Despite the fact Dirk Nowitzki signed a new four-year contract with the Mavericks this summer, the realistic oddsmaker knows Dallas’ championship window for the Dirk era only has a couple of years left — if it hasn’t been slammed shut already by the likes of Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade and Baron Davis — before it’s officially rebuilding time. The Mavs took another hit this weekend, as rising star Rodrigue Beaubois broke his left foot while playing for Team France, a setback in the young guard’s development. At worst, Roddy B could miss three months, and while he’d still be able to play most of the season, he’d lose valuable time in his offseason training. It’s been expected that Rick Carlisle will look to start Beaubois next to Jason Kidd next season, which could lead to a scary situation (for Carlisle) where Caron Butler or Shawn Marion has to be told they’ll be coming off the bench. Read more: http://dimemag.com/2010/08/dirks-dwindling-championship-hopes-take-another-hit/
