For whatever reason if I write about something in my blog, some people think Im mad about it. Im not. I write about the things that I would enjoy sitting down and discussing with someone else interested in that topic.
There are probably only three places on this planet where I actually do , or used to get mad and raise my voice. The first is on the golf course. Im the guy who would throw his clubs or bang them on the ground in anger after any of many misplayed shots. So i dont play golf anymore. I dont have the time or patience to spend hours practicing to get better, and I have less patience to spend hours playing. Im just not a fan of golf. I dont hate it. I just dont want to play it.
The 2nd was playing rugby. I played till my body wouldnt let me and I loved to hit and be hit. Getting mad helped me play. It takes a lot to get kicked out of a rugby match, but I managed to get booted for fighting playing for the Pittsburgh Harlequins.
The other is playing or watching basketball. Forget what has happened since I bought the Mavs, you could go back to me playing on my 6th grade basketball team, in high school, in rec leagues. I have a temper on the court. I wont screw up a pickup game by yelling the entire game. But, if there is a ref, and they are keeping score on the scoreboard, it brings out my temper. Dont know why. It just does.
Im the same way watching the Mavs play. I was that way before I bought the team. I am that way after I bought the team. I guess I expected a lot from myself, I expect a lot from the players and I expect a lot from the officials. I used to get mad at the officials. Now I know better. I dont get mad at the refs (with one exception), I get mad at the system. Ive spent enough time in the league , and have enough data to recognize where the system often (but not always), puts officials in a situation where it is very difficult for them to succeed.
This isnt to say I never get mad away from these situations, but its very rare. When i ran MicroSolutions, my first company, I would raise my voice with my partner. When I ran Broadcast.com, it happened far less often, but it happened. Today, i might send off a terse email now and then, but thats as far as I go. On the flipside, I actually like it when someone is passionate and prepared enoughto raise their voice to me. It doesnt bother me at all.
Which takes me back to all these people thinking Immad about things.
Im not mad at the TNT team. I actually really like Kenny and Charles. They are good guys. Ijust dont like the way they do their jobs. Thats my opinion.Thats what blogs are for.To write about whats on my mind.
Im not mad at a company when they do things differently than I would. Contrary to what the NY Times says, I wasnt mad at anyone. I made good money on that deal and was very happy about the way it turned out. It wasnt the perfect ending, but it was good enough.
Like I said earlier, I dont get mad at referees when Im watching Mavs games. I do get mad at the system in place for officials. Which is exactly what i told a room full of basketball refs last week at the Texas Association of Officials luncheon. They gave me a standing ovation.
Im not mad at the RIAA about copyprotection. I just think they are wrong. Being wrong has a negative impact on our entire society. So i said so. I financed the Grokster response to theSupreme Court. It didnt go as well as I hoped, nor as poorly as it could have.
Im not mad at Hollywood. Ithink they have opened the door for a very unique opportunity forour entertainment companies to excel with the day and date release ofmovies.
Im not mad at Donald Trump. I dont care what he says about me, how his show does, how much money he has, whatever. I do however have fun tweaking him when I get asked. Call it a guilty pleasure.
Im not mad at Google over Splogs on blogspot.com. I just though it was an issue that people in the industry needed to be aware of. As it hs turned out, it has increased the visibility of the problem and multiple companies, including Icerocket.com are working on making things better.
Im not mad at people that try to leverage me to get publicity by irresponsibly saying a movie HDNet Films released, The War Within, could some how be considered unpatriotic.Im not mad at the 100 people who sent me emails detailing how “me and everyone I know should die”. I simply pointed them to The Fallen Patriot Fund that I started and most emailed me back apologies.
Im sure there are other things that im supposed to be mad at that I havent listed here. Just so you know, Im not mad.
The Las Vegas Slots Rugby Team loves you!
Comment by Jenny -
good
Comment by imdbcn -
I dont know what you people in California consider as insults but I sure dont consider insulting a teams defense as a personal insult. As I have stated in one of my previous responses to Cuban in so many words, stats are relative, they can lie if they are not used correctly.
Comment by runescape money -
No longer can we have intelligent discussions on topics, especially anything controversial. If we do, the conversation quickly degrades to mudslinging. Just look at the reactions to any discussion about the Government since 9/11 – if you disagree, you are branded unpatriotic.
Comment by wow powerleveling -
what about dating didn’t you played it as much as you played basketball? I’m just wondering what you might have been if you were 7 foot tall playing basketball and owning the Mavs at the same time, that’s really interesting to note hehehe… My girl from this online dating service called webdatedotcom really likes your intensity
Comment by thynoe123 -
I don’t have anything against you but I think I’ve found a Mark Cuban profile in webdatedotcom, which was really funny…
Comment by thynoe -
I simply dream to play in golf. I even never in hands held a stick, and so it would be desirable!!!
Comment by whales -
OK, so this comment is a bit late…but I just read the article. I followed the link to the Radar Magazine article, and I just have to ask:
How can you say that Bill Gates and Paris Hilton took “nothing” and made a whole lot of money and their dreams come true. Dennis Rodman (and almost all other NBA players), I can see.
It was my understanding that Mr. Gates started off a millionaire and Paris certainly had the name “Hilton” and at least part of the family fortune behind her. Hardly what I’d call nothing.
Comment by Angelo -
Really enjoy reading your blog Mark. Blogs are a great way to get the word out. http://grumpy.blogs.com/grumpy/
Comment by Grumpy -
Hi all, it’s very attractive discussion.
