’m not saying the Tim Tebow love is excessive … but at this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised that his parents’ names are “Joseph’’ and “Mary.’’

    DONUT 11: The Mavs report that Friday’s Fan Jam crowd of 7,700 was the largest in the last five years. Hey, maybe there is a buzz around this team … and maybe we aren’t all spoiled by 9X50!

    DONUT 12: Chicago didn’t get the Olympics and Jesse Jackson wants to investigate. Me too. I want to investigate what Jesse Jackson has to do with this.

    DONUT 13: DeMarcus … Where?