Danny Manning's first, and possibly his last, season with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks started with so much promise.
The 36-year-old former Kansas University All-American, who was signed by the Mavs as a free agent in August of 2001, started 10 games early in the 2001-02 campaign. The 6-foot-10, 235-pounder had double-figure scoring outputs against Houston (11 points, Oct. 11), Orlando (16, Oct. 23), Denver (13, Nov. 8), Golden State (10, Dec. 1) and San Antonio (11, Dec. 26).
Danny Manning speaks during the news conference where he was introduced as a free-agent pickup by the Dallas Mavericks on August 2, 2001.
"I was making a contribution, doing what they wanted me to do," said Manning, who played center and power forward.
Things changed for the worst and led to Manning finishing the season with a phantom injury on the NBA's injured reserve list in late February when the Mavericks acquired former Jayhawk forward Raef LaFrentz, Nick Van Exel and Tariq Abdul-Wahad from Denver for Juwan Howard, Donnell Harvey, Tim Hardway and a 2002 first-round draft pick.
"When we made that trade at the trading deadline what I hear is first I was in the trade and at the last minute was pulled out. From that point on, I didn't play," Manning said.
Manning played 23 minutes and scored eight points in a 98-90 victory over Boston on Feb. 21, the day of the blockbuster trade. He played 13 minutes combined in the next three games, then was placed on the injured list on March 5 with a strained back.
"Nothing was wrong with me," Manning said. "Throughout my whole career I've battled back from knee injuries. Now my knees don't bother me. Putting me on the list with a knee injury would have been the easiest way to go. I wasn't going to be for that. I said put me on with a back injury."
He sat the rest of the regular season and watched Dallas sweep Minnesota in the first round of the NBA playoffs, then fall to Sacramento in the semifinals four games to one.
"Disappointing," Manning said of the season. "I mean, I wasn't on the playoff roster. That's the first thing that comes to mind. From then on, it was disappointing. You don't spend your summers working out and doing as much work as I do, saying, 'I want to be on the injured list in the playoffs.'''
Manning's future is now in the hands of Mavericks' ownership. He's completed the first year of a two-year, $3.2 million contract. Dallas has the option for the second year.
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"The ball is in their court," Manning said. "They have an option, a decision they have to make by the end of this month."
Mavs' owner Mark Cuban, who signs the checks, remains a big Manning fan.
"Hopefully, he will be back!" Cuban wrote in an e-mail to the Journal-World. "Danny contributed every day in practice and with his support and help to the other players. He brought experience, big-game exposure and a great attitude. Whenever he was in the game or on the bench he always was supportive and had a coach's mind to help the other guys.
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Cuban added, referring to signing Manning.
"It's their decision," Manning repeated. "They can say they hope I come back. The bottom line is if they pick up the option I will be back. I enjoyed the year in Dallas. Dallas was a lot of fun. We had a lot of friends in the area, and a lot of friends were able to make the drive down to see me play."
Manning likes the style of fan and player-friendly owner Cuban.
"Mark is the type of owner that will go out and do whatever it takes. We have all the latest gadgets, whistles, everything it takes to win," Manning said. "I talk to Mark quite a bit. I spent a lot of time with him when I was on the injured list. That's where I sat with him."
Cuban enjoyed the company.
"Danny is a first-class person and credit to the NBA," the owner wrote. "He always had me smiling. Listening to him shout out, 'Touch 'em up' or, 'Heat check' (slang to Mavs' players on the court) always had us smiling and he always was positive and willing to answer any stupid questions about the NBA that I had."
Whether it's in Dallas or elsewhere, Manning says he would definitely like to continue his career, which has spanned 14 years.
"I'd like to play one more year and go from there," Manning said. "I don't envision myself as a person who is a starter on a team or one to go out and play 30-some minutes. When I look at rosters on teams I see nine, 10, 11 men on the bench. I feel I can compete with those guys.
"I haven't thought about it a lot," he said of his immediate future. "There's no need to sit here and stress out or try to figure out what they are trying to do. I sit back and wait and whatever happens."
Notes
Manning will hold his annual camp for boys and girls (kindergarten to ninth grade) July 29 to Aug. 2 at Sport2Sport. Camp director is Kansas City Knights assistant and former Iowa State standout Mike Born. For information, pick up a brochure at Sport2Sport or locations around town, check the Sport2Sport Web site or call Angie McLure at 841-7550.
"My goal is for kids to come out and learn a little about the game fundamentals and basics to see and meet new friends," Manning said. "You come to my camp we will not ask you to make any shot, not be the fastest in the gym or touch the top of the board. We'll ask you to pay attention and work hard.
"I always look forward to this camp in Lawrence. We'll have a lot of fun with it again."
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