I want to say you happy new year! 🙂
Comment by Kate -
Mark,
I just heard you on Rome yesterday and I thought the interview was great, so I decided to see what else you had to say. Your story is extremely motivational for all of us liberal arts majors without indepth computer programming expertise.
Comment by Ryan Prahm -
sampel
Comment by jean -
I tell you what tees me off. I read a lot of announcements, ads. etc, that have faulty grammar, sentence structure, etc. I wish the companies putting these things out would hire proof readers. I find this is true for all types of ads including sports.
Comment by Eva Marruffo -
you SUCK Cuban. and so do your pathetic “little’ Mavericks. How does your analysis of the stats pan out tonight?
Comment by John -
I’ve never added or responded to a blog before, so away I go:
At the risk of sounding perhaps patronizing, it blows me away how many of us get our own identities so wrapped up in various things; i.e., our particular team’s performance, Mark Cuban’s ability and/or propensity to say what he wants, how he wants, when he wants, the arguments for or against Smith & Barkley on TNT, et al. Life and sports shouldn’t ever be looked at as personal affronts to our integrity or intelligence. If my team sucks or doesn’t play the way I think it should play, it is not a statement about me, the fan.
First, it’s Mark’s blog, and being his blog, he can fire off his thoughts as he sees fit. Granted, a large part of the fun is being able to respond candidly, but it seems some folks respond with one bullet in the gun, as it were. As the old saying goes “opinions are like assholes–everybody has one and many of them stink.”…including some of mine, I’m quite sure. Some of my takes, for what it is or isn’t worth:
1. Aside from if you’re a Mavs fan, so what if they can’t defend to mine or anyone else’s definition. The thing about sport is that it’s played by humans, not pre-programmed robots that perform to exact specifications each and every night. With that being said, I agree that without some D, you won’t make it out of the West. Personally I’d prefer to watch teams that bust it up and down the court helter-skelter simply because I want to be entertained. Remember Loyola Marymount? If I lived in LA I would’ve been at each home game waiting to see if they’d have another 195-170 slugfest, because it simply was entertaining. That kind of play keeps me riveted, not the mudbogging approach all to common nowadays. I do appreciate Mark’s efforts to deliver entertainment to the NBA, even at the risk of alienating the basketball purists out there.
2. I thought not much of Charles Barkley until I read his book. I have to admit that by him clarifying some of his oft-misunderstood opinions, I developed a different respect for him. And, he’s entertaining on TNT, all worthwhile analysis aside. Now I’m a typical fan in that I want to know more about the intricacies of what’s happeining on the court, but I leave that to the on-air play by play and color people. Also, if you think they bash the Mavs, well, be glad you don’t live in Portland, where it seems we either have JailBlazers or (in this years case) jailbait to cheer for. The Blazers have been ripe for the bashing for the past few years and we get to live through it. In other words, it always could be worse…..
3. With all due respect, there is a lot of just plan crap on this blog, BUT that doesn’t mean the people who authored those entries I see as crap are stupid or any other synonym. That’s their view and I’m not going to rip it (even if I really, really want to).
The entire Western Conference, almost to a team, is more entertaining (there I go using that word again) then the East, but that doesn’t mean the East sucks, does it, Piston fans?
Good luck to the Mavs and their fans. Be glad you’re not the Blazers.
Comment by Dave in Portland -
Agree that golf take too long to play and too long to improve. Try disc golf! Faster to play and faster to improve. And when you get mad you can just throw harder on the next hole.
Thanks for making the Mavs contenders! GO MAVS! GO MAVS! GO MAVS!
Comment by Joe Schneider -
The beautiful aspect of living in the USA is you can express your opinion freely. Like all the commentors above, Mr. Cuban is expressing an opinion in a form (trash talking) that is acceptable in the environment of sports. Trying to pigeon hole appropriate forms of criticism to all venues doesn’t make sense.
Being a passionate fan of gymnastics or ice skating requires a different expression of criticism than the NBA or NFL fan/owner. In fact some commentors are trying to project there beliefs on what is appropriate criticism for TNT commentators. My beliefs and your beliefs are our own and that is what makes us individuals. Mr. Cuban has a right to raise criticism in a form appropriate to the environment. The TNT commentators can either agree with that criticism and do a better job or disagree and be content with their current view of the quality of their job.
Any professional be it in business or athletics knows not to take criticism personally and that’s what separates a professional from an amateur. Professionals will expect to be criticized for their performance. It is up to the metrics; however they might be measured, to determine if they are performing at an acceptable level or not.
Every professional strives for excellence, so if Mr. Cuban’s criticism raises the level of analysis by the TNT commentators, then everyone is better off. It is not personal, it’s business.
Best regards,
Victor
Comment by Victor -
Mr. Cuban,
I am 22 years old getting ready to graduate from college with two Bachelor degrees in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Business Information systems. I was just wondering from someone who is so successful what was your plan of attack when you got out of school? I have a Management Information Systems job right now but I don’t know if I can be as successful as I want doing this for years to come. Please let me know what you think because I truly respect your opinions and insight. If you have time I am interested to know how you started your companies and how you made them so successful. Thanks you for time.
Comment by Brad Yochum -
first, to Stephen Chang, everyone in dallas could care less about everyone outside dallas. you wish you lived here…instead of i guess china or japan or wherever. anyway, and to this w.f. zimmerman guy, i hate all that you and people like you stand for. get a job as an editor and keep yourself busy getting paid to correct grammar. you know EXACTLY what “im” meant. so move on with your life. by the way, if you cant understand my post because of the lack of “capital letters” and all other aspects of your other big city, fancy-shmancy ways, dont worry about it cause im not saying anything that important. but if you can, please write another post and enlighten me with all your corrections.
mark, you are one bad man and everything you said here was right. guess thats it, im not always this opinionated, just when it has to do with my teams in Big D.
Comment by Nasty Nate -
first, to Stephen Chang, everyone in dallas could care less about everyone outside dallas. you wish you lived here…instead of i guess china or japan or wherever. anyway, and to this w.f. zimmerman guy, i hate all that you and people like you stand for. get a job as an editor and keep yourself busy getting paid to correct grammar. you know EXACTLY what “im” meant. so move on with your life. by the way, if you cant understand my post because of the lack of “capital letters” and all other aspects of your other big city, fancy-shmancy ways, dont worry about it cause im not saying anything that important. but if you can, please write another post and enlighten me with all your corrections.
mark, you are one bad man and everything you said here was right. guess thats it, im not always this opinionated, just when it has to do with my teams in Big D.
Comment by Nasty Nate -
Brian, I get embarassed for you reading your words. The Mavs are a decent team, but not a defensive team by any stretch of the imagination. You don’t judge a team on 1 game, holding the Spurs to 84 while they’re coasting and Ginboli is hurt doesn’t make you the 90 Pistons. And unitl Dirk does something to shake the soft label, he is what he is. Him disappearing in the playoffs doesn’t help your case
Comment by Marc Nofler -
I’d be mad too if I had to watch the Mavericks play on a regular basis.
Comment by Matt Wells -
I’d be mad too if I had to watch the Mavericks play on a regular basis.
Comment by Matt Wells -
Good comments.. Too often people misinterpret a reply as a rebuttal.. Keep on speaking up with opinions. Winners do that!!!!!
Comment by UTOPIA -
Mark,
Maybe you would like to point out to Kenny and Charles that the mavs D held the spurs to 84 points while their vaunted spurs D held the Mavs to 103 points. While this is only one game, its indicative of what you and the mavs have been working on as an organization. It clearly transgresses upon what Kenny and Charles say regarding the Mavs. Kenny and Charles are living in the past. They talk about the Mavs team of 4 years ago. Its a completely different team now. And, Dirk is NOT soft. Though its not a good thing necessarily, it should be noted that Dirk got a flagrant 2 before Ron Artest this year. Kenny and Charles do get some things right, but they seem to have an old feud with the mavs for reasons unknown to me. Cliches and digging up old bones of unknown people are less than a satisfying basketball commentary for me. btw – thanks for the autograph. you rock.
Comment by Brian -
I have lived in Dallas for 3 years… formerly Atlanta and Detroit.
After reading the Dallas Morning News for those 3 years and having been in discussion with numerous NBA “fans” for that time, I would encourage Mark Cuban to get the team the heck out of Dallas. In my humble opinion, this town will never be a basketball town. They may come to the games (I attend) but the ones I sit near seem to be there for alot of other reasons.
The DMN has the worst coverage of the NBA of any “major” paper I have seen (I travel 50% of the time for my company).
I watch folk in Dallas get bleary-eyed over Cowboy’s games from the 70’s, but have no appreciation for the offensive talent of Nowitski, etc….
As to Barkley and Smith, they definitely played the game well. They were entertainers then and now. Is the Mav’s D weak? Under the previous regime, more so unfocused. Under Johnson, I hope to see improvement.
Good luck, Mr. Cuban, in Dallas. Never a b’ball town this will be.
Comment by Bill -
Please buy the Phillies Mark!!! They’re in PA and they need your help.
Comment by Chris -
Mark,
I counted 19 apostrophe-free uses of the phrase “Im.” What is an “im”?
You have a great and well-deserved reputation as an innovator, but, please, don’t neglect the lowly apostrophe.
Comment by W. F. Zimmerman -
Mark,
I think it was time that someone called out Charles and Kenny on their same lame comments. They actually were right about your team 3-4 years ago, but things have changed. They have been bashing the Mavs for years now and its good that someone has finally challenged them. Your comments were correct – the guys from TNT dont offer anything of value, they just regurgitate the same opinions about teams and the Mavs. But at the end of the day its all good because it give the Mavs extra motivation to make those fools on TNT eat their words. And Reggie better watch it, he already has made his former teammates mad saying the Pacers dont have any chemistry. Welcome to the TNT crew Reggie. Now you can diss teams with the other fools without providing any real value.
Comment by Hank -
isnt it funny how emails and blogs can be mis interpeted?? IF I TYPE IN CAPS, DOES IT SEEM AS IF I’M SCREAMING? people are too sensitive on some subjects, you’re an idiot doesnt mean you hate someone or you are mad at some one, it just means you’re an idiot. i think part of the reason mark throws out his opinions is just to see all the over reactions….fun stuff.
http://wwww.dallaspartyrental.com
is now
http://miaspartyrentals.com
MFFL!
Comment by Mia's Party Rentals -
If this didnt make you mad or bother you why even say anything? Oh ya to draw attention to your self not for the sake of the team.
Comment by Aharon -
I think its amazing how many people think Mark Cuban is an idiot, yet continue to read his blog. Just as so many of us change channels on TNT halftime, you should go read somewhere else.
Comment by Austin -
Mark,
I would like for you to consider a field in which you’ve never worked, or at least I don’t think you have. You should become a business professor. If half of my professors had been even 1/4 as passionate about what they teach as you are about the things you talk about, I wouldn’t have dropped out of college.
Comment by Sabrina Massey -
Mr. Cuban-
First, your sports jacket was a nice touch. I personally could never pull it off. I get grief from my girlfriend every time I grab a shirt, jacket or sock she hasn’t picked out or bought me. Just tell everyone your daughter picked it out rather than you went back to the old school closet. This nonsense about a dress code is just a way for the NBA to say they “did” something about the Pacers-Pistons debacle.
Second, it is human nature to respond to those funny TNT idiots, but aren’t you just adding fuel to them not talking about BASKETBALL?
Third, I’d be more upset about the “perfect regular season team” and “soft” team comments than crap about your 12-year old jacket or how much money you have. I think you should send Dampier into the TNT studios to address that!
Lastly, I think NBA owners are in a bind… Do you give a fantastic player like Kenyon Martin a max contract to get more physical? I think he is a good player but not a max contract player. But a player is worth what someone is willing to pay him, so I guess he is. Are you looking to add to the 4-5 spot?
Oh yea, I miss watching Fin in a Mavs jersey!
Chuck
Hackensack, NJ
Comment by Chuck -
I call it entrepreneurialism – if you don’t get emotional, then what are you doing? Entrepreneurialism at its heart is taking a look around you and saying “that could be done so much better”! (While the rest of the world says “But thats the way it’s always been done!”).
Comment by Chris Hamoen -
Grow up and just watch basketball. I don’t understand how you take so much pride in always being the center of attention for picking on someone or causing a scene. It seems like every other day I hear about the crazy stupid and obnoxious antics of Mark Cuban in the news. Just because you have lots of money and own an NBA team does not mean that you are better than the rest of the world. Follow the lead of all the other owners that can respectfully sit at games, watch their team, and enjoy the game. And for everyone’s sake, just shut up and get over yourself.
Comment by Randy -
Response to Diane (Post #45)….
“Well! I’m actually feeling rather good about this. I think we’ve all arrived at a very special place, eh?….Spiritually….Ecumenically….Grammatically….”
“Diane….It would never have worked between us, darling. I’m sorry….”
**Quotes courtesy of “Pirates of the Caribbean” the movie**
Seriously though Diane….I’m only joking. A dry sense of humor doesn’t always transfer well in written form. Obviously you’re a well intended person and I respect that. If you post your blog’s web address in the “Add Your Comments” form, I’ll make sure to check it out….
“Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirate’s life for me
We pillage, we plunder we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirate’s life for me….”
Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
Comment by StockMaverick -
The beautiful thing about blogging is that the whole “typing” process allows you to think through your comments carefully, so as to avoid making embarassing remarks.
It’s too bad for Cuban that he hasn’t discovered this nice little feature associated with the internet, and now it’s made him look like a complete idiot in front of millions of people. Don’t get me wrong, i’m sure it doesn’t bother him, as it hasn’t in the past. Maybe someday Mark will be all growed up, and will know how to handle himself in something other than a child-like manner. Ahh.. someday.
See Mark, THIS is an appropriate context to use the word ‘idiot’.
Comment by Joe -
Hey Cubes,
Why don’t you make a bid for the US to host the Rugby World Cup? Maybe a joint US-Canada-Argentina venture?
Comment by J -
You can’t get mad at Charles and Kenny for having below average IQ levels. They did play basketball but that doesn’t mean they can analyze basketball to intelligent levels. They would be coaching right now if they were smart. Barkley WAS a good player but I bet you his college transcripts were nowhere as good. Kenny on the other hand pretends to be smart but you can tell he’s just as stupid as Charles that’s why they try to be funny all the time to cover up for their lack of intelligence. Another reason why I change the channel during halftime is because I can’t stand to watch those two make a fool of themselves everytime they open their big mouths.
Let me ask you this Mark; Would you hire any of these two airheads if they tried to work for you? Imagine those two on a job interview? Those two are nothing but clowns.
Comment by Fishwhiz -
Mark,
Your DUMB LUCK is that you were in the right place at the right time.
Your DUBM LUCK is that you were able to take advantage of those that were DUMBER THAN YOU.
Your DUBM LUCK is that those DUMBER THAN YOU were able to take advantage of those that were DUMBER THAN THEM – the rest of us.
Your DUMB LUCK is that you ended up TAKING ADVANTAGE of all of us – even if indirectly.
Have you ever done anything in your life where you went in, looking for a win-win outcome or is looking for and treating as idiots those across the table the only way that you can win and survive?
Comment by Joe Camel -
Response to Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
First of all I never claimed to be a genius either. Second of all any grammar spelling or punctuation errors that may have occurred were because of two things. One I wrote my response right before I went to work and didnt have time to check for all of that. Two this is a public forum, not a published article, there are people on here with worse grammar spelling and all and out name calling than what I did. All and all I still do not believe that Mark Cuban was right in calling Charles and Kenny idiots. I also still do not believe that you were right in defending any comments that he has made regarding the matter. Looking back on your reference to Einstein and what the whole “nerd” thing was about I am thinking one of two things about my interpretation of your first response. 1) I was completely right and you meant nerd being a thinker, a philosophizer, and someone who doesnt go with the crowd and so forth… (Fill in with own aspects of positivism) or 2)I was completely off in my interpretation and therefore should not have referenced your nerd mentality statement and responding to you I should have brought to your attention the fact that you were defending his statements and stuck with that. I too have a blog. I have never called anyone an idiot on it or any type of name. Even if I did it probably wouldnt make a whole lot of difference since the only ones who read it are my friends anyways. I realize now that I came down a little hard on a guy in which I dont even know who you are (by my quote of quoting Einstein does not make you inteligent) I am very passionate about the NBA and being rushed by the fact that I had to run off to work didnt help either. Charles and Kenny are two of my favorite players from NBAs past because of their passion, attitude and work ethic. My point is that when I believe that someone is wrong I will say something about it and also I will say something to anyone who defends that person also. I will try to watch what I say and try not to call you an idiot….. (although I failed miserably in my first response to you) Second of all I am one of those people who is all about the content… not about the grammar intrinsics. Obviously if I went right out and called Cuban a fag and went right out and called you a queer I would get no respect whatsoever. At least with the content of my responses you at least read it and respect it enough to disect it and to try and point out my errors. I too am not perfect and didnt even claim to be smart but seriously it pisses me off that Cuban seems to think its smart to call them idiots. Another thing before I leave since I dont know who you are I dont know how smart you are and you dont know how smart I am, for all I knew when I was writing my response earlier you could have been a rocket scientist with a biased opinion…. so I guess more or less although it may not have seemed like it…. your response got reasonable respect from me for its originality based on the other side of the Cuban/TNT spectrum, and is probably the reason why I thought it was worthwhile disputing your response.
Comment by Diane -
Mark,
You are too emotional. I think you need to take a meditation class. You called them “idiots”, said they knew nothing about bball (which is an idiotic statement in itself), and you are aware how many people read this blog. That will definitely make people think you are angry. The facts are what they are, the Mavs are soft and haven’t played Defense at all in the Nelson era, they have yet to prove anything different. Chill out man, don’t take it all so personal..
Comment by Brandon -
Mark,
You are too emotional. I think you need to take a meditation class. You called them “idiots”, said they knew nothing about bball (which is an idiotic statement in itself), and you are aware how many people read this blog. That will definitely make people think you are angry. The facts are what they are, the Mavs are soft and haven’t played Defense at all in the Nelson era, they have yet to prove anything different. Chill out man, don’t take it all so personal..
Comment by Brandon -
I just wanted to say that I enjoy watching the Mavs every opportunity that I get. Being in the military, it is usually on TNT and I am subjected to the negative comments no matter what the outcome of the game is. It could have been 130-100 Mavs win, and all they talk about is how the Mavs “D” gave up 100 points. Yes, there have been times when I wished the Mavs had defense, particularly in the conference semis and finals. But being an old school Mavs fan and remebering the days of the 90s(that was a nightmare), I am just ultimately glad to know that on any given day, my Mavs will compete. Cuban has done alot for the program and will eventually(hopefully this year), with the help of his coaches, fit the right pieces of the puzzle together. Keep up the good work.
Comment by DevilDoc -
I still laugh at the fact that you picked Erick Dampier over Steve Nash, shows how much you know. Frankly I think you know as much basketball has the towell boy sitting next to you, and that’s very little. And don’t worry you’ll never make it out of the first round, again.
Comment by Brian Jackson -
Hey Arne (Post 33),
Techinically, its “Your team sucks and just got beaten by NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY”.
GO OKC.
Comment by Katie -
Response to Diane (#38)….
I realize that “quoting Einstein” doesn’t make me intelligent. Nor does the fact that I (only) have a GED + 1 year of junior college under my belt. I never claimed to be a genius, I merely quoted one. Having said that, I have to tell you Diane, your misspelling of ‘intelligent’ (intelegent) doesn’t score many points for you either….LOL
Nerd reference?? You should reread my prior comments….
Take care Diane….I appreciate your opinion.
Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
Comment by StockMaverick -
MC says he’s not “mad” but I disagree. Mark’s definitely mad, he’s just not angry. The only difference between Mark Cuban and a “mad” scientist is that MC isn’t a scientist….
Seriously though, the media loves to blow things out of proportion. That’s what sells. Just like TNT….”We Love Drama.”
Speaking of blown out, great game last night! Holding the Spurs below 41% shooting….
Who says there’s no “D” in Dallas?
D is for Defense….D if for Dirk….D is for Doug….D is for Dampier….D is for Daniels….D is for Devin….D is for Darrell….D is for Diop….D is for Didier….D is for Dallas!! (Maybe I got a little carried away there….LOL)
Keep up the good work!
Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
Comment by StockMaverick -
Dear Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
This one is for you instead of for Mark. Quoting Einstein does not make you intelegent for one thing. Two defending a public entity when he outwardly called someone an idiot for no reason does not make you smart. Charles and Kenny insulted the mavs defense not Mark Cuban personally. I dont know what you people in California consider as insults but I sure dont consider insulting a teams defense as a personal insult. As I have stated in one of my previous responses to Cuban in so many words, stats are relative, they can lie if they are not used correctly. General trends are more reliable than stats. With that said Charles and Kenny were only insulting the maverick defense with basic stats used to generate general trends. Those 99% of the time will never lie. That is why they speak so highly of the spurs and the pistons right now. They have more of a complete team according to those general trends based on basic statistics. With that wha la they are the last two teams to win championships. Coincidence I think not. Another thing is there are certain aspects of defense that will never show up on a statistics sheet. Why do you think that Trenton Hassell got signed to a large contract by the Blazers that was matched by the wolves. Think about it alright. There is a difference between being a “nerd” and just flat out being wrong, and by nerd I mean it in a good sense of the word, as in the definition that you used in your response to Marks Im not mad blog. (this one)
Comment by Diane -
Hey Mark,
stop runnin’ your mouth and shut up
everyone outside of Dallas thinks your gay…
Comment by Steven Chang -
if you arent mad, then why did you get all offensive in your blogs afterwards. Charles and Kenny had every right to defend themselves after you called them idiots. What I am saying is that I DONT BELIEVE YOU!!! Downplaying the situation to a simplistic blog entry when you have the stature in society you do is the furthest from the truth. Since you have drawn attention from more than just mavs fans for your blog your blog has become a public internet entity, and unless you dont say another word about Charles, Kenny, Reggie, Ernie, or anyone else who ever has been on TNT in your blogs it is the exact same as blasting these people to the media. All I am saying is if you do the crime well pay the consequences.
Comment by Diane -
Mark,
I think you touched on an issue in this country today, not just your blog;
If someone disagrees with you/someone, then suddenly it is a personal affront or attack. No longer can we have intelligent discussions on topics, especially anything controversial. If we do, the conversation quickly degrades to mudslinging. Just look at the reactions to any discussion about the Government since 9/11 – if you disagree, you are branded unpatriotic.
BTW, your willingness to have these types of discussions is what makes you so worth listening to.
Comment by Brent -
The fact that people think you are mad just because you have a negative comment about something seems to me to be a reflection of how society has changed over the past several years. There is no civility, no courtesy, and no allowance for a difference of opinion. I think this is reflected in the attitude and demeanor of our politicians and news reporter’s more so than in any other forums. Because the most visible segments of our society practice no restraint between their brains and their mouths everyone else seems to think it’s OK. Just look at some of the comments you receive in response to your blog. As a Big fan of the Mavs, I appreciate the things you do to constantly improve the franchise. I love going to the games, my only regret is that I can’t sit close enough to the court for the referees to hear my pithy and urbane comments which are invariably delivered at a high decibel rate. (Hey Ref, when you see the replay you can add that one to the “oops” list).
I love to read your blog and I hope you will continue to express yourself and your opinions as you have in the past. I’d like to think it’s what I would do if I ever became independently wealthy, that and play golf. If I had lots of money I’d just buy new clubs and attack the course again.
Comment by Michael Genette -
Hey Ben..just curious..correct me if I am wrong but did Dallas ever win a Championship Let alone ever make it past the second round of the playoffs? Dallas will never be in the same breath as the Rockets till they have accomplished what Houston did in The mid 90’s. When it comes to the Texas three..Dallas is like the The screw up child that will never ammount to anything compared to the other siblings(Houston and San Antonio)”
Haha, you’re such a loser. Do you remember us getting to the WCF a couple of years ago? When we were only defeated, becasue of Dirk getting injured?
Your team sucks and just got beaten by NEW ORLEANS!!! Meanwhile our Mavericks blew out the San Antonio Spurs and played great Defense like they have played throughout all three games this season. Our Defense has been great this year, but with Barkley on your mind you’ll never realise it. The problem during the first two games was our offense, the ball movement, the spacing, and and and. But never our defense.
Remember, when Barkley was talking out of his ass about our defense, he didn’t even realise that we had hold Phoenix to 90 points in the regular playing time. 90 points. – Now compare them to the 108 points which they scored last season as an average.
I’m really looking forward to the playoffs when Barkley will finally have realised that this years Mavs are for real, but will not pick them to overcome the first round because of his pride…
Marc, I really like how you speak your mind. It’s great to see somebody telling this morrons that they speak out of their ass.
Comment by Arne -
Ahhh a cleansing,
Donald has overinflated everything he ever could to Trump himself. A Boring infomercial for hawking products is what his show has become.
I have to admit I didn’t watch your show either. Don’t have much time for anything but my family and a triple dose of work. I do agree with you on just being you in the face of staunch criticism. Success and a willingness to voice an opinoin puts a big target on you.
No fear, No envy, No meanness
Sully
Comment by Sully -
Daniel I absoultly agree with you on the rockets. Mark,I love your blog and i love your commentary on things you have in your blog. Devin harris is a stud after what i saw him do against the spurs. Keep up the good work mark. GO MAVS GO!
Comment by Mike -
“Im sure there are other things that im supposed to be mad at that I havent listed here. Just so you know, Im not mad.”
but it’s the quiet seething ones you really gotta look out for! 😉
Comment by dg -
oh my last comment was directed to Daniel
Comment by Tony -
“Did you enjoy it the last time our Mavericks played your Rockets? You remember, when Chokecity blew a 2-0 lead and fell to us in 7 by like 83 points… Surely you can’t forget that, ol boy McGrady almost cried afterwards.
And if you think that Stromile “I am the most overrated scrub in the NBA” Swift and Rafer “I can bounce the ball off of my head because I played streetball” Alston put you over the top you are just crazy…
Maybe your crappy team should just concentrate on finding a superstar that can stay healthy…”
Hey Ben..just curious..correct me if I am wrong but did Dallas ever win a Championship Let alone ever make it past the second round of the playoffs? Dallas will never be in the same breath as the Rockets till they have accomplished what Houston did in The mid 90’s. When it comes to the Texas three..Dallas is like the The screw up child that will never ammount to anything compared to the other siblings(Houston and San Antonio)
Comment by Tony -
thanks for clearing it up Mark
Comment by Tony -
“I write about the things that I would enjoy sitting down and discussing with someone else interested in that topic”
A Sac Kings fan speaking here…I enjoy your rants, discussions, whatever you want to call them. It’s just dialogue and your personal opinion. What’s great about it is you speak your mind and it’s not a cookie cutter mold for someone in your position. As a home theater nut I love you (I’m straight don’t worry) and a sports fan I respect you (no, I will still cheer on my Kings). Your blog wouldn’t be so interesting if you didn’t just speak what’s on your mind…
Comment by d. scott -
For the record, (and I know I’ve said it before) I enjoyed and learned so much more from the short run of The Benefactor than I continue to learn from The Apprentice. Most importantly, I learned you don’t have to sacrifice your integrity or heart in order to be successful. Trump has the occasional good business lesson in show, but he doesn’t possess nearly half the class that you do. He, more than often, acts like he’s above the common man as if he’s high and mighty and therefore can come off like a classless pig at times. You, on the other hand, do not appear to flaunt your wealth or success. Maybe we should just call you “The People’s Gazillionaire”? I read the article that you linked to regarding Trump in this recent post and it is so blatantly obvious that he knows you are right because he STILL to this day continues to take occasional jabs at you on his show.
Also, you never had to “sell out” like he appears to on his show with all the corporate sponsoring and collaborations. Just watch an episode where he’s working with another business and it’s namedrop, namedrop, namedrop…like the cash register is going “cha-ching” every time he says “Dairy Queen”, “Home Depot” or “Best Buy”.
Speaking of Dairy Queen, the DQ managerial event is kinda what got me interested in you and your world. I found that to be hilarious. Personally, I’ve been a hockey/soccer girl for a long time now and not much of a basketball person, but through becoming a long-time reader of your blog, I kinda wanna check out a Mavs game as soon as I can either when they play in L.A. or if I catch them on TV (provided my hockey Panthers aren’t playing on TV that night…no offense intended there, just my first love).
Oh yeah, if you know anyone looking to buy a soccer team and not move them from their current market, I hear my San Jose Earthquakes are going up for sale. Unfortunately, one of the potential buyers at the moment wants to snatch them up and relocate them to Houston.
Comment by Amy -
Go OKC Hornets.
Comment by Katie -
I like the way you have presented. I am not at Donald Trump, etc. Good writing.
–Gautam
http://www.stock-article.com/
Comment by G Dev -
Mark I congratulate you for being the guy you are and for turning our organization around.
First off I’d just like to say that TNT basketball sucks. Their show with Kenny Smith and Barkley is absolutely horrible. Barkley has no intellectual insight and just states the obvious and the other shit he says is just that, shit. They obviously don’t know what they are talking about, otherwise the mavs wouldn’t knock off SA by 19 points.
Maybe you were out of line by calling them idiots… but if the truth is out of line, then so be it.
Comment by Jared Shojaian -
nice game
I wonder what Charles and Kenny will say now
Maybe it’s about time THEY went “gone fishin”… permanently
Comment by Kelly -
Charles and Kenny. Pfft. You are a million times more entertaining. I mean you carried the Benefactor… Wait, that show kinda stunk. Anyway, I’d much rather read your blog that watch their playful banter.
Comment by Rich -
hey, I think this controversey is really hurting tnt and the mavericks. The players could become distracted, and all of this is becoming much bigger than it should have ever become. You are all (cuban,barkley,smith) ‘supposed’ to be professionals. It’s about time you start acting like some. Given, you do have alot of money and fame but with that comes responsibility. You are supposed to be ‘role models’ for the american youth. Let’s stop arguing over the picky things and let dallas and tnt do and think their own things. Thank you! catorade6.blogspot.com
Comment by Wilson -
Great entry, Mark.
Comment by Chase -
Hey Ben,
Did you enjoy it the last time our Mavericks played your Rockets? You remember, when Chokecity blew a 2-0 lead and fell to us in 7 by like 83 points… Surely you can’t forget that, ol boy McGrady almost cried afterwards.
And if you think that Stromile “I am the most overrated scrub in the NBA” Swift and Rafer “I can bounce the ball off of my head because I played streetball” Alston put you over the top you are just crazy…
Maybe your crappy team should just concentrate on finding a superstar that can stay healthy…
Comment by Daniel -
What was said was amusing. While I somewhat agree with both sides, I would just like to say that the Mavs defense is about as good as it can be, while that isn’t as good as the Pistons or Spurs, it is acceptable and gets them enough wins to likely hit the playoffs again this season. The team could use a defensive player or two to tighten it up, and that would probably leave more options for offense too… everyone gains a little with some defensive intensity.
keep up the fiery commentary, it is great to hear people react to it. Also, just for reference, that blue suit you wore to the game the other night… yeah… you should get some more colorful suits like that. They are great.
Comment by Jlunes -
>>I actually really like Kenny and Charles.
>>I just dont like the way they do their jobs. >>Thats my opinion. Thats what blogs are for.
>>To write about whats on my mind.
Mark –
Yes, blogs are for expressing opinions or telling stories.
But expressing “opinions” with insults is not intelligent or professional. How about expressing your opinion about TNT with some constructive criticism and intelligent remarks?
I counted at least SEVEN insults in your original rant against TNT, Charles, Kenny, and Reggie, inluding two uses of the word “idiot.”
No one said you were “angry.” But it just comes off sounding like sour grapes, Mark. You’re a wealthy owner of a good (not great) team. You’re in a business of entertainment and athletics. Deal with the media criticism a little better and fix the “problems” instead of firing insults back about why someone won’t ever be a head coach. Your Mavs were much better contenders with Nash two years ago. You’ve dropped off in talent, not increased it.
Comment by Paul -
All I gotta say is….
GO SPURS GO!!!! GO SPURS GO!!!!
Comment by Lisa from SA! -
Kenny Smith is no average athlete. Nobody who has played in the NBA is an average athlete.
Comment by M N -
Kenny Smith might have the biggest ego of any average athlete I’ve ever seen!
Comment by Big Fat Duck -
Thank you Mr. Cuban what your doing in this company has turn our team into team to compete. Despite of what the fat comedian and the sidekick friends think, keep your head up. We’ll just have to prove it to them. I know we can especially with faces like josh howard and christie. Once again thank you
Comment by Mobster06 -
lol numbah 10 😀
alrite Mavs are really good this year and for the T-mac replier Rockets are gonna flop like they always do. Face it T-mac just doesn’t belong 2nd round or higher. Season just started and hes already injured.. please!
Mark Cuban your have turned my favorite organization(the mavs) into a team to watch and we mavs fan thank you for that. Keep doing what you are doing despite the haters like Kenny and the other fat comedian. If your blog and your only typing what you feel. Take it this way, you know you are doing something write if your journal entries become Headlines news :D. again thank you for what you have done to our future dynasty 😀
Comment by Mobster06 -
Thank you Mark for bringing up a point of frustration for Mavs fans. I lived in Dallas for 25 years before moving to Chicago last year. My worst fears were realized. The negative one-sided view of the Mavs that Charles and Kenny present is what fans in other cites think about the Mavs. They don’t see the team except on TNT and they hear what C&K have to say and repeat it.
I have a real issue with the way they consistently criticize the Mavs year in and year out. I don’t hear them talk as negatively about any other team who has won 50 plus games for multiple year as they do the Mavs. Charles even admits he does not watch the games they are covering; he only glances at the games.
I am sick of the same trite comments that these two came up with 4 years ago and refuse to change because they are too lazy to watch some film.
Comment by Dave -
Mark, next time you are in Toronto, let’s have a game of one-on-one. I want to see if I can bring out that temper.
Comment by M N -
I never knew you played Rugby either — actually, I thought it was a sport only played and liked by countries such as New Zealand, Australia, England, Whales, Scotland etc.
Here in NZ. Rugby is the most popular sport. I love it to bits however recently broke my collarbone being tackled from behind running with the rugby ball. Have to go with a sling for three weeks — it’s a very dangerous sport, Rugby.
Comment by Sid Yadav -
I think the TNT guys are symptom of a larger problem with basketball coverage. Even sports coverage in general: how to present interesting commentary commentary while maintaining accessibility.
I think this is a huge problem in basketball, namely it’s a complicated team sport with relatively little stoppage time. Moreso, that stoppage time is usually given away to advertisers rather than to decent, informative, commentary.
I’m a newcomer to basketball, in my 3rd season of watching it. As a result I’m just as dissapointed in the general lack of penetrating commentary on TV, since it makes it much harder to ‘learn the game’. It is however, a valid question as to whether it is possible to provide good analysis, while ‘preaching to the lowest common denominator’ for adveriser’s sake.
Comment by Josh -
Still the TNT crew sucks. Charles is funny sometimes and K.Smith always thinks he’s the smarters which I would say the other guy (the white guy) knows a lmot more than him about everything inluding basketball.
Again playing basketball doesn’t mean you know it. Does Fortson know any basketball? Hell no. He just knows how to play in a thuggish way and hurt people. Thats what keeps him in this league. Nothing else. Can’t shoot or do anything else.
PEACE ang god bless you Cuban.
GO KINGS!!!
Comment by DUKG from realGM -
Hey Mark,
I wouldn’t fret over any backlash, or negative remarks or emails. Intelligent people recognize the ‘herd mentality’ that is prevalent throughout society. There are a lot of simpletons in the world who mindlessly repeat the words of others. Original thinkers will always meet resistance when attempting to communicate with the masses….
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” ~Albert Einstein
Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
Comment by StockMaverick -
Actually Ben you are somewhat offbase. As a Mavericks fan I am not blind to the fact that they are nowhere near the Spurs or Pistons or any other upper echelon defensive team. However every game that is played by the Mavs on TNT gets the same basic analysis. The Mavs can’t play defense. A 10 year old can clearly see that, but the TNT crew doesnt point out specific examples, they generalize everything.
They have no commentary or intelligent statements on how they would fix the problem, they simply restate the obvious. This tends to get old after you’ve seen enough of these games, and it just makes it seem as though the TNT analysts can’t come up with ANYTHING original, which makes them appear unintelligent and boring. Although I don’t actually believe they are unintelligent in basketball analysis, so maybe they are just too lazy to come up with something new.
Comment by Allison -
I wouldn’t be mad either, if I had a NBA team and billions of dollars in my possession!
Comment by Pavel -
you’re still off base. the mavs can’t defend the pick n roll and i personally cant wait til my rockets play y’all so t-mac and yao can have a field day all over your shinny jew team runnin the pick n roll all night. id much rather listen to kenny and charles analyze a basketball game with their knowledge than some businessman who watches from his seat and has never played an NBA game. sit back and watch the games cuban and take notes from kenny and charles, you could learn something and maybe you’ll realize that that defensive handicapped-assembly of players you have needs serious revamping.
Comment by Ben Layman -
Hey Mark,
I didn’t know you played rugby. That’s great. Another good reason to like you 😉
Don’t worry about the Times, they got biggest issues than you with Judith Miller. And regarding, TNT, let’s say that you weren’t no wrong.
Comment by William -